ECPI University Marks 60 Years of Career-Focused Education with Scholarship Match Through Beacon Education Foundation

Virginia Beach, Va. – June 17, 2026 —ECPI University is celebrating its 60th anniversary by matching donations two-to-one to the Beacon Education Foundation, helping more students facing financial hardship stay enrolled and complete their programs.

Through the anniversary campaign, ECPI University will donate $2 for every $1 contributed to Beacon, effectively turning a $100 donation into $300 in scholarship support. The campaign invites vendors, employer partners, alumni, and community members to support students working toward careers in nursing, technology, engineering technology, skilled trades, business, criminal justice, culinary arts, and other in-demand fields.

Founded in Hampton Roads in 1966, ECPI University has long focused on preparing students with practical skills for emerging industries. Since inception, the university has graduated more than 100,000 students across five Southeastern states and through its online division nationwide, with accelerated pathways that help learners move more quickly into careers.

“For 60 years, ECPI University has focused on preparing students for in-demand careers,” said Mark Dreyfus, President of ECPI University. “That mission does not end in the classroom. Through this campaign, we have an opportunity to help more students overcome financial barriers, finish what they started and move into careers that strengthen the communities and employers we serve.”

A Legacy Built on Workforce Alignment

ECPI University was founded by Alfred Dreyfus, an electrical engineer, who saw a widening gap between what employers needed and the skills offered by graduates of traditional programs. He built ECPI University around a simple but enduring idea: learning should be practical, applied, and directly connected to careers.

As the workforce evolved, ECPI University expanded alongside it, developing programs in areas where employers needed trained talent. Initially offering computer programming, the university added electronics programs in the 1970s, healthcare programs in the 1990s, and later cybersecurity, engineering technology, and skilled trades. The university introduced online learning in 2000, extending access to working adults across the country.

Measured by Outcomes

More than 10,000 employers have hired ECPI University graduates since 1966, and over 600 companies have participated in advisory boards over time, helping shape curriculum and keeping programs aligned with workforce demand.

For employers, ECPI University serves as a consistent source of career-ready talent in high-demand fields, with programs evolving through ongoing industry input. ECPI University students are preparing for roles in critical sectors: 41% are enrolled in nursing programs, followed by computer and information systems (22%) and engineering technology (15%).

University-wide, ECPI University awarded degrees to over 4,500 students in the past year, with the majority concentrated in STEM and health sciences, including more than 1,500 nursing graduates.

The university is a significant contributor to national workforce pipelines, ranking among the top 10 producers of nursing graduates in the country, second nationally for practical nursing graduates, and in the top 25 for computer and information science degrees, per the most recent IPEDS data.

Serving Today’s Students

Students enroll across day, night, and online formats, with year-round scheduling and new classes commencing every five weeks. This structure is designed to reduce barriers, support persistence, and accelerate progress toward employment, while enabling the university to serve a diverse, career-focused student population. Many students balance work, family, and education, making flexibility and speed essential.

With an average age of 29, ECPI University students are motivated adult learners with clear goals for their education and careers. More than 31% are military-affiliated. Many arrive with prior college experience, and 17% already hold a degree, returning to build specific skills aligned with career advancement or change.

Honoring 60 Years 

In celebration of its 60th anniversary, ECPI University is partnering with the Beacon Education Foundation to raise funds for scholarships. Established in 2012, Beacon helps ECPI University students stay on track when unexpected financial challenges threaten to interrupt their education. Since 2013, the Foundation has awarded more than $700,000 in scholarships to students with demonstrated financial need.

With ECPI University’s two-to-one matching contribution, this year’s campaign aims to reach $200,000 in direct scholarship support. Every dollar donated to Beacon goes directly to student education, with no administrative overhead or fees.

For employers, vendors and community members, the campaign offers a direct way to invest in the future workforce powering local hospitals, manufacturing facilities, technology teams, skilled trades operations, and other essential industries. ECPI University will also host a celebration event this fall, bringing together faculty, staff, alumni, employers, and community members to recognize 60 years of career-focused education and community impact. 

To learn more about the campaign or make a donation to the Beacon Education Foundation, visit: https://beaconedu.org/beacon-x-ecpi-60th-anniversary/