1,000 HBCU Students to Receive Free Access to More than 22,000 Cengage Course Materials, Online Homework Access Codes, Study Guides and More

BOSTON— August 6, 2019 — Cengage and UNCF (United Negro College Fund) today announced a program to provide 1,000 students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) with free, semester-long subscriptions to Cengage Unlimited. UNCF, the largest educational organization supporting and advocating for minorities for nearly 75 years, will administer the program and select the recipients on behalf of Cengage.

“Every student should have an equal opportunity to succeed, and having the right learning materials can have a critical impact on performance,” said Michael Hansen, CEO, Cengage. “The high cost of textbooks have prohibited this for many students. This is why we launched Cengage Unlimited – to make quality learning more affordable. UNCF has helped thousands of learners, enabling opportunity for minority students through its financial support and public advocacy. We are proud to partner with UNCF to ease some of the financial burden these students face and ensure they are equipped with the tools they need to reach their full potential.”

Cengage Unlimited is the industry’s first all-access digital subscription for college textbooks and course materials. A subscription offers access to more than 22,000 Cengage eBooks, online homework access codes and study guides for $119.99 a semester, no matter how many products they use. A subscription also includes free access to resources from Evernote, Kaplan, Quizlet, Chegg and Dashlane.

In the 2018-2019 academic year, Cengage Unlimited saved students more than $60 million.

“For 75 years, our motto ‘A mind is a terrible thing to waste, but a wonderful thing to invest in,’ ^® has remained at the forefront of everything we do,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF. “We must continue to invest our time and money in better futures for young people around the country. Partners like Cengage are vitally important to this work and we are pleased to have them as an ally in helping to educate the next generation of leaders.”

Program eligibility is based on several factors, including financial need, a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, an essay and letter of recommendation.  Five hundred subscriptions each will be awarded for the Fall 2019 semester and the Spring 2020 semester. Applications are being accepted through August 29, 2019 for the fall semester. Applications for the Spring 2020 semester will open on November 4, 2019.

For more information on eligibility and to apply for the program visit: https://scholarships.uncf.org.

According to a recent study by Morning Consult on behalf of Cengage, textbook costs are the second largest stressor facing college students today after paying for tuition.  In the same study, 60 percent of African American students noted they have opted not to buy required textbooks and course materials, and 52 percent said buying course materials has a big impact on their finances while in school.

About Cengage
Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. As the largest US-based provider of teaching and learning materials for higher education, we offer valuable options at affordable price points. Our industry-leading initiatives include Cengage Unlimited, the first-of-its-kind all-access digital subscription service.  We embrace innovation to create learning experiences that build confidence and momentum toward the future students want. Headquartered in Boston, Cengage also serves K-12, library and workforce training markets around the world. Visit us at www.cengage.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

About UNCF
UNCF (United Negro College Fund) is the nation’s largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports students’ education and development through scholarships and other programs, strengthens its 37 member colleges and universities, and advocates for the importance of minority education and college readiness. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding nearly 20 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. Today, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at more than 1,100 colleges and universities across the country. Its logo features the UNCF torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”® Learn more at UNCF.org, or for continuous updates and news, follow UNCF on Twitter at @UNCF.

Media Contact
Lindsay Stanley
Cengage
203-965-8634
lindsay.stanley@cengage.com

Cengage Unlimited Subscription Now Includes Free Access to More than $230 Worth of Total Support Services

BOSTON— August 1, 2019 — Cengage, an education and technology company, today announced that it will provide free premium password protection to all Cengage Unlimited subscribers via Dashlane, the leading credential and digital identity management solution.  Dashlane is available now for Cengage Unlimited subscribers, bringing the total value of free services included with a subscription to more than $230.

“Adding Dashlane to Cengage Unlimited addresses one of the top concerns of the digital era: data privacy and security,” said Judah Karkowsky, Senior Vice President of Corporate & Business Development, Cengage. “Today’s students are digitally savvy and rely heavily on Cloud applications, making it important they take steps to ensure their data and personal information remain secure. With students having many accounts to track and manage, Dashlane’s premium service simplifies the process to protect their personal information online.”

In addition to Dashlane, Cengage Unlimited includes free access to resources from Evernote, Kaplan, Quizlet and Chegg to support learning and improve student experiences.

Cengage Unlimited is the industry’s first-of-its-kind digital subscription for college textbooks and course materials, providing access to more than 22,000 products, including eBooks, online homework access codes and study guides. Students pay one price for Cengage Unlimited—no matter how many materials they use – reducing the cost of course materials by up to half. Subscriptions cost $119.99 a semester ($179.99 a year) and are available directly from Cengage, online or at campus and off-campus bookstores. Students saved over $60 million in the 2018-2019 school year with Cengage Unlimited.

Dashlane helps students simplify and secure all their personal information that lives online. Across all platforms and devices, the Dashlane application automatically fills and stores passwords, personal data and payment details to help individuals manage, monitor and protect their digital identity. Through this partnership, Cengage Unlimited semester-based subscribers will receive six months of access (a nearly $30 value) and annual subscribers will get 12 months free use of the password management and protection solution (an almost $60 value).

“Poor password management and protection is a major risk for all individuals – especially among the digital-first generation of students today,” said Emmanuel Schalit, CEO of Dashlane. “In working with Cengage, we are expanding our reach, ultimately helping students save time, protect their personal information and allow them to work worry free in public places like coffee shops and airports.”

For more information visit www.cengage.com/unlimited. To learn more about Dashlane, visit: https://www.dashlane.com/.

You can also learn more about the free services offered through Cengage Unlimited here: https://www.cengage.com/unlimited/partner-offers/

About Cengage
Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. As the largest US-based provider of teaching and learning materials for higher education, we offer valuable options at affordable price points. Our industry-leading initiatives include Cengage Unlimited, the first-of-its-kind all-access digital subscription service.  We embrace innovation to create learning experiences that build confidence and momentum toward the future students want. Headquartered in Boston, Cengage also serves K-12, library and workforce training markets around the world. Visit us at www.cengage.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

About Dashlane
Dashlane simplifies and secures your digital identity—all your personal information that lives online. Across all platforms and devices, the intuitive Dashlane app automatically fills and stores passwords, personal data, and payment details to help you manage, monitor, and protect your digital identity. Available in 11 languages and trusted by 11+ million people in 180 countries (and growing), it’s the complete, global solution for living safely and seamlessly online—at home, at work, and everywhere in between. Dashlane Business is the key to success for enterprise security – a simple, innovative solution built to protect and empower organizations and their employees.

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Media Contact
Emily Featherston
Cengage
617.757.8035
Emily.featherston@cengage.com

Cengage Student Opportunity Index Measures Outlook by College Major

BOSTON—July 18, 2019 — This month, incoming college freshman will tackle their first on-campus experience: orientation. As students register for classes and contemplate majors, data from the Cengage Student Opportunity Index sheds light on how recent and upcoming graduates are faring. According to the Index, graduates in business and hard sciences (STEM, Healthcare and Biosciences) are bullish about their job opportunities and economic outlook, while humanities & social sciences majors are less optimistic about their futures.

“It’s important that students understand how the decisions they make now may impact their lives long after graduation, such as how much debt to take on and job prospects.  While the Index shows Humanities majors feel more uncertainty about their futures than other majors, the liberal arts cultivates skills like critical thinking and effective communication. These soft skills or uniquely human skills are key to workplace success, and graduates who demonstrate strength in this area will have an advantage,” said Michael E. Hansen, CEO of Cengage.

The Cengage Student Opportunity Index measured the opportunity environment for graduates across 17 indicators, using existing public data and a survey of 2,500 recent and upcoming graduates.

Here are the key findings across college majors:

• Employment Outlook: Upcoming graduates are confident they will land a job fairly quickly after graduating, though some majors are more positive than others.

• Business students are the most confident they will land a job in their field (97 percent); while Humanities & Social Sciences students are the least confident (86 percent), however the majority of students in both fields are confident in their job prospects.

• Healthcare graduates are the most likely to be working in their field of study (69 percent); while less than half of Humanities & Social Sciences graduates are working in their field (46 percent).

• Healthcare and STEM majors (both 92 percent) are most likely to say jobs in their field will increase in the next two years.

• Job Considerations: Non-financial job priorities vary by major but doing work that makes a difference seems to come at the expense of growth opportunities for working recent and upcoming graduates.

• Business majors are more likely to have a job that offers work-life balance and growth opportunities than one that makes a difference in peoples’ lives.

• Healthcare and Humanities & Social Sciences majors are more likely to work in a job they feel is making a difference, but are least likely to have a job with growth opportunities.

• Three-quarters of STEM majors (75 percent) are confident they will meet their salary expectations compared to half of Humanities & Social Sciences majors (51 percent) .

• Debt: While student loan debt is on the rise, some majors are less impacted than others.

• Healthcare majors are most likely to have no debt (63 percent).

• Biosciences majors are more likely to owe higher amounts of debt (more than $30,000).

• Less than half of Humanities majors (44 percent) said they would graduate with debt, and those with debt are the most realistic about how long they expect it will take to pay it off– 8 years, though that is still lower than federal estimates.

• Future Outlook: Most graduates are optimistic about their future, but some majors are uncertain about the future of the country.

• Humanities & Social Sciences majors have the most negative outlook – only half (51 percent) think they will be better off than their parents;

• Only 32 percent of Humanities & Social Science majors think the U.S. economic outlook is better than when they began school, compared to about 65 percent of STEM majors who think it is better.

• Half of STEM majors (50 percent) think the country is headed in the right direction; while only 24 percent of Humanities & Social Sciences majors agree.

For more information about the Cengage Student Opportunity Index, visit https://www.cengage.com/todays-learner/career-readiness/ or download the ebook here.

About Cengage
Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. As the largest US-based provider of teaching and learning materials for higher education, we offer valuable options at affordable price points. Our industry-leading initiatives include Cengage Unlimited, the first-of-its-kind all-access digital subscription service.  We embrace innovation to create learning experiences that build confidence and momentum toward the future students want. Headquartered in Boston, Cengage also serves K-12, library and workforce training markets around the world. Visit us at www.cengage.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

About the Index Methodology
The Cengage Student Opportunity Index is calculated based on 17 indicators across four categories: Economic, Employment, Social and Personal Well-Being, with data obtained from both primary and secondary sources.

Primary data was obtained from an online survey conducted by Wakefield Research among 2,500 recent or near college graduates, defined as those who graduated in the past 12 months or who will graduate in the next 12 months. The survey was fielded between January 18 and February 1, 2019. Quotas were set to include 500 students in each of the following majors: business, biological and biomedical sciences, health professions and related programs, humanities and social sciences, and STEM subjects excluding biological and biomedical sciences. The margin of error for this study among the total sample is +/- 2.0 percentage points, calculated at the 95 percent confidence level.

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Media Contact

Kristina Massari
Cengage
203-965-8694
Kristina.massari@cengage.com

July 17, 2019 – Houston, Texas – Zdaly, a venture backed data intelligence leader, announced it has released the world’s largest quantitative research data platform as a free resource for university researchers and students at large.

Zdaly WorldData™ compiles over 3.3 billion world data and time series trends that can be visualized, merged and correlated with built-in statistical models.

Researchers can search, visualize and model important time series trends across multiple dimensions and sources in a single research platform. Data collections cover macroeconomics, demographics, finance, labor, agriculture, healthcare, trade, population and other major sectors important to academic, statistics and quantitative research.

For example, researchers studying infant mortality rates can instantly visualize historical datasets by region, then overlay related factors to plot anomalies, outliers and correlations in minutes.

“The massive troves of the world’s public data are a powerful force of public truth and accountability, playing a critical role in academic research. Yet this data is scattered, hard to source, debug and use – so Zdaly set out to solve this problem”, stated Raj Golecha, CEO of Zdaly.

“What costs our corporate customers six-figures to access, we’re proud to make available to academia free and help advance the efforts of university researchers and students everywhere”, added Golecha.

“University researchers no longer have to wade through disparate, unstructured data sources to prepare the data they need to do their work”, stated Rohit Kelkar, Head of Technology for Zdaly. “Zdaly’s unified data platform cuts data collection and preparation time by half or more, so researchers can focus on analysis and discovery”, added Kelkar.

Zdaly WorldData™ hosts many multiple terabytes of public data sets spanning 25-year moving averages. Full data access and statistical modeling features are available at no cost for all university researchers and students. For more information visit worlddata.zdaly.com.

Library Science or department heads interested in obtaining campus wide deployment instructions can email edu@zdaly.com.

About Zdaly
Revolutionizing big data analytics, Zdaly offers an Augmented Intelligence platform that unifies data science, machine learning and billions of world time series trends to deliver breakthrough data discovery and insights. Our platform ingests, cleanses, classifies and correlates disparate big data to unlock hidden, predictive and actionable insights at scale. Business and strategy teams rely on Zdaly to expose and decipher deep market intelligence, optimize capex projects and seize new market opportunities. For more information visit worlddata.zdaly.com.

Media Inquiries:
Albert Lilly
Zdaly
albert.lilly@zdaly.com
512- 537-9417

First Cengage Student Opportunity Index Measures Graduate Opportunity Across Economic, Employment, Social and Personal Well-Being

BOSTON—May 15, 2019 — As millions of students don caps and gowns for graduation this month, they’re also leaving campus with something else: confidence in their futures. The majority of recent and upcoming college graduates—82 percent—say they are optimistic; and data shows graduates are entering a landscape of positive opportunity despite high student loan debt and housing costs, according to the first Cengage Student Opportunity Index.

The Cengage Student Opportunity Index measured the opportunity environment for graduates across 17 indicators, using existing public data and a survey of 2,500 recent and upcoming graduates. Categories measured included economic, employment, social and personal well-being, with scores calculated on both a national and regional level. The Cengage Student Opportunity Index will be tracked over time to provide insight into the environment for new graduates.

“A college education has long been seen as the path to a better job and, ultimately, a better life,” said Michael E. Hansen, CEO of Cengage.  “The Index shows that college is still a solid investment, but students’ optimism about their futures signals they don’t yet appreciate how loan debt and housing costs may impact their ability to find the jobs they want.  This clearly underscores the need for the education ecosystem to work together on policies and programs that make college more affordable and help students transition from college to the workplace.”

Key findings across the Cengage Student Opportunity Index include:

• Employment: With the unemployment rate down, recent and upcoming graduates are bullish on job opportunities, though some of that optimism may be misplaced.

• 93 percent of near-graduates think they’ll land a job related to their educational background within 6 months of graduating; however, only 60 percent do.

• 88 percent of recent and near-graduates believe the number of available jobs in their field of study will increase in the next 2 years.

• 67 percent expect to meet their salary expectations within a year; however, they may need to move to another state to get it.

• The Midwest and South benefit from the lowest unemployment rates for college graduates.

• Economic: Data shows household income and GDP per capita are on the rise, as is student loan debt and housing costs.

• Student loans

• Half of recent and upcoming graduates (51 percent) say they have student loan debt, and among those with debt, the average amount is $22,919.

• On average, respondents think it will only take 6 years to pay off their loan debt, while other data indicates it will take 20 years.

• Recent and upcoming graduates in the West anticipate the lowest average debt, the Northeast had the highest.

• Housing

• 65 percent of respondents say they will have to move away from their current area to afford a house

• Those in the Northeast and West are particularly impacted, with 73 percent saying they will have to move to buy a home.

• Social: A strong cohort believe the economic outlook is better than when they began college, however there are concerns about the future of the country.

• Almost three-quarters of respondents (71 percent) think the country’s economic outlook is the same or better than when they first began college, and the majority (61 percent) think they will be better off than their parents.

• Only 36 percent of recent and upcoming grads believe the country is headed in the right direction, and almost half (48 percent) believe it is headed in the wrong direction.

• Men tend to be more optimistic with 49 percent thinking the country is going in the right direction, while only 29 percent of women agree.

• Personal Well-Being: Most recent and upcoming grads feel safe and healthy, but there is room for improvement.

• 66 percent are satisfied with their physical health, though 62 percent have had difficulty covering a healthcare expense.

• 71 percent are satisfied with their mental health and report general satisfaction with their romantic relationships (70 percent).

• Recent and upcoming graduates in the South and Midwest have lower confidence in their physical and mental health.

Additional findings from the survey portion of the Index show the level of graduate optimism varies across different political and socioeconomic groups.

• Recent and upcoming graduates identifying as Republican tend to be more optimistic about their future than Democrats (90 percent to 79 percent), and Republican respondents also think the economic outlook is better than Democrats (73 percent to 39 percent).

• Recent and upcoming graduates from lower income brackets are more likely to say the economic outlook for the country is worse than those from higher income brackets (44 percent to 21 percent).

• Those with loan debt are more likely to say the country’s economic outlook is better than those without debt (57 percent to 38 percent).

For more information about the Cengage Student Opportunity Index, please visit https://www.cengage.com/todays-learner/career-readiness.

About Cengage

Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. As the largest US-based provider of teaching and learning materials for higher education, we offer valuable options at affordable price points. Our industry-leading initiatives include Cengage Unlimited, the first-of-its-kind all-access digital subscription service.  We embrace innovation to create learning experiences that build confidence and momentum toward the future students want. Headquartered in Boston, Cengage also serves K-12, library and workforce training markets around the world. Visit us at www.cengage.com or find us on Facebook or Twitter.

About the Index Methodology

The Cengage Student Opportunity Index is calculated based on 17 indicators across four categories: Economic, Employment, Social and Personal Well-Being, with data obtained from both primary and secondary sources.

Primary data was obtained from an online survey conducted by Wakefield Research among 2,500 recent or near college graduates, defined as those who graduated in the past 12 months or who will graduate in the next 12 months. The survey was fielded between January 18 and February 1, 2019. Quotas were set to include 500 students in each of the following majors: business, biological and biomedical sciences, health professions and related programs, humanities and social sciences, and STEM subjects excluding biological and biomedical sciences. The margin of error for this study among the total sample is +/- 2.0 percentage points, calculated at the 95 percent confidence level.

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Media Contacts

Kristina Massari
Cengage
203-965-8694
Kristina.massari@cengage.com

Lindsay Stanley
Cengage
203-965-8634
Lindsay.stanley@cengage.com

Photo Credit: Sam Neill

Two-time Grammy-nominated DJ and Producer Steve Aoki engaged a select crowd of University of Wisconsin-Madison students as part of the national CEO Action Check Your Blind Spots tour. Known for promoting more inclusiveness across the music landscape, Aoki’s on-campus performance Wednesday celebrated more than 500 students for their willingness to learn more about starting meaningful conversations about diversity and bringing inclusion in their daily interactions through the I Act On pledge.

Media Contact
Reena Patel
(919) 744-7556
reena.patel@pwc.com

THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO HEALING AND DESIGNING YOUR BEST LIFE!

BEST SELF

Be You, Only Better

by Life Coach Mike Bayer

Foreword by Dr. Phil McGraw

*On Sale Now*

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Praise for BEST SELF:

“When you read Best Self, you’ll understand that Coach Mike’s formula puts the power of change in the hands of the individual. He encourages people to dig deep and ask themselves basic but important questions like—What do you really want? What are you afraid of? Who is holding you back? He challenges people to strive to live authentically. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to thrive in all areas of life.”

— Jennifer Lopez

 “Coach Mike is a true professional and Best Self is his bible, his ‘how to’ manual on maximizing your potential by discovering the best person you can be in the most effective way you can. Mike Bayer is not a buzz word dispenser. He is a common sense, action-oriented coach that will tell you how to get from where you are to where you want to be in every area of your life, whether it be personal, family, professional, spiritual or all of the above.”

— Dr. Phil McGraw

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Ask Yourself…Are you truly who you want to be? Is this the life you really want? Are you living each day as your best self? What can you change, today?

Mike Bayer isn’t a typical life coach. Modest and mellow, Mike (or “Coach Mike” as he is often called) has spent years helping his clients break through obstacles to live their best life. Acting as a behind-the-scenes superstar, his wildly successful techniques have recently earned him a spot as the first-ever regular contributor on the #1 rated Dr. Phil Show, as well as a key member of Dr. Phil McGraw’s advisory board which consists of 18 of the most accomplished and respected health care professionals in the country. Mike has worked with clients from all walks of life—from celebrities, athletes, and executives, to rageaholics, gamblers, agoraphobics and everyone in between—to confront their fears, acknowledge what is holding them back, and transform their lives into ones that are authentic, passionate, and well-rounded.

This January, Dey Street Books is proud to publish Mike’s first book, BEST SELF: Be You, Only Better (On Sale Now). In this empowering guide, Mike provides readers with an action-oriented, personalized plan for becoming their own life coach. This is not a self-help book that preaches about change. This is not a book that you have to read in-between the lines to glean life wisdom. This is an incredibly interactive, inspiring, and self-revealing book that as Mike says, “only works if you work it, so work it; you’re worth it!” Plus, after all, Mike doesn’t come to this only as a trusted teacher. He is living proof of the hard work, soul searching, and necessary change that can be obtained through these practices because he faced and worked to overcome his own struggle with addiction.

Full of revealing quizzes, provocative questionnaires, and creative drawing exercises, BEST SELF will provide readers with problem-solving strategies to examine where their life is now and determine once and for all who they want to be and where they want to go.

To start their BEST SELF journey, Mike suggests that readers first draw their Anti-Self and Best Self characters directly in the book. A person’s Anti-Self, the side of us triggered by negative situations and emotions like fear and anxiety, is important to identify so that we can attempt to reduce the amount of time we spend in this role. Is our Anti-Self a certain gender? Inspired by a character in a book or movie? Do they behave a certain way when feeling threatened? Is our Best Self warm and considerate? Are they clever and think anything is possible? Interestingly, Mike says it is typically easier for clients to identify their Anti-Self character than their Best Self and they are often shocked to see their results. By starting the book with this exercise, Mike argues that the next time a person is faced with a situation that would usually bring the Anti-Self to the surface, the goal is to let the Best Self character handle it instead. What starts as a conscious decision at the start will, over time, become automatic. The Anti-Self runs contrary to the Best Self, and the first step in taking their power away is to recognize they exist.

Once Anti-Self and Best Self characters are created, Mike takes readers through each of the seven SPHERES of our life:

• Your Social Life: Communication skills are incredibly important, and they can reflect how a person feels in their own skin. Prioritizing this aspect of their life should be at the top of the list. People need to find freedom to be their BEST SELF always—alone and with others.

• Your Personal Life: The most significant relationship in your life is with yourself. Living your BEST SELF means having a respectful internal dialogue, focusing on self-care, and prioritizing your passions. Taking care of yourself is not selfish; it’s crucial to your wellbeing.

• Your Health: If there’s a problem with your health, it can disrupt everything else in your life. Readers must do whatever they need to preserve, protect, and promote their physical health. The healthier you are, the greater your potential for accomplishing your goals.

• Your Education: Education helps us to grow as individuals and improve upon ourselves each day we learn something new. Your BEST SELF seeks knowledge all the time, no matter your method or speed; your job is simply to determine what interests you.

• Your Relationships: Relationships are never as complicated as they may seem. Though people may evolve and veer in different directions, Mike argues that extended periods of animosity with friends, family, or significant others can and should be easily avoided. Even if you can’t control others, you can condition yourself to key into your core values and let go of the baggage.

• Your Employment: Mike notes that personal development lies at the heart of your career development. He believes that if people put more emphasis on discovering their authentic selves starting in their school years, they could allow life to dictate their career path, rather than struggling to determine what they want to do and settling for dissatisfying or unfulfilling careers.

• Your Spiritual Development Life: Once you dive into all other aspects of your life, it’s time to examine your spiritual development, which underpins everything else. Too often ignored in your everyday, faith may be the very basis for tackling your fears, regrets, and sudden crises. Rather than waiting until something implodes, be in touch with your spiritual self so it is ready to tackle any storm that comes its way.

We might only have one shot at life, but it doesn’t mean that we are stuck with the life we’ve got. The tools needed to achieve a better version of ourselves are inside of us already, but BEST SELF will show us how to get there. Mike says, “There is a pervasive belief in society that people can’t change, not really. That is absolutely 100% untrue. If people couldn’t change, I’d still be penniless and addicted to drugs. I’ve seen people overcome all odds. People change. They did. You can.” So now the question is: Are YOU your BEST SELF? With Mike’s guidance, you can be you—only better. Let’s start living our best lives today and reach unimaginable heights in 2019.

GET THE BOOK AND JOIN THE CHALLENGE!

This May for Mental Health Awareness Month, Life Coach Mike Bayer is encouraging people from all walks of life to participate in the #BestSelfChallenge. Rarely on social media do we see authenticity. Everyone (at times, myself included) posts photos and videos showing only the “best” version or perceived version of themselves. We don’t often showcase the other, more vulnerable side of our lives. I created the #BestSelfChallenge as an inclusive way to embrace and showcase the parts of ourselves that we struggle with. By doing this challenge, it creates a space for people to be honest about what they are struggling with. Let’s show people they are not alone in dealing with these struggles and create a world where we feel free to discuss our vulnerability in a safe and open environment. Everyone, no matter how “healthy” they are, deals with internal battles.

As featured in his New York Times bestselling book BEST SELF: Be You, Only Better (on sale now), Coach Mike’s #BestSelfChallenge is a fun and easy exercise in which you define your Best Self (all of the positive attributes and qualities that make up the core of who you are; i.e.- compassionate, brave, loyal, loving, creative) and your Anti-Self (your inner critic, that provokes you and that gets in the way of your Best Self by focusing on negative qualities; i.e.- fearful, doubtful, anxious, angry), in a side by side drawing.

HOW TO PARTICIPATE IN THE #BESTSELFCHALLENGE:

• Share a side by side image of your Best & Anti-Self on your social media channels (post on May 1st, or shortly after)

• Tag @coachmikebayer in the photo

• Use the hashtag #bestselfchallenge

• Tag three people, including someone who inspires you, to join in

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Mike Bayer received his B.S. in Alcohol and Drug Counseling from Metropolitan State University in Minnesota. He was a California Certified Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselor (CADC II) as well as a Board Registered Interventionist (BRI II). He began his career as a mental health and addiction counselor. After a residency at The Hazelden Foundation, Mike spent five years in the field, becoming one of the leading interventionists in the country. He did crisis consulting for several of the country’s top treatment programs, including the Hazelden Foundation. Fifteen years ago, he founded CAST Centers, a treatment center providing a network of professional support including doctors, psychologists, counselors, and instructors, to help clients heal and improve their mental and emotional health, and overall well-being. Mike continued promoting his message by founding the CAST Foundation, a 501(c)3 that raises awareness to promote cultural and social changes to de-stigmatize mental health issues. For more information about Mike, please visit www.coachmikebayer.com.

Facebook: @Coachmikebayer | Twitter: @Coachmikebayer | Instragram: @Coachmikebayer | YouTube: Coach Mike Bayer

ABOUT THE BOOK:

BEST SELF
Be You, Only Better
by Mike Bayer
Dey Street Books | On Sale Now |
Hardcover ISBN: 9780062911735 | $26.99 |
eBook ISBN: 9780062911759 | $21.99

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MEDIA CONTACT:

Heidi Richter
Dey Street Books
212-207-7478
heidi.richter@harpercollins.com

Available nationwide through QuestDirect, the new services link consumer-initiated testing with medical oversight and counsel to help combat the nation’s record rate of STDs.

Quest Diagnostics (NYSE: DGX), the world’s leading provider of diagnostic information services, today launched three new sexually transmitted disease (STD) laboratory test packages that individuals can purchase online for some of the most prevalent STDs in the United States. The new STD test packages are the first to be offered directly by Quest Diagnostics or any other major national laboratory to allow individuals to purchase tests at their discretion. These new packages have been designed to meet the needs of individuals who want accurate basic or comprehensive STD testing.

The services are available at QuestDirect.QuestDiagnostics.com.

The new services are designed to empower individuals to access STD screening when they are reluctant to engage their healthcare provider directly. Research by Quest Diagnostics shows that patients and healthcare providers often fail to discuss sexual behavior and STD risk. According to a survey commissioned by Quest, 51 percent of females age 18-24 years say they don’t want to bring up for discussion the topics of sex or STDs with their clinicians and 49 percent claim their clinician has never asked if they want STD testing.

Rates of syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia have climbed for four consecutive years in the U.S. and are at epidemic levels, with nearly 2.3 million cases of diagnosed STDs in 2017 alone, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Half of all new STD cases are acquired by young people between the ages of 15-24, and one in four sexually active adolescents has a sexually transmitted disease.

“Too many people are not being screened for STDs, and one reason is reluctance to discuss risk with healthcare providers,” said Damian “Pat” Alagia, III, MD, FACOG, FACS, an OB/GYN and medical director of woman’s health for Quest Diagnostics. “Services that empower individuals to access STD testing extend physician-based care so more people can receive the evaluation and treatment they need.”

Clinical Grade Testing Made Easy

The STD test services are available in 45 states starting today through QuestDirect, an enhanced online consumer-initiated testing service provided by Quest Diagnostics to empower patients to manage and take control of their healthcare by purchasing health and wellness lab testing from the convenience of their home.¹ Test results are available on MyQuest, the company’s secure patient portal accessible on a smartphone, tablet, or desktop, typically within a week, and may be shared with the individual’s own physician.

Licensed physicians provide oversight for all lab tests, based upon the information that individuals provide to Quest. This includes ordering tests, if appropriate, and evaluating results once available. Individuals have the opportunity to speak with a physician to discuss any of the lab results. These physicians may provide treatment for certain conditions in some states and recommend further medical follow-up.

“Our research shows consumers believe that the ability to purchase certain tests and receive results would facilitate better communication with their physicians and improve their health. Greater access to accurate testing, diagnoses, and treatment is particularly critical in sexual and reproductive health, where medications can often quickly cure many common STDs,” said Cathy Doherty, senior vice president and group executive, clinical franchise solutions and marketing, Quest Diagnostics. “With these services, Quest is meeting consumers where they are, empowering them to access and take actions from diagnostic insights to improve their health.”

QuestDirect provides the convenience of access to the company’s national network of 2,250 patient service centers and uses the same clinical-grade lab technology and STD test services physicians order on behalf of patients. The packages include tests for chlamydia and gonorrhea, trichomonas, hepatitis B and C, syphilis and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Individual STD tests begin at $49 and the new STD test packages beginning at $199.

Many STDs are asymptomatic for various people, so infected individuals may be unaware they are infected and unknowingly spread disease to partners. Untreated, some STDs can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease, chronic pain, and infertility in both women and men; untreated HIV can lead to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).

The new services are the latest addition to the company’s QuestDirect offerings. Launched in November 2018, QuestDirect now offers more than 35 individual tests and test packages focused on general health, men’s and women’s health, digestive health, heart health, infectious disease and sexually transmitted disease testing.

Quest Diagnostics has long been a leader in the movement for consumer empowerment in healthcare. The company has been a strong advocate in the effort to provide patients with direct access to lab testing. The company further expanded convenient access to testing services through its collaborations with Safeway and Walmart, and has approximately 200 patient service centers in retail store locations. Additionally, Quest performs genotyping test services on behalf of Ancestry’s AncestryDNA, a service that today identifies and quantifies an individual’s ethnic origins based on results of DNA testing. Blueprint Fit, the first athlete-specific direct-to-consumer service from Quest Diagnostics, includes an at-home, self-collection option.

About Quest Diagnostics

Quest Diagnostics empowers people to take action to improve health outcomes. Derived from the world’s largest database of clinical lab results, our diagnostic insights reveal new avenues to identify and treat disease, inspire healthy behaviors and improve health care management. Quest annually serves one in three adult Americans and half the physicians and hospitals in the United States, and our 46,000 employees understand that, in the right hands and with the right context, our diagnostic insights can inspire actions that transform lives. www.QuestDiagnostics.com.

Quest, Quest Diagnostics and all associated Quest Diagnostics registered or unregistered trademarks are the property of Quest Diagnostics.

¹ Available in OK, AZ and IN through joint venture partners Sonora Quest, Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma, and Mid America Clinical Laboratories. Not available in HI or AK.

Media Contact
Kimberly Gorode
kimberly.b.gorode@questdiagnostics.com
973-520-2800

In the vein of Andrew Shaffer’s Hope Never Dies and Irin Carmon’s The Notorious RBG comes a celebration of Barack Obama & Joe Biden’s ultimate bromance and their epic journey through history to restore our belief in American ideals and our hope for the future.

THE ADVENTURES OF BARRY & JOE
Obama & Biden’s Bromantic Battle for the Soul of America
by Adam Reid

“It’s basically Jonny Quest meets Quantum Leap if Jonny and Hadji were actually former Democratic leaders and the entire Hanna-Barbera writing staff was on mescaline during development.”—VICE

“Barry & Joe is the time traveling Obama/Biden adventure we never knew we needed.”—NERDIST

“If you are missing the light-hearted bromance of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, filmmaker Adam Reid understands your pain. And he is working on a project to ease your woes.”—SYFY WIRE

*On Sale Now!*

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Dey Street Books is thrilled to announce the publication of THE ADVENTURES OF BARRY & JOE: Obama and Biden’s Bromantic Battle for the Soul of America by Adam Reid (Hardcover; ISBN: 9780062882905). A visual feast that’s both graphic and novel, the book is a love letter to cheesy science fiction and two men—Barack Obama and Joe Biden—who can still be counted on to inspire us.

We all know and love the memes and gifs highlighting Obama and Biden’s bromancy bond, and The Adventures of Barry and Joe is an extended tribute to that. Complete with comic books by Titmouse Inc. (Big Mouth, The Venture Bros.), a gorgeous bromatnic portrait gallery, and even a play, it’s 224 pages of adventure that will melt snowflake brains everywhere and give hope to humanity at the same time. It’s basically Schoolhouse Rock meets Quantum Leap!

In this fantastical world, just moments after the election of the 45^th President, Barack and Joe find themselves escorted to the lab of America’s most brilliant scientists. Asked to disrobe and curl into a fetal position, the men feel a painful tingling sensation and everything goes black. When they awake, Barry & Joe discover they’ve been trapped in their younger bodies and sent back in time. Determined to find each other, and way to save America, with only Samuel L. Jackson to guide them, the duo must fight against evil forces, poor decisions, and Republicans to save democracy from the ultimate villain—as represented by one tiny orange hand.

The genesis of THE ADVENTURES OF BARRY AND JOE was a Kickstarter campaign Reid launched, born out of his deep despair and frustration after the 2016 election. People immediately latched on to the idea and the projected met its fundraising goal. Now as the book hits shelves, Americans longing for pre-2016 election days can finally escape reality and revel in the best bromance around. A hybrid of comic book and political fan fiction THE ADVENTURES OF BARRY AND JOE is destined to join the ranks of beloved books highlighting political figures that have become pop-culture darlings!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Adam Reid is a creator, writer and director best known for his award-winning feature film Hello Lonesome and high-end commercial work. He co-founded the content creation company Bodega Studios. Adam lives with his wife, two sons, and a collection of beloved Muppets.

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THE ADVENTURES OF BARRY AND JOE
Obama and Biden’s Bromantic Battle for the Soul of America

ON-SALE NOW
Dey St. Hardcover | ISBN: 9780062882905; $26.99
Also available as an eBook | ISBN: 9780062951250; $12.99
And as an audiobook | ISBN: 9780062909541; $26.99

MEDIA CONTACT:
Julie Paulauski
William Morrow & Dey Street Books
212-207-7108
Julie.Paulauski@harpercollins.com

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society, is proud to celebrate National Volunteer Week beginning today, April 8, through April 13, 2019.

In honor of National Volunteer Week, Phi Kappa Phi celebrates the outstanding efforts of its board members, committee members and chapter officers who serve more than 320 chapters nationwide. The commitment and support of these volunteers enable Phi Kappa Phi to continue its almost 125-year history of recognizing and promoting academic excellence in all fields of higher education.

“Each year, nearly 2,000 active members of Phi Kappa Phi serve our members and chapters as volunteers, almost 100 on award selection committees,” said Executive Director Dr. Mary Todd. “We could not do what we do without the commitment and partnership of these members to the mission of the Society.”

Phi Kappa Phi was founded in 1897 under the leadership of Marcus L. Urann, who had a desire to create a different kind of honor society: one that recognized excellence in all academic disciplines. Each year the Society inducts approximately 30,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni on its chapter campuses in the United States and the Philippines. More than 1.5 million members have been initiated into Phi Kappa Phi since its founding.

National Volunteer Week was established in 1974 as a way to recognize and thank volunteers who lend their time, talent, voice and support to causes they care about in their communities.

To learn more about volunteer opportunities available for Phi Kappa Phi members, visit www.phikappaphi.org/volunteer.

More About Phi Kappa Phi
Membership in Phi Kappa Phi by invitation only to the top 7.5 percent of juniors and the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction may also qualify for membership. Its mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and to engage the community of scholars in service to others.” Some of the organization’s notable members include former President Jimmy Carter, NASA astronaut Wendy Lawrence, novelist David Baldacci and YouTube co-founder Chad Hurley. Each year, Phi Kappa Phi awards almost $1 million to qualifying students and members through graduate fellowships, undergraduate study abroad grants, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives. For more information, visit www.phikappaphi.org.

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CONTACT
Marla Elsea
Digital Content Editor
melsea@phikappaphi.org
225.923.7733