Ryan Murphy, president of Nidec Americas Holding Corporation, and UMSL Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Steven J. Berberich sign a memorandum of understanding to formalize the partnership between the company and the university. Under the agreement, Nidec employees will receive tuition discounts on degree and certificate programs in a range of disciplines as well as on approved non-credit courses offered through the Advanced Workforce Center’s Skills Lab. (Photos by Derik Holtmann)
The University of Missouri–St. Louis continues to partner with some of St. Louis’ leading organizations to offer educational and professional development opportunities for their employees as they look to move forward in their careers.
Nidec Motor Corporation finalized a three-year agreement with the university that will provide eligible Nidec staff members a 25% discount on tuition for students who enroll part-time in undergraduate or graduate courses as they seek to gain the knowledge, skills and certifications they need for advancement.
(From left) UMSL Vice Chancellor for Strategic Enrollment and Career Advancement Reggie Hill, Nidec Senior HR Manager Amanda Hakenwerth, Nidec Americas Holding Corporation President Ryan Murphy and UMSL Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Steven J. Berberich met to finalize the partnership between Nidec and the university.
Employees will be able to pursue degree programs in a range of disciplines, including accounting, computer science, cybersecurity, data science and analysis, finance, financial technology, graphic design, information systems and technology, management, marketing and supply chain. The university also has for-credit certificate programs in a variety of areas, including artificial intelligence, business intelligence, corporate financial reporting, enterprise systems development, and mobile apps and computing.
Courses will be offered in a mix of day, evening and week classes, in eight- or 16-week sessions and in face-to-face, blended or online formats to give students the flexibility they need to balance school, work and their daily lives.
Eligible Nidec employees can also receive a 20% discount on all approved non-credit courses offered through the UMSL Advanced Workforce Center’s Skills Lab, which provides professional training in a variety of areas, including data analytics, online collaboration, coding and programming, database administration and web management.
“The University of Missouri–St. Louis is excited to be a partner with Nidec Motor Corporation to help its employees reach their educational and professional goals,” said Reggie Hill, UMSL’s vice chancellor for strategic enrollment and career advancement. “It’s vital, in today’s economy, for professionals to add new skills as they move throughout their careers, and as a leading driver of workforce development in the St. Louis region, we aim to provide them with high-quality undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs that will help Nidec employees get ahead.”
UMSL will provide enrollment and advising support tailored to working professionals for all participating employees.
Nidec Motor Corporation, a subsidiary of Nidec Corporation, is a leading manufacturer of commercial, industrial and appliance motors and controls and counts more than 500 employees in the St. Louis region.
“We’re proud to partner with the University of Missouri–St. Louis to empower our employees with new educational and career development opportunities,” said Ryan Murphy, president of Nidec Americas Holding Corporation. “This partnership provides opportunities for our workforce to obtain high-quality education at a significantly discounted price. Nidec also offers a tuition reimbursement program, which pairs perfectly with this discount to make continued education even more accessible. Together, Nidec and UMSL are investing in our St. Louis community to not only encourage continuous learning but to also provide a pathway to achieve it.”
Nidec will work with UMSL to make employees aware of the educational opportunities available through the university. The company will also collaborate with UMSL Career Services to create opportunities for UMSL students to participate in internships or explore full- and part-time employment with the company.
This three-year agreement is part of UMSL’s broader effort to partner with leading employers across the region and beyond. The university has developed similar educational partnerships with organizations such as World Wide Technology, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Girl Scouts of Eastern Missouri, and the Greater St. Louis Area Council Scouting.
UMSL also supports workforce needs in health and human services through partnerships with BJC HealthCare and Compass Health, helping employees earn their Master of Social Work degrees.
Through national platforms like the Edcor School Network, Amazon Career Choice, AllCampus, and Bisk Amplified™, UMSL is extending its impact to working adults across the country—offering accessible undergraduate and graduate programs aligned with employer priorities and long-term career growth.
To learn more about educational partnerships at the University of Missouri–St. Louis, contact Jamie Liston, interim executive director for workforce integration and strategic partnerships, at jamie.liston@umsl.edu.
