Venus Williams is so modest that she didn’t even share on Twitter that she had graduated from Indiana University East in mid-August. Only now are we learning it from the WTA and Indy Star websites.
The tennis star enrolled in the university’s online degree completion program four years ago and last month completed her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree. Let me remind you, back in 2007 Venus received her associate’s degree in Fashion Design from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale and she applies the knowledge extensively in the design of her EleVen clothing.
Venus is no stranger to business ventures and now she has formal education to support her broad career interests.
I’ve learned so much. It was always my dream to have a business degree and I ended up going to art school so many times, but in the back of my head I felt like I needed the tools to be a better leader, to be a better planner, to be better at all of the things I wanted to do in my businesses because I’m so hands-on.
IU East and the Women’s Tennis Benefits Association (WTBA) have an agreement that establishes the campus as the primary provider for baccalaureate online degree completion programs for WTA players and Venus is the first player to graduate under that agreement. Fifteen other WTA players are currently part of the IU East online programs.
Venus will do very well when she retires from tennis. Her entrepreneurship skills will keep her successful and busy for many years to come.
Venus is a great example for young WTA players. It just showed that you can jumble sports career with education which is very important. I believe that this program will aid many WTA players to have career options after they play in the tour. Kudos to WTA, WTBA and to IU East for such a great innovative program. Of course, Congratulations to Venus for completing her degree in business. 🙂