MTSU-McGuire partnership continues elevating McDonald’s employees with degrees, promotions

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. — Middle Tennessee State University and McGuire Restaurant Group have been working together the past several years to transform the lives of local McDonald’s employees, with a dozen McGuire employees having graduated from MTSU and several more currently enrolled.

It’s a partnership that began in 2021 in which McGuire employees can attend MTSU at a discounted rate, with additional tuition support provided for full-time employees. Owned by Jonathon and Vickie McGuire, the company operates 20 McDonald’s restaurants across Rutherford, Davidson, Dickson and Perry counties.

Many participants in the MTSU and McGuire Management Group True Blue Education Partnership have earned promotions within the company or continued their education at the graduate level — McGuire employees have taken more than 1,300 credit hours since the onset of the partnership.

Christiana resident Denise Weeden, a May 2023 graduate from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., flashes a smile while proudly holding her integrated studies degree after crossing the stage at Murphy Center with her degree. Then an employee with McGuire Restaurant Group, which operates multiple McDonald’s restaurants in the area, Weeden earned a promotion just two months later thanks to a partnership between McGuire and MTSU that allows McGuire employees to attend MTSU at a discounted rate. (Submitted photo)

Career growth, academic success

For McGuire employee Denise Weeden, a May 2023 graduate from Christiana, a promotion came just two months after crossing the stage at Murphy Center with her degree in integrated studies from University College.

When she began her studies at MTSU, she was the general manager of the McDonald’s on Lascassas Pike near campus. Today, she serves as an associate supervisor, overseeing multiple locations in Rutherford County.

“When I was still taking classes, I had my eye on that promotion,” Weeden said. “I shadowed Michael Johnson, and he trained me and helped me land my new role.”

Johnson, also an MTSU graduate, completed the same program as Weeden. Johnson has been promoted twice since graduating and is currently a Master of Professional Studies graduate student at MTSU.

“The program was perfect for me because I could maintain my full-time job while finishing my degree,” Weeden said. “Fortunately, I only needed 19 credits to graduate since I had already taken classes several years earlier.”

In this undated photo, Denise Weeden, a May 2023 graduate from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., shows off her MTSU pride with a branded T-shirt during a family lake outing. An employee with McGuire Restaurant Group, which operates multiple McDonald’s restaurants in the area, Weeden earned a promotion just two months after earning her degree thanks to a partnership between McGuire and MTSU that allows McGuire employees to attend MTSU at a discounted rate. (Submitted photo) — In this undated photo, Christiana resident Denise Weeden, a May 2023 graduate from Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn., shows off her MTSU pride with a branded T-shirt during a family lake outing. An employee with McGuire Restaurant Group, which operates multiple McDonald’s restaurants in the area, Weeden earned a promotion just two months after earning her degree thanks to a partnership between McGuire and MTSU that allows McGuire employees to attend MTSU at a discounted rate. (Submitted photo)

Many adults choose the integrated studies major at MTSU because of its flexibility not only with prior credits but also because it can be completed online. The university boasts the largest Adult Degree Completion Program in the state.

Weeden credits her family — her husband and four children — for their unwavering support. Since she was close to completing her degree, they encouraged her to take those final steps.

“My oldest daughter even missed her own graduation in Colorado, which was the same day as mine, to come watch me walk,” Weeden said. “That made me feel so special, and it was wonderful to have my family there with me.”

A life-changing opportunity

Another recent graduate, Omar Alshehabi, of Murfreesboro, described the program as “life-changing.” He recently relocated to Chicago for a two-year program with McDonald’s corporate.

Middle Tennessee State University graduate and McGuire Restaurant Group employee Omar Alshehabi, right, takes a congratulatory photo with MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee after Alshehabi earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science in December 2024 thanks to a partnership between McGuire, which operates multiple McDonald’s restaurants in the area, and MTSU that allows McGuire employees to attend MTSU at a discounted rate. The degree qualified him for a two-year program at McDonald’s corporate in Chicago in which he’s currently enrolled. He’s considering pursuing a master’s degree at MTSU in the future. (Submitted photo) — Middle Tennessee State University graduate and McGuire Restaurant Group employee Omar Alshehabi, of Murfreesboro, right, takes a congratulatory photo with MTSU President Sidney A. McPhee after Alshehabi earned his bachelor’s degree in computer science in December 2024 thanks to a partnership between McGuire, which operates multiple McDonald’s restaurants in the area, and MTSU that allows McGuire employees to attend MTSU at a discounted rate. The degree qualified him for a two-year program at McDonald’s corporate in Chicago in which he’s currently enrolled. He’s considering pursuing a master’s degree at MTSU in the future. (Submitted photo)

“It’s called the Global Technology Rotational Program,” Alshehabi explained. “I’ll work for eight months in three different areas before receiving a permanent assignment.”

At 26, Alshehabi had not initially planned on returning to school after he stopped out after three semesters at Motlow State Community College. However, after leading a project that caught the attention of senior corporate directors, he was encouraged to apply for the rotational program — which required a bachelor’s degree that he would pursue at MTSU.

His role at McGuire Restaurant Group involved ensuring that “anything with a screen” functioned properly. Starting as a part-time employee, he quickly transitioned to a full-time position and now leads a small team managing technology across 21 restaurants.

Both Weeden and Alshehabi expressed deep gratitude for the partnership between MTSU and McGuire — especially for the support of Jonathon and Vickie McGuire.

“They allowed me to shift between full-time and part-time as needed,” said Alshehabi, who earned his degree in computer science . “I did an accelerated program, sometimes taking 16 credit hours at a time. They ensured I never had to choose between succeeding at school or at work — they supported me in both.”

Looking ahead

Both Weeden and Alshehabi are excited for what the future holds. Weeden is now supporting her husband as he pursues his Ph.D., just as he supported her during her studies. Alshehabi has plans to earn his master’s degree from MTSU in the future but is currently focused on his opportunity in Chicago.

These two are just a sample of the more than 40 employees who have benefited from the MTSU-McGuire partnership. To learn more about the partnership, visit MTSU.edu/McDonalds.

— Hunter Patterson (Hunter.Patterson@mtsu.edu)