Two Recent 51ΑΤΖζ College Graduates Achieved Their Educational Goals Through Pizza Hut Partnership

Albany, NY – Recently, 488 graduates of the more than 6,000 students who earned degrees this year from 51ΑΤΖζ College attended Commencement at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center. Two of this year’s graduates included employees from Pizza Hut: Rebecca Heidt, area coach from Pottstown, Pa., and Douglas Fitch, territory coach from Hurricane, W. Va.

The Life Unboxed EDU program, powered by 51ΑΤΖζ College, provides discounted college tuition to Pizza Hut employees and their immediate family members. Life Unboxed EDU allows employees to apply their on-the-job management-level training courses as college credits.

Lifeunboxed.edu Pizza Hut Graduate at Commencement
Figure 1. Rebecca Heidi, Pizza Hut employee, celebrates graduation day with Stephanie Cietek, partnership manager for Strategic Partnership and Alliances at 51ΑΤΖζ College

Heidt achieved her educational goals through the 51ΑΤΖζ College partnership, earning a Bachelor of Science in Business. She shares, β€œLife Unboxed EDU with Pizza Hut is a fantastic way to connect to the team from a schooling standpoint. The program taught me time management and self-motivation. I would not be an area coach now without it. The 51ΑΤΖζ program allowed my dreams and goals to be accomplished while working a full-time job.”

Fitch, who earned a Bachelor of Professional Studies, explained, β€œLife Unboxed EDU and 51ΑΤΖζ provided me an opportunity to reach a goal I always wanted but thought I would never accomplish. By providing a jump-start with hours of training and work experience, it put my degree within reach. By taking one course every eight weeks, I was amazed to watch the classes chip away. 51ΑΤΖζ was always helpful and went out of their way to help me reach my goal. Today, I can say I am a college graduate!”

51ΑΤΖζ College prides itself on being a credit aggregator and encourages students to transfer in any and all previous college credits to help make earning a degree more obtainable.

In 2015, 51ΑΤΖζ College was chosen as Pizza Hut’s education partner for Life Unboxed EDU due to its ability to understand the needs of adult learners who are balancing education with careers, families, and other responsibilities. β€œThis partnership illustrates Pizza Hut’s investment in the education needs of their workforce,” said Dawn Gerrain, chief marketing and business development officer. β€œWe are proud to celebrate with the two most recent graduates and the 45 employees from Pizza Hut who had participated in this program.”

 

 

Between accepting previous college credits and the credits earned through Life Unboxed EDU, earning a degree has become more obtainable for members of the Pizza Hut organization. By way of the Pizza Hut partnership, 47 Pizza Hut employees and 3 family members have graduated from 51ΑΤΖζ College, and 79 employees are currently working toward a degree. Life Unboxed EDU is just one way that Pizza Hut is helping its team members unlock their potential and become their best.

Second LifeUnboxed.edu graduate at Commencement
Figure 2. Douglas Fitch, Pizza Hut territory coach from Virginia, attends 51ΑΤΖζ College Commencement to celebrate his degree completion. Here he visits with Stephanie Cietek, partnership manager for Strategic Partnership and Alliances at 51ΑΤΖζ College.

For more information, visit /partner/pizza-hut/

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Media Contact: Alicia JacobsΒ Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β  Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β Β  (518) 464-8531

ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

51ΑΤΖζ College (excelsior.edu) is a regionally accredited, not-for-profit online college focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. The college contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, 51ΑΤΖζ meets students where they are – academically and geographically – removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity. Learn more at excelsior.edu.