Zovio (Nasdaq: ZVO), an education technology services company that partners with higher education institutions and employers to deliver educational programming and benefits, has partnered with Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), the nation’s sixth-largest community-owned, not-for-profit, electric service provider, to provide debt-free educational opportunities to their employees.
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Through this partnership, full-time SMUD employees can obtain an associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree at Ashford University without requiring any student loans or incurring additional tuition expenses. Also, immediate family members of SMUD employees can enroll in Ashford University degree programs at a discounted tuition rate.
“This partnership has enabled dozens of our employees the opportunity to grow and achieve their educational goals without taking on any debt,” said SMUD Director of Human Resources, Diversity, and Inclusion, Laurie Rodriquez. “Collaborations like this align with SMUD’s commitment to develop and maintain a high quality, diverse, and inclusive workplace that engages and inspires employees to advance themselves personally and professionally.”
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“I have gained more confidence as an individual and have become more knowledgeable,” shared SMUD team member and Ashford alumna Tiffany M. McRea. “Thanks to my MA in Organizational Management (2019), I have a new excitement about my career.”
“SMUD is an innovative and forward-thinking organization that truly cares about its employees and their professional development,” said Vice President of Employer Services at Zovio, Sam Fernandez. “Through their partnership with Zovio, their employees and their family members can further their personal and professional goals while contributing to SMUD’s ongoing success.”
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