WilmU partners with Discover to help call-center reps get college degrees

Discover’s 1,200+ employees at its New Castle Operations Office — along with Discover employees nationwide — are getting a new benefit: A free online college education from an accredited nonprofit university.

The Discover College Commitment program, launched through the Guild Education platform, covers tuition, fees, books and supplies required to earn a bachelor’s degree online at one of three universities: Wilmington University, University of Florida and Brandman University.

“Wilmington University’s partnership with Discover and Guild Education unifies our similar missions of placing the people we serve first,” says Eileen Donnelly, vice president of enrollment management at WilmU. “It is a privilege to be part of an authentic effort that provides Discover employees with relevant, career-focused education that will enhance their skills and support their desires to make meaningful contributions to their company.”

According to Discover, nearly 90 percent of its employees without a post-secondary degree work in the company’s customer care centers, such as the one in New Castle.

While many companies offer education benefits, most have limits on assistance.

“Unlike a number of other large companies with degree-focused education-assistance programs, the Discover College Commitment Program combines full-ride funding toward the cost of a select bachelor’s degree with no limit on the amount of assistance an employee can receive, and our employees are eligible for this benefit on day one of employment,” said Jon Kaplan, vice president of training and development at Discover.

The program is in line with WilmU President LaVerne T. Harmon’s plans to offer more online opportunities, increase accessibility and reduce student debt. Harmon became the university’s fourth president on March 8.