Yesterday, Walmart announced a program that will allow its workers to receive college credit from American Public University and receive a 15% tuition discount from the school. American Public University is an online college with more than 70 online degrees and certificate programs in areas like business and criminal justice. Walmart (and Sam's Club) employees will gain credit for performing their jobs and can leverage the on-the-job training they receive in areas such as ethics and inventory management.
In a survey that was distributed to 32,000 Walmart workers, a huge 72% said they preferred online study to attending a local college. Though reasons were not cited, the flexibility and accessibility of an online degree program surely appeals to workers that have to balance work and family in addition to pursuing a degree. APU does not abide by traditional semester schedules, and allows students to start classes each month and can be as intense as 8-week courses or longer, more flexible 16-week courses.
The Wall Street Journal reports that workers could earn as much as 45% of the credits needed for an associate or bachelor's degree while on the job - nearly half of their degree they earn right on the job, reducing the time needed to actually take classes and be in school. Sounds like quite the opportunity for employees - they will get easier, discounted access to higher education, and in return, Walmart gets a better educated, and probably more dedicated, workforce.
What do you think of this? Would you be excited if your employer gave you such an opportunity? Are there any aspects of this program that you'd be unsure about?
Just when you got Beyonce's "Single Ladies" out of your head, something amazing happens and brings the tune right back. Each year, the Hope Christian School holds a video contest for its students. Last year's winning video features students and faculty from HOPE Christian School in Milwaukee performing "Scholar Ladies," inspiring students to earn top grades, set goals for themselves, and stay out of trouble.
HOPE Christian Schools provides students with a Christian, college-prep foundation that develops their knowledge and cultivates their character, aiming to raise the next generation of leaders and inspirations for their families, community, and workplace. "For the students at Milwaukee's HOPE Christian School, each day is one step closer to graduation - and much further away from where they've been," according to Portia Young, reporter for WISN 12.
Take a look at the winning video:
To see the other videos submitted in the contest, head over to HOPE Christian's YouTube Channel.
Harlem Globetrotter’s Kevin “Special K” Daley graduated with an undergraduate degree in sociology from Ashford University this month, as one of 2,818 online graduates from the college. Distance learning makes sense for someone like Special K, who spends his days and nights traveling all over the world and has an irregular schedule filled with games, media briefings, and practices, among other engagements, I’m sure.
His higher education anecdotes range from late night studying after games to as late as 3 a.m. to a time when he took a test in a crowded locker room just minutes before his performance. Determination and devotion earned him a 3.6 GPA, a position on the Dean’s List and graduation “with distinction.”
While Special K’s graduation from a university that boasts 99% of online student attendance is noteworthy, it’s the promise he made in 2000 to himself and his father that speaks volumes. He vowed to eventually finish his degree, after deciding to leave Azusa Pacific University to play basketball professionally. Special K wanted to be a role model for his daughter, and had this to say about getting his degree online:
He says online class work proved more difficult than he imagined and hopes people realize that despite obstacles in the way, they can reach their goals no matter the circumstances.
For more about Special K’s story, visit the Official Site of the Harlem Globetrotters. Check out some of Special K’s antics:
As college graduation season starts to wrap up, the Business Insider put together a list of 12 Media Big Shots Giving Speeches at This Year’s Commencement Ceremonies. You might expect the likes of CNN’s Anderson Cooper and financial guru Suze Orman to be reserved for Ivy League graduation days, but schools big and small enjoyed the inspirational addresses given by these media powerhouses.
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