LOS
ANGELES, July 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The
Extension divisions of UCLA and UC
Berkeley have received a $12 million
gift from professor, author and entrepreneur Scott Galloway to fund the creation of a new
program that gives non-traditional students access to the skills
and resources they need to launch their careers.
The gift, which will be split equally between the two
universities, is one of the largest focused on University of California continuing and
professional education, UCLA and UC
Berkeley Extension leaders said.
"The accessibility and affordability of UCLA and UC Berkeley changed my life," said
Galloway, an alumnus of both universities. "I'm hoping this gift
puts the educational resources of both universities within reach
for more people and provides skills that lead to the growth of good
jobs in the Main Street economy."
The new UC Excelerator program, scheduled to begin this fall, is
aimed primarily at community college graduates and those with
limited college experience. The program will provide students with
career-focused coursework, networking opportunities and access to
industry leaders, all free of cost.
"Scott Galloway's generous gift
will help us continue to widen the doors of opportunity and provide
our students with the tools and connections needed to thrive in
today's economy," said UCLA Chancellor Gene
Block. "Galloway has been outspoken about the immense impact
that UCLA and UC Berkeley had on his
life and career, and we are extraordinarily appreciative that he is
helping to extend the promise of public higher education to so many
others."
Galloway received a bachelor's degree in economics from
UCLA in 1987 and a master's in business
administration from UC Berkeley in 1992. A member of the faculty of
New York University's Stern School of
Business since 2002, Galloway has started multiple companies
focused on business intelligence and e-commerce, has written
several New York Times bestsellers and
is a host of the podcasts "Pivot" and "ProfG."
Thanks to the gift, students accepted into the program will take
tuition-free classes that promote professional development and aid
them in beginning a new career or advancing to the next level in
their current career path. Fall 2024 UC Excelerator offerings at
UCLA will focus on business and
entrepreneurship. UC Berkeley's program will concentrate on data
analytics, facilities management and project management.
"We are grateful to Scott
Galloway for his generosity and forward thinking, using
continuing education as a pathway to help students achieve their
potential," said UCLA Extension Dean Eric Bullard. "This gift will
impact students looking to gain the skills necessary to launch
their careers."
"Berkeley's value to society
needs to continually evolve to serve as wide a cross-section of
people as it can," said UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons. "Scott's continuing commitment with
this donation to the UC Excelerator scholarship and past gifts that
support the education of first-generation American students, is
emblematic of the insight he brings to his philanthropy. He
provokes us. He makes us better."
View original content to download
multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ucla-uc-berkeley-extension-receive-12-million-from-scott-galloway-to-help-non-traditional-students-pursue-careers-302204302.html
SOURCE UCLA Extension