DU’s Partnership With Guild Education Turns Employees Into Leaders
Companies ranging from Target to Disney send their employees to University College to upskill their careers tuition-free.
The mission of University College has always been to increase accessibility to education for post-traditional students in Denver and beyond. So, in 2017, when the opportunity came to partner with Guild Education, a Denver-based organization that connects employers with educational opportunities for their employees, it was a great fit.
DU was one of the first higher education institutions to partner with Guild and, seven years later, more than 5,000 learners from 30+ companies—ranging from Walmart and Target to Hilton and Disney—have enrolled in the signature Frontline Leadership Management Program (FLMP) or earned a certificate or degree through University College.
The 12-week, online FMLP course, which is designed to help employees succeed in first-time, frontline managerial positions, exemplifies the mission of University College, says Chris Nicholson, associate dean of enrollment, marketing and partnerships.
“These are students who, by and large, may never come to DU without this specific program. We are increasing access not only in Denver but in communities across the United States,” he says.
FMLP students learn core concepts such as understanding themselves as leaders; styles of leadership; interpersonal and communication skills; inclusive leadership; delivering and receiving feedback and coaching employees; how to motivate teams; and hiring, onboarding and individual performance management.
The course is taught by dedicated instructors called “faculty coaches” and incorporates several one-on-one leadership coaching sessions between learners and their coach.
Everything about the course, including a high-touch onboarding process, is attuned to the needs of post-traditional learners and designed to make students as successful as possible, says Nicholson. “All course materials are built into the course or available open access. A student can, and many do, complete the entire course on their phone.”
The course makes a tangible difference in their lives, Nicholson says—in more ways than one. “Maybe they receive a promotion or an increase in their hourly wage, which directly impacts their day-to-day life—and their family’s life. In some cases, the course is a spark to pursue additional education and earn an associate or bachelor’s degree. And in nearly all cases, they gain greater confidence in their abilities and what they can achieve.”
An opportunity too good to pass up
Paige Fraser-Hoffman, a Disney cast member, enrolled at University College in 2020 to pursue a master's degree in arts and culture management.
A professional dancer who has been performing in “The Lion King” on Broadway since 2019, Fraser-Hoffman decided to go back to school when the pandemic hit and performances came to a halt. Disney offered to pay full tuition at a Guild educational partner institution through a program called Disney Aspire.
Fraser-Hoffman’s family founded and runs a nonprofit organization based in the Bronx, where she grew up, that focuses on bringing health and wellness programs to marginalized youth and adults, specifically, those with physical and mental challenges. The mission is near and dear to her heart, as Fraser-Hoffman has scoliosis and was the inspiration for the foundation, which is named after her.
The arts and culture management program, she says, “was perfect for me, not only being an artist and a professional dancer but also because of my passion for outreach and community work. It just seemed like a perfect mix of all the things I needed to sharpen my skills and for where I want to go career-wise, after my performance career.”
When her Broadway shows resumed, she appreciated University College’s asynchronous format and the support of her instructors and classmates. “With eight performances a week, there was no way I could be physically in school,” she says. “Working full time, there were some weeks that it was hard to get my work done, but the professors were so helpful and responsive—and I really enjoyed the online engagement opportunities, which were a great way to connect with, and learn from, my peers.”
For Fraser-Hoffman, as for many Guild students, the opportunity to advance her career at no cost was too good to pass up. “I told myself, even if it takes six years, it’s worth it. It’s free and I’m learning, and I could just take my time.”
Looking ahead, she says the master’s degree will be helpful, regardless of where her career takes her. “Even to be an adjunct professor for dance, for example, you need a master’s degree. And to have it in arts management, on top of the fact that I’m already performing professionally, sets me apart in a totally different way.”
