UofM Global LiFE Program Expands to FedEx Logistics

Employees Have Opportunity to Earn a Potentially Tuition-Free College Degree

April 17, 2019 - Just months after the launch of the LiFE: Learning inspired by FedEx program in five FedEx Express Hubs, the University of Memphis and FedEx are expanding the opportunity to employees of FedEx Logistics Inc. and its subsidiary, FedEx Trade Networks.

FedEx Logistics provides a full suite of integrated air and ocean freight forwarding solutions including air and ocean freight forwarding, customs brokerage, and trade and customs advisory services. Nearly 2,500 FedEx Logistics and FedEx Trade Networks employees across the country will be eligible for the LiFE program.

LiFE: Learning inspired by FedEx is a unique initiative providing eligible FedEx Express Hub employees in Memphis, Indianapolis, Los Angeles, Oakland, Calif., and Newark, N.J. – and now U.S.-based FedEx Logistics and FedEx Trade Networks employees — the opportunity to earn a bachelor's degree potentially tuition-free through the University of Memphis online program, UofM Global. As long as students remain in good academic standing and meet eligibility requirements, tuition expenses are directly billed to FedEx.

"The opportunity to expand LiFE to FedEx Logistics and FedEx Trade Networks employees is a testament to the compelling program benefits realized by hundreds of FedEx Express employees already enrolled in courses," said Dr. Richard Irwin, executive dean of UofM Global and Academic Innovation. "The success thus far can be attributed to the tremendous service provided by our robust student advocacy system."

"FedEx and the University of Memphis have seen a tremendous response to the LiFE program in a short period of time," said UofM President M. David Rudd. "We are very excited to see this phenomenal initiative grow and allow even more FedEx employees the opportunity to pursue a degree through UofM Global."

Since the launch of the program, more than 3,000 employees have submitted interest forms and 2,109 are already enrolled in one of the three journey pathways. Pathways start with either High School Equivalency, LiFE Prep Academy or degree-required courses. The LiFE Prep Academy offers self-paced, online course work and tutoring to employees who do not meet the traditional entry requirements for the University of Memphis, providing them a way to earn college admission as well as college credit.

"We are extremely excited to be collaborating with the University of Memphis to offer our U.S.-based team members at FedEx Logistics and FedEx Trade Networks the ability to earn a tuition-free degree," said Thanh Anderson, vice president of Global Support Services at FedEx Logistics. "The LiFE program supports our talent development and diversity and inclusion priorities, and we believe the program will benefit team members across the nation."

Interested employees can start their LiFE journey at uofmglobal.memphis.edu/LiFE.