The Citizens Academy is now accepting applications from Onondaga County residents for its eight-week fall program that helps citizens learn how local governments work, and how to get involved and effect change.
The Citizens Academy, now in its 10th year, is an interactive educational program that informs citizens of Onondaga County about how local governments are organized, and how services are funded and delivered.
Any resident of Syracuse and Onondaga County age 18 or older is eligible to apply. Participation is free. The class is limited to 35 members. Fill out an application online at http://citizensacademycny.org/. The application deadline is Aug. 1. For more information, call 315-448-8732 or e-mail focus@ci.syracuse.ny.us.
Friday’s weather forecast is calling for a 40 percent chance of rain and 79 degrees. SU’s annual Strawberry Festival will still be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Enjoy a refreshing strawberry sundae or shortcake – they’re free for students with SU I.D.!
Hamburgers, hot dogs and other lunch items will also be for sale unless the weather is extreme.
Be sure to stop by the information tent and learn about the many services provided by campus departments and offices.
Visit the farmer’s market, register your bike with the public safety department, and listen to live music provided by the “iBand,” featuring SU faculty and staff.
Weather permitting, the day will also feature a fun run, games, prizes and giveaways. See you on the Quad!
Contact Tim Eddy in Recreation Services at tdeddy@syr.edu or 443-1810 or Carrie McDonald at University College at camcdo01@uc.syr.edu or 443-3292 for more information.
University College has announced two new majors in the bachelor of professional studies (BPS) degree program beginning fall 2014. The 120-credit BPS is a competency-based program designed to appeal to working professionals and post-traditional students who would like to start or complete a bachelor’s degree part time.
The programs—Creative Leadership and Knowledge Management—will provide students with a broad set of business skills to help them advance in their chosen career or become more marketable in an increasingly competitive regional and global work environment.
The skills learned in the BPS Program are in high demand among employers. According to a 2014 report compiled by the Advisory Board Co., social media was the fastest growing skillset employers in New York State were looking for in 2012-13. Validation (utilizing a step-by-step check method to confirm that all business rules are working correctly), data management, business planning and data analysis skills round out the top five. All of these competencies are covered in the BPS’s core curriculum.
“The good mix of skills offered in SU’s BPS program is very appealing,” says Jacob Corlyon of Bankers Healthcare Group in Syracuse. “The areas of concentration are relevant to my organization’s workforce needs.”
A five-course certificate program is offered in both concentrations for individuals who are looking to change or redirect their career. The certificate option is available to those with an associate degree or some college credits.
Bea González, dean of University College, was recognized with a Community Service Award by the Syracuse/Onondaga County NAACP at the 35th Annual Freedom Awards Banquet held in May.
Bea Gonzalez
The Community Service Award is the most distinguished honor given by the NAACP to an individual, community-based organization, agency or business in the public or private sector. It recognizes those who have substantially improved the quality of life in our community, especially for those who are impoverished, oppressed, abused or disenfranchised.
González began her career as an academic advisor at Syracuse University in 1987. She quickly moved through the ranks from academic counselor to dean of University College. She became the first Latina on the Syracuse City School District’s board of education in 1991, the first Latina to serve as president of the Syracuse Common Council and the first Latina candidate for Syracuse mayor in the city’s history.
González has spent her life advocating for those who have not had a voice in our communities, schools, neighborhoods and political systems. She has received numerous awards and recognitions through the years, including being named a Hispanic American of Distinction in New York State and an Unsung Heroine by the Central New York National Organization of Women.
In addition to her dedicated community service, González was recently elected president of the University Professional & Continuing Education Association for 2014-15. She has served on and is a member of several professional organizations, including the Association of University Summer Sessions, the Education Commission of the States, New York State Representative and the National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials.
Founded in 1909, the NAACP is the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization.
The Kettering Foundation, headquartered in Dayton, Ohio, is a nonprofit operating foundation whose primary research question is “What does it take to make democracy work as it should?” Kettering’s research is conducted from the perspective of citizens and focuses on what people can do collectively to address problems affecting their lives, their communities and their nation.
Holwerk will talk on “The State of Civic Engagement,” focusing on the question of who is being engaged and to what ends. He will reflect on his 30 years of experience as a journalist and five years at Kettering, to address the question “So what do citizens do, anyway?”
Registration for the June 6 luncheon, which will take place at the Rosamond Gifford Zoo, is required by May 28. For more information, or to register, call 315-443-4846, email ocl@syr.edu or go to OCL News at http://onondagacitizensleague.org.
The Onondaga Citizens League is a nonprofit nonpartisan civic organization that studies issues facing Central New York and generates reports to inform citizens and offer specific recommendations to policymakers.
