When people think of Martin Luther King Jr., they are usually reminded of his speeches and protests, and the struggle for equality. Our memories of this great leader have a rich history in American culture, and on this day, members of all communities can share these memories and the lessons they instill. For Martin Luther King Jr., education was a great equalizer for all.

As a young college student, King wrote that, “Education must enable a man ... to achieve with increasing facility the legitimate goals of his life.”

As Director of Academic Affairs for the University of Phoenix, I work to uphold the value of education and the quest for knowledge every day. By focusing our university to working adults, we open up educational opportunities to individuals who might not have had the chance otherwise. Knowledge and education is the cornerstone of American society. Through education we can connect to one another and avoid the perils of ignorance the late Martin Luther King, Jr. warned against.

One of our more famous students, Shaquille O’Neal, portrays a prime example of maintaining a quest for knowledge. After three years of playing basketball in college, O’Neal was drafted into the NBA. He made a promise to his mother (who greatly instilled the need for education upon her son) that he would return to college and finish his degree. He upheld that promise in 2000. Even though O’Neal has continuously had great success in his career in basketball, he has remained grounded and held tight to his desire for education. He hopes one day to complete his doctoral degree in psychology or criminology and actively participates as a reserve police officer.

The thirst for knowledge lives within all human beings and has always been a driving force within humanity throughout the history of the world. With advances in technology, we live in a world in which information is uncovered and decoded at the speed of light, compared to the slow pace our predecessors experienced in their quest for knowledge and information about the world around them.

There is a wealth of information for any woman, man, or child to soak up, no matter what area of study interests you. Whether you find yourself curious about the field of criminal justice, social and behavioral sciences, business, education or anything else, there is the opportunity to become educated and well versed in it; and becoming educated about any area of expertise has the ability to truly transform any person’s life.

The dream of education should not be limited to any American. Education has the ability to empower all individuals, no matter your race, gender, creed and differences. In honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. and his life’s work of fighting for equal rights for all, we should acknowledge the importance of education and the empowering affect it has on anyone who embraces it.

Dr. Warren Washington serves as the Director of Academic Affairs for the University of Phoenix.