{"id":476,"date":"2017-05-09T09:36:38","date_gmt":"2017-05-09T16:36:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/?p=476"},"modified":"2025-09-26T14:12:32","modified_gmt":"2025-09-26T21:12:32","slug":"peets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecampus.oregonstate.edu\/news\/peets\/","title":{"rendered":"Oregon State, Peet\u2019s Coffee collaborate to give employees a new pathway to a college degree"},"content":{"rendered":"
Editor’s note: <\/strong>This story was originally published on the Oregon State University Division of Educational Ventures news site<\/a>.<\/span><\/div>\n

CORVALLIS, Ore. \u2013 Oregon State University and Peet\u2019s Coffee<\/a>, The Original Craft Coffee, today announced the Peetnik Pathway to College Program<\/a>, a tuition reimbursement plan that gives thousands of the specialty coffee company\u2019s employees access to OSU\u2019s top-ranked online education.<\/p>\n

The program opens the door to potential life-changing career advancement possibilities for many of the 5,000 Peet\u2019s Coffee workers nationwide \u2013 known as Peetniks \u2013 who wish to earn a bachelor\u2019s degree. The collaboration empowers eligible employees to enroll in one of more than 20 rigorous undergraduate programs delivered online through Oregon State University Ecampus.<\/p>\n

\n

MEDIA CONTACT<\/h4>\n

Tyler Hansen<\/a>
\nOSU Ecampus
\n520-312-1276<\/p>\n

SOURCES<\/h4>\n

Lisa L. Templeton<\/a>
\nOSU Ecampus
\n541-737-1279<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

All benefits-eligible Peet\u2019s Coffee employees who work part-time or full-time, do not already have an undergraduate college degree and meet university admission requirements can enroll in OSU\u2019s nationally ranked programs such as business administration, liberal studies, sustainability, Spanish and human development and family sciences.<\/p>\n

\u201cAs a national leader in online undergraduate education, OSU Ecampus enables working adults to engage with our world-class faculty in a cutting-edge learning environment that offers the exact same quality OSU\u2019s on-campus students receive,\u201d said Oregon State President Ed Ray. \u201cWe\u2019re excited to work closely with Peet\u2019s Coffee and its employees to offer a plan that leads to their career and life success.\u201d<\/p>\n

By serving workers across Peet\u2019s Coffee, including those at more than 270 of the brand\u2019s coffee bars, this program aims to produce thousands of college graduates from coast to coast who otherwise may not have had the opportunity to pursue an undergraduate degree. It is designed to support working professionals by providing enhanced work-life flexibility and a robust academic experience that positions them well for potential career advancement.<\/p>\n

Peet\u2019s will reimburse each eligible employee up to $5,250 in qualified tuition and fees annually, with federal financial aid and any applicable scholarships also contributing to reduce student costs. Upon being reimbursed following each academic term, a Peetnik will pay as little as $15 per each successfully completed course credit.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeet\u2019s Coffee is committed to making significant investments in our employees through competitive wages, generous 401k plans, affordable health care, and many other benefits that build lasting careers,\u201d said Jane Marvin, senior vice president, people and culture, Peet\u2019s Coffee. \u201cWe\u2019re proud to unveil the Peetnik Pathway to College Program in collaboration with Oregon State University to further that commitment by providing education assistance and only the highest-quality learning experiences to our Peetniks.\u201d<\/p>\n

Since 1868, Oregon State has been committed to its land grant mission to serve people in Oregon and beyond. This inclusive initiative was developed with that goal in mind.<\/p>\n

OSU Ecampus is regarded as one of America\u2019s leading providers of online education thanks to high levels of student engagement and the credentials of the OSU faculty who develop and teach Ecampus courses. For the third straight year, OSU\u2019s online bachelor\u2019s programs are ranked in the top 10 in the country by U.S. News & World Report. OSU Ecampus has also been honored nationally in recent years for its excellence in faculty development as well as the innovative use of technology to boost student success.<\/p>\n

To encourage student success, everyone in the Peetnik Pathway to College Program will have access to many of OSU\u2019s essential academic resources, including student success counselors, an academic adviser, library access and career services.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re focused on extending educational access to adult learners who want to complete their degrees from a highly respected university,\u201d said Lisa L. Templeton, associate provost for OSU Ecampus. \u201cOur collaboration with Peet\u2019s will introduce a new audience to Oregon State\u2019s signature areas of strength, and we\u2019re eager to meet their unique needs through quality instruction and excellent student support services.\u201d<\/p>\n

The OSU College of Business, which already offers a popular business administration bachelor\u2019s program online, is developing a new retail management option to address retail industry education needs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re excited to be a part of this new collaboration with Peet\u2019s,\u201d said Mitzi Montoya, dean of the College of Business. \u201cThe existing online business administration bachelor’s program is immediately available to Peet\u2019s employees, providing them with the tools to solve complex challenges and lead by example as innovative business people. The new retail management option, which will be open to all students, will add another important dimension to our business education offerings.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eligible Peet\u2019s employees can apply to Oregon State University now as part of the program and begin taking Ecampus classes this fall. OSU\u2019s fall term begins Sept. 20.<\/p>\n

\u201cPurpose is powerful, and it\u2019s our purpose to help people find their opportunities for a better future,\u201d said Dave Burwick, CEO, Peet\u2019s Coffee. \u201cThis is an opportunity for Peetniks to open new doors professionally, here and everywhere, without having to go into debt or put their lives on hold.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Note to editors: <\/strong>Digital images and b-roll video are available for download and use with this release:<\/p>\n