Washington, DC (Tuesday, May 10, 2016) - Excelsior College and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) have announced an agreement that will allow the Federal workforce - representing more than 1 million Federal employees - and their spouses/domestic partners to pursue higher education at a reduced tuition rate. The College will host a series of informational webinars for Federal employees interested in learning more about the alliance. 

The agreement is part of OPM's continuing efforts to build the future Federal workforce by attracting new talent, supporting Federal employee career develoment, and addressing current Government-wide and agency-specific skills gaps.

“OPM continually works with Federal agencies to ensure their employees are able to handle the very important work they do on behalf of the American people,” said OPM Acting Director Beth F. Cobert. “With this agreement, we are helping them do just that, while also closing vital skills gaps to strengthen our workforce.”

“Professional development has taken on greater importance in recent years as all levels of government look to address skills gaps,” said Dr. John Ebersole, President of Excelsior College. “By this agreement with Excelsior, Federal employees will have access to a quality, affordable education. It also will assist agencies in addressing their current and future workforce needs.”

In 2012, OPM and the Chief Human Capital Officers Council established a joint initiative to address critical skills gaps. The taskforce identified the following Government-wide mission critical occupations: Economists, Human Resources, Cybersecurity, Auditors, Acquisition, and Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). Based on future hiring trends, OPM forecasts health care to be categorized as part of the STEM workforce. 

For more information on the program, visit feducation.excelsior.edu or contact Hamisi Amani-Dove, Director of Workforce Partnerships at Excelsior College at partners@excelsior.edu.