Through a partnership with Strayer University, Verizon Wireless launched a model college degree program at its call center last fall. Associate and bachelor's of business administration classes as well as an MBA program are conducted onsite at no cost to employees, thanks to the company's tuition assistance program. Business courses are tailored to the Verizon Wireless student, with the opportunity to use actual business scenarios as case studies.
"The onsite program allows our employees to continue their education right here at our call center," says Trent Vansice, director of customer service for the Salt Lake City call center. "It has made it much easier for employees to take advantage of our industry-leading tuition assistance benefits."
"Strayer University is honored to partner with Verizon Wireless to provide the best possible educational experience for its employees," said Karl McDonnell, chief operating officer for Strayer University. "This program model has enabled us to extend our reach in ways not previously available to fulfill our mission of providing a high quality education for working adults."
The onsite education program also makes good business sense. Vansice reports that employee turnover rates are significantly lower for those who take advantage of the educational benefit provided by the company.
Verizon Wireless is the highest-ranked wireless company on Training magazine's list of top 125 training organizations in America and the only wireless carrier included in the "Working Mother 100 Best Companies" where recognition is based on a work environment that is especially hospitable to working parents.
The company currently offers onsite college programs in nine of its 29 call centers, plus programs in five headquarters offices. Verizon Wireless plans to expand the onsite college degree programs to company locations in three additional states in the western U.S. later this year and seeks to add even more states during the next two years.
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 67.2 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ: 37.77, +0.39, +1.04%) and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: http://www.verizonwireless.com . To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia .
About Strayer University
Strayer University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and has been in operation since 1892. The University offers undergraduate and graduate degree programs in business administration, accounting, information technology, education and public administration. With more than 38,000 students, Strayer University operates 57 campuses in 12 states in the Eastern United States and Washington, D.C., as well as worldwide via the Internet. For more information, visit http://www.strayer.edu or call 1-888-4-STRAYER (888-478-7293).
SOURCE Verizon Wireless
