As an employer that truly careers about the development of future generations, McDonald’s has provided over USD 58 million in high school and college tuition assistance. One of the education initiatives McDonald's supports is Reach Higher's College Signing Day that empowers students to take charge of their future and own their success.
McDonald’s took the stage at Reach Higher’s annual College Signing Day event in Los Angeles, California to congratulate 9,000 LA area students on their college acceptance and encourage their success. Michelle Obama also supported this important event.
To date, McDonald’s has increased access to education for over 38,500 people and awarded over USD 58 million in high school and college tuition assistance. In addition, the brand supports six USD 10,000 scholarships through the Black and Positively Golden Thurgood Marshall Fund and 30 scholarships ranging from USD 5,000 to USD 100,000 through HACER National Scholarships.
Role models are key
Wendy Lewis, McDonald's Vice President and Global Chief Diversity Officer, says: "McDonald's is proud to support Reach Higher's mission to empower students to take charge of their future and own their success. At McDonald's, we know not all education and career pathways are paved in the same way which is why we provide pre-employment training, scholarships, and access to education opportunities for restaurant employees for high school completion, English learning programs, education and career advising services and tuition assistance for college. The more our young people can see people like them advancing, the more will follow in their paths and create new ones."
Helping young people choose education and develop their careers
College Signing Day is an annual initiative which welcomes the participation U.S. higher education providers on May 1st or at a time that works best for their students. Organizers, Reach Higher, offer helpful resources to assist institutions with planning their event. The idea is to help people choose where they want to go to college and start progressing towards their future.
The day is a chance to rally around students who have committed to higher education. Every student who commits to going to and completing college deserves to be celebrated and the event is a way for educators, counselors and parents to encourage those heading to college, while also being a way for students to inspire and encourage others.
Reach Higher was started by Michelle Obama during her time at the White House, and is centered around providing encouragement and activating educators, counselors and other adults to help young people see college as an option, whether at a traditional four-year college, a two-year community college or through an industry-recognized training program. Reach Higher focuses on four components: college affordability, exposing students to college, academic and summer planning and supporting school counselors.
To learn more about McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity program, please visit ArchwaysToOpportunity.
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Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.