Recently, the Office of the Provost, The Graduate School and the Office of Human Resources Administration celebrated many GSU employees who completed their degrees through the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). At the Tuition Assistance Program Graduation Ceremony, 26 graduates were recognized. Among the graduates, two employees received bachelor’s degrees, 18 received master’s degrees and five received doctor’s degrees. The event was the perfect reminder of the great benefit the Tuition Assistance Program provides to our employees.
We had the pleasure of hearing from Dr. Tony Price, a GSU employee who took advantage of TAP to obtain two degrees. Dr. Price started his employment in Employee Wellness within HR Administration and recognized his passion for health and wellness among rural communities with less access to education about those topics. He took advantage of TAP and obtained his Master of Exercise Science and his Doctorate in Public Health. He now serves as a senior research associate in the Georgia Health Policy Center helping to stand up public health programs in rural communities. A great example of taking a passion, utilizing TAP and giving back to our campus and to the greater community.
Another inspiring example of the power of TAP is the journey of Dr. Chandan Morris Robbins. Dr. Robbins is the senior academic professional and associate director of the Bio-Bus Program in the Department of Biology. After attending the University of Michigan, Dr. Robbins began her master’s program in biology at GSU and joined the Bio-Bus program. After completing her master’s degree, she began pursuing her Ph.D. in Biology through the TAP program, which she completed in 2012.
The Bio-Bus Program is a dynamic formal and informal outreach program which brings science-related, hands-on lessons and experiments to classrooms, libraries and community centers all over Georgia. As part of her responsibilities as associate director of the Bio-Bus Program, Dr. Robbins designs curriculum and teaching modules for K-12 schools. To enhance her knowledge of public health and teaching, Dr. Robbins also completed a Master of Public Health and Master of Arts in Teaching, all through the Tuition Assistance Program. After 20 years and three degrees through TAP, Dr. Robbins is making a difference in the lives of students across Georgia.
Many GSU faculty and staff take advantage of this valuable benefit. During 2023-24, there were 55 GSU employees who earned a degree through the Tuition Assistance Program. More information on TAP can be found at this link: Tuition Assistance Program. TAP has a direct tie to President Blake’s strategic pillar of Identity, Placemaking and Belonging and is one of many reasons why GSU is a great place to work!
L. Jared Abramson
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
