LiFE Learning inspired by
FedEx
2019-20 FedEx LOGISTICS ANNUAL REPORT
Logistics employees join the 4,500 other students from 39 states that make up UofM Global.
In late February 2018, a small group of representatives from the University of Memphis and FedEx first met to discuss the prospect of developing a game-changing educational program attractive to FedEx employees. Less than nine months later, an ambitious program was launched and called Learning inspired by FedEx (LiFE) powered by UofM Global, the online arm of the University of Memphis. By 2019, LiFE expanded to include FedEx Logistics employees. To enhance participation among employees, LiFE included the following solutions: • Fully online access. In order to promote access among employees at multiple FedEx Logistics locations, the Bachelor of Professional Studies with a concentration in Organizational Leadership through the College of Professional & Liberal Studies was made available online. From inquiry to the fulfillment of degree requirements, all services are available virtually, eliminating barriers associated with time and distance and enhancing scalability. • LiFE coaching staff. A robust system of student advocates, academic advisors, course facilitators and tutors was built to support prospective and continuing LiFE students. •L iFE Prep Academy. The Prep Academy was specifically developed for LiFE students who need to build their academic, personal and professional competencies in order to earn formal admission into UofM Global. • Financial stewardship. To reduce the financial burden of college attendance, a deferred, direct billing system was set up between the University and FedEx. Likewise, the LiFE coaching staff works diligently with each student to explore and manage cost-reduction strategies such as federal, state and institutional financial aid, as well as experiential learning credit (ELC), often available to FedEx employees for internal corporate training. This report highlights additional LiFE program achievements to date.
Without the LiFE program, I do not know if I would have been able to achieve a degree. I am lucky. I have two great people working with me to help me achieve my goal. Angela and Leanne are magnificent. Their drive makes me want to finish, and I am glad they have always been so helpful.�
– Megan Ealey (Jonesboro, Ark.)
LiFE COACHES LiFE Coaching In anticipation of demand for this novel educational attainment opportunity, a dedicated LiFE team was assembled to support the 407 inquiries and degree program matriculants to date. Coaching Staff Olivia New is assigned to any LiFE student who indicates they have a high school diploma only, or have earned between 1-30 college credits. These students are automatically routed to the Prep Academy. She has 162 students on her caseload.
Yolanda Mathews handles inquiries from LiFE students who have earned between 30-59 college credits, or have earned their associates degree. There are currently 158 students on her caseload.
Angela Robinson interacts with any LiFE student who has earned more than 60 credits or is pursuing their second bachelor’s degree. She has 87 students assigned to her.
Leanne Bennett manages the financial management portion of the LiFE student experience, ensuring students are maximizing their tuition allowance. In addition to this role, she also carries a small caseload of those who have earned 90 or more credit hours.
Writing has been a significant piece of LiFE Prep Academy. Writing was the most troublesome at first since I haven’t written an essay in over 15 years. The Writing Effectively course was the most rewarding because it provided refresher concepts and writing strategies, which helped brush up my writing skills. With a lot of practice and the support of professor Barrett Schwarz and professor Andrea Bishop, this course helped me conquer my writing fears. LiFE Prep Academy helped change that for me. My confidence has grown tremendously as a writer, and I feel I am prepared and ready to enter the University of Memphis as a full-fledged college student.”
– Shalene Weeks (Hillside, N.J.)
PREP ACADEMY STATS/FACILITATOR LiFE Prep Academy The self-paced, three-module LiFE Prep Academy, comprised of content from four existing undergraduate courses, enables students to demonstrate mastery in 77 unique competencies within:
Prep Academy Coordinator Andrea Bishop, PhD
•A cademic Success •C areer Planning and Development •P ersonal and Career Success
14
PREP COMPLETERS
78%
OF THOSE WHO COMPLETED THE PREP ACADEMY SUCCESSFULLY TRANSITIONED TO COURSEWORK
5.5 MONTHS AVERAGE COMPLETION TIME
12
COMPLETER CITIES
My journey to obtaining my bachelor’s was not an easy task. My mom passed away in 2018, and I was completely torn and felt like giving up. I thank FedEx and UofM Global for trusting and believing in me to finish and complete my degree. I graduated in August 2019, one of the happiest days of my life, and am now pursuing my graduate degree in Strategic Leadership.”
– Nekesha Nelson (Memphis)
EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CREDIT The University of Memphis takes great pride in awarding students experiential learning credit (ELC) for college-level learning occurring outside the classroom. LiFE student ELC awards, primarily drawn from their FedEx training transcript, include:
40
LiFE STUDENTS AWARDED ELC
471
TOTAL CREDITS AWARDED
12
AVERAGE CREDIT HOURS AWARDED (4 CLASSES)
The following FedEx training courses have been awarded lower division course credit (often used for electives): Government Regulations, Logistics, Import/Exports and Trade Compliance, Workplace Safety and Hazardous Materials Handling. The following FedEx training courses have been awarded upper division course credit (often used towards major requirements for the degree): Leadership, Quality Driven Management, Logistics Management, Operations Management, Corporate Security, Employee Development, Operational Behavior, Global Trade, Hazardous Material Management and Environmental Health & Safety. A sample ELC award and corresponding credit: Logistics Import/Exports Government Regulations Hazardous Materials Handling Logistics Mgmt Operational Behavior Leadership Quality Driven Mgmt Employee Development Global Trade Total
3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 30
Attending the UofM has been a good experience for me. At this point in my life, I wouldn’t consider attending courses on site, and the online learning makes it very easy to access my courses and materials. My major is in Professional Studies with a concentration in Organizational Leadership, and my experiences at the UofM have really helped me to understand that I need to know what’s inside me in order to be in a leadership role in my career.”
– Jeneen Boudrie (Flat Rock, Mich.)
LiFE CREDITS LiFE Credit Accumulation As a result, 106 LiFE students have earned 955 credits eligible to be applied to their degree prgoram. Additionally: • 14 Logistics employees completed the Prep Academy, earned expedited admission into the University of Memphis and 168 credits towards their degree • 40 students were awarded 471 experiential learning credits • 6 LiFE students have graduated
Danesha Winfrey is the academic advisor for juniors and seniors pursuing their degree in Organizational Leadership.
FINANCIAL STEWARDSHIP In addition to the generous tuition allowance provided by FedEx, other sources contributed to lowering the cost of matriculation. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is required for all LiFE students prior to admission, which allowed many students to be eligible for federal and state aid. Students who met the requirements for Experiential Learning Credit (ELC) benefited from the lower cost per credit hours. • 67 matriculated LiFE students have qualified for $27,420 of financial assistance • ELC savings to FedEx Logistics: $182,748 Results • The average cost to FedEx per credit hour for a matriculated LiFE student: $225 •T he average expenditure per LiFE student: $2,027
The University of Memphis is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action University. It is committed to the education of a non-racially identifiable student body. UOM089-FY2021