Statistics show that 93% of employees say using their employer’s tuition assistance program helped them develop the skills they needed to grow within their company, yet only 10% of employees utilize tuition assistance from their employer if it is offered. Many factors impact this underutilization, but for many it is lack of understanding of funding opportunities through employers, financial aid or scholarships.
The Maricopa County Community College District created its Concierge Service to remedy that, providing direct support through the Maricopa Community College’s advising team members, who are part of the Enrollment Management division within Student Affairs. These individuals will be available to assist with admissions, tuition benefit and financial aid navigation, advising and success coaching for students attending any of the 10 Maricopa Community Colleges.
Through this program, MCCCD and Highnoon recently launched an Education Concierge Partnership that will provide Highnoon, its clients and partners access to convenient, consolidated services to help their employees pursue a college education within the Maricopa Community Colleges system.
Highnoon is a Tempe-based marketing and public relations agency that serves a variety of clients such as SRP, Taylor Morrison, Valleywise Health and Arizona Federal Credit Union. As part of this partnership, all the organizations and companies the agency engages with will have access to a dedicated advising team to help their employees eliminate barriers many working professionals face when starting or returning to college.
As part of the Achieve60AZ initiative, the State of Arizona has set a lofty goal: By 2030, 60% of adults in the state aged 25 to 64 will hold a postsecondary credential or degree. In order to help reach this goal, the Maricopa community colleges are developing strategic partnerships like this with local employers like Highnoon dedicated to a quality, affordable education.
The Concierge service makes it simpler for local employers to further their employees’ ability to earn an associate degree, certificate and/or university transfer. This partnership was facilitated by Maricopa Corporate College, a division of the Workforce and Economic Development Office at Maricopa Community Colleges.
