WNBPA selects ASU as exclusive educational partner

The Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA), an organization designed to advance the employment, social and post-playing lives of its members, has selected Arizona State University as the association’s exclusive educational partner.

In an effort to expand the player development services offered to their members, the benefit provides WNBPA active players scholarship and academic student services to explore postgraduate educational opportunities geared toward achieving their off-the-court career goals. ASU, recognized as a leader in high-quality online education and ranked the most innovative university in the nation for four straight years by U.S. News and World Report, emerged as an ideal partner for the WNBPA education program, offering degrees identical to those given to on-campus students.

“We will encourage our members to take ownership of the graduate online platform because it will help them achieve greatness as they prepare for their life after basketball,"  said Terri Jackson, executive director for the WNBPA. "The union recognizes that the more the athletes can do now to prepare for the transition — the more equipped they will be as leaders in their next career path.

"With the significant majority of our membership having already earned their undergraduate degrees, we see this partnership with Arizona State University as a great opportunity to further their education at a higher level. They are, after all, more than basketball.”

As part of the educational partnership, ASU will provide the association’s membership the opportunity to earn a graduate degree through one of the more than 60 master’s degree programs offered through ASU Online. Members will also have access to enrollment coaches to help them through the application process, as well as academic advisors and success coaches who will stay with them throughout their academic career with the university.

“Through ASU Online we strive to allow all individuals who are interested in pursuing their education the opportunity to achieve this goal,” said Phil Regier, university dean for educational initiatives and CEO of EdPlus at ASU. “We are pleased to work with the Women’s National Basketball Players Association as its exclusive educational partner in order to provide its members with a pathway to a quality higher education. As part of our charter for the New American University, ASU continues expanding access to higher education for students around the world.”