CHICAGO, July 22, 2021 — TCS Education System, a nonprofit system of colleges advancing student success and community impact, has formalized a legacy relationship with DUNK (Developing Unity, Nurturing Knowledge) to support the development of women and children in the most deprived communities in Accra, Ghana.

The Memorandum of Understanding, signed in late May, will support several initiatives including study abroad programs, faculty and student research for the institutional communities of TCS and educational programming for the 350 children ages 8-19 who are empowered by DUNK.

“After working together for nearly eight years, we are excited for the opportunity to formally create global agents of change through this partnership,” said TCS President and Founder Dr. Michael Horowitz.

DUNK creates safe spaces in at-risk Ghanaian neighborhoods through after-school support, sports programming including basketball, and life-skills and vocational training. The impact of prior trips and research with TCS partner schools has allowed the DUNK program to expand its reach to adult learners ages 19-25, developing a slate of ambassadors who serve as volunteers and role models.

“These experiences are really about changing our students’ lives and perspectives and enhancing their professional growth,” said Leanne Wruck, TCS’ Chief Academic Officer. “What we might provide in terms of services or volunteer opportunities at DUNK is given back to our students and our faculty one hundredfold.”

The MOU will last until 2031 as part of TCS’ Community and Global Engagement Office.

About TCS Education System

TCS Education System (TCS) is a nonprofit system of colleges that was launched in 2009 to advance student success and community impact. Currently, the System spans five colleges, campus locations across 12 cities and a community of more than 30 global academic partners to fulfill the aspirations of approximately 10,000 students. The TCS model provides its colleges with a number of strategic resources, including admissions and enrollment operations, finance and accounting, information and learning technology, marketing, strategic planning, compliance and legal services, human resources, and global engagement among other areas of professional expertise. The System was founded on the belief that by sharing administrative resources and allowing colleges to concentrate on providing students with quality, social change-focused education, it can give each member of its collective community the power to change the world. TCS colleges include The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Pacific Oaks College & Children’s School, The Santa Barbara & Ventura Colleges of Law, Saybrook University, and Kansas Health Science Center. To learn more, visit www.tcsedsystem.edu.