Happy Fourth of July! Celebrate Safe and Sound on America’s Birthday
The Fourth of July is one of America’s biggest holidays. For many, the nation’s birthday means fireworks, parades and concerts, and outdoor picnics and barbecues.
While the sights and sounds are a whole lot of fun on Independence Day weekend, it also means more Americans will hit the road to connect with family and friends to celebrate our nation’s freedom. Have a blast on the Fourth of July but don’t ruin the holiday weekend for you or someone else. Be safe!
Consider that AAA reports almost 40 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles by car to Fourth of July holiday destinations, beginning Wednesday, July 3 through Sunday, July 7. Because of the added traffic, more fatalities in motor vehicle crashes will occur during the Independence Day holiday period than on any other day of the year including New Year’s Eve. Just as alarming, one in every four of those motor vehicle accidents will result from texting and driving.
The good news is Florida has a new law on the books designed to heighten roadway safety just in time for the Fourth of July. The ban on texting while driving went into effect on July 1, 2019. Robert Voss, a faculty member at Broward College’s Institute of Public Safety, said the new law is long overdue.
“Motorists are driving a weapon,” said Voss, who instructs police cadets on vehicle operations and first-aid in preparation for the Florida Department of Law Enforcement State Officer Certification exam. “When motorists are texting and driving and not paying attention to the road, that weapon becomes deadly.”
Don’t Text and Drive – Understanding the New Law
Police now have the authority to pull over those motorists who are texting while driving. Previously, police officers and troopers in Florida could only cite drivers for texting if they were pulled over for another infraction.
“Let the call or text wait,” said Voss, who spent some 30 years with the Sunrise Police Department before joining the Broward College faculty. “Keep the cell phone down and out of sight. It just takes two seconds to look at a phone to put you, your family, and another motorist and pedestrian in danger. Wait 30 seconds and pull the car over to the side of the road and then do whatever has to be done.”
Kevin Butler, a captain with the Broward County Sheriff’s Office out of Weston, said the texting ban does not apply to a driver who is using a navigation device or whose vehicle is stationary. So, it’s safe for you to put in these directions to get to your barbeque.
“It will be difficult to enforce, but there are exceptions to the rule,” said Butler, who earned an associate degree in Criminal Justice at Broward College and has spent the past 39 years in law enforcement. “Use a hands-free device. Use Bluetooth technology. If you have to text, you can do a voice text.”
Although a younger generation of millennials made up of many college students who use their cell phones to talk, text, and scroll through social media while behind the wheel of a motor vehicle is considered the biggest offenders, Voss said everyone should use caution.
While the new law is already in place, officers will be issuing warning citations until January 1, 2020.
Happy Fourth of July! Remember, as you celebrate, safety first.
Although Broward College will be closed on Thursday, July, 4 for Independence Day, campus safety can be reached at 954-201-HELP (4357).
Broward College Graduate Proud to be ‘People’s Mayor’
The possibilities were not lost on Justin Flippen when he first started taking classes at Broward College. He had just entered a dual enrollment program that enabled him at 17 years old to begin college coursework on North Campus while he continued to study toward a diploma a few miles down the Florida Turnpike at Coconut Creek High School.
“I’ll never forget sitting in the Honors College and reading about how Parris Glendening, the governor of Maryland, had graduated from Broward College,” said Flippen. “I thought to myself, ‘I may never become a governor or anyone important, but a community college can be a great place to get the tools that I need to succeed.”
A Classroom Challenge Spurs Interest in Representational Politics
Flippen is yet to run for governor, but residents of Wilton Manors believe that he can be just as important. In record numbers last year, they elected the Broward College graduate to serve as their mayor. The vote punctuated a journey into politics for Flippen that traces back to his days at Broward College, when he was challenged by professor Lemuel Molovinsky to defend positions on American History in front of his classmates.
“As someone who knew he wanted to get involved in politics, I was afraid of speaking in a public setting,” said Flippen, who left Broward College with an associate degree and a 4.0 grade-point average. “But, I had the encouragement of some amazing instructors and speech courses that would prove helpful in my journey.”
Now, Flippen builds on his history as he argues on behalf of the 12,000-plus constituents in Wilton Manors, a cozy island community in Broward County that claims to be the “second-gayest city in America.”
“I am very proud of my city, very proud of my community,” said Flippen, whose mayoral victory made Wilton Manors the first municipality in Florida to elect an all-LGBTQ City Commission. “We are a model city that is all-inclusive. It’s one of our greatest strengths. Most of our residents are not LGBT, but no matter who you are or what color under the rainbow you identify with, you are respected.”
Embracing Identity
Flippen said during his time at Broward College; he wrestled with his sexuality. He found the support to confront his challenges, for the most part, among off-campus gay and lesbian organizations.
“I wasn’t going to be ashamed of who I was,” said Flippen, who, after graduating summa cum laude from Florida Atlantic University, went on to earn a law degree at the University of Florida. “I realized I could be a person grounded in deep and abiding faith. And being gay was a much of a non-sequitur as my eye color.”
In and around Wilton Manors, Flippen is known as the “people’s mayor.” It’s a label he is proud to wear. At his full-time role with the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, Flippen is a short walk from where the original Willis B. Holcombe Center once housed Broward College district offices and classroom space. The building, currently under renovation, is a reminder of his days as a Broward College student when he was making, if only, mental note of becoming governor. Now that idea doesn’t seem so far-fetched.
Said Flippen, who plans to run for reelection next year, “One never knows.”
Academically focused high school students determined to get a head start on college coursework while, studying toward their diploma are eligible for a dual enrollment program at Broward College. Learn how to save time, money, and earn college credits.
Minority Male Initiative Uncorks Potential in Broward College Student
Before he boarded the bus each morning for Broward College, Woodllyson Acluche stood before a mirror to get himself ready for class. Hidden beneath his bushy beard and unruly hair was ambition that he is fortunate his instructors could see.
“I was a scary-looking individual,” said Acluche. “It took someone from the outside to see the potential that I had to invest their time and ensure that I become a success.”
That someone was professor Kaya Hamer-Small, who encouraged Acluche one day after class to join the Minority Male Initiative, a Broward College strategy that provides underserved students with the support they need to complete their college goals. When he accepted the invitation, Acluche had no idea of the resources including mentorships, networking and leadership and like-skills training that were available to enhance his Broward College experience.
How was he to know? After all, didn’t find out about opportunities to attend Broward College until he was 21 years old. Up until then, he had little time for education. He was working mornings as a salesperson at Macy’s. His afternoons were spent grilling chicken at Pollo Tropical and the evenings involved stocking shelves at Target. Long on hard work and determination, Acluche always fell short on guidance and direction.
‘Work or Leave the House’
Born in the United States, Acluche moved to Haiti when he was 10 years old to live with his aunt, and younger sister and brother. He returned to Florida seven years later to move in with his father.
“Everyone can be a father, but not everyone can be a dad,” said Acluche. “That mental and moral support, that love and compassion that you need, I didn’t have. It was either you work or leave the house.”
Acluche chose work, which meant dropping out of Miramar High School before he could complete the 11th grade. After juggling three jobs and at the recommendation of his pastor, he joined Miami Job Corps, completed his GED and pursued a trade. Those plans took an about face when an advisor convinced Acluche that a degree would be better suited to his career aspirations. He then enrolled in the Criminal Justice program and earned his associate degree in May.
Change in Attitude
Now, he looks back at the circumstances that had shaped his life and credits the peer and faculty mentors he encountered in the Minority Male Initiative and the interpersonal skills he developed for his attitude adjustment.
“I realized I didn’t have to go through college alone,” said Acluche, who is studying toward a bachelor’s degree in Supervision and Management at Broward College. “It was a tremendous help to know I had a tangible place to lean on. I made lifelong friends. And I learned about all resources at Broward College that are helping me to become the man I never thought I could be.”
That man, now 26 and growing, has become a mentor himself, doubling as a peer academic leader with the Minority Male Initiative. Acluche spreads a message of hope to local high school and middle school students who, like him, want to make their mark, but don’t know where to turn.
“Yes, you are handsome,” Acluche now reminds himself confidently in front of the mirror each morning before hopping in his car to Broward College. “And you are going to conquer this.”
The Minority Male Initiative is making a difference in the lives of Broward College Students who face unique obstacles toward completing academic and career goals. See what faculty mentors and peer support can mean for you.
$2.5 Million Grant Awarded to Broward College to Train STEM Teachers
The U.S. Department of Education awarded Broward College a $2.5 million grant over the next five years to address the critical shortage of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) teachers in South Florida. A 2019 report by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) showed STEM areas, such as General Science, Physical Science, and Math, lack qualified teachers.
The five-year Teacher Quality Partnership grant will fund the development of Teacher Preparation through Real-World Experience and Practice (T-Prep), a new initiative of the College’s Teacher Education program in collaboration with Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), which will receive $500,000 to support mentor training and compensation.
“At Broward College, we have recognized the need and potential to combat this shortage in our local education system,” said Dr. Marielena DeSanctis, provost and senior vice president of Academic Affairs and Student Services. “The targeted training and mentorship components of this grant will not only serve to increase the numbers of STEM and ESE teachers but, more importantly, serve to support new teachers in these critical areas to achieve student learning gains in this field.”
Meeting Local Demand
BCPS estimates the need for at least 50 certified STEM teachers each year. Through T-PREP, the College is targeting 25 candidates per year in the areas of Math, Science, Exceptional Education, and Computer Science. At the same time, the program will train 25 current BCPS teachers to serve as mentors to each of the candidates. A semester-long residency under the supervision of their mentors will provide student-teachers with the valuable hands-on experience necessary to transition into a full-time position at their school.
Discover a rewarding career and help fill teacher shortages in South Florida in English, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL), Reading, and Exceptional Student Education. Apply today and start your journey as an educator.
Interested in pursuing a career in a high-demand field? Learn more about the valuable career opportunities in STEM.
For Broward College Student, Study Abroad Experience in Spain Makes World of Difference
There was a time when Samuel Jordan thought he wasn’t smart enough to finish high school, let alone pursue a college degree in a foreign country. But, that’s where the Broward College student found himself this past spring, in Seville, Spain, the birthplace of flamenco dancing, interacting with locals, taking classes toward graduation and living a dream he once only dared to imagine.
“If you told me two or three years ago that I would be studying in Europe, I would have said, ‘You are crazy,’” said Samuel, who was awarded the William E. Greene scholarship for a semester study through the International Education Institute at Broward College.
The scholarship covers the cost of airfare, housing, tuition, program fees and travel insurance for students who choose to study at one of Broward College’s international centers in Ecuador, Peru or Spain.
Samuel, who is fascinated by world history, geography and geopolitics, said his choice was easy. As a journalism major at Broward College, he figured the four months in Europe would not only give him a chance to observe current events from a foreign perspective but improve his Spanish as well.
“I had never been outside the United States,” said the 19-year-old, who, up until the trip, had lived with his mother, father and 11 siblings in Tamarac. “I had never even lived on my own, but I loved the challenge.”
During his time in Seville, Samuel lived with a local family that spoke little English. He had no other choice but to adapt.
“When I got there, I knew next to nothing in Spanish,” he said. “But I will never forget the look on my host mother’s face when I could communicate with her comfortably in Spanish. She was full of pride and joy.”
Eye-opening Adventure
When he wasn’t taking in the European culture, Samuel took classes at the International College of Seville. His curriculum included courses in international business and international relations along with nine-credits of Spanish. On the weekends, he traveled to Scotland, England, France, Italy, Morocco, and Portugal.
“It was eye-opening,” said Samuel. “Being from someplace else, people tended to look at me differently. But, when I said I was from the United States, their eyes lit up.”
With each encounter, Jordan became more comfortable, and his maturity level grew. He made friends. And his love for learning deepened. Home-schooled from sixth- through 12th grade, he lacked motivation until some much-needed introspection gave him the push to complete his GED. He then enrolled at Broward College.
“I didn’t have any friends until I met so many people at Broward College,” said Samuel, who is finishing up a summer internship in San Francisco where he works in 3-D graphics and map design for Roblox, an online game-creation platform. “I really enjoy learning now.”
In another few weeks, Samuel will be back in South Florida. He will bring a 3.9 grade-point average into the fall semester. When he completes his associate degree, he plans to transfer to a four-year university.
“I’ve missed my friends at Broward College,” he said. “I can’t wait to get back.”
Broward College students interested in a life-changing learning experience can choose from 30 countries to study abroad. See how international education can open new horizons for you.
For Broward College Vice Provost Janice Stubbs, Student Success is Labor of Love
Don’t tell Janice Stubbs that she has worked at Broward College for three decades. The senior administrator is quick to remind that number, in all actuality, is 28. And who would dare argue because, perhaps, no one knows more about Broward College than she does?
After all, Stubbs has devoted almost her entire professional career to Broward College, first as the coordinator of admissions and registration on the Judson A. Samuels South Campus and on through her current role as vice provost for Student Services.
Dedicated to Improving Student Success
Whether she is walking across campus or in her office, Stubbs enjoys nothing more than talking to students. She is at her best when she is picking their brains, listening to their challenges, identifying what she can do to enhance their academic, social, or personal development and pledging to do better for them. She is dedicated to student success and expects that same passion from her colleagues.
“If Janice asks you a question, you better know the answer or be ready to research it in full – because more questions will be coming,” said Bryan Anderson, district director of College Readiness and Recruitment, with a smile. “After sending her an email, there’s nothing better than getting a ‘fantastic’ or ‘thanks loads,’ which means you’ve met her expectations – for that moment at least.”
Student services has come a long way since Stubbs joined the College. Back then, support was up to a director, an assistant, and Stubbs. Campuses were friendly rivals that competed against each other to achieve higher enrollments. There was one club on South Campus and few student life events.
Since that time, Broward College centralized operations. Minority enrollment grew, and student needs diversified. The student body now boasts a cultural mix of Baby Boomers, Generation Xers, Millennials and beyond who are put on clear pathways toward a career immediately after graduation or to four-year universities instead.
As vice provost, Stubbs wears many hats to influence their educational outcomes and student lives, from recruitment and admissions to academic advising and counseling.
Keeps a Promise
Stubbs cares deeply about doing right by students. To that end, she is tireless. Following a conference earlier this year in California, Stubbs took the Friday night red-eye flight back to South Florida to ensure she would fulfill a promise she made to the women’s basketball team to attend their game Saturday afternoon.
Stubbs is often the first in the office and the last to leave. Weekday, vacation, or holidays matter little. She is on-call 24/7. And her commitment to quality extends beyond the demands she puts on herself.
“In order to work effectively with her, you need to know your stuff,” said Neil Cohen, associate vice president, Student Life, and Ombudsperson. “She’s going to ask difficult questions about complicated work issues, so you can’t just stroll into her office without your ‘A’ game.”
In exchange, Stubbs is extremely loyal. She will go the extra mile to protect the interests of her staff with the same intensity she pursues funds to secure mentors for first-generation students, said Giannela Haddad, an executive assistant to Stubbs who recalled her supervisor’s unwavering support when she applied for maternity leave.
Finding Time for Personal Relaxation
Now that her two daughters are no longer living at home -- one is pursuing a master’s in exceptional student education, the other a career in journalism at Syracuse University and Bustle magazine -- Stubbs is beginning to find time for herself. After work, she takes dance and yoga classes and is learning how to meditate, although she claims she’s hardly a “guru,” just yet.
“It relieves stress,” said Stubbs, who commutes from her home in Cooper City after many years in Pembroke Pines. “I’m looking at ways to have fun again. When I was raising kids, a lot of the fun was centered around them. I’m learning what that can be for myself.”
That doesn’t mean that she plans to retire tomorrow or the day after, but, when she does, she will be content.
“It’s been an honor and a privilege to work at Broward College,” she said. “I think when I leave here, I will be leaving things a little better than when I found them.”
Student Services at Broward College refers to the broad range of support, including academic counseling and tutoring that is available to help students successfully navigate through college. Access the help you need and enhance your higher education experience today.
Ready for a Change? Become an Educator Through the Educator Preparation Institute
After seven years of working in child development, Rebecca Cuadra was ready for a change in her professional life. However, she wanted to find a new career path that would allow her to continue to make an impact in children’s lives, and that’s when she decided to apply to the Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) at Broward College.
The EPI program is for individuals who hold a Bachelor’s degree outside of education and are looking for a career change to teaching. For Rebecca, it made sense. She could keep her full-time job at the Boys and Girls Club while preparing to change fields.
“The EPI is a wonderful program because it has great advantages for working professionals,” says Leo Julien, advisor in Teacher Education for EPI. “The most important one being the fact that it’s only 21 credits, and it’s almost fully online.”
Changing Career Paths Smoothly
Julien explains that EPI also allows students to go at their own pace, another valuable perk to students that already hold a full-time job such as Rebecca. The program can be completed in as a little as six months thanks to courses offered in the accelerated format.
Rather than pursuing a second Bachelor’s degree, which would require a major time commitment and cost, the EPI offers students a professional teaching certificate through a non-degree certification program.
“The EPI taught me so much that I feel so confident about my skills to succeed in the classroom,” says Rebecca. “Even though I’ve been working with children ever since I finished college, going through the program gave me the reassurance that I was making the right choice to move into education.” Rebecca plans to go back to school to pursue a Master’s degree in Education with a specialization in school counseling in the future.
The Classroom Experience
Before applying to the program, students are required to apply for a Statement of Eligibility (SOE) through the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE). After receiving the SOE, students then complete the steps listed on the EPI website.
Throughout the program, students must complete seven classes, two of which will require field experience. As they work to complete their courses, they will prepare to take the three required Florida Teacher Certification Exams: General Knowledge, Subject Area, and Professional Education. Lastly, as students complete each course, they will build their portfolio, which must be reviewed and approved by EPI faculty.
Julien encourages students to submit a mid-program portfolio after completing three courses to assess their strengths and weaknesses.
Are you interested in changing your current field of work? Obtain a five-year renewable professional certificate in teaching through the Educator Preparation Institute at Broward College.
Have Degree, Will Travel: Program Prepares Students for Hospitality-Tourism Careers
When guests check into the Moxy hotel, there’s a good chance they will run into Reinalyn Benvenutti, a Broward College graduate and front office manager at the eight-story, 156-room property in downtown Chicago’s vibrant gallery district.
“Things are great, I love Chicago,” said Benvenutti, whose associate degree in Hospitality and Tourism Management helped secure a job offer in May, just in time for the Marriott-brand hotel’s grand opening. “It can be a little hectic, but nothing I can’t handle.”
Since the age of 14, when she began working the drive-thru at a Steak n Shake in Coral Springs, Benvenutti has had a handle on customer service. But, despite her friendly and approachable demeanor, she wasn’t sure about a career in hospitality and tourism, even as she bounced around as a server, then a bartender at restaurants and hotels across Broward County. It wasn’t until she detoured off her original plan to a career in firefighting and enrolled at Broward College that her future began to fall into place.
Dr. Robert Donato, manager of the Hospitality and Tourism Management program, said many students who work in the industry while completing their Broward College coursework, do not realize there is a world of opportunity beyond their entry-level roles.
“Hospitality is the number one employer in almost every state,” said Donato, who anticipates even more interest in the program once plans for the R. Motwani Academy of Hospitality and Tourism Management are launched in the fall. “We have a great foundational program here that gives students insight about working in hospitality and tourism. Most of all, the curriculum prepares them to hit the ground, running in almost any service-related industry.”
Career Destinations
Janet Bandoo, revenue management, and systems pricing specialist at Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, already had a job in the industry and a family to support when she decided to pursue an associate degree in hospitality and tourism. The combination of working full-time and attending classes at Broward College was not easy, but the more she learned about the industry, the more excited she got about her career potential.
When Bandoo completed her coursework at Broward College, she took advantage of an articulation agreement that enabled her to transfer to Florida International University, where she plans to complete a Bachelor of Science in Hospitality Management degree.
Donato said many of the graduates in the Hospitality and Tourism Management program continue their education at a four-year university. Broader scheduling options, including online, make courses for Broward College students who are working in a 24/7 industry like hospitality and tourism, that much easier to take.
Even though Carlos Tamarez had been paying his dues, he had little to show for the time he was putting in at the Florida Nature and Culture Center in Weston until he enrolled at Broward College in the Hospitality and Tourism Management program. As he studied toward an associate degree, Tamarez completed industry certifications -- in Guest Services Specialist and Event Management and Food and Beverage Management – that are built into the program. Not only did the certificates help land him a managerial promotion at the Buddhist retreat facility, but he also figures they’ve added up to more than $7,000 in wage increases. On top of that, Tamarez received credits for his tenure at the retreat that enabled him to finish his associate degree a year in advance.
“My education was of tremendous value,” said the 42-year-old husband and father of a 10-year-old girl. “It showed my supervisors that I was serious about my career. Plus, the courses were about more than theories. My instructors really knew what they were talking about based on their own industry experiences.”
An associate degree from the Management program at Broward College can connect students to careers in a booming industry. Learn how broad scheduling options can support students who are already working in the industry or those who want to get their feet wet.
Share Your Passion for Children Through a Career In Early Childhood Education
Jennifer Amador knew she was meant to find a career that entailed working with young children when she took early childhood courses in high school. “I enjoyed working directly with the children at the preschool, and it motivated me to pursue a career in the field,” says Amador, who has been the assistant director of the Early Learning Center at Broward College since 2014.
If working with children brings joy to your life, then pursuing a career in Early Childhood Education is a no-brainer. “It’s very important that the person truly enjoys being around children and has the patience to work with them when they exhibit challenging behaviors,” says Amador. An Early Childhood educator works with young children, from birth until age five.
At Broward College, the Education Pathway offers an A.S. degree that trains you in the latest principles, skills, and techniques necessary to teach the youngest members of society.
Rewarding Career Opportunities
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates 528,600 job openings in this field by 2026. This faster-than-average growth of ten percent positions this field as one of the on-demand careers for the next few years. Florida ranks in the top five for employment opportunities in the field. With the wide array of programs related to Early Childhood Education offered through Broward County Public Schools (BCPS), which include Early Head Start (birth to 3-years), Pre-Kindergarten (3-4 years old), Preschool Exceptional Student Learning Support, and Voluntary Prekindergarten, jobs in this area are booming in the county.
This versatile field allows you to work as a preschool teacher, nanny, coordinator/administrator of childcare facilities, and any other job that deals with young children’s learning experience. Depending on the career path you choose, annual wages range between $30,000 and $50,000.
The Classroom Experience and Certifications
By the time you complete the 63 credits required for this degree, you would have learned to supervise early childhood personnel, design effective educational curriculum for this age group, and provide child guidance in a classroom setting. In addition to the regular coursework, you also receive hands-on training that amounts to an approximate 480 hours.
Technical certifications within this degree are Infant/Toddler Specialization, Preschool Specializations, and Child Development. Additional credentials that can be completed are the National Child Development Associate (CDA), Staff and Director Credential, and Childcare Training.
“It’s rewarding knowing that we make a difference and have the ability to shape the way each child grows and develops,” says Amador.
Working in the Early Childhood Education field entails teaching children under the age of five, the cognitive, social, and creative skills needed to succeed in life. Register today if you wish to make an impact in the future generations.
Get Hired! Broward UP™ Partners with Urban League to Support Displaced Workers
Without any formal education after high school, a quarter-century of experience in merchandising and purchasing seemed worthless after Alex Rodriguez got laid off. Every time he applied for a job, he was greeted with a shrug when all he wanted was a chance.
Figuring he could no longer rest on his laurels, Rodriguez is taking advantage of workforce training to realize his “Unlimited Potential.” When he completes his course in supply chain management, he will hold the industry certificates most of those employers who turned him down in the past hoped he could provide for them.
Thanks to a Critical Occupation Response through Education (CORE) grant from the Florida Department of Economic Development, Broward College is offering the training in conjunction with the Urban League of Broward County. Both have joined forces to reach out to residents in the “33311 zip code,” which Broward UP has identified as an area where unemployment is high, and educational attainment levels are low.
Broward College officials are banking on the services and resources of Broward UP in coordinated efforts -- like the one formed with the Urban League – to break down barriers to education and, at the same time, drive social mobility and economic development. Broward UP, the College’s countywide answer for addressing low education attainment and the financial challenges which often accompany it, is grounded in the belief that residents in 11 targeted zip codes need specific support to unleash their “unlimited potential” and pursue higher education to make a better life for themselves.
Autumn Whitfield, director of the CORE program at Broward College, said the Urban League provides the classroom space that enables ambassadors to go directly into neighborhoods to engage residents who may not have transportation to one of the College’s campuses. Broward College faculty instruct the free courses leading to certification in Supply Chain Management as well as Manufacturing, Information Technology, or White Belt Sigma.
“Broward UP is a great vehicle for offering free professional development classes to the community, particularly those who are job-seeking, students, or those in career transitions and looking to gain certification at no cost or low cost to them,” said Deborah Richelieu, a CORE program developer with the Urban League. “Our clients who enroll in the program boost their resumes and have a better chance at a promotion or new position.”
Whitfield said Broward UP has collaborated with D.R. Horton Homes in Coconut Creek and Fort Lauderdale’s Seagull Alternative and Stranahan high schools to bring workforce training to anyone 16 and older.
Closing the Deal
Kimerlee Richardson thought she had already upped her credentials after graduating from Lehigh University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. Her future seemed bright when she returned to her native Virgin Islands, where she anticipated working for Hess Oil Company. To her dismay, the plant closed, and the 28-year-old single mother found herself bouncing from one odd job to another. Depressed and without a career that complimented her talents, Richardson and her son moved in with her mother in Coconut Creek.
“A lot of employers were asking ‘what have I been doing,’” said Richardson, who enrolled in the Supply Chain Management course through CORE while she continued to search for a job in Broward County. “I needed to show potential employers that I was still capable of learning.”
With certificate in hand, Richardson was back knocking on employer doors. This time she had what she needed to close the deal, accepting a project manager position with Sullivan & Associates, a provider of window and door hardware in Fort Lauderdale.
Not only has the new job provided her with a comfortable salary and financial stability, but she has restored the confidence she had lost.
“I was thinking too negatively,” she said. “A lot had to do with not getting a job. But now, I feel like I’m back on the right path.”
Industry certification can put both job-seekers and current employees on a fast track toward career advancement. Learn how Broward UP™ can work for you. For more on the .
Learn about Business courses in Supply Chain Management and other in-demand areas that can boost your career.