Union Pacific (UP) was one of three companies honored by the National Governors Association (NGA) on Feb. 22 at the closing session of the 2010 NGA Winter Meeting. The Public-Private Partnership Awards, in their fourth year, recognize NGA Corporate Fellow companies that have partnered with a governor's office to implement a program or project that positively affects the state's citizens.
Union Pacific was nominated by Nebraska Gov. Dave Heineman for its Principals' Partnership program. Through the program, the railroad works with 21 states to provide high school principals with on-site assistance from education professionals, networking opportunities to share best practices, professional development activities and summits, and online resources.
"Union Pacific goes above and beyond to work with Nebraska and other states to increase student success by facilitating the Principals' Partnership," Gov. Heineman said. "This partnership has fostered significant change in schools with participating principals and I applaud this project. In Nebraska, the program reaches more than 40,000 students through the 33 participating principals, and through 1,000 principals nationwide the program reaches more than 1 million students."
"Union Pacific is extremely proud to have the Principals' Partnership recognized by NGA," said Robert W. Turner, Union Pacific senior vice president for corporate relations and Union Pacific Foundation president. "High school principals play a vital role in our nation's education system and shaping the future of our youth. Providing principals with resources to meet their leadership needs and professional growth objectives helps them make positive changes in their schools, and it provides us a way to connect to the communities we serve."
The NGA's Corporate Fellows Program is now in its 21st year. It promotes the exchange of information between the private sector and governors on emerging trends and factors affecting both business and state government.