Indianapolis-area McDonald’s Owner/Operators James and Pam Poore and Indiana State University proudly announce a new partnership to provide greater educational opportunities for McDonald’s employees at locations owned by the Poore family through a Preferred Partnership program.
As a Preferred Partner with Indiana State, employees get a 15% in-state tuition discount, access to various fully online or hybrid degree options, and waived application fees. The Preferred Partners Program is a collaborative initiative of Indiana State University to make the benefits of continuing or advancing education more affordable, accessible, and convenient for advancing existing career opportunities or pursuing new ones. Partner organizations and employees benefit from the advanced knowledge, skills, and resources via Indiana State’s first-class educational experience.
This partnership will be celebrated at an event hosted by James and Pam Poore, alongside Indiana State University President Mike Godard, local high school principals and counselors, and elected officials, on Tuesday, April 15, at 1:00 PM at the McDonald’s located at 6056 W 71st Street in Indianapolis. Members of the media are invited to attend.
“As an Indiana State alumna, I am thrilled to strengthen this connection between McDonald’s employees and the University,” said Pam Poore. “This partnership is a continuation of our commitment to supporting our employees in achieving their goals. We believe that investing in education is investing in the future, and we’re proud to provide our employees with opportunities that can change their lives.”
Additionally, the Poore’s offer a $1,000 scholarship to select first-generation college students from Indianapolis Public Schools who attend Indiana State and apply during the scholarship cycle.
“Indiana State University prides itself on offering an affordable and accessible pathway to education, and our Preferred Partners program reflects our commitment to providing the State of Indiana with an educated workforce in several in-demand fields. I want to thank James and Pam for this collaborative initiative and their generous scholarship,” said Indiana State University President Mike Godard.
The Poores are already committed to educational support through McDonald’s Archways to Opportunity® program, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025. Archways to Opportunity provides a variety of educational benefits, including high school diploma completion, English language courses, career planning services, and tuition assistance. Since its launch in April 2015, the program has awarded over $185 million in tuition assistance, supported 65,000+ employees in pursuing college degrees, and helped more than 17,000 graduates complete their high school education through the Career Online High School program.