Customer Service Manager Beth Downing, #1481, Huntersville, North Carolina, and Senior Store Bank Audit Reconciliation Analyst Joshua “Joe” Riquelme Roman, Lakeland, Florida, continued their education with help from Publix.

Always interested in pursuing higher education, Beth made the decision to start taking classes through Central Piedmont Community College when more courses became available online during the coronavirus pandemic. The flexibility of online classes allowed her to take courses that fit her schedule while working as a retail manager.

“There’s never been a better time to try to work on it,” Beth said. “Over the years, I’ve told other associates about our tuition reimbursement program and to take advantage of it. I knew it was there for me when I decided to go back to school.”

Beth plans to obtain her associate degree and is currently in her second semester. She worked for Publix from 1995 to 2005 and came back in 2009. Now working in our Charlotte Division, she enjoys spreading the Publix culture in one of our newer markets. It’s something she hopes to keep doing, even if in a different capacity.

Thanks to the tuition reimbursement program, Beth said a significant portion of the costs of her degree will be covered.

“I want to stress to people that it’s possible,” she said. “Especially now with the availability of online classes, it can be done. And with the help of Publix, you can do it.”

Like Beth, Joe began his Publix career in our stores. While he never stopped going to school, the financial obligations became easier once he was eligible for the tuition reimbursement program.

“I’m pursuing my bachelor’s degree in accounting,” Joe said. “I took an accounting class my sophomore year of high school and fell in love with it. When I became eligible for the tuition reimbursement program in 2016, I applied for it immediately.”

Joe earned his associate degree in 2019. Last summer, he completed an internship in our accounts receivable department. After the internship, he was offered a job in our accounting department while he pursues his bachelor’s degree at the University of South Florida.

“I would recommend anyone to take advantage of the program,” Joe said. “From the tuition reimbursement program to internships, Publix is full of opportunities.”

We’re proud to offer enhanced tuition reimbursement opportunities to eligible associates obtaining their GED certificate, pursuing undergraduate or graduate degrees, technical or occupational programs, or taking individual courses.