DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Oct 25, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --

DeVry Inc. (NYSE:DV), a global provider of educational services, announced today that it has established a private foundation to support its vision that everyone should have access to quality educational programs in order to achieve their career goals. Sharon Thomas Parrott, DeVry's senior vice president of external relations and global responsibility, will serve as president of the DeVry Foundation.

The DeVry Foundation will support initiatives in four areas: improving K-12 public education; strengthening the transition from high school to college; increasing access to higher education for underserved populations; and promoting economic and workforce development. The Foundation will make cash grants, share program expertise and/or provide other in-kind donations, as appropriate, to eligible organizations and partners.

The Foundation will further DeVry's support of quality educational programs and services, and will champion economic growth, development and diversity of the communities where DeVry employees and students live and work. Throughout the years, the students at DeVry's institutions have also participated in world-wide relief and service projects, contributing the knowledge and skills they have developed in their studies.

"The Foundation will reflect DeVry's commitment to 'doing well by doing good'," said Thomas Parrott. "Since 1931, DeVry has sought to provide quality education programs to those who want a better life for themselves and their families. The Foundation will continue that legacy through the support of educational and community initiatives that will help our next generation of workers succeed."

The DeVry Foundation's first grant was to Harvard University's Pathways to Prosperity initiative, which seeks to build a high-quality education system in the U.S. that prepares young adults for the 21^st century workforce. Additional Foundation grants will be made quarterly. The initiative is building collaborations among schools, businesses and nonprofit organizations and has launched pilot efforts in Boston, Silicon Valley, and Illinois.

The DeVry Foundation will consider only invited proposals.

About DeVry Inc.

DeVry's purpose is to empower its students to achieve their educational and career goals. DeVry (NYSE: DV, member S&P 500 Index) is a global provider of educational services and the parent organization of Advanced Academics, Becker Professional Education, Carrington College, Carrington College California, Chamberlain College of Nursing, DeVry Brasil, DeVry University, and Ross University Schools of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine. These institutions offer a wide array of programs in business, healthcare and technology. DeVry's institutions serve students in secondary through postsecondary education and professionals in accounting and finance. For more information, please call 630.353.3800 or visit http://www.devryinc.com.

SOURCE: DeVry Inc.

DeVry Inc.
Ernie Gibble, (630) 353-9920
egibble@devry.edu