University News
ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app Student Audrey Pender Earns Prestigious Project Business Professional Certification
January 27, 2026
MACOMB, IL — ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app Illinois University proudly celebrates Political Science and Law student Audrey Pender for earning the Project Business Professional (PBP) certification, a prestigious credential from the Project Business Foundation that emphasizes project management with a strong focus on business and contractual aspects.
"Earning the PBP certification gave me a much deeper understanding of how contracts, risk management, and business strategy come together in real-world projects. The program challenged me to think beyond my textbook knowledge and focus more on real-world scenarios, which will be super helpful for me moving forward both in school and later on in life," Pender said.
The PBP certification, a rigorous program consisting of four half-day lectures and a comprehensive exam, equips professionals to navigate complex internal and cross-corporate projects. It addresses challenges such as contract law, risk management, team coordination and governance in multi-stakeholder environments. Audrey notes that the certification strengthened her understanding of contract management and real-world project scenarios, helping professionals reduce risk, ensure compliance and improve profitability.
Audrey's training was supported by a scholarship from Oliver Lehman, founder and director of the Project Business Foundation in Germany. With this achievement, she joins a select group of individuals in the U.S., including three ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app faculty members, who have earned the certification. Nearly half of those trained in the U.S. now come from ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app, positioning the University as a growing hub for Project Business expertise.
The PBP credential also enhances career opportunities, with earning potential for holders around $135,000 annually. Audrey's accomplishment serves as an inspiring example for her peers and student athletes, demonstrating the value of professional development alongside academic pursuits.
For more information on ÐÇ¿ÕÎÞÏÞ´«Ã½app's Political Science-Pre Law program, visit wiu.edu/cas/political_science/pre_law.php.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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