“I am a firm supporter of Degree Partners and have always pushed our employees to use this great resource. As a non-traditional, first-gen college graduate myself, I can relate to the struggles to advance in your career without the proper tools in your toolbox. I have met and supported many of our City of Austin employees that have accepted the challenge and gone back to school with Degree Partners. The support structure provided has helped so many employees obtain multiple degrees. I’ve seen so many of those same employees create new career paths and grow professionally within the City of Austin.”

“During my tenure as an executive at the City of Austin, one of the most impactful partnerships I forged was with Degree Partners. Their model for supporting employees in returning to college and staying the course through to graduation proved to be both strategic and deeply human-centered. Our employees consistently shared that it was Degree Partners who made their degree journey not only possible, but transformative. The individualized coaching and consistent encouragement helped them grow both personally and professionally.”

“I was so busy with life…I just lost all hope in school. I was more focused on getting a job to support my family. I got a job offer with the City of Austin, and that’s where I came across Degree Partners. Their goal was to clear any hurdles between me and my education; between me and getting my degree. You still have to put in the work. You still have to motivate yourself. And they are there to support and motivate you to stay on your path.”

“For 7 years, I taught pre-K, watching others step into opportunities I was more than capable of taking on. I wanted more: for myself, for my family, and especially for my 2 children. I wanted to be an example they could look up to…When my principal told me about [Degree Partners], it felt like a turning point. It was online, competency-based, affordable, and designed for people like me: working full time, raising a family, and still daring to dream. Since completing my degree, I’ve finished my first year as a lead teacher and stepped into a new role as the Grade 2 lead. In this position, I have the opportunity to work closely with the lead team, support parents, and mentor my peers.”

“I didn’t have to quit my job. I didn’t have to sacrifice my family time. If I had done traditional online college, I think the interaction would be a little artificial. With Degree Partners, it’s a different story. There are individuals who can help you.”