• Students are changing the way they live due to concerns about the climate crisis – research reveals top four behavior changes students are making
• 61% of students report climate change is having a significant impact on their lives today
• More than 72% of students believe the promises made at COP won’t be kept

DENVER, October 26, 2022: With COP27 on the horizon, recent research has revealed the need for continuing education on key issues regarding sustainability, and a deep skepticism from students about government and businesses commitment to addressing climate issues.

The study found 61% of students reported climate change is having a significant or very significant impact on their life today. Additionally, two thirds (66%) of US students surveyed recognized the importance of Carbon Literacy, and many are changing the way they live their lives to help address the climate crisis.

But despite students and younger professionals being a driving, vocal force in addressing climate change, the study finds there is still a need for continuing climate change education.  Specifically:

• Better definition of terms – While we use terms like carbon sink and carbon footprint, there is lack of agreement on the definition. For example, 40% of students don’t know what carbon footprint is.
• The debate over nuclear energy as a clean energy source continues, with 25% of students identifying nuclear as a clean energy source. Men are almost twice as likely to identify nuclear power as clean than women.
• Social media is enormous power in climate information and misinformation. The study found the three most popular channels for students to get news on the environment and sustainability are YouTube (53%), TikTok (49%), and Instagram (41%). This reinforces the importance of fighting climate misinformation on these platforms.

The research was commissioned by Yugo – the first global student housing operator created to enhance students’ experiences throughout and beyond university life – as part of a global research project studying over 6,000 students across the UK, Ireland, Germany, Spain, Australia and the US. More than 1,000 students were polled in the US.

The study has shown just how important long term education programs are for creating further awareness of the sustainability challenges we face and how behavior change can tackle them – something that Yugo’s pillar – YugoEco has been developed to support.

Encouragingly, students are playing their part in helping to combat the world’s environmental challenges. The top four behavior changes cited due to concerns about the environment were:

1. Buying fewer disposable products (38%)
2. Actively trying to reduce energy use (35%) although women are 10% more likely to turn off lights than men.
3. Travelling using more environmentally friendly means (30%), with 12% more men than women saying they travel green
4. Deliberately purchasing from sustainable companies (25%)

Students are expressing their concerns in a number of ways, with 10% of students signing petitions and more than 890,000 US students taking part in a demonstration. Women are twice as likely as men to express their concerns via petition.

Students are skeptical and demand action

With COP27 just weeks away, students are very skeptical about government and business driving progress against climate change. More than 72% of students believe the promises made at the recent COP26 won’t be kept. The two most popular reasons why were because politicians lie (34%), and companies put profit over the environment (31%). Interestingly, women are 8% more likely to be skeptical of companies which means they will need to do more to convince them that efforts are not greenwashing.

Students say companies have a duty to address climate crisis. Encouragingly, management students are slightly more likely than their peers to believe this (66% vs 63%).

When it comes to making a difference, Apple wins again, with 22% of students indicating it is most active in fighting the climate crisis. But students maintain their skepticism, with 28% of students believing no company is doing enough.

Helen Strachan, Sustainability Specialist at Yugo, said: “There is often a misunderstood assumption that students have a homogeneous view on the environment and sustainability, but this research presents a far more complex picture. There are huge differences of opinion and knowledge when it comes to some of the biggest challenges the planet is facing, which is understandable given the vast amount of information out there on what is one of the most multifaceted issues of our time.  This study shows the need for further understanding of these critical issues.

“It’s uplifting to know that students are changing their behavior. As companies operating in the field of higher education, we have a duty to support students to live the most sustainable lives they can, which is why sustainability plays a key role in our holistic living program.”

As part of its commitment to sustainability, Yugo has partnered with The Carbon Literacy Project and is officially a Bronze Level Carbon Literate Organization.   The next objective is to reach Silver Level Carbon Literate Organization status to ensure more employees have the knowledge needed to reduce their own and Yugo’s carbon emissions.

Emma Richards, Head of Project Development, The Carbon Literacy Project said: “Carbon Literacy is an essential skill, vital to every workplace, community, and place of study. This research only demonstrates this further. Carbon Literacy is the foundational knowledge – it gives everyone the base level of understanding on climate change needed to drive positive action. However, Carbon Literacy is only the first step. The actions taken and pledged by learners as part of their Carbon Literacy have an immediate impact within their organization, however it is the maintenance of these and further actions, supported by Carbon Literate organizational culture, that reaps the greatest rewards for both participants and their organizations.  By becoming a Bronze accredited Carbon Literate Organization, Yugo has demonstrated its commitment to driving genuine low carbon action in their own organization and among the students they serve.”

Yugo’s unique approach

Yugo also empowers its students to grow personally through collaborative events and projects under the Live Your Best Life program – a holistic living experience developed from the Yugo research of thousands of students worldwide. This program supports students through three pillars based on sustainability – YugoEco, education – YuPro, personal and professional development – YuGrow, to deliver on their needs and expectations.

• YugoEco sees Yugo coming together with students to create better living spaces and a better planet through several initiatives. These include low energy usage programs on the importance of living more sustainable lives for students, and global partnerships with like-minded businesses for events, education and student experiences.
• YuPro is all about empowering young people beyond higher education and to help prepare them for their careers and their professional development. Yugo is also offering training sessions in areas such as career advice, real life experience, coaching and empowerment.
• YuGrow encourages Yugo students to shine by supporting their personal journey through events and activities in Yugo spaces, including student podcasts, diversity events and global student networking opportunities. Yugo has pledged to provide students with the most sustainably sourced chair and mattress – these were key findings from Yugo research as critical to their life to support both their physical environment and their emotional needs.

-ENDS-

About Yugo
Yugo is the first global student housing brand and operator created to enhance students’ overall experiences throughout and beyond college life. Yugo offers a truly differentiated living experience that is environmentally and socially conscious, emotionally supportive, and safe. Yugo is the operator of over 110 student living spaces located in nine countries with over 40,000 student beds in over 70 of the top cities in the world for higher education.

For further information please visit: www.Yugo.com

Contact:
Mark McClennan or McKayla Norris
C+C for Yugo
yugo@cplusc.com

Program strives to champion those who desire to work with their hands, producing American goods and helping build a stronger nation

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (Oct. 5, 2022) In celebration of National Manufacturing Day – and in light of an estimated three million skilled trade jobs sitting open in the U.S. as of June 2022¹ – McWane, Inc. proudly announces the second consecutive year for the McWane Scholarship Program for Skilled Trades, marking the next chapter in the brand’s celebrated 101-year history of manufacturing products that provide the backbone of vital water distribution and wastewater treatment systems across North America.

Initially launched in 2021 in celebration of McWane’s centennial year of operation, the program is aimed at promoting trade and technical education and awards up to 60 two-year, $1,000 scholarships for the following academic year.

“Trade and technical education are foundational for a fruitful career in manufacturing,” stated Kevin McCarthy, VP, Human Resources, McWane, Inc. “McWane has a history of investing in education in the communities where we operate, and this program underscores our commitment to filling the need for skilled trade professions, a critical part of our nation’s workforce.”

To be eligible for this program, applicants must be a current high school senior graduating in 2023 or have a high school diploma or GED equivalent and be enrolled or plan to enroll in a trade-related program in the fall of 2023 at an accredited two-year college, vocational/technical school or other approved technical institute in the United States. The program is open to the public with special consideration given to applicants in the communities where McWane operates.

Administered by International Scholarship and Tuition Services Inc., an independent, third party that specializes in managing sponsored educational assistance programs, applications will be accepted beginning October 7, 2022. The deadline to apply for the McWane Scholarship for Skilled Trades is January 31, 2023.

For more information and to initiate the application process, visit https://aim.applyISTS.net/McWaneTrades.

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ¹

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About McWane Inc.
McWane, Inc. is a family-owned business based in Birmingham, Alabama, with companies across the U.S. and around the world. The McWane Family of Companies casts ductile iron products, including pipe, valves, hydrants, fittings, and plumbing products; manufactures fire extinguishers, fire suppression systems and steel pressure vessels; and builds network switches and monitoring equipment. McWane is a leader in delivering clean, safe drinking water around the world while focusing on the safe, environmentally friendly manufacturing processes. With more than 6,000 team members, McWane has a longstanding commitment of support to the communities where our team members live and work. For more information, visit mcwane.com.

Media Contact
Carissa (Miller) Willcoxon
Director of Marketing | ISTS
cwillcoxon@applyISTS.com
(615) 777-3735

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi – the nation’s oldest and most selective all-discipline collegiate honor society – is currently accepting applications for its Graduate Research Grant and Dissertation Fellowship Award.

Introduced in 2018 as a pilot program, the Graduate Research Grant will provide up to $1,500 to 20 eligible members who are enrolled in a graduate program. These grants provide funding for research in support of career development opportunities. For full eligibility requirements, visit www.phikappaphi.org/graduateresearch.

Fifteen Dissertation Fellowships of $10,000 each will be awarded to eligible members in the dissertation writing stage of their doctoral study. For full eligibility requirements, visit www.phikappaphi.org/dissertation.

Since 1932, Phi Kappa Phi’s awards program has recognized members and students on its chapter campuses for outstanding academic achievement. Each year $1.3 million is awarded through programs that recognize nearly 500 individuals annually.

About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 325 select colleges and universities in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society’s mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and engage the community of scholars in service to others.” For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Media Contact
Alyssa Papa
Director of Communications
apapa@phikappaphi.org
(225) 923-7777

Majority of higher education institutions report an increase in study abroad participation compared to previous year

Experiential learning and educational travel provide students with a global passport for life

NEW YORK, September 20, 2022 – As students return to classrooms this fall, U.S. colleges and universities are seeing in-person study abroad programs rebound. A survey by the International Educational Exchange reports 83% of institutions noted an increase in study abroad participation for the 2022 academic year compared to the previous year.

With the reopening of international travel, the pent-up demand for education travel is skyrocketing. WorldStrides, the global leader in study abroad, educational travel and experiential learning, is seeing this momentum for in-person learning and travel across its wide range of accredited study abroad experiences. Through its faculty-led programs, semester study abroad, summer study abroad, and even college prep programs for high-schoolers, WorldStrides enables students to view themselves, and the world, in new ways that will provide them with the life skills needed for future success.

“Students are eager to get back out into the world and experience for themselves the life-changing encounters that are inevitable during a study abroad program,” said Sara Easler, Director, International Programs & Study Abroad, University of Tennessee, Knoxville Haslam College of Business. “More than ever, we are seeing students gravitate toward real connection with new places and people after being deprived of these experiences. Given geopolitical events of the last few years, it is critically important for students to have their ideas of their world and of their own culture challenged so they can develop a global perspective.”

Back-to-school season dominated by the opportunity to study abroad

Most U.S. higher education institutions surveyed by the International Education Exchange reported a return to in-person teaching and learning. Experiential learning provides students with a global passport for life, giving them the opportunity to gain perspective into how people of different backgrounds see the world. Founded by teachers, WorldStrides has more than 50 years of experience creating life-changing moments for students and teachers through immersive education experiences of all shapes and sizes.

“WorldStrides created a rich, impactful one-week experience for 400 Boston University students who had missed their abroad opportunities in the previous two years because of the pandemic,” said Natalie McKnight, Dean, College of General Studies, Boston University.  “Our group was large, but WorldStrides managed to coordinate our activities and meals so that the numbers were never overwhelming, and everyone—students, faculty and staff (myself included!) had a really wonderful experience.”

Europe, Costa Rica among top destinations

As educational travel returns, popular destinations for WorldStrides students include its programs traveling to France, Greece, Italy, Spain, London, Prague as well as Costa Rica. WorldStrides aims to provide a wide range of affordable education abroad opportunities with a commitment to exceptional support for all participants and their institutions.

“There is a resounding eagerness to emerge from the pandemic and explore the world, and we’re seeing this momentum in our programs this year,” said Bob Gogel, President and CEO, WorldStrides. “Seeing and experiencing the world as we live it in 3-D can truly be a life-changing moment for a student. Our programs encourage participants to explore the world beyond their comfort zone, benefit from the effects of immersive learning and become global citizens.”

In addition to Boston University and the University of Tennessee Knoxville, WorldStrides offers study abroad experiences with a number of university partners, including New York University, London School of Economics, University of Georgia, and University of Colorado Boulder, among others.

“The impact of studying abroad on students is powerful: in evaluation comments, students regularly say that their visits to museums, galleries and plays have helped them better remember the subjects they are studying and apply what they’ve learned beyond the classroom,” said Boston University’s McKnight.  “Students often comment that their study abroad experience was completely transformative and has given them a whole new perspective on themselves and the world around them.  ‘I will never be the same,’ wrote one student this year, ‘and for that, I am grateful.’”

“Our students are returning to campus energized and full of enthusiasm for what they’ve gained and learned through study abroad,” said UT Knoxville’s Easler. “It’s evident in their interactions in our classrooms, with other students, and in their passionate advocacy to peers to go experience a study abroad program for themselves.”

For more information about study abroad, visit https://worldstrides.com/programs/#study_abroad.

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About WorldStrides
WorldStrides is the global leader in educational travel and experiential learning. The company was founded in 1967 to provide middle school travel programs to Washington, D.C., and has grown to provide a wide range of programs for more than 550,000 students annually from more than 5,000 schools and universities to over 100 countries around the world. WorldStrides offers experiential learning programs in educational travel, performing arts, language immersion, career exploration, service-learning, study abroad, and sports. Each of these experiences helps students to see beyond the classroom and to see the world – and themselves – in new ways.

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Media Contact
Edward Ruddy
Sloane & Company
eruddy@sloanepr.com

September 12, 2022 – Insomnia Cookies, the beloved cult brand known for serving warm cookies, ice cream, and more sweets all day and late into the night, is welcoming students across the country back to college by throwing the largest combined PJ Party this nation has ever seen. On Tuesday, September 20, Insomniacs living near each of Insomnia’s 225+ bakeries nationwide are invited to head over to their local store dressed in their best PJs for the annual party, which will begin at 9 p.m. local time and go late into the night.

Every Insomniac who shows up to the party wearing their PJs will receive 1 free classic cookie, no purchase necessary. In addition to serving community members some seriously tasty treats, the epic event will be baked full of Insomnia’s most delicious deals of the year, with each store offering giveaways, exclusive merch, and other sweet surprises.

Sweetening up the occasion even further, Insomnia will be dropping an exclusive Deluxe Filled Ft. Sour Patch Kids® cookie and Big Dipper Ft. Sour Patch Kids® Bitz the night of the party, which will be available for a very limited time only. The former is a warm sugar cookie filled with a gooey raspberry SOUR PATCH KIDS® center, topped with SOUR PATCH KIDS® Bitz and the latter features four classic sugar cookies with a sweet side of buttercream icing, topped with SOUR PATCH KIDS® Bitz. It’s a candy-cookie dreamland.

Founded on a university campus, Insomnia is known for serving their signature treats late into the night—with most stores open for pick-up and delivery until 1 a.m. or later—making it the ultimate college hot-spot. Whether students are studying late, retiring from a night out, or simply craving something sweet, Insomnia is always there for them with a warm, delicious cookie waiting. Find your closest Insomnia Cookies location here: https://insomniacookies.com/locations.

Download Insomnia Cookies images here.

-Insomnia Cookies-

About Insomnia Cookies
Insomnia Cookies is a rapidly expanding late-night bakery concept headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Founded in a University of Pennsylvania dorm room by then-student Seth Berkowitz, Insomnia Cookies has been feeding the insatiable hunger of loyal Insomniacs since 2003. Today, with more than 225 locations nationwide, Insomnia Cookies offers a wide variety of delicious cookies, ice cream, and other sweet treats in-store, for local delivery, and nationwide shipping. Details about Insomnia’s menu, delivery, and nationwide shipping options can be found here (late-night delivery until 1 a.m. or later). To place an order or learn more about Insomnia Cookies, visit www.InsomniaCookies.com. Keep up-to-date on the latest cookie news and grand opening deals by following Insomnia Cookies on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.

Media Contact: 
Alexa Royle
215-790-4371
aroyle@tierneyagency.com

Living Off-Campus? Xfinity Offers Exclusive Deals for Students, Unlimited Internet, and up to $200 Visa Gift Card

Also Learn if You Qualify to Have Your Bill Completely Covered by the Affordable Connectivity Program!

PHILADELPHIA – September 8, 2022 – While your college years may be some of the most memorable of your life, they can also be some of the most challenging. This may be the first time you’re living on your own – paying for your own food, housing, and Internet. While we can’t help with the rent, Xfinity Internet has exclusive offers for students living off campus with up to $200 back!

Xfinity Internet offers three tiers of service to help you get through those all-nighters. Whether you are looking to stay connected to family, share bandwidth with roommates, or spend the weekend gaming, we have a plan for you. Students can receive up to $200 back, plus all three tiers offer unlimited data and a free Flex 4K streaming TV box with a voice remote to navigate your favorite streaming apps.  And there are no term contracts required.

Signing up is easy. Visit https://www.xfinity.com/student or scan the QR code below to view the exclusive student offers in your area. You can also sign up by calling 1-800-XFINITY (1-800-934-6489) or by visiting one of our stores.

While you’re getting a new Internet provider, it may also be a good time to switch your wireless plan. Switching to Xfinity Mobile is easy! Bring your phone, and only pay for the data you need with plans starting at $15 a month. Need more data? Switching between plans is simple and you can even change your plan in the middle of your billing cycle. It’s easy with no contract and online activation.

You also may qualify for the Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP), which provides a monthly credit of up to $30 toward your Internet bill. To qualify, you must meet the program’s eligibility criteria which can be found here. You may qualify if the entire household income is at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (for example, $55,500/year for a family of four, $27,180/year for an individual) or if you receive assistance through certain government programs, including if you received a Federal Pell Grant during the current school year.

Click here to learn more about Comcast’s Internet service offerings that are fully covered by the ACP benefit.

About Comcast Corporation 
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company that connects people to moments that matter. We are principally focused on connectivity, aggregation, and streaming with 57 million customer relationships across the United States and Europe. We deliver broadband, wireless, and video through our Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky brands; create, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group, Universal Studio Group, Sky Studios, the NBC and Telemundo broadcast networks, multiple cable networks, Peacock, NBCUniversal News Group, NBC Sports, Sky News, and Sky Sports; and provide memorable experiences at Universal Parks and Resorts in the United States and Asia. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.

Contact:
Camillia Travia, Comcast
(office) 215-286-7554
Camillia_Travia@Comcast.com

America’s Diner serves up 10 delicious menu items for guests all day long, starting at $5.99

SPARTANBURG, S.C., Sept. 7, 2022 – With rising inflation and tightening budgets, Americans continue to seek relief and look to stretch their hard-earned dollars as far as possible, especially when it comes to mealtime. Today, Denny’s announced a new value menu, featuring 10 delicious meal options perfect to enjoy any time of day or night starting at just $5.99.

With the launch of this new menu, Denny’s raises the bar on what it means to serve quality meals at great prices.

“The time for value is now as more and more Americans across the country experience difficult moments and seek the ultimate bang for their buck,” said Denny’s President John Dillon. “Delighting guests with delicious meals and impeccable service is a hallmark of the Denny’s brand, and with the launch of All Day Diner Deals, we’re pleased to go all in on this next phase of delivering everyday value to our guests.”

Denny’s All Day Diner Deals boasts something for everyone with wallet-friendly prices ranging from $5.99 to $10.59. From the classic Everyday Value Slam to a delicious new twist on fan favorite Moons Over My Hammy, the new menu is designed to satisfy any craving, morning, noon or night. The 10 meals on the All Day Diner Deals menu include:

• Everyday Value Slam – At $5.99, the Everyday Value Slam features eggs and two bacon strips or sausage links, included with guests’ choice of two buttermilk pancakes, one slice of French toast, or a biscuit and gravy.
• Scrambled Eggs & Cheddar Breakfast – Starting at $6.99, this dish includes scrambled eggs with cheddar cheese, plus bacon strips, sausage links and buttermilk pancakes.
• Two-Egg Moons Over My Hammy Omelette – Starting at $7.59, this new twist on a fan-favorite features a two-egg omelet with ham, Swiss and American cheese. It’s served with hash browns and a choice of bread.
• Fried Cheese Melt Sandwich – Starting at $6.99, the Fried Cheese Melt Sandwich includes five fried mozzarella sticks and melted American cheese grilled between two slices of artisan bread. It’s served with wavy-cut fries and a side of tomato sauce.
• Half Super Bird Sandwich – Starting at $6.99, the Half Super Bird Sandwich features sliced deli turkey with Swiss cheese, bacon and tomato on grilled artisan bread. It’s served with wavy-cut fries or a cup of soup.
• BLT Sandwich – Starting at $7.99, the BLT Sandwich includes bacon, lettuce, tomato and mayo on grilled artisan bread and is served with wavy-cut fries.
• Crispy Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich – Starting at $8.99, this sandwich features fried chicken breast with white cheddar cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato and Ranch dressing on grilled artisan bread. It’s served with wavy-cut fries.
• Cheeseburger – Starting at $7.59, a 4-ounce 100% beef patty is topped with American cheese and includes lettuce, tomato, red onion and pickles on a split-top Brioche bun. It’s served with wavy-cut fries.
• Plate Lickin’ Chicken Fried Chicken Dinner – Starting at $8.99, a golden-fried boneless chicken breast is smothered in country gravy and served with two sides and dinner bread.
• Country Fried Steak Dinner – Starting at $8.99, a chopped beef steak is smothered in country gravy and served with two sides and dinner bread.

Giving Consumers Deals as Good as They Get on the All Day Diner Deals Menu

To celebrate the All Day Diner Deals menu, the brand is launching Denny’s Deal-icious Days Sweepstakes, giving lucky consumers a chance to purchase 10 highly sought-after prizes like a trip for two on Carnival Cruise Line or a home theater system, for just $5.99 each. The sweepstakes begins Wednesday, September 7, 2022 and the first prize will be released on Wednesday, September 14, 2022, with one new item announced each Wednesday through November 16, 2022. To enter, consumers must visit https://dennys.wyng.com/DealiciousDays during the Sweepstakes period, complete the registration form and agree to the Official Rules.*

The All Day Diner Deals menu is available in Denny’s locations nationwide and can be ordered online at Dennys.com or through the new Denny’s iOS and Android app.

* NO PURCHASE OR PAYMENT NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. A PURCHASE WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW OR REGULATION. The “Denny’s Deal-icious Days Sweepstakes” is open only to legal residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia, eighteen (18) years of age or age of majority in the state you reside, whichever is older at the time of entry. By entering this Sweepstakes, you are providing your information to the Sponsor and Administrator, and it will only be used in accordance with the respective privacy policies. Denny’s Deal-icious Days official sweepstakes rules can be viewed in entirety here: Deal-icious Days (wyng.com).

About Denny’s Corp.
Denny’s Corporation is the franchisor and operator of the Denny’s brand, of one of America’s largest franchised full-service restaurant chains, based on the number of restaurants. As of June 29, 2022, Denny’s had 1,631 franchised, licensed, and company restaurants around the world including 154 restaurants in Canada, Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Philippines, New Zealand, Honduras, the United Arab Emirates, Costa Rica, Guam, Guatemala, El Salvador, Indonesia, and the United Kingdom. For further information on Denny’s, including news releases, please visit the Denny’s website at www.dennys.com or the brand’s social channel via Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, LinkedIn or YouTube.

Media Contact
Sara Soto
Brand Communications Specialist
O: 682.348.5018
ssoto@dennys.com

As acute stress related to testing impacts a majority of Gen Z students, Quizlet coins ‘examiety’ in collaboration with The Jed Foundation to address exam-related anxiety

SAN FRANCISCO – August 30, 2022 – A new U.S. survey examining Gen Z attitudes on test-taking and mental health shows that students consistently struggle with feelings of anxiety tied to tests and exams. In fact, 86% of respondents indicated they have experienced exam anxiety, with 76% saying they have experienced it in the past six months. To address the relatable stress students feel around test-taking, global learning platform Quizlet has coined the term ‘examiety’ to describe the physical and emotional reactions that interfere with a student’s ability to perform well on exams.

Quizlet commissioned a survey of more than 1,000 U.S. Gen Z students to gain further insight on the impact of anxiety, studying, and learning in a post-pandemic world. Key takeaways include:

• Examiety negatively affects other aspects of the school experience: 68% of students admit that the apprehension and anxiousness that comes with test taking negatively affects the social aspect of their school lives. Gen Z students feel that test anxiety leads to poor exam performance (29%), lower self-confidence (28%), and a lower tendency to ask teachers for help (12%).
• Students feel exam stress negatively impacts the future: Nearly half of respondents (42%) consistently worry that test anxiety will negatively impact their academic future.
• Boosting accessibility to mental health resources during exams is vital to academic success: Only 24% of respondents said they seek help from school counselors when they are feeling stress related to tests and studying. What’s more, 43% of Gen Z students never reach out to their community, classmates, or family to talk about school related stress and mental health.            

“Exam anxiety is real, especially having moved from high school to college with virtual learning and having to re-adjust to the experience of taking exams in person,” said Alexandra Berardelli, a sophomore at College of the Holy Cross. “Even when I’ve prepared and studied countless hours, my heart still beats out of my chest when entering the exam room. While I know I’m not alone in feeling this way, it’s not something I talk about with my friends or seek help to manage.”

To provide meaningful resources for students to address examiety, Quizlet and The Jed Foundation, a non-profit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for teens and young adults, have developed the Examiety Resource Guide. This resource guide was crafted with input from trained clinicians and offers tips, insights and guidance to equip students with information to address and manage their exam-related anxiety.

“Giving a name to a feeling of anxiety can often help to take the power from it and enable healthy ways to address it,” said Dr. Laura Erickson-Scroth, Chief Medical Officer, The Jed Foundation. “We are seeing an overwhelming amount of students dealing with the stress of the past two years, compounded with the ongoing pressures of today’s education landscape. Through listening to Gen Z, we’ve learned the best way to support is to give them tools and resources to prioritize their mental health. In this case, it’s helping to identify triggers and manage the common and understandable anxiety associated with one aspect of the school experience.”

When it comes to the top stressors for students, schoolwork has a significant impact on their mental health. A prior survey commissioned by Quizlet reported nearly half of students found  final exams and end-of-semester grades as top sources of stress impacting their mental wellbeing, indicating a continued need for tools like Quizlet that facilitate personalized learning and help students confidently navigate their learning journey.

“As students across the country head back to school both in-person and online, we understand they are juggling an increasingly uncertain world, new pressures and competing priorities,” said Matt Glotzbach, Chief Executive Officer, Quizlet. “Quizlet helps students reach their full potential and our research shows that examiety is a major barrier preventing students from accomplishing their goals. By shining a light on examiety and providing a resource for students to better manage this specific source of anxiety, our aim is to support students’ mental health and wellbeing, and ultimately set them up to learn more efficiently and effectively.”

The survey exploring exam anxiety was fielded in July and August 2022, with a sample of 1,000 U.S. students between the ages of 18-25. For more information, please contact QuizletUS@allisonpr.com.

About Quizlet
Quizlet is a global learning platform that provides engaging study tools to help people practice and master whatever they are learning. Every month, over 60 million students, teachers and everyday people use Quizlet to study any subject imaginable for school, work or as part of their personal interests — including 2 in 3 high school students and 1 in 2 college students in the US. Combining cognitive science and machine learning, Quizlet guides students through adaptive study activities to confidently reach their learning goals. The company offers a combination of free and paid subscriptions for both students and teachers that enable further customization. Quizlet is headquartered in San Francisco, California and is backed by Icon Ventures, Union Square Ventures, Costanoa Ventures and General Atlantic. For more information, please visit www.quizlet.com.

About JED
JED is a nonprofit that protects emotional health and prevents suicide for our nation’s teens and young adults. JED partners with high schools and colleges to strengthen their mental health, substance misuse, and suicide prevention programs and systems. The organization equips teens and young adults with the skills and knowledge to help themselves and each other. JED encourages community awareness, understanding, and action for young adult mental health.

Connect with JED:  Email | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube | LinkedIn  | Pinterest | TikTok

Media Contacts
Aleah Feuerborn
quizlet@allisonpr.com

Justin Barbo
Director, Public Relations, The Jed Foundation
justin@jedfoundation.org
914-844-4611

The 2022 College Confidence Index by GradGuard and College Pulse shows most college students and families are uninformed about tuition refund policies, while four in ten college students have considered withdrawing; common reasons for withdrawal include academic challenges, financial concerns, and health issues or physical injury.

Boston, MA (August 17, 2022) – New data published in the 2022 College Confidence Index by GradGuard and College Pulse reveals 83 percent of college students are completely, very or somewhat confident “they will earn enough money to make the cost of college worth it.” Parents of college students feel confident that a college education will allow their children to get a good job (63 percent) and that it is worth the investment (60 percent). And yet, only 36 percent of parents of college students say they feel confident they can pay for four years of their child’s college education.

At the same time, college students and their parents are uninformed about how withdrawing might impact them financially, specifically when it comes to their school’s tuition refund policy. Most college students (74 percent) and parents of college students (66 percent) report they are not at all or not too familiar with the tuition refund policy at their school. Meanwhile, four in ten students have considered withdrawing due to financial issues (35 percent), academic challenges (34 percent), health issues, illness or injury (12 percent) and family issues (8 percent). Eleven percent of students cited other reasons for potential withdrawal.

John Fees, Co-Founder and Managing Director of GradGuard, said, “It is critical to better understand the confidence of the nearly 20 million students and parent consumers have in making a substantial investment in education. This year’s report is a timely reminder for students and families, that college life is not risk-free and that they are smart to protect their investment like other large consumer purchases.”

College Pulse surveyed 1,500 current and prospective college students and 500 parents about their perceptions regarding the value, affordability, and viability of a college education. An overall Confidence Index of 46.1 out of 100 was determined using those criteria, signaling room for improvement within higher education to gain the confidence of consumers. Additional findings from the index include:

• Seventeen percent of all college students report knowing someone who withdrew from school due to health issues, illness or injury
• Students of color are more likely to say a college education is one of the most or very important factors for success including 73 percent of Hispanic/Latino students, 62 percent of Black students, and 58 percent of Asian students. In contrast, just 52 percent of white students say the same.
• Every day or nearly every day, a significant number of students are dealing with challenges to their personal wellbeing, such as feelings of anxiety or stress (48 percent), trouble sleeping (34 percent), and feelings of depression (29 percent)

Additionally, financial anxieties about affordability remain high and weigh most heavily on college students who rely on financial aid.

Six in ten (60 percent) college students say they are very or somewhat concerned about being able to pay for college. These concerns are particularly acute amongst students on financial aid, of whom 63 percent say they are concerned about their ability to afford college. This worry is shared by less than half (45 percent) of students not on financial aid.

“Consumer confidence indices already exist across several key industries providing economists, industry leaders, and the general public insight into the current and future conditions of vital sectors of our economy. Given the strong influence of higher education on the U.S. economy, we recognized the need for data on consumer confidence in the value and viability of a college education,” said Terren Klein, CEO and co-founder of College Pulse.

The full 2022 College Confidence Index by GradGuard and College Pulse can be downloaded free of cost on the College Pulse website.

About GradGuard
GradGuard is an authority on protecting students and families from the risks of college life. Trusted by a network of more than 400 participating colleges and universities, today GradGuard is the number one provider of tuition and renters insurance for college students. Since 2009, GradGuard has protected more than one million students at more than 1,200 unique institutions. For more information visit gradguard.com or follow GradGuard on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

About College Pulse
College Pulse is a survey research and analytics company dedicated to understanding the attitudes, preferences, and behaviors of today’s college students. College Pulse offers custom data-driven marketing and research solutions, utilizing its unique American College Student Panel™ that includes over 550,000 undergraduate college student respondents from more than 1,500 four-year colleges and universities in all 50 states.

For more information, visit collegepulse.com or College Pulse’s official Twitter account @CollegeInsights.

Media Contact
Natalie Tarangioli
ntarangioli@gradguard.com
650.302.5656

The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines, has announced an expansion of its robust portfolio of award and grant programs which will now give $1.3 million annually to outstanding members.

Beginning next year, Phi Kappa Phi will provide 50 awards at $1,000 each to undergraduate members through its new Pioneer Program. These awards are designed to encourage and reward undergraduate members for developing the research, engagement and leadership skills necessary to become a successful scholar. For ful­­l eligibility requirements, visit www.phikappaphi.org/pioneer.

The Mary Todd Sabbatical Award, named for former Society Executive Director, Dr. Mary Todd, will honor one faculty member with a $50,000 award to support a sabbatical year or similar reassignments of duties. For full eligibility requirements, visit www.phikappaphi.org/sabbatical.

In addition to the two new programs, the Society’s Dissertation Fellowship has increased its funding to provide 15 eligible members with $10,000 awards and it’s Love of Learning program will now fund 200 members with $1,000 each to help fund post-baccalaureate professional development.

“As we know, awards are what we do at Phi Kappa Phi.  These additional awards and funding are part of our ever-growing commitment to supporting academic excellence and service to others.  Thanks to our wonderful donors, we continue to grow these programs and funding level,” said Society Executive Director and CEO, Dr. Bradley R. Newcomer. “I look forward to seeing the impact these new awards have on our members and volunteers!”

Phi Kappa Phi’s award and grant programs distribute $1.3 million each year to outstanding members through study abroad grants, graduate and dissertation fellowships, funding for postbaccalaureate development, member and chapter awards, and grants for local, national and international literacy initiatives.

To learn more about the Society’s award and grant programs, please visit www.phikappaphi.org/awards.

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About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 25,000 students, faculty, professional staff and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 325 select colleges and universities in the United States, its territories and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. Faculty, professional staff and alumni who have achieved scholarly distinction also qualify. The Society’s mission is “To recognize and promote academic excellence in all fields of higher education and engage the community of scholars in service to others.” For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Media Contact
Alyssa Papa
Communications Director
apapa@phikappaphi.org
(225) 923-7777