National Grid’s Alberto Bianchetti (back row, third from the left) and John Pettigrew (back row, second from the right) visit with summer college students during a recent classroom visit.
National Grid and Syracuse University’s Office of Pre-College Programs have partnered to inspire the next generation of innovators through the National Grid Summer College Scholars Program.
The program will support selected Syracuse City School District high school students for the next three summers, providing access to college-levellearningfocused on STEM and energy literacy through the Summer College – On Campus program.
“We are looking to tomorrow as we partner with Syracuse University to invest and develop the skills and mindsets of the next generation of engineers today,” says John Pettigrew, global chief executive officer for National Grid.
For Reginald ’27, being Orange means “to be like a sunrise—bold, bright and full of promise.”
Reginald, a dedicated College of Professional Studies student, describes his journey at Syracuse University as a life-changing experience. As a part-time, post-traditional learner, he’s found both support and recognition while pursuing his passion for psychology and working toward his dream of becoming a therapist for youth and families.
Learn more about Reginald’s experience and the impact of your support.
A Beginners Guide to Microcredentials: Fast-Track Your Career Success
The job market is more competitive than ever, and professionals are constantly looking for ways to stand out. Whether you’re in tech, healthcare, business, or other key industries, microcredentials offer an effective way to enhance your skill set, show your expertise, and fast-track your career success. But what are microcredentials exactly, and why are they valuable? This beginner’s guide breaks it all down.
Microcredentials are compact, skill-based certifications designed for quick learning and industry relevance. Unlike traditional degrees that take years, microcredentials can be earned in just a few weeks. These digital credentials can be shared on LinkedIn, resumes, and job applications to showcase your qualifications to employers.
How Do They Work?
Earning a microcredential typically involves completing a course, passing an assessment, and receiving a digital badge or certificate. Upon completion, these digital certifications can highlight your expertise and make you stand out to employers. Many programs, like those at Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies, are available fully online, providing flexibility for professionals looking to advance their careers.
Enhance Your Skills Quickly Traditional degrees require years of study, but microcredentials allow you to develop in-demand skills in a fraction of the time. Whether you need to upskill in project management, coding, data analysis, or another area, microcredentials provide fast and focused training.
Stay Competitive in the Job Market Industries evolve rapidly, and staying ahead requires keeping your skills current. Microcredentials ensure you remain competitive by learning the latest tools, technologies, and best practices relevant to your field.
Increase Your Career and Earning Potential Career advancement with microcredentials often leads to higher salaries. Adding digital credentials to your resume can make you a more competitive candidate for promotions, new jobs, or career transitions.
Flexible and Affordable Learning Unlike degree programs that require a significant time and financial investment, microcredentials offer an affordable way to gain valuable knowledge. Many courses are self-paced, allowing you to learn on your schedule without disrupting work or personal commitments.
Advance your career in tech with certifications in Ethical Hacking, Video Game Development, and Web Design. These high-demand skills open doors to lucrative job opportunities in a rapidly evolving industry.
Strengthen your credentials with specialized training like Medical Billing and Electronic Health Records. As healthcare technology advances, professionals with these skills are increasingly valuable.
Identify Your Career Goals Determine what skills or certifications are most relevant to your field and career aspirations.
Choose Your Program Choose a relevant course from an accredited program like Syracuse University, which offers industry-aligned programs designed for working professionals.
Complete the Course and Earn Your Credential Engage in the learning process, pass assessments, and obtain a digital certificate.
Showcase Your Achievement Add your microcredentials to your LinkedIn profile, resume, and job applications to highlight your expertise.
Earning microcredentials is a smart way to stay ahead in today’s competitive job market. Whether you’re looking to upskill, switch careers, or climb the corporate ladder, these digital credentials can provide the edge you need. With flexible, affordable, and career-focused learning, microcredentials are an investment in your future success.
Ready to take the next step? Start exploring microcredential courses today with Syracuse University’s College of Professional Studies and unlock new career opportunities!
The College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University announces the appointments of Elizabeth (Liz) M. Green and Andrea J. Willis as assistant teaching professors, effective for the 2025-2026 academic year.
Both appointments represent strategic investments in the College’s mission to serve non-traditional and military-connected students through innovative online education, and a commitment to hiring faculty with deep expertise in professional competency education, particularly in transformational leadership and organizational development. Green and Willis bring extensive experience working directly with the non-traditional student populations the College serves.
“These appointments represent a significant step forward in our ability to deliver world-class professional competency education to our students,” said Michael J. Frasciello, Dean of the College of Professional Studies. “Liz and Andrea bring the unique combination of practical leadership experience and educational expertise that our non-traditional students need to succeed in today’s complex professional landscape.”
Green joins the faculty while serving as executive director of Student Experience, where she has increased military-connected student enrollment by over 100% in three years. As an assistant teaching professor, she will teach both undergraduate and graduate courses in the College’s signature Professional Competencies Core, the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Organizational Development & Leadership Program, and across the College’s undergraduate and graduate Project Management curriculum.
Green’s qualifications include over 15 years of progressively responsible experience in higher education administration and current service as a Public Affairs Officer in the United States Air Force, currently serving in the New York Air National Guard. She is a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach and PhD candidate in Higher Education Administration. Her pioneering work in establishing Syracuse University’s first Office of Online Student Success demonstrates her innovative approach to supporting non-traditional learners.
“Liz’s dual expertise as both a military officer and a recognized leader in non-traditional education provides her with an authentic understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing military students pursuing higher education,” said Frasciello. “Her ability to transform organizational structures and create new pathways for student advancement exemplifies the transformational leadership principles she will teach.”
Willis joins the faculty while serving as director of Academic Programs, where she has expanded program offerings from 7 to 24 between 2018 and 2024. She will teach courses in the Professional Competencies Core, the Bachelor of Professional Studies in Healthcare Administration, the Bachelor of Professional Studies Organizational Development & Leadership, and across the Project Management curriculum.
Willis’ educational background includes a Master’s degree in Instructional Design, Development and Evaluation from Syracuse University and a Certificate of Advanced Study in Conflict Resolution. She has extensive experience in online course development and has already created and taught foundational courses for the College’s undergraduate programs.
“Andrea’s proven success in creating engaging virtual learning environments for non-traditional students, combined with her expertise in supporting military-connected students, makes her exceptionally qualified to serve this unique population,” said Ryan O. Williams, Senior Associate Dean of the College of Professional Studies.
Both appointments reflect the College’s strategic commitment to strengthening its academic offerings through a focus on professional competency education in areas such as Transformational Leadership, Change Management, Practical Financial Management, Assertiveness in the Workplace for Professional Studies, Creative and Design Thinking, Conflict in Business and Management, Leading Cooperative Negotiations, and Digital and Business Communications.
Green and Willis will contribute to course development, program assessment, and accreditation processes while maintaining the College’s strong focus on accessibility and student success. Their work will involve creating new online courses that address emerging trends in leadership and organizational development, as well as redesigning existing courses to incorporate current research and industry practices.
“These appointments demonstrate our commitment to hiring faculty who don’t just teach about leadership and professional development – they live it,” said Williams. “Liz and Andrea have demonstrated the ability to transform organizations, develop innovative programs, and create meaningful pathways for student success.”
Syracuse University is enhancing its commitment to lifelong learning with digital badges, a tool that recognizes and authenticates the completion of microcredentials. The badges aim to support learners in their professional and personal development by showcasing achievements in short, focused learning experiences.
Digital badges will be awarded for various microcredential programs offered by the University’s College of Professional Studies. Learners can earn digital badges in industries regarding business and management, cannabis, healthcare, IT,project management, and much more. These badges signify specific competencies, skillsets, and levels of achievement that can be shared across digital platforms, making them easily visible to potential employers.
“With the launch of our comprehensive microcredentials catalog, we’re excited to unlock new opportunities and advance professional journeys in high-demand career areas,” says Arthur Thomas, executive director of the Office of Microcredentials.
Syracuse University’s Office of Microcredentials, established in 2021, is leading the charge in expanding the University’s portfolio of non-degree credentials. The comprehensive catalog of microcredential offerings lists a variety of courses that can equip learners with in-demand skills through accessible, online learning. Microcredentials is also collaborating with several schools and administrative units across the University to develop additional offerings tailored to their subject areas and available in a variety of formats.
For participants, digital badges represent a personalized learning journey. With badges issued at varying levels, foundational, intermediate, and advanced, participants can customize their professional development path. By “stacking,” or combining, these badges, learners can build a compelling portfolio that highlights their unique qualifications and expertise.
