The rideshare company Uber has launched a partnership with Arizona State University to grant drivers and their families the opportunity to attend the university tuition free. 650 graduates were surprised on May 8 to know that they and their loved ones qualified for the tuition assistance.
One of those who qualified was Prince George’s County resident Shaunice Aikoo.
Shaunice Aikoo’s husband drives with Uber as he wanted to leave his career as a surgical technician and try something different. At the time he began driving, Shaunice was a stay-at-home mom and had been out of the workforce for 10 years. Shaunice had always had plans to go back and get her degree, and had looked into ASU before knowing that Uber offered benefits to drivers and their families.
“Having Uber’s tuition assistance gave me a chance to finish college at an innovative and top-ranked school,” said Shaunice. “The desire to finish school has never subsided in my heart since I dropped out over 20 years ago. But in reality, I could not afford it, and accruing debt was not an option for me. So, I prayed to God, throughout the years for another opportunity to attend school for free and allow me to finish what I started. Unbeknownst to me that God would use an unlikely situation to answer my prayers – my husband began working for Uber in 2017. Uber was my answer from God.” Shaunice graduated from ASU with a BA in Organizational Leadership Project Management, and she is now working as a human resource specialist.
In order to be eligible, drivers must complete over 2,000 hours on the app. This is the seventh graduation year since the program began in 2018.
Commanders Host Flag Football Clinic
On May 20, the Washington Commanders hosted the first-ever Flag Football Clinic presented by OrthoVirginia at the newly-named OrthoVirginia Training Center at Commanders Park in partnership with RCX Sports and the Loudoun County NFL FLAG Football League
OrthoVirginia physicians, youth flag football players, Washington Commanders coaches, legends, and current players including Pro Bowl Safety Jeremy Reaves and first-round draft pick Emmanuel Forbes were in attendance for a day of skills development and training for upcoming athletes.
This event was the first in-person event since the team announced its major partnership and naming rights agreement with OrthoVirginia, Official Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Partner of the Washington Commanders. Inside the Commanders’ practice bubble, over 200 local youth flag football players participated in skills and drills training with assistance from players from John R. Lewis High School’s Varsity Football Team. Over the course of the day, OrthoVirginia professionals led demonstrations on topics such as injury prevention and proper warm-up routines prior to exercise.
“We are so proud to partner with OrthoVirginia to bring together young athletes, sports medicine professionals, and Commanders players and coaches,” said Jason Wright, Washington Commanders Team president. “I am thrilled that the Commanders community was able to join forces with the region’s top orthopedic professionals to provide a fun and educational day for young players here at the OrthoVirginia Training Center at Commanders Park.”
“Whether you are playing in the National Football League or a youth flag football league, it’s crucial that athletes learn how to prevent injuries and stay healthy,” said Dr. David Jevsevar, OrthoVirginia CEO. “OrthoVirginia and the Washington Commanders share a commitment to making an impact in the community, and today’s event underscored the exciting components of our partnership.”
The Commanders are amid a sale process for a record-setting $6 billion, the most ever for a North American sports franchise.
We previously covered the Washington Commanders sale. Read more here.