Donovan Neal

Metropolitan College Alum Donovan Neal is a native of Louisville, Kentucky and currently a Human Resources Supervisor in the Center of Employment at UPS Worldport.

With the incredible support system provided by Metropolitan College, Donovan was able to earn an associate degree and business transfer certificate from Jefferson Community and Technical College; a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Louisville; purchase a new car and new house at age 24; and graduate debt free - all while earning a weekly paycheck and other benefits.

Rewind a few years back to when Donovan Neal graduated from Pleasure Ridge Park High School in Louisville, Kentucky with no scholarship offers and no way to pay for college. The reality of the situation hit hard, and Donovan was motivated to find a way to pay for college.

As a result, Donovan learned about the benefits of the Metropolitan College program through a friend and submitted a job application right away to get hired on as a package handler at UPS. Donovan was hired on with the company a month later, and up until now, has earned more than $38,000 in tuition, bonuses, and book reimbursement.

Donovan never imagined that working a part-time package handler position to pay for college would lead to a rewarding career.

“When I first started working at UPS unloading trucks full of Amazon and Zappos boxes, I told myself that as soon as I graduated and earned my degrees I was going to quit. However, that was before I started taking career advancement seriously. Now, I've been with UPS going on nine years and it’s because of the opportunities I was presented with,” said Donovan.

Today, the proud UPSer helps to recruit and retain talent within the company. “I would not be where I am today if it were not for the Metro College program,” said Donovan.

Learn more about Donovan Neal in this Metropolitan College Spotlight Q&A Interview and Video

Video courtesty of UPS. Published on November 5, 2018

Tell us about your involvement with professional organizations, committee work, community service, volunteer work, or other experience that you want us to know about you.
Currently I'm working with Louisville Urban League to help bring UPS to communities that may not have a lot of information about the opportunities UPS can provide.

What has been your greatest accomplishment in life?
Right now, to this day, my greatest achievement in life is graduating college debt free. College debt brings a lot of stress and strain financially to a lot of people. It’s something you can’t really get rid of, so having the opportunity to graduate without owing anyone anything is the greatest feeling especially when I walked across the stage.

What person(s) has been the biggest influence in your life and why?
There are four people who played a huge role in my success. My parents held me down through the toughest times and made sure I never got off track even when I wanted quit. They didn't judge me and always made time to talk about whatever I was going through during the stressful moments.

What advice do you have for prospective and current students in the MC program?
My advice to students is to just stay the course. It’s hard, I know it. I've been in your shoes. I worked two jobs on top of going to school. There were a lot of long nights in the library studying, a lot of meeting with teachers, and missing out on fun nights some weekends. It’s really a grind, but it builds character.

Some days will be easier than others, you may or may not have an easier experience than the person next to you. Everyone's path is different. Just stay in your lane and focus on why you joined UPS and the Metro College program. These next few years of your life here at UPS will teach you a lot if you're open to it. The rewards will benefit you so much, every year after you're don with work, you'll grow to appreciate it more and more for making the right decision at a younger age.

Recent MC graduates, you've got freedom.... that’s priceless. You've accomplished a big task in life and things should only get better from there. Keep a relentless attitude and don't let anyone talk you out of whatever it is you want to do in life. That goes for parents, friends, family, etc. They may not see the vision until you bring it to life.

What else would you like to share?
Thanks to Metro College and Kim Saylor (Talent Acquisition Supervisor at UPS), I was featured in a local Super Bowl commercial in which I shared my testimony about UPS and how the Metro College program helped me in so many ways. I've been featured several times in articles, commercials, etc.

Outside of work, I enjoy playing and watching basketball and recently developed an interest in real estate investing.

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We are proud of our current students and alumni and their incredible accomplishments! The MC Spotlight is a way for us to highlight the amazing things our current students and alumni are doing. As you read their stories, you will learn how their Metropolitan College experiences helped to shape their futures and influence their careers.

We are always on the lookout for inspiring MC Spotlight stories. If you or someone you know is interested in sharing a story with us, contact us at askmetro@kctcs.edu.

Note: At Metropolitan College, we consider our alumni anyone who has ever completed coursework and received tuition benefits with us.