Roseville Chamber, Drexel University to Partner

Sacramento, Calif.-– Drexel University and the Roseville Chamber of Commerce announced today a new dimension in their effort to promote the development of the young professionals working in and around Roseville. 

The partnership includes leadership by Drexel in support of Ignite, the Roseville Chamber’s young professionals organization, plus two $10,000 scholarship awards to the community’s up-and-coming leaders.
 
‘Drexel University is providing nationally top-ranked graduate programs in areas that are key to the economic future of this region,’ said Aldo Pineschi, Roseville Chamber of Commerce President, ‘and it is ahead of the curve in focusing on those on whom we will rely for leadership in the future.  As Roseville has grown over the years and become a thriving job center, the need for more individuals with leadership abilities has dramatically increased. We want to thank Drexel for sponsoring Ignite, and for offering such generous scholarships for us to award to our community’s future leaders.’

‘It”s wonderful to have a nationally-ranked university like Drexel in our region,’ said Brian Whitmore, President of Ignite, ‘and it really is great that Drexel is investing so much in our future leaders. We created Ignite to inspire and support young professionals who are willing to step up and contribute to our community, and it is very rewarding to have Drexel partner with us and ensure our success.’

A program of the Roseville Chamber, Ignite is comprised of young professionals between the ages of 21 and 40. Ignite’s goal is to provide local businesses with increased community visibility for its young employees looking to advance their careers and become involved in the community.

Drexel has agreed to be a title sponsor of Ignite, and to give a $10,000 scholarship to one of its members who has demonstrated exemplary leadership. Drexel is also giving a $10,000 scholarship to an alumnus member of Leadership Roseville, through which the Chamber brings together two dozen up-and-coming leaders for a one-year program that exposes them to the issues facing the community. 

‘This region will soon see us Baby Boomers retire,’ said Carl (Tobey) Oxholm III, Senior Vice President of Drexel University and Dean of its Center for Graduate Studies in Sacramento. ‘That will create a huge opportunity for the next generation of leaders.  We all must do our best to make sure they are prepared to meet that challenge.  We are convinced that Drexel University’s dynamic, proven approach to learning will effectively position our students for success and leadership in their careers and communities.’  

Information about the two Drexel Professional Leadership Fellowships is available through the Roseville Chamber and Ignite directly. Awards will be made to candidates who have been admitted to one of the seven master’s degrees that will be offered at Drexel’s Sacramento Graduate Center starting next September.

Drexel opened its doors to students in Sacramento in January 2009 and more than tripled its enrollment in its first year. The programs are designed for working professionals and focused at the heart of Greater Sacramento’s growth and economic development initiatives – entrepreneurial business, human resources, education, knowledge management and information science.