Kent State College of Business Administration Student Graduates Debt-Free

KENT, Ohio - May 20, 2014 - PRLog -- Sherri Arnold graduated from Kent State University’s College of Business Administration debt free thanks to her company’s tuition policy and the federally funded Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011 (TAA).

Arnold initially enrolled at Kent State in the fall of 1987 and graduated from Kent State University at Tuscarawas in 1991 with her Associate Degree in Computer Technology and Office Information Specialist.

Shortly after graduation, Arnold was hired at Allied-Baltic Rubber, Inc., a leading manufacturer of rubber components for the automotive industry. Arnold held positions such as junior factory accountant, purchasing/accounts payable clerk, material control representative and general office clerk.

“During the time at Allied-Baltic Rubber, Inc., I took advantage of the generous company tuition policy and returned to the Kent regional campus in New Philadelphia to complete an Associate Degree in Accounting,” Arnold said. “I worked full-time and took one or two classes in the evenings.”

Allied-Baltic Rubber, Inc.’s tuition policy paid 100 percent for every class Arnold received an A, 80 percent for each B and 50 percent for each C, allowing her to graduate in 2004 with her Associates Degree.

When a supplier in China, Zhongding USA, Inc., purchased Allied-Baltic Rubber in 2010 and decided to close the facility in 2013, Arnold decided to once again return to school to pursue her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting.

“Since some of Allied-Baltic Rubber’s automotive parts were now going to be manufactured in China, our human resource administrator applied and received approval for benefits under the federal program called TAA,” Arnold said.

The Trade Adjustment Assistance Extension Act of 2011 provides re-training to help employees market themselves for a new position, as well as job search and income support and assistance with healthcare premium costs. In order for Arnold to qualify for unemployment benefits and     re-training she needed to attend Kent State University full-time.

“I have been very fortunate to be able to further my education through my company's tuition policy and now through the TAA program,” Arnold said.

Arnold graduated debt free this month with a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in accounting.