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A Lehigh Valley McDonald’s employee just graduated college, tuition free. Here’s how.

James McIntyre, owner of the Jamren McDonald’s Group, looks on as Jasmine Riquelme, general manager of the Third Street McDonald’s in Easton, celebrates her graduation on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, next to Colorado Technical University representative Scott Nuckolls and Jamren McDonald’s Group Director of Operations Sylvia Cooper. (Elizabeth DeOrnellas / The Morning Call)
James McIntyre, owner of the Jamren McDonald’s Group, looks on as Jasmine Riquelme, general manager of the Third Street McDonald’s in Easton, celebrates her graduation on Wednesday, May 7, 2025, next to Colorado Technical University representative Scott Nuckolls and Jamren McDonald’s Group Director of Operations Sylvia Cooper. (Elizabeth DeOrnellas / The Morning Call)
Morning Call reporter Elizabeth DeOrnellas. (Monica Cabrera/The Morning Call)
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The general manager of the Third Street McDonald’s in Easton plans to use her new associate’s degree in business administration from Colorado Technical University to become a social media influencer who can inspire others to become who they want to be.

Jasmine Riquelme donned a red cap and gown Wednesday to celebrate her graduation at the store in front of family, friends and local elected officials.

“I’m proud of her every day,” Jessica Gonzalez, Riquelme’s mother, said. “She’s accomplished a lot.”

Riquelme accomplished her degree in part through the Archways to Opportunity program, which covered tuition for her online courses through a grant from the university and additional funds from the company. The CTU degree program, which currently enrolls more than 2,000 McDonald’s employees nationwide, is one of four educational pathways available.

Riquelme is the first from the six stores owned by the Jamren McDonald’s Group to graduate from the degree program.

Riquelme, 24, said her mother, who raised seven children as a single parent, is her role model and biggest supporter.

Being there for her fellow employees also motivated Riquelme as she’s progressed from being a 16-year-old crew member to her current role as general manager.

“I like helping people,” Riquelme said.

Through Archways to Opportunity, McDonald’s employees also can receive tuition reimbursement grants — $2,500 for a crew member or $3,000 for a manager — to a college or trade school of their choice.

James McIntyre — owner of Jamren McDonald’s Group, which runs six restaurants in Lehigh, Northampton and Bucks counties — said at least 100 of his employees have taken advantage of Archways to Opportunity in the last 10 years, with about 90% choosing the tuition reimbursement option.

Two of Riquelme’s fellow employees are enrolled in the CTU program.

CTU coursework taught her accounting and gave her an eye-opening look at how a business is run, Riquelme said.

Sylvia Cooper, Riquelme’s long-time supervisor and director of operations for Jamren McDonald’s Group, said Riquelme has matured a lot as she’s moved from working night shifts to assisting with multiple stores.

“One of my satisfactions in doing this job — besides me liking the fast food industry — is watching young people like this grow up, take the advice I give them sometimes, and become who they are today,” Cooper said.

Riquelme is a comedy fan who aims to pursue additional classes in acting and develop into an influencer who can illustrate how to overcome obstacles. In the meantime, she plans to continue working for McDonald’s.

“She’s really smart. She cares a lot,” Genesis Deleon, Riquelme’s girlfriend, said. “Her heart is big, pure. She’ll always put everybody first before her.”

Easton City Council member Frank Pintabone said it’s good to see the younger generation getting things done.

“We definitely want to celebrate her,” Pintabone said, “and let her know she is appreciated.”

In addition to the CTU degree program and the tuition reimbursements, Archways to Opportunity also assists with English as a second language classes and high school completion.

The program began in 2015. Since then, nearly 70,000 McDonald’s employees have received tuition assistance for college degrees; more than 10,500 have graduated from English-learning classes; and more than 2,000 have completed online high school degrees, the program website states.

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