Faculty, staff take courses alongside students through the tuition remission program

by Carmen Smoak Assistant Features Editor

Throwing caps in the air, many graduating seniors are about to take their first step out of a lifetime of education and into the next phase of adulthood. After taking countless courses at Tufts, these young adults earn their degree and their freedom from the classroom.

However, not all people who take Tufts courses are just students; staff and faculty take courses as well — at no cost. As part of the Tuition Remission program, full-time employees at Tufts are able to take up to four courses a year, and part-time employees can take a maximum of two courses a year. Additionally, undergraduate courses are tax-exempt for employees, and the same is possible for graduate courses if they are related to their current career path and approved as professional development.

Sally Brzozowski, associate director of digital engagement at Tufts, is a 2023 graduate from the Tufts Gordon Institute master’s program in engineering management. For Brzozowski, the Tuition Remission program is an opportunity to be on the receiving end of its educational services.

“It’s a huge incentive of working here, and one I wish more people took advantage of,” Brzozowski said. “It is just a really great way to, … be involved in the university and to see what it’s like to be a part of the [educational] system.”

Phoebe Sargeant is an administrative coordinator in the political science department. She earned two Tufts degrees as a student, and now, as an employee, is pursuing a master’s degree in history. Sargeant outlined the monetary benefits of the Tuition Remission program.

“Every course is around $3,000 or $4,000 now,” Sergeant said. “With four classes a year, that’s 16 grand of your compensation that you’re not taking advantage of.”

The Tuition Remission program is not for everyone, though. John Callahan, a mem- ber of the groundskeeping staff who takes Tufts courses, elaborated.

“There’s a lot of people who work here that don’t do it,” Callahan said. “Everyone has their spot that they settle into in life that they’re happy with. And if you’re already there, why screw with it?”

For those Tufts employees that are able and willing to take on the extra time commitment of courses, it can be an incredible and rewarding experience. Staff and faculty can pursue a degree through the program or take any assortment of courses for the sole purpose of personal fulfillment.

Sargeant, who attended Tufts as an undergraduate, spoke to her own experience as a longterm Jumbo.

“I can blend into the students really well, which I think also is helpful for me to say ‘yes’ to these courses and find myself in these courses because I’m comfortable in the university,” Sargeant said.

The program is designed so that all staff and faculty can partake in it, no matter their educational background. It did not stop Brzozowski, having graduated herself with a bachelor’s degree in English and political science, from enrolling in engineering management courses.

“[Tufts] is such a high caliber school to offer such a pathway,” Brzozowski said. “I do think it’s also this great equalizer, that is … available to so many people.”

With a wide range of course offerings available, staff and faculty have a lot of choice when it comes to exploring their interests in class. Sargeant