Baltimore, MD, Tuesday, August 28, 2007 — Fawn Pettigrew is as close as ever to achieving a long-held career goal of becoming a chief information officer in the Department of Homeland Security, a step she attributes to her decision to earn a master’s degree.

Pettigrew was honored as the Outstanding Alumnus at Strayer University’s commencement ceremony on Aug. 11 at the Baltimore Convention Center.

“I went back to school because I felt a master’s degree would help me achieve my career goals,” Pettigrew said. “It not only has given me the qualifications I needed for advancement, but it has given me greater confidence in my skills and abilities.”

Pettigrew earned a master’s of Information Systems from Strayer University in 2004. She currently serves as the director of information technology operations and services for the Department of Homeland Security, National Protection Programs Directorate, a job in which she oversees the delivery of all IT and telecommunications for the directorate.

During Hurricane Katrina in 2005, while she served as headquarters operation branch chief of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, Pettigrew took on the role of acting enterprise operations division director, managing agency-wide technology service delivery and supervising a group of 183 federal and 450 contract employees.

Outside of work, Pettigrew is active in the Bowie, Md., community where she volunteers as a youth group leader at St. James Episcopal Church and is a member of the Financial Advisory Committee of the City of Bowie.

Before starting her civilian career with the federal government, Pettigrew served 21 years in the U.S. Coast Guard, retiring as a lieutenant. It was her Coast Guard experience that inspired her to earn a graduate degree.

“I had mentors in the Coast Guard who encouraged me to pursue an advanced degree after I completed my bachelor’s in 1996,” she said. “The education I received from Strayer University was instrumental in developing my ability to analyze business and technical situations through hands-on learning. It has also helped me to find creative solutions and has boosted my confidence in problem solving and negotiations.”

More than 6,400 graduates will receive graduate and undergraduate degrees from Strayer University at regional graduation ceremonies in 2007 in Fairfax, Va., Baltimore, Md., Atlanta and Richmond, Va.

Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Strayer University tailors its programs to working adults who are unable to attend school full time, offering day, night and weekend courses in a supportive environment for adult students. In addition, Strayer University’s online offerings allow students to combine traditional classroom instruction with online study or pursue a degree online.

Strayer University provides undergraduate and graduate degrees in business administration, accounting, information technology, education, health services administration and public administration. With more than 32,000 students, the University operates 47 campuses in 11states in the eastern United States and the District of Columbia, as well as worldwide via the Internet. For more information, visit www.strayer.edu.