By Trent Shadid

In 2018, the University of Memphis and FedEx Express formed a partnership that is changing the lives of FedEx employees across the country.

Learning inspired by FedEx (LiFE) provides degree opportunities at potentially no out-of-pocket cost. Powered by UofM Global — one of the top online bachelor’s degree programs in the nation — LiFE is available to eligible FedEx employees at hubs in Memphis; Indianapolis; Los Angeles; Oakland, Calif.; Newark, N.J.; and all U.S.-based FedEx Logistics and FedEx Trade Networks team members. Plans for expansion into other hub locations are in the works.

In addition to largely eliminating financial barriers, LiFE empowers enrollees with its prep academy, a robust system of academic coaches at every step and the flexibility of completing coursework strictly online.

Working Through It

After graduating high school in 2013, Asjanae Kimble made her way to the UofM to begin the next step in her education.

Feeling pressure to gain both work experience and funding for school, she landed a job as a ramp agent at FedEx with hopes of beginning her professional career and completing her education simultaneously. It wasn’t long before balancing the challenges of being a full-time employee and traditional student became unreasonably difficult.

Kimble opted to take a break from school as maintaining her income and the career path she had started were the more pressing needs. She didn’t know it at the time, but the LiFE program would soon allow her exit from the UofM to be very brief.

“When I heard about the program, I knew it was my opportunity to finish what I started,” Kimble said. “Without the LiFE program, I had the stress of worrying about being late for class because of work and trying to figure out a schedule that worked.”

The LiFE program allowed Kimble to pursue a degree on her own time and at her own pace. She completed a Bachelor of Professional Studies in December 2019, accomplished her goal of becoming the first person in her family to graduate college shortly after high school.

“I only had two more semesters left when I took a break, but I don't think I would have completed my degree without LiFE,” Kimble said. “I had the schedule conflicts, and I couldn’t necessarily pay for it by myself. Not only did LiFE help with those things, but it also provided opportunities to advance my career in so many ways.”

Promise Fulfilled

Joe Kelly began working part time at FedEx in the early 1990s while continuing his pursuit of a bachelor’s degree. When he received the opportunity to join the company full time and saw further room for promotion, he put his education on hold.

Shortly after leaving school to focus on his career, Kelly had promised his mom he would one day go back and graduate. But as he got married, had children and ascended to his current position as a FedEx office manager at the Memphis hub, the timing never felt right for a return to school.

When his mom died in 2013, the urge to make good on his pledge intensified.

“My mom hounded me for years to go back to school,” Kelly said. “After she passed away, I kind of felt like I let her down.”

In 2018, a presentation by UofM Global dean Dr. Richard Irwin at a FedEx management meeting introduced Kelly to the soon-to-be-implemented LiFE program.

“It was like my mom was reaching down from heaven slapping me upside the head saying, ‘This is your last chance,’” Kelly said. “After that, the LiFE program was a no-brainer for me to get involved and get it done.”

In addition to the schooling he’d previously completed, Kelly received several experiential learning credits upon entrance to the program for his years of leadership development. He graduated in August 2019, one year after the program began, with a degree in Professional Studies.

“When I finished, I had a small copy of my degree laminated and put it on the flowers of my mom’s grave,” Kelly said. “I was able to stand there and tell her I did it … a very emotional moment.”

Completing the Journey

Jeff Newson graduated from the UofM in December 2019 with a degree in Professional Studies, 27 years after he began his journey as a student in higher education.

Newson is a program administrator who has been with FedEx for 25 years. Throughout his career, he consistently searched for opportunities to continue his education. He earned an associate’s degree in 2007, but felt like he could accomplish more.

Even with FedEx long having tuition reimbursement opportunities in place for employees, Newson didn’t want to take on the initial financial burden that comes with such programs. That’s where LiFE provided him a renewed chance to achieve a goal nearly three decades in the making.

“With the LiFE program, everything is covered upfront as long as you pass your classes,” said Newson. “Because of that, there was really nothing keeping me from taking advantage of it.”

Once in the LiFE program, Newson found he far preferred the flexibility and structure of online courses to the traditional setting he had previously experienced. He’s looking forward to seeing how earning a degree will help him in his career and in life.

“Earning my degree from the University of Memphis through the LiFE program gave me the satisfaction of knowing that I started something back in 1993 that I finally finished in 2019,” Newson said. “It let me show people that no matter how long it takes, if you really persist with it, you can accomplish your goals.”