News Release
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Laurie E. Bick-Jensen
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Public Relations
320 DuPont Highway
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laurie.e.bick@wilmu.edu
Expanded Wilmington University partnership with Guild Education provides a fully funded college degree to more than 80,000 hourly Disney employees nationwide
Disney is the latest innovative employer to offer education benefits through Wilmington University
Wilmington University is once again working with a leading employer – The Walt Disney Company – to expand access to high quality online bachelor’s degrees. Disney Aspire, launched by The Walt Disney Company in August, is a comprehensive education program focused on the personal and educational development of Disney’s employees. Through Disney Aspire, more than 80,000 full-time and part-time hourly employees, who have more than 90 days of service, will be eligible to have 100% of their tuition paid up front, as well as have required textbooks and course materials, plus application and program fees covered in full by Disney.
Through this new program, Disney employees may apply to the full range of programs at Wilmington University.
“Just as The Walt Disney Company believes in empowering its employees, we believe in empowering our students,” says Wilmington University President Dr. LaVerne T. Harmon. “We are looking forward to offering opportunities to Disney employees who wish to advance their careers via quality education, and we are confident that our many online offerings will provide for them the skills, convenience and flexibility they need to balance their personal and professional obligations.”
Disney Aspire is the latest in a wave of innovative employer education partnerships announced this year. Walmart and Discover Financial Services also announced programs that support employees in earning a degree debt-free at Wilmington University. All three employer partnerships are supported through Guild Education, the leading education benefits platform.
“At The Walt Disney Company, we strive to empower and support employees in their professional and personal lives,” said Jayne Parker, Senior Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer for The Walt Disney Company. “We are constantly looking at ways to help people realize their ambitions and fulfill their dreams, and, as part of that, we are proud to offer Disney Aspire, the most comprehensive program of its kind.”
For more information, contact Bill Swain, Assistant Vice President, University Relations, at Wilmington University by email to bill.f.swain@wilmu.edu, or call (302) 295-1216.
About The Walt Disney Company
The Walt Disney Company, together with its subsidiaries, is a diversified worldwide entertainment company with operations in four business segments: Media Networks, Studio Entertainment, Direct-to-Consumer and International; and Parks, Experiences and Consumer Products. Disney is a Dow 30 company and had annual revenues of $55.1 billion in its Fiscal Year 2017. Learn more about the Disney Aspire program here.
About Guild Education
Guild is transforming the way companies offer education as a benefit to their workers. Guild's Education Benefits Platform provides technology that makes offering education benefits and tuition reimbursement an easy choice for leading companies, helping HR leaders turn their education cost centers into a positive ROI. Guild's Education Network of online, nonprofit universities and learning providers offers a range of programs from GEDs through bachelor's and master's degrees, along with advising and retention coaching to help each student navigate the worlds of work and college.
About Wilmington University
Wilmington University is one of the fastest growing and most affordable private, nonprofit universities in the region, offering undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs in online and traditional formats. An accredited and respected leader specializing in exemplary student service, Wilmington University offers convenient and flexible options designed to prepare students for success in an increasingly competitive marketplace. Now celebrating its 50th year, the University has never wavered in its mission to offer opportunities to all who wish to transform their lives through quality education. For more information, visit wilmu.edu.
