The University of the Cumberlands has partnered with the Retail Learning Institue to help provide educational opportunity to employees of food retailers worldwide.

Through this partnership, retail employees can earn an associate’s degree in business with an emphasis in retailing from University of the Cumberlands. There is also an option to upskill to advanced degrees, such as a bachelor’s, master’s or a Ph.D.

“We’re excited to begin our partnership with the Retail Learning Institute,” says Dr. Larry Cockrum, president of the university. “We believe education is the key to a life more abundant and should be accessible to anyone who wishes to pursue it.”

The Retail Learning Institute manages online training for a number of public and private organizations, including the IGA Coca-Cola Institute, National Grocers Association (NGA), Canadian Federation of Independent Retailers (CFIG), Academia Virtual de Supermercados (AVIS) and Associação Paulista de Supermercados (APAS).

RLI members include large grocery retailers from around the world, such as IGA, which has a significant presence in Kentucky. Ultimately, the partnership will benefit over 6,000 national retailers and extend to companies worldwide.

“By partnering with University of the Cumberlands, we are able to offer our associates the opportunity to expand their schooling in the workplace,” says Dr. Paulo Goelzer, pesident and CEO of RLI. “We are creating a path to success for many of our associates, and a way for our retailers to enhance the benefits they provide to their most valuable resource.”