The impact a role model or mentor can have on an individual’s personal success is invaluable. Unfortunately, many individuals, especially those coming from low-income backgrounds, are less likely to have access to this vital resource. As part of an ongoing partnership, Roadtrip Nation and University of Phoenix, a subsidiary of Apollo Education Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL), have joined to create the “Share Your Road” digital tool – an online portal where University of Phoenix alumni can directly share their college and work experience with youth across the nation who are still in the process of discovering their future paths.

“Through our trusted partnership with Roadtrip Nation, we continue to break new ground in developing opportunities to meet the education and workforce readiness needs of students nationwide,” said Timothy P. Slottow, president of University of Phoenix. “The Share Your Road tool provides today’s youth with a valuable extension to their education by giving them insights that will help better prepare them for their future careers.”

According to a 2014 report from MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership, at-risk young adults who had a mentor are 55 percent more likely to be enrolled in college than those who did not have a mentor (45 percent versus 29 percent respectively), which is critical when considering 60 percent of jobs will require a post-secondary education by 2018. Exposure to diverse journeys of trial and triumph is critical in empowering the next generation of successful professionals. The Share Your Road tool, which launched in March 2015, allows University of Phoenix alumni of all backgrounds to reflect on their personal and professional lives, detailing the steps that lead them to where they are today. Profiles are created to provide constructive advice to youth, students and jobseekers with the information needed to pursue a career relevant to their interests. Steps include recommended education paths, practical skills, and experiences for a particular line of work.

“Roadtrip Nation is thrilled to provide this digital tool to the alumni of University of Phoenix. We believe mentorship is the key to empowering the next generation, and Share Your Road provides that accessibility,” said Mike Marriner, cofounder of Roadtrip Nation.

Students using the Share Your Road tool will access the tool’s Roadmap, wherein they will answer self-assessment questions, matching them accordingly with like-minded professionals who share their interests and traits. They can then explore the profiles of professionals in the industries that interest them, gaining valuable insight on how to make their aspirations a reality. University of Phoenix alumni profiles will feed into the Roadmap, reaching diverse youth communities, including the seven million students across the country represented through Roadtrip Nation’s networks and partnerships, as well as the youth served by University of Phoenix’s education and community partners nationwide.

The Share Your Road tool is now available online to all students across the nation. University of Phoenix alumni are adding new profiles every day at http://uopx.shareyourroad.com, and students can access and search the profiles at http://uopx.shareyourroad.com/community.

Apollo Education Group, parent company of University of Phoenix, is dedicated to being a good corporate citizen by serving communities and individuals across the country. Through its corporate social responsibility efforts, Apollo Education Group focuses on giving in the areas of education, workforce readiness and sustainability. To learn more about the impact of these efforts, please visit http://csrreport.apollo.edu/.

About Roadtrip Nation

Roadtrip Nation creates self-discovery resources designed to help young people build fulfilling lives and careers around their interests. Combining self-reflection with real-world exposure, Roadtrip Nation tools enable youth to connect their interests to relevant life pathways and stay engaged with their futures.

For more information, visit roadtripnation.com and roadtripnation.org.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is constantly innovating to help working adults move efficiently from education to careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant and engaging courses, and interactive learning can help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. As a subsidiary of Apollo Education Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: APOL), University of Phoenix serves a diverse student population, offering associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs from campuses and learning centers across the U.S. as well as online throughout the world. For more information, visit www.phoenix.edu.