Chipotle Mexican Grill is expanding its Debt Free degree program for employees by adding a new university to the lineup: Paul Quinn College.
The college is the nation's first urban work college and one of the oldest Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the country. Through a partnership with Guild Education, the Newport Beach, Calif.-based chain covers 100% of tuition for eligible employees. Other colleges that are part of the program include University of Arizona, Bellevue University, Brandman University, Southern New Hampshire University and Wilmington University.
Employees are eligible for the program after 120 days of employment. Tuition costs are paid upfront, and cover roughly 75 different types of business and technology degrees.
“We want to provide employees with the tools to achieve their full potential and recognize that financial barriers can be one of the biggest obstacles for not furthering their education,” Marissa Andrada, chief diversity, inclusion and people officer, said in a statement.
The Debt Free degree program is among several perks offered to eligible employees. The company also offers a tuition reimbursement for employees, a program that pre-date the debt-free degree which pays for tuition upfront.
Chipotle credits the educational benefits for higher employee retention rates among students enrolled in the program. Chipotle said crew members using the benefit are seven and a half times more likely to move into a management role within the organization.
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