Microcredentials

Foundations of Entrepreneurship for People with Disabilities Announced at Syracuse University

Explore How to Launch a New Business | Test Your Ideas | Get Feedback from Experts | Connect with Start-up Networks

Are you interested in learning about entrepreneurship from a disability perspective? If so, the College of Professional Studies invites you to join Syracuse University’s free online program starting September 5, 2023. This 12-week course is designed specifically for people with disabilities who want to learn how to start a business.

Hosted by two disabled activists, John Robinson, CEO of “Our Ability” a cutting-edge non-profit that links disabled applicants with the employment sector, and Professor Stephen Kuusisto of the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI) on Disability at Syracuse University, this groundbreaking virtual program will introduce participants to the principles of entrepreneurship through online-only instruction that will be free of charge. The course is instructed by John Liddy, an experienced entrepreneurship workshop leader.

Thanks to a New York Empire State Development grant through the Burton Blatt Institute (BBI), Syracuse University can offer the free program “Foundations of Entrepreneurship for People with Disabilities.” The program will consist of weekly online materials, readings, and assignments that participants can do at their own pace to work through their ideas, step by step. At specified intervals, participants will complete an evaluated assessment of their readiness for entrepreneurship to:

• Determine readiness for the process of venture development
• Determine suitability of the key idea for implementation as a business venture

During each of these assessments, a given participant may agree with the instructor to not move further to become an entrepreneur. That decision automatically gives the participant the opportunity to begin a different free, online-only course entitled, “Foundations for Employment for People with Disabilities” to help them be more competitive in the job market instead of developing their own business.

Weekly live online group sessions will be an opportunity for the instructor, guest speakers and participants to engage in discussions on the topics of entrepreneurship, specifically tuned to people with disabilities. At the completion of the course, participants will be introduced to a variety of options, such as the pursuit of funding as well as a mentor network to assist them in the development of their ideas into a sustainable business venture.

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About the Instructor

john liddyJohn Liddy is the interim Vice President for Innovation and Entrepreneurship of CenterState CEO in Syracuse, New York. He is also an Entrepreneur in Residence for the Syracuse Technology Garden, and the Director of the Griffiss Institute Business Incubator. John works directly with companies (new ventures and established firms) as well as consults with organizations (colleges, economic development, and government) seeking to assist these populations. He has participated in multiple startups as well as holding corporate executive positions. John has led numerous workshops for entrepreneurs, including several for veterans with disabilities through the Institute for Veterans and Military Families (IVMF) at Syracuse University. 

Foundations of Product Management Microcredential Program Announced at Syracuse University

The Office of Professional Acceleration and Microcredentials at the College of Professional Studies announces the microcredential program Foundations of Product Management: Idea to Launch.

Product Management is a rapidly expanding field that emphasizes strategic management of processes, systems and operations that support an organization’s products and services. Foundations of Product Management: Idea to Launch is an 8-week, fully online course will provide a broad foundation in the nature of product management, including the role, steps in the process, analysis of markets, business models and product strategy.

Starting the week of September 25, and targeted for those who want to explore this field, the course will provide knowledge and skills in product road mapping, design, development and execution, launch and marketing, metrics and management tools, growth and leadership, and product ethics and best practices. An expert practitioner, instructor Charu Kothari will bring numerous examples, frameworks and practical experience that will provide participants highly valuable tools to become effective in this field.

Weekly online sessions will focus on discussion, examples, guest speakers and participant questions. Assignments will provide participants an opportunity to apply skills and knowledge in their own areas of specialty, and the feedback from Kothari will help to shape these approaches effectively. 

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this course, students will learn:

  • About the role of a Product Manager
  • Product road mapping
  • Product design, development, execution and launch
  • Product marketing, metrics and management tools
  • Ethics, leadership and best practices

Dates/Times

Program opens September 25; Weekly live online sessions are Thursdays from 8:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. from September 28 through November 16. Online materials provided will allow participants to proceed at their own pace each week between live sessions. Optional office hours will also be available.

Program Fee

Limited time only introductory price of $995.00 – a savings of $500 off the regular price of $1495.00.

Verified Syracuse University alumni are eligible for a 15% discount.

Instructor Bio

Charu Kothari has most recently worked as the Senior Product Manager – Tech for Amazon in their San Francisco, California office, where her responsibilities included artificial intelligence and machine learning products. She is a highly accomplished product manager with over 11 years of experience in leading product development and product management teams to drive successful launches of innovative products; developing strategies to maximize product performance, customer satisfaction, and market penetration; and leveraging machine learning technologies to develop and deploy products. Prior to her work with Amazon, Charu served as a product manager for both EY and PWC, an Assistant Vice President for Bank of America, and some additional years as a Software Engineer with Accenture in India. She earned a M.S. in Information Management from Syracuse University and a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Science from Pune University in India. She holds a Product Manager Certification from Product School, as well as SAFe Agile Product Manager, SAFe 4 Agilist and Safe 4 DevOps Practitioner certifications. Charu also has a patent pending in virtual try-on technology for outfits.

To learn more about Foundations of Product Management: Idea to Launch, visit supereg.syr.edu. 

CREDENTIAL

At the successful conclusion of this microcredential program, participants will receive a digital badge from Syracuse University, College of Professional Studies, which can be shared on LinkedIn or any digital media, and which will provide complete detail on information learned and competencies gained throughout the program. Participants can also request a paper and/or a digital certificate.

SPONSORING DEPARTMENT CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have any questions regarding this course, please contact the College of Professional Studies Office of Professional Acceleration and Microcredentials at microcredential@syr.edu or 315.443.2588.

 

REGISTER NOW

The On-Ramp to Scaling Microcredentials: Advice from the Acceleration Lane

By Arthur Thomas, executive director of the Office of Professional Acceleration and Microcredentials at the College of Professional Studies | Reposted from evolllution.com

Depending where your institution seems to be along the continuum—from offering just a few microcredentials to offering many—there are some things to keep in mind if you want to achieve large scale with these types of offerings. Every institution is different, but there are some common principles that can determine how this sort of transformation will evolve. So, as you turn onto the entrance ramp, destined for a significant offering of microcredentials at scale, let’s review a few approaches that can help you pick up speed.

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Staff Spotlight: Allison Roth, Office of Professional Acceleration and Microcredentials

The College of Professional Studies’ mission is to deliver exceptional support and services to a diverse part-time student population seeking a Syracuse University education. The Office of Professional Acceleration and Microcredentials stays true to this mission by offering microcredentials that allows learners access to upgrade their skills and explore new interests. 

In this Q & A, get to know Allison Roth and her role in the Office of Professional Acceleration and Microcredentials.

  1. What is your position at the College of Professional Studies?

I am the operations specialist in the Office of Professional Acceleration and Microcredentials.

  1. How long have you worked at the College of Professional Studies?

I’ve been working at Syracuse University for over 7 years, with the last two years at the College of Professional Studies. Previously, I worked as an advisor for a career preparation and employment program for transitioning service members, veterans and military spouses. That role helped me understand the unique needs of nontraditional students and how educational institutions can work to meet those needs.

  1. In one sentence, how would you describe your role and/or department?

Our department supports lifelong learning by providing opportunities for everyone to upgrade their skillset, explore new areas of interest, or prepare for industry certification exams.

  1. What aspects of your profession bring you joy?

Being able to offer learning opportunities to those who never thought they would be able to take a course at Syracuse University. I also love seeing how these shorter courses and programs can open doors for the students and provide a pathway for them to earn a degree from Syracuse University.

  1. What is your proudest moment at the College of Professional Studies?

Hearing about the successes of those who take our courses. Success looks different for everyone; sometimes it’s completing a 4-week online course, and sometimes it’s earning an industry certification. No matter what that success looks like for those students, I love celebrating their wins alongside them and seeing how it has a positive impact on their lives.

I’m also very proud to be in a position where I can focus on providing courses and programs that meet the needs of all of our potential students. Each offering isn’t going to be a perfect fit for everyone, so I am proud to be able to invest time and resources into offering courses in a variety of different delivery methods and price points.

  1. How does your department support students during their time here?

Our department sees everyone as a potential student—from University Leadership to SU staff to SU faculty to the local community to the continent to the entire world. We strive to ensure that everyone who interacts with our department’s offerings has a positive Syracuse University experience. 

Additionally, as our department continues to grow, we will be adding a student success team, which will be the dedicated support system for the students throughout their lifelong learning with our department.

  1. Our goal as a college is to provide high-quality service to our students. How does your department go above and beyond to support Syracuse University students?

We aspire to be a one-stop shop for anyone who is looking to upgrade their current skillset, explore new interests, or prepare for an industry certification exam. Since we see everyone as a potential student, we strive to offer courses and programs at a variety of different levels, delivery methods, and price ranges. Additionally, our department is uniquely built to quickly adapt to the needs of our students, workforce, and industry. As the market and environment continue to change, our department will continue to adapt and add new offerings to meet these needs.

  1. If students would like to get connected with your department, how can they do so?

E-mail: microcredential@syr.edu

Address: 700 University Ave Suite 403 | Syracuse, NY 13244

New Sustainability Leadership Program Aims to Create Visionary and Ethical Leaders

Learn to take a proactive approach to addressing sustainability challenges and create positive impact by promoting sustainable practices.

Climate change and environmental degradation are among the greatest challenges facing our planet. Humanity has solutions in hand to address the impacts of climate change, yet we are not making the necessary adjustments quickly enough. Sustainability leaders can help address these challenges by promoting sustainable practices and developing innovative solutions.

By taking a holistic approach to leadership, sustainability leaders consider the long-term impacts of their decisions on the environment, society, and the economy. They are committed to promoting sustainable practices in their organizations and communities, and they encourage others to do the same.

In partnership with One Earth Leadership, Syracuse University announces a three phase Sustainability Leadership Program. Phase I of the program is a two-part virtual session engaging participants in discussions facilitated by instructors Karin Botto, senior human resources business partner at Syracuse University and Hilary McManus, professor of biological and environmental sciences at Le Moyne College. Phase II is an in-person, on-site retreat hosted at Syracuse University’s Minnowbrook Conference Center in Blue Mountain Lake, NY from June 3-6, 2023. Phase III is an additional virtual session to solidify the key learnings from the program.

Throughout the Sustainability Leadership Program, participants will:

  • Learn about climate change issues by connecting the dots between personal, organizational, and planetary thriving.
  • Deepen self-awareness, personal well-being, and resilience through learning a variety of contemplative practices aimed at mitigating eco-anxiety.
  • Develop and present SMART leadership goals for yourself, your community, and/or your organization.
  • Engage with change management practices to support your leadership goals.
  • Experience a variety of peer coaching methods and professional mentoring.
  • Expand their network of change-makers to enhance community engagement.

Upon successful completion of phases I-III of the program, participants will earn a foundations microcredential. Additionally, participants can continue to earn an impact microcredential by completing a portfolio review.

The registration deadline for the Sustainability Leadership Program is May 5, 2023. Interested participants can register here.

Register Here

About the Instructors

Karin Botto
Senior Human Resources Business Partner at Syracuse University

Karin Botto portrait

Dr. Karin Botto has worked in higher education for more than three decades in areas such as leadership development, human resources, enrollment management, strategic planning, mission integration, and faculty development. She currently serves as Senior HR Business Partner at Syracuse University where she partners with senior leaders to shape, develop, and deliver plans and strategy in line with the needs and priorities of the organization including organizational development, performance management, talent management, professional development, workforce planning, and employee relations. She also teaches Individual & Collective Discernment in the Master of Business Administration program at Le Moyne College.

Botto holds a Master of Science in Training & Organizational Development from Saint Joseph’s University and earned a Doctorate of Education from Creighton University in Interdisciplinary Leadership. Her dissertation research focused on developing the ecological self for sustainability leadership. She was recently interviewed by Jesuit Schools Network about her research for the Ignatian Inquiry Podcast.

In 2015, Botto co-developed a leadership model published in the Journal of Jesuit Business Education (2015). She co-authored a chapter of Success After Tenure (2019) by Stylus Publishing and wrote a chapter of Women Courageous: Leading through the Labyrinth (2021) by Emerald Publishing.

Botto’s specialties include sustainability leadership, group dynamics and decision-making, leadership development, coaching and mentoring, management training, and integrating contemplative practices into one’s life and leadership. Her most important role is mother to Jack, Gwyn, and Gavin.

Hilary McManus
Professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Le Moyne College

Hilary McManus portrait

Hilary McManus is Professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Le Moyne College in Syracuse, NY. She teaches about the science of the climate crisis in the classroom and local community and aims to nurture the current and next generations of environmental stewards through hands-on experiences connecting with nature. Hilary co-chairs Le Moyne’s Environmental Sustainability Steering Committee, developing a comprehensive campus-wide framework for a greener campus, and is also a certified executive leadership and career coach.

In 2018, Hilary was selected as a participant in Homeward Bound, a global leadership development initiative for women in STEMM, which culminated in a 3-week voyage to Antarctica with 78 other women from around the world. Currently over 700 women strong, the network continues to grow as an international collaboration of women scientists aiming to lead and influence decision making as it shapes our planet. Hilary is also a member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps founded and led by Al Gore. She delivers presentations with interactive components that offer audience members an opportunity to brainstorm climate action items on the individual, community, and policy levels.

Hilary’s time away from Le Moyne is spent with her two sons, hiking, camping, gardening, and sitting zazen.