Sophie Edwards, BSBA ’14, MSM ’17, executive assistant to the managing director and chief credit officer at Prudential Financial, can attest to the return on her investment (ROI) in completing her bachelor's and master's degrees.

Success Story

TESU graduates come from all walks of life, but each has a common purpose: The desire to finish what they started.

Thomas Edison State University is honored to partner with some of the largest, most respected corporations in the world and employers across every business sector.

Through the Corporate Choice® program at the University, we focus on developing partnerships that enable organizations to develop their human capital and enhance staff development, recruitment and retention programs.

Sophie Edwards, BSBA '14, MSM '17, can attest to the transformational nature of higher education. Edwards' employer, Prudential Financial, formed a strategic partnership with the University in 2008. The financial company's objective was to develop a stronger workforce and increase employee retention. Here's more about Edwards and what earning her degrees means to her:

Sophie Edwards at-a-glance:

Job title: Executive assistant to the managing director and chief credit officer

Length of time to degree completion: One year and nine months to earn her master's degree.

Personal story: "In 2009, I embarked on my journey to obtain a college degree through a program that Prudential offered to its employees, called Corporate College Serves (CCS). CCS is a unique accelerated study program for working adults who want to earn or complete their college degrees. Classes were held at my company's worksite one night per week and were taught by professionals with credentials in their field. After completing the required number of credits with CCS, I enrolled with Thomas Edison State University, a partnering institution, to complete my Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in Human Resources Management/ Organizational Management. After taking a year off, I decided it was time to further my knowledge of management and enrolled once again earning a Master of Science in Management in 2017 at TESU. It was during this time that I learned specific managerial, organizational and leadership skills that gave me the competencies needed for my daily functions."

Degrees earned: Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) degree in Human Resources Management/Organizational Management and Master of Science in Management(MSM) in General Management

The "ROI" according to Edwards: "Prudential is an amazing company to work for. I completed both my undergraduate and graduate degree with the help of the company's 90 percent tuition reimbursement. Had it not been for Prudential's outstanding tuition reimbursement program, my dream of completing my degrees would have not been possible. I am very grateful!"

Visit us online to see a full list of current Corporate Choice® partners, and hear more stories of success from our graduates.


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