Capella University PhD Candidate Named Director of Athletics & Physical Education at Vassar College; Sharon Beverly is One of the Only Female African American Athletic Directors at a Division III College.

MINNEAPOLIS -- Capella University PhD candidate Sharon Beverly has been named Director of Athletics & Physical Education at Vassar College in Poughkeepsie, New York. Formerly the Associate Director of Athletics at Vassar, Beverly assumed her new position in April.

Beverly is believed to be one of the only - if not the only - female African American athletic directors at a Division III college.

"Becoming a director was a natural evolution for me. I am very pleased and proud to be appointed at Vassar," Beverly said.

In her role as athletics director, Beverly supervises nearly 40 coaches and 25 sports, both male and female, with a total of more than 400 student athletes.

Beverly is also pursuing a PhD in leadership for higher education at Capella University, which is an online university serving more than 13,000 students. Capella's reputation for academic rigor and its highly respected accreditation are what attracted Beverly to the online university. She expects to graduate in 2007.

"Pursuing my doctorate was an asset for me with the selection committee at Vassar. My commitment to both the academic and athletic development of our student-athletes was evident by the continuation of my own education with the ultimate goal of receiving my PhD," Beverly explained. "My Capella education has broadened my perspective and put me back in touch with academia. The curriculum provides valuable information pertinent to current issues in higher education. I am finding the courses extremely valuable to my professional development."

More than 1,000 universities have hired Capella graduates to teach their students. In addition, Capella has more PhDs per capita than any other online university.

Prior to coming to Vassar, Beverly spent more than 20 years coaching women's basketball. She also played professionally in Europe and with the New Jersey Gems. Beverly has been employed by Vassar for 4 years.

About Capella University

Founded in 1993 to serve working adults and employers, Capella University is an online accredited(a) academic institution. Capella offers graduate degree programs in business, information technology, education, human services and psychology, plus a bachelor of science with 10 specializations in business and information technology. The university currently serves more than 13,000 enrolled learners from all 50 states and 57 countries. More than 100 leading corporations recommend Capella to their employees. Capella is a national leader in online education, committed to providing high-caliber academic excellence and pursuing balanced business growth. Capella is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Capella Education Company, headquartered in Minneapolis. For more information, visit http://www.capella.edu or call 1-888-CAPELLA (227-3552).

(a) Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, located at 30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, [phone], www.ncahigherlearningcommission.org.