Benefits

Wesleyan offers expansive educational opportunities for you, your spouse or partner, and your children. We believe in lifelong learning and provide several pathways to help your entire household pursue their academic goals.  See important information based on employee role or family relationship below. 

• For Employees: Take up to two Wesleyan courses per semester for credit or audit at no cost, beyond taxes on tuition over $5,250 in a calendar year. You may also be eligible for tuition reimbursement for degree programs at other accredited institutions.   

• For Spouses & Partners: Your spouse or domestic partner can also take up to two free Graduate Liberal Studies courses per semester, not including applicable taxes.   

• For Dependent Children: Eligible children can receive significant tuition scholarships (totaling up to 50% of Wesleyan tuition) for their undergraduate education at Wesleyan or other accredited four-year institutions. Wesleyan employees must complete five years of service for dependents to be eligible.  

• Neighborhood Preschool and Independent Day School: Scholarships are also available to help support the cost of private primary education for your children. Neighborhood Preschool scholarships, dependent on a family's annual income and the number of children enrolled, amount 20-25% of the monthly tuition fee. the Independent Day School offers children of Wesleyan employees the Founder's Grant, which values $3,000 per academic year.

While most of our roles are campus-based to support our vibrant community, Wesleyan supports a culture of flexibility through Alternative Work Arrangements. Important considerations for our Alterative Work Arrangements are below: 

• Role-Based Flexibility: Depending on your specific position, you may be eligible for telecommuting (hybrid work) or an Alternative Work Schedule. These tailored arrangements are determined on a case-by-case basis in coordination with your supervisor, cabinet member, and Human Resources.  

• Life-Balance Support: Beyond formal agreements, Wesleyan empowers supervisors to grant informal, short-term flexibility for life’s unexpected moments so your career can seamlessly integrate with your personal responsibilities.  

For those who need to relocate when they join the University, Wesleyan also provides a robust Mortgage Assistance Program, offering a benefit of $20,000 to put toward a home purchase for employees who meet eligibility requirements and are moving from more than 50 miles away to work at the University.

In addition to these flexible and supportive considerations, Wesleyan also provides a comprehensive suite of paid leaves to help you through life’s most significant moments. We bridge state benefits with university-paid support to ensure you can focus on what matters most without financial worry.  

• Parental and Family Leave: Wesleyan supplements Connecticut Paid Leave (CT PL) to ensure eligible staff receive up to 100% of their regular pay for the birth or adoption of a child. We also grant eligible employees Incidental Family Medical Leave with pay to care for an ill or injured family member.  

• Marriage and Civil Union: To help you celebrate your new chapter, the University provides five days of paid leave for your marriage or civil union ceremony.  

• Bereavement Support: In the event of a loss, Wesleyan provides up to three to five days of paid leave to attend services and manage estate responsibilities for immediate family or close relatives.  

• Whole-Family Resources: Our support extends beyond time off, including 24/7 counseling and referral services through our Employee Assistance Program (EAP).  

Please note that bargaining unit employees are subject to the terms of their union contracts.   

Wesleyan employees with retirement-eligible earnings may receive an employer contribution of up to 10% to their retirement funds, as well an employer match on their contributions of up to 3%. This competitive benefit is designed to help you build a secure future starting on your very first day.  

• Choice of Providers: You have the freedom to invest with TIAA, Fidelity, or both. This allows you to choose the investment philosophy and digital tools that best match your personal financial goals.  

• Tax Strategy Options: You can contribute to your account on a pre-tax basis to lower your current taxable income or use Roth (after-tax) contributions to build a pot of tax-free income for your future retirement.  

• Expert Advice: Wesleyan provides regular access to one-on-one financial counseling and retirement planning seminars—at no cost—to help you optimize your portfolio and plan for major life milestones. 

The University also supports financial wellness for employees by offering coverage that helps you and your loved ones through the unexpected. When needed, employees can take advantage of short-term disability, long-term Disability, and life insurance benefits.

Wesleyan is designed to help you move forward, with tools for mobility and advancement so you can excel throughout your experience with our community.   

• A Commitment to Internal Mobility: We support internal mobility and professional growth by helping employees explore opportunities across the University. By recognizing transferable skills and potential, we make it easier for employees to grow, advance, and pursue new career paths throughout their time here.  

• Degrees That Drive You Forward: Beyond standard workshops, you can take two free Wesleyan courses per semester or receive tuition reimbursement for degree programs at other institutions to help you reach your next professional milestone.  

• Supporting Your Development: Growth is an ongoing process. Our Annual Review process provides dedicated time to reflect on accomplishments, discuss goals and feedback, and identify opportunities for continued learning and development. 

We also activate our ideals of equity and inclusion by building a community where difference is a strength. Wesleyan moves beyond standard compliance to provide proactive recruitment initiatives, robust accessibility services, and dedicated institutional resources for every member of our staff.  

• Equal Opportunity and Active Recruitment: Wesleyan is committed to non-discrimination across all facets of identity. We proactively build diverse candidate pools to recruit exceptional talent from all different backgrounds who align with our mission.  

• A Culture of Accessibility: We ensure all employees can thrive through a dedicated focus on both physical and digital inclusion. Human Resources works directly with staff through an interactive accommodation process to remove barriers to performance and provide necessary support for disabilities or mental health needs.  

• Dedicated Support Structure: The Office for Equity and Inclusion and the Resource Center serve as central hubs for advocacy and community building. We support several affinity-based Employee Resource Groups (such as the Administration and Faculty of Color Alliance, Pride at Wes, and Womxn@WES) to ensure that inclusion is a lived, supported experience. 

Wesleyan welcomes both employees and their families to enjoy our on-campus amenities, from fitness facilities that keep you active, to research and cultural events that expand your mind.   

• Access to World-Class Athletic Facilities: Your WesCard employee ID provides you with free access to the Freeman Athletic Center. This includes the use of the fitness center, swimming pool, and field house.  Family members can also access these facilities for a nominal fee.  

• Borrowing Privileges and Research Resources: You can enjoy full borrowing privileges at our campus libraries, including the Olin Memorial Library and the Science Library. Beyond physical stacks, staff and faculty have access to extensive digital databases and the Interlibrary Loan system. Through the Boston Library Consortium, of which Wesleyan is a member, employees can also obtain a consortium card to borrow materials in person from other member libraries.  

• Cultural Engagement and Community Events: Employees receive discounts on tickets for theater, dance, and music performances at Wesleyan’s Center for the Arts. You are also encouraged to attend the numerous free readings, lectures, and exhibitions hosted by academic departments. From gallery openings to high-profile guest speakers, working at Wesleyan means living in the heart of a constant cultural conversation.