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Expanding Enrollment Through Workforce Connections: Introducing UNC Charlotte’s Tuition Benefit Partnerships Program
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As UNC Charlotte continues to explore innovative ways to grow enrollment and strengthen program relevance, the Tuition Benefit Partnerships program offers a powerful opportunity to attract new students, especially working professionals seeking to advance or transform their careers.
By partnering with leading employers such as Atrium Health, Amazon, Truist, and many others, UNC Charlotte is building a direct pipeline to talent across the region and beyond. With more than 220 tuition benefit providers identified, this program connects the University with a large audience of prospective students who already have access to employer-sponsored education benefits and are actively looking for flexible, career-aligned programs.
How the Program Works
The Tuition Benefit Partnerships program creates structured relationships between UNC Charlotte and employers that offer tuition assistance. These partnerships are designed to remove barriers to enrollment and align academic offerings with workforce needs.
Employees benefit from a streamlined experience that includes personalized program pathways, dedicated enrollment support, and a simplified admissions process. Meanwhile, employers gain access to customized partnerships, direct billing, and a wide range of academic and professional development offerings, making it easier to invest in their workforce.
Why This Matters for UNC Charlotte
For faculty and administrators, this program represents a strategic enrollment channel with tangible impact:
- Increased enrollment and revenue through a new pipeline of employer-sponsored students
- Stronger alignment between academic programs and workforce demands
- More dynamic classroom experiences enriched by working professionals
At the institutional level, the program strengthens UNC Charlotte’s reputation as a workforce-driven university while deepening relationships with regional and national employers — positioning the University as a key partner in economic growth and talent development.
Real Student Impact Across Disciplines
The true value of the Tuition Benefit Partnerships program is best reflected in the students it serves: working professionals who bring purpose, experience, and ambition into the classroom.
Carlos Hernandez-Rivera, who works at Atrium Health, used employer tuition benefits to advance his nursing education while balancing the demands of the healthcare field. Today, he’s serving critically ill children and their families and translating his education into meaningful patient advocacy.
For Kia Melvin, who works at Amazon, the program made a bold career pivot possible. While working night shifts, she pursued her passion for neuroscience. Her story illustrates how access to flexible, employer-supported education can empower students to reimagine their futures.
Connor Fagan, senior vice president at Truist and UNC Charlotte MBA graduate, leveraged tuition benefits to earn his degree while continuing to grow professionally. His experience highlights a key advantage of the program: the ability to build advanced business skills and apply them immediately in the workplace.
Together, these stories highlight a powerful truth: when education is accessible and aligned with career goals, students don’t just enroll. They thrive and they bring that impact back to their organizations and communities.
Your Role in Growing This Opportunity
Faculty and administrators play a critical role in expanding the reach of the Tuition Benefit Partnerships program. By serving as ambassadors — sharing program opportunities, connecting with employer partners, and collaborating on outreach — you can help connect the classroom to the workplace and enrich the learning experience for everyone.
This initiative is more than a partnership model; it is a strategic approach to meeting learners where they are and aligning UNC Charlotte’s offerings with the evolving needs of today’s workforce.
Meet the Students
From opportunity to impact—hear from students who made the most of the Tuition Benefits Program.