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The Connective Corridor is emerging as a signature strip of cutting-edge cultural development connecting the University Hill with downtown Syracuse. Robbi Farschman, director of community engagement and economic development at Syracuse University, will explain the Connective Corridor at the Oct. 20 session of the Institute for Retired People (IRP) from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The program is free and open to the public. Sessions are held at First Baptist Church of Syracuse, 5833 East Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville.

In addition to the bus route, the Corridor includes bike paths, imaginative lighting, public and interactive art, signage and directional systems that will help spur cultural and economic development.

Among other projects, the Connective Corridor is funding the construction of a new outdoor plaza at Syracuse Stage, a facelift at the Community Folk Art Center, façade improvements for buildings along the Corridor and reconstruction of Forman Park on East Genesee Street. Farschman will provide an overview of these and other projects under way and planned in the Connective Corridor.

University College of Syracuse University is hosting a Career Transition Workshop for Displaced Educators on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Genesee Grande Hotel, 1600 E. Genesee St. The cost is $125.

Over a dozen different workshops led by workforce development experts will focus on developing your career path, building your personal brand and knowing the job market. Facilitators will discuss current opportunities available in fields such as health care, human services and literacy, and the credentials that are required to fill these positions. A panel discussion comprised of teachers who have transitioned to other careers is also scheduled.

This event is not a job fair. This one-day workshop can help displaced teachers, administrators and education majors develop the skills needed to recover and flourish in a changing professional world.

For more information and to register for the event, visit http://www.uc.syr.edu/teachers, or call (315)443-5241.

University College of Syracuse University won three awards from the University Professional & Continuing Education Association (UPCEA) at the Mid-Atlantic Region Conference held in Princeton, N.J.

The UPCEA serves as a resource to those in the professional and continuing education field and provides members with strategies to respond to the growing population of adults and nontraditional students seeking continuous learning opportunities.

The University College Master Academic Plan (MAP) advisory model program won in the development category for credit or noncredit programs. The model offers part-time, nontraditional students the opportunity to experience life coaching combined with academic advising. Emileen Butler and Mary Pagan, academic advisers and certified life coaches, accepted the award on behalf of University College.

The Industrial Certification and Training Program (ICT) won in the category of institutional/business partnerships. The ICT was a collaborative effort of Westcott Community Center, the Manufacturers Association of Central New York and University College. Of the 454 individuals enrolled, 142 completed work-readiness classes, 170 received a nationally recognized Work Readiness Certificate, 155 completed job training and 85 obtained full-time employment.

Senior Associate Dean Geraldine de Berly was awarded the outstanding leadership/distinguished service award for her work with the English Language Institute Program at University College. UC dean Bea González nominated de Berly for the award. “Dr. de Berly’s commitment to provide access and opportunity to international students is paralleled by her drive and determination to enrich their experience in the U.S. and to provide them with strong aptitude for the English language,” says González. “Her administration of the program encompasses a wide range of hands-on involvement, which helps our students feel at home and appreciably increases their achievement rate.”

González said that it is an honor to be recognized by our peers for the work that UC does on behalf of its nontraditional students. “In the true spirit of Scholarship in Action, University College is committed to forging imaginative and reciprocal partnerships with our many constituents, both locally and globally,” says González.

Christina R. Reale, commissioner of aviation at Syracuse International Airport, will provide an overview of the airport from a management, operational and financial perspective at the Thursday, Oct. 6, meeting of the Institute for Retired People (IRP). Meetings are held on every first and third Thursday of the month from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Sessions are held at First Baptist Church of Syracuse, 5833 East Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville.

Reale will discuss air service development efforts, aviation projects and other initiatives the airport is undertaking to increase revenue, reduce costs and improve service. She was appointed by the mayor of Syracuse as interim commissioner in January 2011, and made permanent in May. Her responsibilities include day-to-day management and oversight of the airport facility, including 115 Department of Aviation employees. She is responsible for all operational and management decisions, including final development of the Terminal Security Access and Improvements Project scheduled for construction in spring/summer 2012. Reale works with all airport stakeholders to ensure the safety, security and comfort of the traveling public. Stakeholders include the Transportation Security Administration, six airlines, six car rental companies and a variety of terminal and off-airport tenants. 

IRP is a community program established by University College of Syracuse University, dedicated to the principle of lifelong learning. For more information on IRP visit http://www.yesu.syr.edu/IRP or call 443-4846.

Karen Dross, a retired Syracuse City School District teacher and volunteer in Haiti, will present the “Haitian Education Mission Project” at the Sept. 15 session of Institute for Retired People (IRP). Meetings are held on every first and third Thursday of the month from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and are free and open to the public. Sessions are held at First Baptist Church of Syracuse, 5833 East Seneca Turnpike, Jamesville.

Dross will discuss the inspiration she received from an IRP presentation conducted by Bob Hood, a retired real estate developer and goodwill ambassador in Haiti. Hood, along with other local volunteers, continues to share his time and talent in this poor, earthquake-ravaged country. Dross will share her experiences after a recent visit and explain how this group of volunteers is working to return power to the Haitian people.

In addition to teaching elementary education, Dross worked as a professional development teacher focusing on teachers in the field of mathematics. She currently works for Pearson Education, a leading education services company, where she supports and trains teachers in the use of Investigations, an elementary constructivist mathematics program. Dross also participates in local and international mission work through her involvement with Park Central Presbyterian Church. Most recently she has become active with a small group of businessmen and educators working with a school in northern Haiti. Believing that education will make a difference in the future of Haiti keeps her motivated to learn Creole, the native language. She travels there yearly to conduct training sessions with teachers and work with students in the classroom.

IRP is a community program established by University College of Syracuse University, dedicated to the principle of lifelong learning. For more information on IRP visit http://www.yesu.syr.edu/IRP, call Colleen at 443-4846 or email cps@uc.syr.edu.