When 377 graduates walked across the stage during Lander University's 163rd commencement exercises on Tuesday, May 11, eight employees of Lander were included in those ranks.
Employee graduates included Dr. Farha N. Ali, associate professor of computing, earning a Master of Science in Management; Laney Dixon, recruit data specialist, earning a Master of Education in Teaching and Learning (Instructional Technology emphasis); Sam Linn, admissions counselor, earning a Master of Science in Management; Olgethia Louden, administrative specialist, earning a Master of Science in Management; Elizabeth McCune, facilities coordinator, earning a Master of Science in Management; Scott Pilgrim, director of procurement services, earning a Master of Science in Management; Sherry Smith, administrative coordinator and accountant, earning a Master of Science in Management; Michelle Weeks, post office manager, earning a Master of Science in Management.
Lander University employees have the opportunity to take advantage of Lander's Employee Tuition Assistance Program, which allows them to enroll in up to two courses (6 credit hours) each semester for free, with supervisor approval. Weeks, who was also an inaugural graduate of Lander's Kauffman Leadership Institute, said this option is an "amazing benefit" for Lander employees. "I would wholeheartedly recommend the Employee Tuition Assistance Program to my colleagues at Lander University," she said.
Each graduate enrolled in their respective degree program with different personal and professional goals in mind. Linn, who admitted he wanted to "go back" sooner rather than later, knew that having a master's degree "would help open up a lot of opportunities," he said, adding that Lander's Master of Science in Management program has helped him to "think outside the box," and has enhanced his problem-solving skills in his professional career.
But for Ali, it had more to do with being a dedicated lifelong learner. "All the classes helped me understand different aspects of management, but the classes involving big data management and analysis and supply chain management interested me the most," said Ali, who in addition to her newly minted M.S.M., also holds a Ph.D. from Clemson University. She also participated in the development of Lander's new Cybersecurity major, and serves on Lander's faculty senate.
Lander's Employee Tuition Assistance Program helps cement the institution's status as an employer of choice in the Lakelands community. At the start of the 2020/21 academic year, Lander University was named one of the best colleges in the nation to work for, according to a survey conducted by The Great Colleges to Work For program, and published in The Chronicle of Higher Education. For McCune, who is in her 11th year of service with Lander University, the Employee Tuition Assistance Program is further evidence of Lander's placement on this list. "This program provides employees with an opportunity to expand knowledge through undergraduate, graduate or even single course offerings of interest with the flexibility of online options," said McCune, adding that choosing to take advantage of the program is "not a question of why, but more of why not?"
At future commencement ceremonies, Lander anticipates the number of employee graduates to continue to grow, which in turn will continue to move the University in a positive direction. "Lander University is so proud of our eight colleagues graduating with their master's degrees," said Todd Gambill, vice president for Enrollment and Access Management at Lander. "These employees will be able to leverage their new knowledge and skills in serving Lander students."