DENTON (UNT), Texas - Savannah Phifer always knew she wanted to go to college. She wasn’t quite sure how she was going to do it, but it turned out a partnership between the University of North Texas and Amazon would help her receive a psychology degree.

Growing up in the small town of Farmersville, Texas, Savannah took dual credit courses in high school to prepare for her future. She strived to be the first member of her family to graduate college, but the thought of juggling a career while pursuing a college education was daunting. After high school, she waited tables and was even a mail carrier on UNT’s campus. But her path took a turn during the COVID-19 pandemic. As businesses shuttered and opportunities dwindled, she found hope in the company she had always admired: Amazon.

"I was thankful to get hired at Amazon during the tricky economic time," Phifer said. “I fully embraced the exciting opportunity to work at Amazon.”

She enjoyed the work as a warehouse associate but knew she still wanted to further her education. Then she discovered Amazon’s Career Choice program. Launched in 2012, the initiative is Amazon’s education benefit that pre-pays tuition for degrees and skills development at more than 600 education partners globally, including local universities like UNT.

"Amazon Career Choice is proud to partner with the University of North Texas in creating brighter futures for employees and strengthening the economic vitality of the communities where they live and work,” says Tammy Thieman, Global Director of Amazon Career Choice. “Partnering with UNT provides employees with access to best-in-class education and training they need to grow their careers, whether that’s at Amazon or elsewhere.”

For Phifer, it was a perfect match, and she chose UNT to start her next chapter. Determined to succeed, she balanced full-time studies — some in-person and others online — while working a demanding night shift as a warehouse associate from 1:20 a.m. to 11:50 a.m. and working weekends.

“Amazon was willing to work with me to accommodate my class schedule. If I needed to take a day off to study or to attend to something for school, I was able to keep my 40 hours that I wanted to work,” she said.

At UNT, Phifer found invaluable support in the form of tutors, writing labs and quiet spaces. The Student Money Management Center and Student Health and Wellness Center also played crucial roles in her success.

“It was a bit of an adjustment, working overnight and balancing schoolwork,” Phifer said. “However, I met a lot of college friends in the warehouse, and we all supported each other.”

Phifer seized every opportunity presented by Amazon, including securing an internship in Oklahoma as a process guide through their Campus Next program. Finally, in December 2022, she graduated with her bachelor’s degree in psychology and chose to continue her career at Amazon. She is now an operations area manager.

With her position at Amazon and academic knowledge from UNT, she has now become interested in institutional psychology, which focuses on the workplace and recruitment. Phifer is considering a master’s degree in human resources, as well as pursuing work in human resources or recruitment for Amazon.

Adam Fein, Vice President for Digital Strategy and Innovation and Chief Digital Officer for UNT, believes UNT’s partnership with Career Choice is a testament to the power of collaboration in higher education and workplace development.

“Savannah’s journey showcases how strategic support from both Amazon and UNT can turn aspirations into achievements,” Fein said. “We are proud to be a part of such transformative stories and look forward to continuing to help many more Amazon employees realize their educational goals.”

Reflecting on her journey, Phifer expressed gratitude for Amazon’s Career Choice program. The program allowed her to pursue her academic goals while working, making a seemingly impossible balance achievable.

“It was a crazy time of transition with going to school, a new job, COVID and a new living situation. However, Career Choice, Amazon and UNT were with me every step of the way,” she said.