Wawa Going Back to School
PHILADELPHIA -- It's back to the books for 30 Wawa Inc. employees who will attend Saint Joseph's University's Executive Food Marketing Master of Science degree program.
"Leaders must adopt lifelong learning to embrace and to exploit change, especially in our dynamic retail world. Training, seminars and reading are not enough," said Harry McHugh, senior vice president of operations at Wawa. "We need a partner to help us refresh our strategies, value disciplines, tools, technologies, and networks. For Wawa, Saint Joseph's University fills that need."
With an expanding marketplace that includes more than 540 stores in the mid-Atlantic region, Wawa has used continuing education, training, and development as its key retention strategy to eliminate the turnover of valued employees.
To accommodate professionals working in the food industry, the Food Marketing Master Program has a rolling admissions policy. Students, who are required to have at least four years of industry experience, set the pace of their studies and may attend courses weekly, twice a month or monthly. Most students track to be completed with this 27-course program in two to three years. The Friday-to-Saturday format of the program also offers unparalleled flexibility, and a food industry focus that is essential to the needs of Wawa's associates, who work in a demanding industry and channel.
"The unprecedented volume of students from Wawa enrolled in the Saint Joseph's University Executive Food Marketing Master of Science Program testifies to Wawa's steadfast commitment to provide its associates with the opportunity of lifelong learning," said Dr. Joseph DiAngelo, dean of the Ervian K. Haub School of Business. "Wawa's passion for excellence is evident in this decision to further train and educate its current and future leadership."
"Leaders must adopt lifelong learning to embrace and to exploit change, especially in our dynamic retail world. Training, seminars and reading are not enough," said Harry McHugh, senior vice president of operations at Wawa. "We need a partner to help us refresh our strategies, value disciplines, tools, technologies, and networks. For Wawa, Saint Joseph's University fills that need."
With an expanding marketplace that includes more than 540 stores in the mid-Atlantic region, Wawa has used continuing education, training, and development as its key retention strategy to eliminate the turnover of valued employees.
To accommodate professionals working in the food industry, the Food Marketing Master Program has a rolling admissions policy. Students, who are required to have at least four years of industry experience, set the pace of their studies and may attend courses weekly, twice a month or monthly. Most students track to be completed with this 27-course program in two to three years. The Friday-to-Saturday format of the program also offers unparalleled flexibility, and a food industry focus that is essential to the needs of Wawa's associates, who work in a demanding industry and channel.
"The unprecedented volume of students from Wawa enrolled in the Saint Joseph's University Executive Food Marketing Master of Science Program testifies to Wawa's steadfast commitment to provide its associates with the opportunity of lifelong learning," said Dr. Joseph DiAngelo, dean of the Ervian K. Haub School of Business. "Wawa's passion for excellence is evident in this decision to further train and educate its current and future leadership."