Press Release
Thomas College Partners with Global Paper Supplier to Provide Discounted Master’s Degrees and Certificates of Advanced Study MacKenzie Riley Young | May 31, 2022

WATERVILLE, MAINE, May 2022 — Thomas College is announcing a partnership with Sappi North America, a global renewable resource company that produces high-quality packaging, specialty, and graphic papers, to provide discounted master’s programs designed for working adults. The partnership allows Sappi employees to receive their first graduate course through Thomas College for free in 2022-23. Additional classes will be offered at a 10 percent tuition discount.

“We are pleased to partner with Thomas College to provide our employees with another valuable benefit to working at Sappi,” said Dale Wibberly, Human Resources Manager at Sappi. “This opportunity allows Sappi employees to further their education and gain new skills at free and discounted rates, and it provides them with the flexibility to complete their coursework at a pace that fits with their busy lifestyle. We are proud of our employees who take advantage of this program to enhance their skillset and bring new knowledge back to our company.”

“Sappi is another example where we’ve been able to achieve a synergistic relationship,” said Thomas College Assistant Director of Graduate Recruiting Kristina Lilley. “Our students from Sappi continuously bring great contributions to our virtual classrooms. Their hands-on experience from Sappi helps to broaden the classroom perspectives and knowledge, and they can apply the course curriculum in their daily workplace.”

Thomas College offers several online graduate programs and Certificates of Advanced Study designed for adults and working professionals including a Master’s in Business Administration degree. The MBA online program also offers optional  concentration areas in Project Management, Cybersecurity, Healthcare Management or  Human Resource Management.

Jaime Sayers, Associate Human Resource Generalist for Sappi North America, completed her MBA-Human Resource Management degree at Thomas this month.

“This degree has already enriched my career. All the courses have been relevant to everyday practices in the office,” said Sayers. “I’ll be turning 45 this year. It has been 23 years since I graduated with my BA and have completed any formal education. I have been able to go back to school as a full-time career woman, wife, and mother – through a pandemic – and maintain a 4.0 GPA.”

Thomas College also recently announced a similar partnership with another Maine business.

For more information, visit thomasedu.wpenginepowered.com/gps or contact Kristin Bishop at [email protected] or 207-859-1255.