John reported on the Arizona State University partnership with Starbucks when the program first started in June of 2014. This report is an update on the program. A key feature for the program is the high level of support for the participants. Each student has an advisor to assist with federal loan applications and transcripts, and a coach to keep up the confidence and during the courses.
Early this year, therefore, Starbucks renegotiated the contract with Arizona State. Since March, the company has offered full tuition reimbursement to all employees, regardless of how many credits they’ve accrued. Starbucks has also committed to reimbursing employees immediately after they complete a class, rather than waiting for them to rack up 21 credits. Finally, Starbucks students will get even more of the kind of coaching that they found so valuable in the first semester. “We needed to learn,” said Lacey All, of Starbucks, explaining the changes. “We’re deeply committed to understanding the experience. It’s not just about ‘Send me to college.’ It’s about providing support along the way, at every step. We’re listening.”