Tuition Assistance Program Helps Associates Achieve Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in 2022

For Maria Hood, juggling her full-time job as a store manager at the Wiesbaden Exchange in Germany and going back to school to complete her master’s degree was daunting.

With support from the Exchange’s Tuition Assistance Program, her persistence paid off. Hood graduated in 2022 from University of Maryland Global Campus with a Master’s in Business Administration. And she earned a promotion to store manager at the Grafenwoehr Exchange.

“Through the program, I was able to reach my goals that helped enhance my leadership skills and propelled my knowledge in management,” Hood said. “The Tuition Assistance Program afforded me the confidence of a leader at the executive level.”

Hood is one of more than a thousand associates at the Exchange who have leveraged the benefits of the Tuition Assistance Program since its inception.

Since 2001, the program has provided high-performing associates with financial assistance to help them earn an associate’s, bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited institution. The highly competitive program helps associates grow professional and leadership skills at the Exchange through pursuit of higher education.

“Pursuing a degree while balancing work and family demands is no small feat,” said Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Office Dr. Patrick Oldenburgh. “Associates who participate in the program are committed to improving their skills and advancing their education, putting them in a better position for promotion.”

Christine Harlan, general manager at the Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland/Randolph Exchange, also benefited from the program, earning her bachelor’s in 2012 and master’s in 2022.

Harlan encouraged associates to apply for the program—even if they’re on the fence about pursuing higher education.

“It might be what you need to be relevant, competitive and put you on a different path, giving you an advantage,” Harlan said.

Regular full-time employees with at least one year of continuous service and no disciplinary action who participate in a program relevant to the Exchange’s operational needs can apply for tuition assistance. Once accepted, applicants receive a yearly maximum of $5,250 in tuition reimbursement, with lifetime payments limited to $20,000 for an undergraduate degree and $30,000 for a graduate degree.

Vice President of HR Talent Randy Ramirez praised the 2022 graduates.

“These associates are a testament to the program’s exceptional educational opportunity,” Ramirez said. “The graduates demonstrate commitment to taking charge of their professional career development, setting an example for other associates to follow.”

In 2022, 46 associates were served by the program. For 2023, Human Resources is seeking to increase that number to 50 or more.

Associates interested in the program should contact the program manager at TuitionAssistance@aafes.com for more information.

The following associates graduated in 2022:

Bachelor’s degree

Matthew Preston
Network Planning Analyst, HQ IT-I Operations Support
Parker University
Bachelor of Science, Computer and Information Systems

Tonya Jones
Region Retail Program Specialist, PA/PACRIM OPNS/PACIM Retail Section
University of Maryland
Bachelor of Science, Business Administration

Charles Morgan
Assistant Store Manager, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Fort Richardson Express
Wayland Baptist University
Bachelor of Applied Science, Business Administration

Mark Draper
Field Technical Supervisor, IT-I ECT Europe, Sembach
University of Maryland Global Campus
Bachelor of Science, Information Systems Management

Master’s degree

Christine Harlan
General Manager, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland/Randolph
Upper Iowa University
Master of Business Administration, General Management Emphasis

Maria Hood
Store Manager, Grafenwoehr Main Store
University of Maryland Global Campus
Master of Business Administration

Lori L. Allen
Sr. Restaurant Program Planner, Services – Food Theater Operations
Sullivan University
Master of Science, Management Enrollment

Jadelynne Thorne
IT Field Support Manager – HQ IT Office of Field Support
Master of Business Administration
University of Maryland University College

Barbara Commons (photo unavailable)
Store Manager – Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston
Master of Business Administration
Amberton University

Click here to read reflections from seven of the graduates.