In today's fast-paced and constantly evolving job market, education and professional development have become essential for employees to stay competitive. Recognizing this, MGM Resorts International has partnered with the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) to offer the College Opportunity Program (COP), providing MGM Resorts employees with access to online certificate and college degree programs at no cost. 

The program empowers employees to pursue their educational aspirations while balancing their careers. Through UNLV’s involvement, working adults have the opportunity to attain their degrees and contribute to the state's demand for an educated workforce, all while taking significant steps toward their personal and professional growth.

Navigating Education Amidst a Pandemic

Jazmyne Drawhorn, '20 MA Urban Leadership, a senior internal auditor at MGM Resorts International, said her decision to pursue further education through the program was influenced by her mother's encouragement. “My mom would always tell me ‘You have to finish and get your master’s,' but I told her it costs too much. When this opportunity came up, I knew I couldn’t let it pass me by!”

Despite facing challenges caused by COVID-19 and being furloughed from MGM, Drawhorn remained committed to pursuing a master’s degree in urban leadership online. “It was a crazy time for me because I have four kids, I'm married, I was home-schooling my kids, and I was furloughed,” Drawhorn said.

Drawhorn's dedication and time management skills enabled her to maintain academic excellence, achieving her goal of a 4.0 GPA despite the challenges she faced. “I wasn’t settling for getting a B minus, I had to get all straight As, so I was really happy when I got it,” Drawhorn said. 

“I don't think I'd be where I am without my master’s. It definitely elevated my level of expertise, within the community, and with my leadership skills,” Drawhorn said. Through the COP, she not only obtained a master's degree but also honed her leadership skills and expanded her career opportunities within MGM Resorts. “Anytime I come up for promotion, merit bonuses, or any of those types of things I'm getting a little bit more because I have my master's.”

From Corporate Marketing to Entrepreneurship

For DeAira Williams, '11 BA Interdisciplinary and '21 MA Urban Leadership, a former social marketing manager at MGM Resorts, COP provided a pathway to further education without financial barriers, allowing her to explore new career opportunities and pursue her entrepreneurial aspirations. Williams swore she would never go back to school after receiving her bachelor’s from UNLV.

“I was done but then they had this program where MGM was going to pay for it. I applied for the master’s in urban leadership and got in,” she said.

A couple of months into the program, the pandemic hit and Williams was furloughed from MGM giving her time to focus on school while she quarantined. “The pandemic happened, and [the timing of the program] worked out perfectly because at least it gave me purpose and something to do. It saved my mental health and kept me busy,” Williams said.  

The online aspect of COP allowed Williams to start her entrepreneurship journey and flesh out her business plan while being stuck at home alone during the pandemic. “I looked at it as a unique challenge and an opportunity to do something really cool and to take a chance on myself,” she said.

Inspired by her experiences and creative ideas developed during her tenure at MGM, Williams pursued her dream of opening SEVEN:45, a hi-fi listening bar dedicated to R&B music. “I'm grateful for the experience because getting my master’s is a tool that's under my belt. And now I have a skill set that I feel like I could leverage for life and it's only something that can evolve,” said Williams. 

Learn more about the College Opportunity Program (COP)