"In the business world, Strayer's name means a lot."

Dawn Sykes (MHSA '05) is the founder of Open Arms, a safe haven for teen girls who have been removed from abusive or neglectful families and placed under the protection of social services. Sykes acts as the chief administrative officer and owner of this independent living facility for young ladies between the ages of 16-20. During their sojourn at Open Arms, residents are taught personal and professional skills that will prepare them to function independently in society.

Sykes also owns a successful health care staffing company and maintains a side job as a professional model. She has appeared on billboards in New York City and New Jersey, in ads for Target and Wal Mart, and in photo spreads in Mademoiselle and Essence.

Today, Sykes' companies continue to grow. In the next year, she will begin offering at-home counseling services to Open Arms residents, which will allow the girls to receive counseling services in their regular home environment.

Sykes believes she continues to benefit from her association with Strayer University. "I'm proud to say I am a Strayer graduate," she says. "Strayer is a fully-accredited, very reputable institution, so in the business world, Strayer's name means a lot."

Sykes keeps in touch with fellow graduates, many of whom, like her, have started their own businesses since graduating. "It's exciting to see so much enthusiasm to succeed," she says.