By Brian Laubscher
December 13, 2024

Washington and Lee University takes pride in supporting the professional growth of its employees and few benefits are more impactful than its employee continuing education program.

The program provides funding of up to $5,250 per calendar year to cover up to 100% of tuition, fees and course materials for employees taking courses that lead to certification or degrees that will benefit the employee in their current position, improve job skills or position the employee for advancement opportunities at the university.

"The employee continuing education program is a key part of the university's commitment to employee growth and development," said Jodi Williams, executive director of human resources. "By contributing to the cost of further education, the program helps alleviate financial stress, allowing employees to focus on learning and achieving their professional goals."

Countless employees have utilized this benefit to advance their education over the years and 22 employees are currently taking advantage of the program. The latest to earn an advanced degree is Jacqueline Painter, W&L's associate director of gift planning.

Painter, who has served the university since 2022, graduated from the American College of Financial Services with a Master of Science in Financial Planning (MSFP) on Dec. 9. She also utilized the school's online programming to earn additional designations as an Accredited Estate Planner (AEP ®) and a Charitable Advisor in Philanthropy (CAP®).

"The MSFP program provided an unparalleled combination of theoretical knowledge and practical application that elevated my expertise in financial planning," she said. "The residency courses were especially transformative, fostering collaboration with peers and professors, and grounding complex concepts in real-world scenarios. This program not only deepened my understanding of tax, estate and investment strategies but also equipped me with actionable insights to deliver exceptional client solutions. It was instrumental in achieving this advanced degree and advancing my career in financial planning."

Painter considers herself a lifetime career student and has spent several years working toward her latest educational achievement.

"Pursuing an advanced degree while managing a demanding career is no small feat," she said. "The key is staying organized and deeply connected to your 'why.' For me, it was about advancing my expertise in financial planning to better serve W&L and our alumni in creating a meaningful impact. Balancing work, study and life requires intention and grit. I travel frequently for work, so I learned to maximize every moment - studying on planes, working through assignments in hotel rooms and diving into readings over weekend coffee. It's not easy, but when you know why you're doing it, the sacrifices feel purposeful."

Eligibility for the employee continuing education program is afforded to active full-time employees who have attained satisfactory job performance and have maintained at least one year of continuous service to the university. The program cannot be used to obtain parallel degrees, but will cover certificate programs, associate degree programs, baccalaureate degree programs, master's degree programs and Ph.D. programs. Any courses for which this program will be applied require pre-approval by the employee's supervisor, department head and the appropriate vice president or dean. Approved requests are submitted to the Office of Human Resources for review and consideration.

Employees interested in participating in the employee continuing education program must complete and submit the pre-approval form and must request that their supervisor complete a form supporting the request.

"For anyone considering this path, I encourage you to explore continuing education funds and employer support," said Painter. "Many organizations recognize the value of furthering education and may help fund your journey. The challenges are real, but the rewards - both personal and professional - make every late night and early morning worth it."

If you know a W&L staff member who has done great, accolade-worthy things, tell us about them! Nominate them for an accolade.

Public link

Please use the above public link if you want to share this noodl on another website.