Lander Extends Learning Through Corporate Partners Program

A partnership between Lander University and six area businesses and corporations will help employees earn their bachelor’s or master’s degrees through online courses and reduced tuition fees.

“Since its inception, Lander University’s College of Graduate and Online Studies has focused on helping working adults continue their education through online options,” said Dr. Lloyd Willis, the college’s dean. “Many universities across the country accomplish this same goal by partnering with local companies and providing a level of targeted service for their employees to make degree programs more accessible.”

The first community partners are Countybank, Greenwood Capital, Lonza, Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital,

National Healthcare and VELUX Group USA. Through the partnership agreements, Lander will offer a 25 percent tuition discount to employees enrolled in online programs.

“This arrangement allows the University to assist working adults, who often think their only options for degrees are large, out-ofstate online institutions. Many working adults are unaware that these options exist within South Carolina and that our programs are affordable and tailored to their specific career needs,” Willis said.

Corporate partners see a strong need locally for enhancing their employees’ education.

“We are committed to serving our associates by providing education and training opportunities,” said Jamie Hedgepath, chief human resources officer for Countybank and Greenwood Capital. “We are excited to expand our existing relationship with Lander to provide local cost-effective educational opportunities for our associates and help them grow on both a personal and professional level.”

The opportunities to learn online at Lander are extensive. The University offers undergraduate online programs in business administration, human services, paralegal studies, criminology, psychology and public health. Lander also has an RN to BSN program which enables RNs to complete a bachelor’s degree in nursing.

Graduate online programs are available in business administration, management, education, emergency management, exercise science and nursing. 

By Karen Petit