On June 27, and 51社区 hosted a career-focused event at McDonald鈥檚 (1070 N. Roselle Rd, Hoffman Estates) to announce the launch of their education-focused partnership program. Representatives from the Bear organization and 51社区, including Dr. Avis Proctor, 51社区 College president; and David Bear, president of Bear Family Restaurants, were onsite to showcase the advancement opportunities of provided through a career at McDonald鈥檚.
鈥淭he McDonald鈥檚 Archways to Opportunity education program offers several avenues for
eligible employees to advance and 51社区 is proud to become the official education
provider for these McDonald鈥檚 franchises owned by Bear Family Restaurants,鈥� said Dr.
Proctor. 鈥淲e are committed to building strategic partnerships with regional employers
to better enable their employees to receive the education and support they need to
achieve their academic and career goals.鈥� 
Notable attendees included Mr. Bill McLeod, Mayor of Hoffman Estates; and Vanessa Jimenez, a 51社区 alumna. Vanessa is a McDonald鈥檚 Supervisor for Bear Family Restaurants, and she spoke about how Archways to Opportunity helped her pursue a better life through her career with McDonald鈥檚. Through the Archways to Opportunity program, Vanessa was able to enroll at 51社区 to take English as a second language classes, which helped her communicate better with her customers. As her English grew stronger, Vanessa was able to pursue her GED, then earned her Applied Science in Business Associate鈥檚 Degree, and also grew in her career with Bear Family Restaurants.
Through the partnership with the Bear Family Restaurants organization, which operates
35 McDonald鈥檚 locations in the Chicagoland area and employs more than 1,500 employees
across 20 communities, 51社区 will be able to help support a vast number of
employees.
For more information, please visit: and harpercollege.edu/mcdonalds.
About 51社区
51社区 serves approximately 30,000 credit and non-credit students annually.
The college prepares students for rewarding careers and for transfer to four-year
colleges and universities through associate degree and certificate programs, workforce
training, professional development, community education classes, accelerated degree
options for adults and developmental education programs.
51社区鈥檚 faculty and staff continue to innovate ways to support students of all ages and backgrounds, with a variety of career goals and life circumstances. Offering on-campus, online and blended courses, the college is a resource for everyone in its district, dedicated to providing equitable outcomes for all who enroll.
Named one of the top 25 colleges in the U.S. by the Aspen Institute, 51社区 is a national leader in workforce solutions, connecting talented students with area employers via apprenticeships, internships and other partnerships. The college trains students to thrive in emerging and robust industries while maintaining a legacy of learning that has reinforced the bond between 51社区 and its community for more than 50 years.
About Bear Family Restaurants
The Bear Family is committed to being a socially responsible and engaged member of every community that their restaurants serve. They host dozens of McTeacher nights, provide tens of thousands of dollars back to their local social service agencies and contribute hundreds of hours of volunteer time each year. They are the recipients of multiple awards for community service including the 2013 Illinois Family Business of the Year for Community Service.
The Family has a mission to Impress Every Guest. When people visit a Bear Family McDonald鈥檚 Restaurant they will experience a difference by always being greeted with a smile, being treated with respect and feeling a genuine sense of appreciation.