Kuder, Inc. Partners with Mercy Ships to Support Student Success

LINDALE, Texas - Oct. 5, 2014 - PRLog -- Kuder, Inc. (http://www.kuder.com/) (Kuder), a leading provider of evidenced-based assessment, education planning, and career guidance tools and resources, is serving as a corporate partner to Mercy Ships (https://www.mercyships.org/home/), an international charity that uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class healthcare services, capacity building, and sustainable development to those without access in the developing world.

Kuder is providing support to the organization’s school, Mercy Ships Academy, onboard the Africa Mercy, by donating access to its signature online platform, the Kuder^® Career Planning System™ (http://www.kuder.com/product/kuder-career-planning-system/) (KCPS), and Direct Your Future™ (http://www.kuder.com/product/curricula/direct-your-future/) (DYF), a classroom curriculum designed to complement the system’s module for secondary students.

The KCPS is the solution of choice for identifying interests, exploring options, and planning for career success. It combines research-based assessments with portfolio development, comprehensive education and career exploration capabilities, and flexible database management for administrators. Mercy Ships Academy currently serves 55 students in grades pre-K through 12. The Academy serves children of the ship’s 400 volunteer professionals hailing from more than 40 nations.

“Preparing our students for the future is critical for our K-12 school located on the world’s largest civilian hospital ship,” said Brian Blackburn, Mercy Ships Academy Chief Administrator. “While the Mercy Ships Academy offers a very unique learning experience, it also has limited staff and space. Our students do not always have the same college and career guidance opportunities that a land-based school might have. The KCPS opens students’ eyes to options they may never have imagined and helps steer the course of their futures.”

“We’re thrilled to contribute to the success of Mercy Ships Academy with a fun, interactive online platform where students can identify their interests, explore options, and plan for career success,” said Kuder President Phil Harrington.

On this World Teachers’ Day (http://www.worldteachersday.org/map/), Mercy Ships Academy is seeking qualified volunteer teachers to provide high-quality education to the children who call Mercy Ships their home. To view available Academy positions, visit http://volunteer.mercyships.org/opportunities/.

About Mercy Ships: Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class healthcare services, capacity building and sustainable development to those without access in the developing world. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $ 1 billion, treating more than 2.5 million direct beneficiaries. Each year Mercy Ships has more than 1,600 volunteers from more than 40 nations. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, healthcare trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the effort. Mercy Ships seeks to transform individuals and serve nations one at a time. Africa Mercy, the Mercy Ships flagship, is currently heading to the Republic of Madagascar, where it will perform field service until mid-2015, providing specialized training to local healthcare workers to build capacity within the nation’s healthcare infrastructure.

About Mercy Ships Academy: Founded in 1978, Mercy Ships Academy provides a Christian education to the children of approximately 50 crew members from many nations. A staff of 12 teachers serves these children, who live onboard the Africa Mercy with their parents. The Academy is ACSI and MSA accredited. To learn more about Mercy Ships Academy, visit http://mercyshipsacademy.wordpress.com/.

About Kuder:  For 75 years, Kuder has brought reliable, evidence-based career guidance solutions to people of all ages, and for populations throughout the world. With affordable solutions (http://www.kuder.com/products-services/) for pre-K through retirement, our customizable (http://www.kuder.com/our-unique-approach/customization/) products and services reflect a commitment to encouraging lifelong learning, development, and achievement.

Kuder Contact:

Bethney Ahrendsen

communications@kuder.com

800.314.8972

Mercy Ships Contact:

Pauline Rick

us.media@mercyships.org

903-939-7000

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