UMSL Vice Chancellor Reggie Hill shakes hands with MERS Goodwill President and CEO Mark Arens after signing a partnership agreement that will provide educational and professional development opportunities for MERS Goodwill employees through UMSL’s Advanced Workforce Center. (Photo by Derik Holtmann)
The University of Missouri–St. Louis is partnering with MERS Goodwill in the latest example of the university’s ongoing effort to provide educational and professional development opportunities for employees at some of St. Louis’ leading organizations.
Through the terms of the three-year agreement, UMSL will provide $5,250 in employer-sponsored annual tuition assistance to all eligible MERS Goodwill staff members who enroll part-time in undergraduate or graduate degree programs as they seek to expand their knowledge, skills and certifications to get ahead in their careers.
“MERS Goodwill helps people overcome barriers to employment, by helping them determine vocational goals and identify areas that can get in the way of success,” said Reggie Hill, UMSL’s vice chancellor for strategic enrollment and career advancement. “We want to have a similar impact on its employees, opening up pathways for them to chase their educational and career goals and improve their lives.”
UMSL offers high-quality degree programs in a range of disciplines, including sociology, psychology, organizational leadership, social work and education. The university also has for-credit certificate programs in areas such as applied behavior analysis, career counseling, personal finance literacy education and talent management.
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.
MERS Goodwill employees can also receive a 20% discount on all approved non-credit courses offered through the UMSL Advanced Workforce Center, which provides professional training in a variety of areas, including data analytics, online collaboration, coding and programming, database administration and web management.
“We’re proud to partner with MERS Goodwill and provide its employees with academic programs that are affordable, accessible and flexible,” said Jamie Liston, who leads the Advanced Workforce Center as UMSL’s executive director for career development and professional learning. “The people who pursue these opportunities are not only going to benefit in their own lives but, with the knowledge and skills they obtain, can have a profound impact on our community.”
UMSL is committing to provide enrollment and advising support tailored to working professionals for all participating employees.
“We are thrilled to partner with UMSL to provide our employees with new opportunities to advance their education and careers,” MERS Goodwill President and CEO Mark Arens said. “At MERS Goodwill, we believe that investing in our team is one of the most powerful ways to strengthen both our organization and the communities we serve. This partnership not only supports our employees’ personal and professional growth, but it also reinforces our mission to help individuals achieve success through the power of work and education.”
MERS Goodwill 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 organization.
UMSL has developed similar educational partnerships with notable employers such as World Wide Technology, the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Nidec Motor Corporation, 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 at jamie.liston@umsl.edu.
