Summerville Student Named Valedictorian at Strayer University

Press release by Strayer University 

Strayer University is pleased to announce that Chadwick Ambrose of Summerville, S.C., has been named valedictorian. Ambrose will receive his award and address his fellow graduates on Saturday, August 10, at Strayer University’s Charlotte, N.C., regional commencement ceremony held at the Time Warner Cable Arena. 

Ambrose is graduating with a bachelor of business administration degree.  He attended classes at Strayer University’s campus located in the Verizon Wireless call center in North Charleston, S.C., where he serves as an intraday management coordinator. In this role, Ambrose is responsible for balancing staffing needs based on anticipated call volumes and overseeing the daily operations of the call center. He also recently helped create a monthly webinar used by coordinators and analysts from across nine different Verizon Wireless call centers on the East Coast. As a result of his endeavors, Ambrose received the Making a Difference award in March for his outstanding work with the company.

“Pursuing a college education was a dream I’ve had for the last 15 years – a dream that was made possible by being able to go to school where I work,” said Ambrose. “While earning my degree, I learned strategic decision-making, management and business policies and have laid the foundation for career advancement and my future.”

Strayer University has full-service campuses and education programs at 29 Verizon Wireless locations across the country. Through this unique partnership, full- and part-time employees receive 100 percent pre-paid tuition, textbooks, and select fees to take courses related to their current position or other career opportunities within the company. In addition, employees are supported in their academic journey through coaching and career development by managers, internal mentoring, and internal promotion of academic achievements.

“Strayer University and Verizon Wireless share a mutual commitment to increase workforce competitiveness and career advancement opportunities through higher education,” said Dr. Michael Plater, president of Strayer University. “Onsite academic programs such as ours are a strong recruitment tool for companies, in addition to helping to increase retention, performance, and productivity.  We are proud to recognize Chad Ambrose, our valedictorian, as a positive representative of this model.”

Strayer University’s valedictorian title is granted to a student with a 4.0 grade point average who is engaged in the community and extracurricular activities. Outside of work, Ambrose has volunteered with T-Mobile International’s charitable program, Huddle Up, a community rebuilding program where Ambrose led a team of employee volunteers to paint, landscape and install new equipment for a local Boys & Girls Club. Additionally, he volunteers with Medical Outreach Ministries and local youth soccer programs at the YMCA. 

Ambrose will join more than 700 students at the Charlotte, N.C., regional commencement ceremony, where U.S. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx will deliver the commencement address.

Celebrating more than 120 years since its founding in Baltimore in 1892, Strayer University offers relevant and rigorous academic programs to working adults, first-generation college students and others who may not have access to higher education, preparing them for success in today’s competitive job market. Strayer University graduates earn degrees in programs ranging from business administration and accounting to education and information systems. 

The Strayer University Charlotte, N.C., regional commencement ceremony will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 10, at the Time Warner Cable Arena located at 333 E Trade St. in Charlotte, N.C.