Anyone with kids in college knows all about the high cost of education. Fortunately, City of Hope employees can mitigate the cost of their own learning through the Management/Professional Education Grants Program.

City of Hope leadership recently announced the recipients of the 2009 education grants. In all, 31 employees received funding for their education.

Designed to encourage and support the development of professional and management staff, the program has provided more than $750,000 in grants to 89 employees since its inception in 2001.

“It is highly important to continue to invest in our staff, even during these challenging economic times,” said Deborah Gac, senior vice president of human resources. “Employees are our most valuable resource, and we are fortunate that so many of our staff are pursuing a higher education, which will help advance their careers as well as City of Hope’s mission.”

This year, City of Hope awarded nearly $152,000 in grants.

Funds are available to professional-level employees — those who lead or manage and are accountable for a program, project or system, but do not directly manage employees — and manager-level employees, those holding a management position and directly managing at least one staff member. Grants must be used toward degree or professional certificate programs.

The organization’s Operations Team reviews all grant applications.

“I am grateful for this program, which enables me to advance my education and hopefully my career,” said Anna Cathy Williams, R.N., a researcher in the Division of Nursing Research and Education, who is working toward a master’s degree in nursing. “When I graduate I plan to stay with City of Hope and use my skills to serve our patients more effectively.”