CER Award recognizes ECPI University for reducing student barriers and strengthening the workforce through employer-driven partnerships.

Virginia Beach, VA (October 7, 2025) – ECPI University has been honored with the 2025 Career Education Review (CER) Innovation in Employer Collaboration Award, recognizing the University’s leadership in building partnerships that lower costs, accelerate education, and create direct pathways to high-demand careers.

With 18 campuses across the Southeast and a nationwide online presence, ECPI University partners with more than 2,100 employers. These collaborations link classroom learning with workforce opportunities, lowering financial barriers for students while helping companies recruit and retain talent.

“Our partnerships show what happens when employers and educators work together with a shared goal,” said Kristie Cumbee, University Director of Workforce Development. “Companies gain a powerful tool to support and retain their people, and students are able to finish their degrees faster and with less financial strain. It's a true win-win model that delivers meaningful results.”

Examples of ECPI’s innovation in employer collaboration include:

• University Partnerships (UP) Program: Since 2015, ECPI has matched employer contributions dollar-for-dollar, saving students more than $20 million while giving companies a no-cost education benefit.
• Apprenticeship and Workforce Programs: Registered apprenticeships and on-the-job training models blend classroom instruction with paid experience, addressing critical workforce shortages.
• Employer Engagement Plans: Every partner receives a structured plan that includes hiring events, career fairs, lunch-and-learns, and campus visits, ensuring ongoing collaboration.
• Advisory-Driven Curriculum: More than 600 employer partners serve on advisory boards that meet twice annually to review curriculum, certifications, technologies, and soft skills, keeping programs aligned with industry needs.

“We prepare students to step into the workforce with the skills and professionalism employers need,” said Dr. Candice Melton, University Director of Career Services. “Businesses want dependable talent, and our graduates are ready to contribute from day one. By connecting employers to a reliable talent pipeline and supporting students at every stage, we help them succeed together.”

Through these efforts, ECPI University has established a collaborative approach that connects students, employers, and industry leaders. The CER award recognizes ECPI University’s national leadership in building employer partnerships that deliver meaningful results for both students and the workforce. 

The 2025 Career Education Review (CER) Awards, presented by Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU), celebrate excellence across the sector, honoring organizations that strengthen communities, schools that forge standout employer partnerships, and educators who elevate teaching and student success.