Strayer University has announced that actress, dancer and “Dancing With The Stars” judge Julianne Hough has joined its Readdress Success movement, which seeks to revise Merriam Webster’s current definition of success and which has drawn support from over 90,000 petition signers around the world since being launched in August.
The initiative stems from a nationwide survey conducted by Strayer University, which found 90 percent of Americans define success as more about happiness than about power, possessions or prestige. Based on these findings – which also indicate that six in ten Americans believe success means attaining personal goals, having good relationships and loving what you do for a living – Strayer University believes a more accurate definition of success should be expanded to “happiness derived from good relationships and the attainment of personal goals.”
“We are thrilled that Strayer University’s Readdress Success movement is getting support from diverse influencers in education, business, entertainment and the public at large,” said Brian Jones, president of Strayer University. “This wide interest in our movement points to the robust and important dialogue that is happening across America today – that success means different things to different people and that there is no ‘one size fits all’ definition. Strayer University is proud to be a catalyst for this change, which has also inspired and motivated many of our students and employees.”
Julianne Hough is an actress, dancer, producer and Emmy Award-winning choreographer. Currently a judge on ABC’s Dancing With The Stars, she is also a previous two-time professional champion of the show. She has starred in such films as “Footloose,” “Rock of Ages” and “Safe Haven” and will be seen next in the comedy “Dirty Grandpa” with Robert De Niro and Zac Efron and starring in “Grease: Live!” broadcasting live on FOX on January 31.
Hough is supporting the Readdress Success initiative through her social channels and personal blog, and has released an exclusive video that offers a behind the scenes look at the transformation of her personal definition of success through dance.
“I used to define success in traditional terms of wealth and fame, just how it’s outlined in the dictionary,” explains Hough. “But as I’ve matured, I’ve realized that this definition is lacking and doesn’t match up with the things I feel make me a success. So I had to redefine what success meant to me by allowing my personal achievements and happiness to dictate its meaning. The funny thing is, since I changed my perspective, I feel more successful than ever in both my career and personal life.”
To inspire widespread participation, Strayer University started a petition on Change.org that allows the public to show their support, share the initiative with their networks, and give back to a good cause. For every signature collected on the petition, Strayer University will donate 50 cents to charity partner Dress for Success, an international not-for-profit organization that promotes the economic independence of disadvantaged women by providing professional attire, a network of support and the career development tools to help women thrive in work and in life.
Strayer University has also released a related series inspiring interviews with well-known celebrities and influencers across a wide spectrum of industries through Inc.com, along with emotionally touching video sketches and social experiments that have driven more than 6,700,000 YouTube views to date.
To take part in Strayer University’s Readdress Success movement and to sign the petition to officially change the definition of the word ‘success,’ click here.
