San Diego has picked National University to provide continuing education opportunities for the city’s 10,000 employees through a unique tuition discount.
“As mayor, I’m committed to providing innovative education opportunities for all San Diegans, which includes our city’s hardworking employees,” said San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer at a ceremony on Friday announcing the program.
“National University is a long-standing and loyal institution to the City of San Diego and has already helped many employees and elected officials advance their careers. It is only fitting as we grow this partnership to create more opportunities for more San Diego residents.”
National University was named the city’s only “Preferred Employee Education Program Partner.” City employees are being offered a scholarship that is the equivalent of a 15 percent tuition reduction, as well as a waiver of the application fee toward earning an associate’s, bachelor’s, or master’s degree or certification.
“Providing San Diego employees with affordable access to a quality education through National University benefits not only individuals, but the community at large,” said Dr. Michael Cunningham, president of National University.
The partnership with the city follows an agreement earlier this month to provide scholarship opportunities for the County of San Diego’s 16,000 employees.
National University alumni include City Council members Marti Emerald and Myrtle Cole, and former Mayor Jerry Sanders. The private, non-profit university is headquartered in San Diego and has 28 campuses, including six in San Diego, Chula Vista, Carlsbad, and La Mesa