If your organization's evolving, your employees should too. Are you looking for guidance or a partner in this endeavor? We can help. Email the Office of Strategic Partnerships and Outreach or call (609) 984-7188.

• April 2018

• September 2017

• April 2017

Considering an educational partnership? There are four questions you need to ask first.

Not all strategic partnerships are created equal.

There are, however, some potential benefits inherent in most educational partnerships, such as engendering employee loyalty and cultivating the depth of workforce talent that can take your organization to the next level.

If you're contemplating an educational partnership and wondering how you might demonstrate its value to your senior staff, the University's Office of Strategic Partnerships and Outreach team answers four questions you need to ask yourself first:

1.) Can we afford an educational partnership?

Tom Phillips, associate director of Strategic Partnership Initiatives, proposes that an educational partnership can benefit your organization and its employees without a great deal of cost and effort devoted to the process. "First, most partnerships are of little to no additional cost to the organization and employees can immediately benefit from reduced tuition and fees provided in the partnership contract. In addition, partnerships of this type provide inroads for internal advocacy that ultimately benefits the organization, its community and other stakeholders. This further allows the organization to maximize its employee benefits without adding responsibilities to those who are overseeing and promoting the partnership."

2.) How will I measure success?

Jessiah Styles, associate director of Strategic Partnership and Outreach, explains that organizations should begin by surveying staff and divisional leaders prior to partnership implementation in order to determine the quality and breadth of education desired. He said organizations should also consider benchmarking groups of staff progressing through and graduating from academic programs in order to gauge outcomes. "Create benchmarks for enrolled employees and consider adjusting the benchmarks as the needs of your organization change. Throughout the life of the partnership, also measure retention rates and track the professional trajectories of participating staff."

3.) What levels of staff should I consider in the partnership structure?

According to Kelli Parlante-Givas, director of Strategic Partnership Management, a corporate partner should be encouraged to invest in all employees, regardless of their role or seniority. "You can optimize this by teaming up with an education provider that is willing to award credit for what your employees may already know through corporate training programs, licenses, certificates and military training. What's more, offering tuition assistance will help to offset costs and give your employees flexible learning options. These options allow the opportunity for an already loyal employee to complete a degree they may have started while positioning them for promotions and increased job stability."

4.) How can I demonstrate the benefits of an educational partnership to senior staff?

Janet Eickhoff, associate vice president of Strategic Partnerships and Outreach, expressed that organizations often struggle with how best to educate and train employees in a cost effective way with no additional drain to resources. "When speaking with your leadership about an ideal educational partner, be prepared to articulate the long-term benefits the relationship will bring, including delivery of training in a variety of modalities that help bridge skills gaps or fulfill the organization's evolving workforce needs. Talk to them about potential degree programs and certificate offerings and customized curriculum and training that will elevate and retain your employees. Within this mix, it is important to work with an educational partner who is willing to offer tuition discounts to help you alleviate costs."

In the end, it is both the organization's and educational partner's responsibilities to ensure that value is being brought to the partnership's most important stakeholders: your employees.

Do you need more guidance on building a relationship with a higher education partner? We can help. Email the Office of Strategic Partnerships and Outreach or call (609) 984-7188.

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