Peirce Connections

On the books with Peirce professor Robyn Edelstein

2012-02-02T09:25:00.000-05:00

Robyn Edelstein, Professor of General Education at Peirce, is many things to many people. As a professor, writer, wife, and mother, Robyn can connect with people on many different levels, and her students find comfort in relating to her life experience.

Her students learn more from her than just what she teaches from a textbook. Robyn’s mantra is all about the importance of having an open mind and embracing new experiences. Many of her students have told us that they learn a great deal from the life experiences she shares in the classroom, as well as her passion for education.

We interviewed Robyn to talk about the lifelong love for reading and writing that inspired her to become a professor, what kind of impact she hopes to have on her students, and what she’s learned from her 16 years teaching at Peirce. Click play on the video below to get to know Robyn!

Thank you, Robyn, for giving us a look into what makes you tick, both in and out of the classroom!

6 skills for succeeding in your job in 2012

2012-01-31T09:43:00.001-05:00

Competition is always fierce for great jobs and promotions, and even more so in the face of high unemployment rates and a difficult economic environment. But your skills will always be your most important currency when it comes to demonstrating your value to employers.

Rob Sabo from Schools.com tapped me for my thoughts on the top skills employees need for career success in 2012. We had a great conversation about skills that will help you get hired or land that promotion, and how to stand out from the crowd.

Read Rob’s article to see what I had to say about technical literacy, communication skills, social media, diversity, and work ethic. He reports on a lot of great advice about the skills you need to get promoted, or hired, in the year to come. Thanks Rob, for the opportunity to contribute to the story, it was a pleasure!

Join Peirce on our social networks … Facebook, Twitter, and beyond

2012-01-27T14:55:00.001-05:00

You might not know that Peirce was one of the first colleges in the country to start a serious blogging program. We got into the game very early and we’ve been at it for a while, but did you know we also have some other social media channels?

Here’s a snapshot of where you can find Peirce College on some of the most popular social networks.

Like us on our Peirce College Facebook page
Follow @PeirceCollege on Twitter
Check out our YouTube channel for videos featuring Peirce people

All of these networks are a great place to interact, stay up to date, get involved, and engage with the rest of the Peirce community.

We got involved in these networks because we know this is where you are and where you want us to be, and now we want to know how we’re doing. What would you like to see more of from us? How else can we make sure we’re offering the kind of interaction and stories you’re looking for? Leave a comment below with questions or suggestions!

First Philadelphia, then the world: Peirce grad lands job at International Monetary Fund

2012-01-23T10:48:00.001-05:00

Faculty member Justine Baker received this note from former Peirce student Del Alfred over the holidays, and we wanted to share it here. Del graduated in June 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, and today he works for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Baker thought his story would motivate other students, and I agree. Del kindly gave us permission to share his words here on the blog. Read about his journey below:

Dr. Baker,

Hope you had a great Christmas! Enjoy the New Year and everything it has to offer.

My wife and I will be planning a trip in early spring to Philadelphia and I will be delighted to come by and see you at Peirce. I will keep you posted.

By the way, you see where Symbolic Logic landed me, I’m at the International Monetary Fund now -- the number of doors that have opened since completing at Peirce has been tremendous and I couldn’t be more grateful. I specifically noted symbolic logic because it was critical in the hiring process for the IMF; I was required to take these examinations and proctored critical thinking exercises, including ravens matrices and some fuzzy logic tests to qualify to be an IMF employee; the only thing I could reflect on was my Symbolic Logic program with you to help me get through it and I did so, successfully.

Have a wonderful week.

Forever grateful!

Del Alfred, CISSP-ISSAP, CSSLP
Information Security Officer

Congratulations, Del, we’re so happy to hear of your successes since graduating!

Time for a checkup with healthcare professor Bonnie Sermons

2012-01-18T12:56:00.000-05:00

We’ve made a lot of changes lately with the addition of great new programs that arm our students with the credentials to get jobs in the fast-growing healthcare industry. Bonnie Sermons, Program Manager and Assistant Professor, Healthcare Administration, has played an integral role in the development of these programs, so we wanted to talk to her for our faculty interview series.

Like many of our professors at Peirce, Bonnie brings real world experience to the classroom. Her knowledge of the healthcare industry gives her an important perspective into all facets of healthcare management and administration, from human resources to information management, coding, billing, and handling medical records.

In the following video, Bonnie talks about her path to becoming a professor, what she hopes to impart upon her students, the most valuable lesson she’s learned herself in her time at Peirce, and what you need to know about the new healthcare degree offerings. Click play to get to know Professor Sermons:

Thank you, Bonnie, for helping us tell the Peirce story straight from the heart of the organization -- our educators!

Peirce College delivers holiday donations to Philadelphians in need

2012-01-12T08:59:00.001-05:00

Back before the holidays, we gave the Peirce community a variety of ways to give back -- and did you ever! Your thoughtful donations, whether in the form of toys or cash, allowed Peirce to make the holidays a little brighter for people in need across Philadelphia.

Thanks to your generosity, we were able to make a few special deliveries. We presented checks to the Hero Scholarship Fund and the Philadelphia Second Alarmers Association, and donated nearly 100 toys in support of the Youth Action Holiday Toy Drive.

And once again, we raised money to purchase uniforms for Thomas May Peirce Elementary School -- $1,130 to be exact! Like last year, some of these new uniforms went to the nurse’s office to be kept as spares for any student who might need them, and others were given to children identified by the teachers.

Jim Merigotti, Rosemary Connors, Jessica Quilter, and I were honored to bring the uniforms to the school. We had the opportunity to meet two of the fifth grade classes and tell them a little more about the history of our shared namesake, Thomas May Peirce, and his commitment to education.

It was a special day made possible by your generosity, so thank you again for your support of these deserving causes this holiday season.

Peirce President Jim Mergiotti poses with fifth graders from Thomas May Peirce Elementary School

A higher standard for higher education

2012-01-11T16:50:00.000-05:00

Harvard researchers recently conducted a study comparing student graduation rates, federal loan repayment rates, and student success in securing jobs between nonprofit and for-profit institutions.

Chris Kirkham reported on this study in The Huffington Post, highlighting a lot of important points from the data. While studies like this are important, what we really need to be focusing on is not the type of institution, but whether that institution provides the best value for students’ investment.

Regardless of whether the institution is for-profit or nonprofit, the most important factor to consider when evaluating the institutions within our education system is whether they provide a high quality educational experience.

I touched on this in a comment I left for Chris on his article, and I wanted to expand on those thoughts here. It’s our responsibility as educators to ensure that we deliver value to our students, and there are many ways we can do so:

Provide financial aid focused on student needs. Practical and responsible financial aid guidance must be part of the support that an institution offers its students. Work with students to find the best financial aid packages that suit their needs. Don’t encourage them to take on any more than they can afford. Colleges should want their students to be able to afford an education! We work hard to make sure affordability is ensured.
Give ongoing support from enrollment to graduation. A school should support its students every step of the way on their path to success. From working one-on-one with an enrollment officer to get started, to offering a nurturing environment with academic and career development support, institutions should strive to provide value at every stage of the educational experience.
Offer degrees that lead to careers. We agree wholeheartedly with the concept noted in the article that all colleges should offer degrees that arm students with the practical skills they need to succeed in their careers. At Peirce, for instance, we continually update our degree offerings according to business demands and employment opportunities. We recently added new healthcare, accounting, and criminal justice degree programs to help prepare students to seize careers in these fast-growing fields.

Bottom line, every institution of higher education must ensure that its programs and services contribute to providing a high quality educational experience and a better future for its students. What are your thoughts?

4 ways to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Philadelphia

2012-01-11T11:15:00.002-05:00

Many schools and businesses, including Peirce College, will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

A vital figure in the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King is known for speaking about justice, empowerment, love, and peace, but he also paid special attention to fighting poverty.

Every year, Americans celebrate Dr. King’s life and legacy by serving their communities and working together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems.

Looking for a way to celebrate his legacy and give back to your community? Here are some events happening in the Philadelphia area:

Visit the National Museum of American Jewish History, located on Independence Mall. In honor of Martin Luther King Day, admission is free and includes:

Exhibits highlighting the struggles and efforts for equality in America.
A screening of “Eyes on the Prize,” a TV series documenting interviews and historical footage during the civil rights movement.
A special watercolor project for children.

Attend the National Constitution Center’s Day of Remembrance. Events include:

A live reading of Dr. King’s iconic “I Have a Dream” speech, performed by local actors and students.
Craft projects such as “I Have a Dream” mobiles, and quilting and sewing projects to benefit the Women Against Abuse shelter.
A performance by International Opera Theatre, that will present an excerpt from its opera, “The Heart of a Hero.”

Volunteer for the Martin Luther King Day of Service. This Monday will mark the 17th annual Greater Philadelphia Martin Luther King Day of Service, where volunteers from Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware come together to give back to the community. If you’d like to participate, you can register on the website.

Join the Northwest Philadelphia Regional Martin Luther King Day of Service. Join the Northwest Philadelphia community for three events on Jan. 16. Registration is required so check out the flyer below for more details.

Volunteer at the Stenton Manor Family Shelter to paint a newly designed mural paying tribute to Dr. King, and prepare and serve lunch to the families of Stenton.
Participate in the Northwest Partners Zumbathon at the West Oak Lane Charter School to support We Feed the Homeless Philly.
Attend the Philadelphia Orchestra’s Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. concert at Martin Luther King High School.

Do something great for your community and contribute to Dr. King’s dream of making this country a better place to live!

New schedule of Walker Center workshops is now available

2012-01-10T12:37:00.002-05:00

A fresh schedule of spring workshops at the Walker Center for Academic Excellence is now available! Workshops are broken down into several categories to help you develop your academic skills, navigate new technologies needed to succeed in your course work, and balance your personal life with student life.

Below is a flyer detailing all of our upcoming workshops, so read on for more information.

There are plenty of great resources lined up to help you make the most of your academic experience. To register for these workshops, email the Walker Center or call 888-467-3472, ext. 9251. Be sure to reserve your spot today!

30 things to know about making a living as a health information technology professional

2012-01-09T11:25:00.002-05:00

The average salary of a healthcare information technology professional stands at $114,176. What’s more, workers have experienced an average salary increase of roughly 4.68 percent across all types of organizations between 2009 and when the data was collected in 2010. In his Jan. 5 article about the booming field of health information technology for Becker’s Hospital Review, Bob Herman reports these stats and more from the latest HIMSS Compensation Survey.

In his article, “30 Statistics on Health IT Compensation for Hospitals,” Herman takes an in-depth look at compensation in the field of health IT. He also tapped me for my perspective on what I’ve been seeing on this front and included some of my thoughts in his article.

If you’re considering this career path, click over to the article for more of Herman’s extensive reporting about the job opportunities, skills in high demand, average salary expectations, and factors that impact compensation in the health IT industry.

How IT professionals can stay relevant in 2012

2012-01-06T14:41:00.000-05:00

There are varying views on whether the traditional role of an IT professional will be relevant in 2012 or not. The one thing most everyone can agree on is that it is a fast-changing field!

ITTechNewsDaily contributor Kim Ann Zimmermann recently took a look at this topic in her article, “Is IT Becoming Obsolete?” (which also appears here on BusinessNewsDaily.com). She asked me about the changes to the field and whether I think all of the latest advances in technology and IT infrastructure are reducing the need for traditional IT workers.

Jump over to ITTechNewsDaily to read some of my thoughts that Kim included in her article.

No matter what, if you’re considering a career in IT, it is crucial to stay current by getting the training and education that will help you hone the new set of skills needed to stay relevant in your field in 2012.

What do you think the latest technological advances mean for the IT field? Whether you are already working in the industry and striving to stay relevant, or studying to pursue a career in IT, we want to hear from you. What skills and training do you think will be in demand in IT in 2012?

New Career Development Services workshops for spring 2012

2012-01-06T12:34:00.003-05:00

Career Development Services (CDS) continually hosts workshops to help you improve your resume writing, networking, and interviewing skills. We also help you identify and secure internships and fine tune your job search process.

Our spring 2012 workshops begin on Jan. 9. Workshops include:

Virtual Resume Boot Camp: Jan. 9 to Jan. 13
Interview Boot Camp: Jan. 27
Living Through the Layoff: Feb. 8
Virtual Internship Fair: Feb. 20 to Feb. 24

For more information, check out the schedule on our website. If you can’t make any of the workshops, don’t worry! You can always set up a one-on-one appointment with a career counselor. Don’t hesitate to contact CDS at 888-467-3472 ext. 9202 or CDS@peirce.edu with questions.

Adult learner Rashika Small takes a big leap

2012-01-05T10:43:00.001-05:00

Peirce Enrollment Representative Alyson Rodgers passed along a great note from Rashika Small, a first year student currently enrolled in our Paralegal Studies program.

Like many other working adults, Rashika felt stuck in her current career but wasn't sure how to change her path. One day she made the decision to return to college, and in doing so, found Peirce. She had previously earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology, and today is taking steps towards a new career by earning a certificate in Paralegal Studies.

Rashika kindly gave us permission to share some of her thoughts here on the blog. Read on to hear straight from one of our students about her journey back to college.

For the past 7 years, I have been working as a Caseworker in the field of Social Services. Although I have had the chance to meet and assist many wonderful people, I am completely burnt out. In this economy, many people are just happy to have a job. Well, I am tired of “just having a job.” I desperately needed to take on the challenge of finding a career in which I can thrive, both intellectually and economically.

My union with Peirce was completely spontaneous. A few weeks ago, I was at work, sitting at my desk. That day, I was feeling completely frustrated about having remained stagnant for so many years. Well, I decided to ignore the endless supply of paperwork and the continuous phone calls, so that I could finally take the initiative to change my life. I remembered that my neighbor had mentioned that she attends classes at Peirce, so I went to the Peirce website and started browsing.

Just as my own self defeating thoughts were beginning to overwhelm my ambitions again, Sonia Lewis sent me an instant message offering her assistance. She was very friendly and informative. She answered all of my questions, some before I even asked them. I followed all of her advice, and by the next week I was enrolled and attending classes at Peirce.

I had never been to the Peirce campus before I attended my first class, on October 27th. I didn’t know what to expect. When I arrived, I was pleasantly surprised. The campus is very nice. The staff members are organized and professional, and the students are friendly and motivated. I am extremely excited to have the opportunity to continue my education at Peirce.

Thank you for sharing your story, Rashika. By sharing the ups and downs you’ve experienced during your journey, you inspire other prospective students to return to school. You can do this, and so can they!

Best of luck on the path towards earning your degree! Don’t forget we have a variety of student support services and people like Sonia to help you along the way.

Member of the Peirce family visits campus

2012-01-04T14:34:00.003-05:00

I recently had the pleasure of welcoming back a member of the Peirce family, Gwen Peirce, to campus. It was an honor to show her how Peirce College has evolved over the years into the state of the art institution of higher education that it is today. Our historic presence is a source of great pride as we continue to help Philadelphia residents achieve their dreams of earning a college degree, and we are so pleased to have a connection to the Peirce family.

Gwen Peirce and Jim Mergiotti pose with a picture of family member and
College founder Thomas May Peirce

Thank you, Gwen, for visiting -- kindly do so again in the near future!

Looking ahead to another great year at Peirce

2011-12-22T10:03:00.000-05:00

The approaching end of 2011 provides a time to reflect on the outstanding alumni, students, faculty, staff, and administrators we have at Peirce College. It is important to recognize the special bond the College provides us, and give thanks for being part of its wonderful mission. This is a most exciting and rewarding time at Peirce as we create more opportunities to transform students’ lives.

How do you hope to transform your own life in the coming year? Do you have a resolution that might inspire others? As you reflect upon your own goals and aspirations, whether personal, professional, or educational, I invite you to share them here.

As we embark on 2012, I offer sincere gratitude to the entire community, look forward to working with all of you in the future, and wish the very best to you and your loved ones in the coming year and beyond.

Getting to know Peirce faculty: Meet Carol J. Sherman

2011-12-21T10:12:00.001-05:00

Professor Carol J. Sherman

We want to give Philadelphia and the world a look into what makes Peirce College a unique place to learn -- and one of the best ways to do that is by highlighting our faculty.

Day in, day out, it is the dedication of the Peirce College faculty that arms our students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in life. In order to showcase that talent and the caliber of the professors we have here at Peirce, we asked our faculty to share their wisdom, advice, and inspiration -- to get the whole story of a Peirce education, straight from the people who teach it.

Carol J. Sherman, a Professor of Legal Studies, sat down with us to talk about what inspired her to become a professor, why Peirce students are so inspiring, and what’s unique about the Peirce experience. She also offers some great advice to adults who might be thinking it’s too late to earn their degree.

So, whether you’ve taken her classes or are being introduced for the first time, click play below to get to know Professor Sherman!

Happy holidays, with 1 important reminder!

2011-12-20T09:30:00.000-05:00

Happy holidays, everyone! And thanks to all of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff for a great year -- we hope you enjoy a well-deserved break to spend time with family and friends!

Our campus will be closed from Friday, Dec. 23 through Monday, Jan. 2. We’ll reopen on Tuesday, Jan. 3 with regular hours.

One important reminder: While there will be no on-campus classes during the break, all online classes scheduled while the campus is closed will continue as planned!

If you run into any technical difficulties accessing your online courses between Dec. 23 and Jan. 2, contact the Peirce Online Help Desk at HelpDesk@Peirceonline.net or 877-670-9189. You can also use Live Chat through the tech support link in the course website. Faculty members teaching online courses during the holiday break will also be available via the course dropbox.

If you have any immediate needs while we are closed, please call 888-467-3472, ext. 9284.

Best wishes to everyone for a safe and happy holiday season! We will see you in 2012!

Spread the Peirce pride: Refer a new student and get a $50 gift card

2011-12-19T10:58:00.000-05:00

How did you first learn about Peirce College? Chances are, it was through someone you know.

Many of our students are referred to Peirce by a friend or family member. For the 2010-2011 academic year, a total of 270 students were referred to the College.

To know us is to love us, and we love that our students and alumni are sharing that positive experience with others by encouraging them to consider Peirce as the place to earn their degree.

Joseph G. Binns, a 1981 graduate of the Peirce Business Administration degree program with a concentration in Management, shared with us in an email why he has encouraged others to come to Peirce. Read what he had to say below:

“My daughter was my referral and I can tell you firsthand how happy she is there and how well she is doing.

My decision to attend Peirce was basically because it was all Business at the time. It had and still does have an excellent reputation in the business community and is respected by business people. Although my major did not offer it, many other majors had work study programs through well established companies in Center City and some of my classmates were offered full-time employment there after they graduated. It also had and still has a very easy to reach Center City campus.

What drives me to refer students to Peirce is how much I enjoyed the small class size, the individual attention that each instructor gave to students …

It was small enough to be known and big enough to give their students a first class education. I was not someone that likes large universities. Some people enjoy that, I did not.

I received an excellent first class education that has served me well over the years.”

Become a part of our tradition by participating in our Referral Program, which offers incentives to those who refer a new student. If you refer a new student, you will receive a $50 gift card and a free Peirce t-shirt.

You can only receive one award per year, but we hope that will not stand in the way as you reach out to others who will benefit from a Peirce education.

Thank you, Joseph, and all you other referrers out there for encouraging others to come to Peirce! We appreciate your help in spreading the word about what makes the College so special, and opening the door to great educational opportunities for so many other students.

As 2011 comes to a close and you gather with friends and family over the holidays, consider encouraging them to make education a part of their New Year’s resolutions.

Why would you recommend a Peirce education to prospective students out there? Share your comments below, and keep spreading the Peirce pride!

An FYI about our FYI Scholarship for first-year students

2011-12-16T10:04:00.000-05:00

Getting started on the path to a degree can be challenging. Did you know that we have a First Year Initiative (FYI) program that is 100 percent focused on supporting our first-year students?

Academic advising, tutoring, and financial aid are all important pieces of the puzzle to help you adjust to being a student -- whether it’s your first time or you are returning after a hiatus. Among other support services, our FYI program includes a scholarship that is open to any student who has completed her first year at Peirce.

Congratulations to this year’s FYI Scholarship recipients, Sheena Goodman and Carolyn Terry, who are getting a boost on their academic journey as they work towards a bachelor’s degree.

Sheena Goodman is enrolled in our Healthcare Administration degree program, and works in the Peirce Business Office through our work study program. She came to Peirce to pursue her bachelor’s degree after earning her associate degree from Community College of Philadelphia. Sheena lives in Philadelphia with her husband and two daughters, ages 6 and 7. She loves spending time with her family, and is excited to see what the future holds now that she’s on the path to completing her bachelor’s degree.

Carolyn Terry is only two classes away from completing her associate degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Management, and plans to complete her bachelor’s degree in 2013. She has worked for the City of Philadelphia for 25 years, and currently works in the Office of Housing and Community Development. She came to Peirce through Mayor Nutter’s College and Career Advancement Program, run through the Mayor’s Office of Education. Carolyn has four sons and four grandchildren, and it turns out that Peirce runs in the family. Two of her sons, her daughter-in-law, and sister are all Peirce alumni!

We wish both Sheena and Carolyn continued success along their academic journeys at Peirce College!

Do you want to be the next FYI Scholarship recipient? To learn more about the scholarship guidelines and find out how you can apply next year, contact us at FYI@Peirce.edu or 215-670-9219.

New library gets kudos from General Building Contractors Association

2011-12-14T11:43:00.001-05:00

We’re proud of the many new and improved resources we’ve made available to our students, including the renovated library -- hopefully many of you have had the chance to enjoy it during your studies!

So we were excited when the General Building Contractors Association (GBCA) recognized our efforts and awarded Peirce first place in the 2011 Best Industrial/Institutional Project under $5 million category for the library renovations. In case you didn’t know, we are actually two-time award winners in this category. We won in 2001 for the Alumni Hall renovations.

I’d like to thank everyone who was involved in the project. Without your input and hard work, this would not have been possible! Read on below for more details about the renovations and resources that made this a winning project. And be sure to stop by the library to check out the new space!

Peirce College Takes First Place at General Building Contractors Association Awards Ceremony

College’s library renovations wins for 2011 Best Industrial/Institutional Project Under $5 Million

PHILADELPHIA--(November 14, 2011)-- Peirce College won first place in the 2011 Best Industrial/Institutional Project Under $5 Million category for the College’s library renovations at the General Building Contractors Association (GBCA) awards ceremony, held in Philadelphia on Monday, Nov. 14.

Peirce prevailed over some tough competition, including the University of Pennsylvania and Drexel University, which were nominated in the same category.

The architect for the renovations for College Hall’s Viola Gill Guté Library -- named for an alumna from the class of 1917 -- was Phillip D. Kunz Architects, Inc. of Collingswood, N.J. Haverstick‐Borthwick Company of Plymouth Meeting, Pa. was the general contractor.

This is the second time Peirce received an award from GBCA. The College previously won in 2001 for its Alumni Hall renovations.

The project was managed by Vito R. Chimenti, Chief Auxiliary Services Officer for Peirce College.

“Our goal was to implement greater functionality. The judges were impressed by the multiple and different types of materials used in the construction and the scope of the project,” he said. “The end result demonstrates the collaboration between multiple parties -- the general contractor, architect, and our library staff.”

Much of the furniture in the library is on wheels, providing mobility and greater flexibility for the students.

Part of Peirce’s campus, College Hall, is a seven‐story classroom building on the corner of Carlisle and Pine Streets. The seven-story building originally housed all of the college’s functions prior to its expansion in the late 1990s. At that time, the college renovated five adjacent historic row homes, which added much needed office space and additional student support areas. Then, in 2006, the College began the systematic renovations of each floor of College Hall. The goal was to update each floor over the summer breaks until all of College Hall was renovated. The renovation of the existing 6,090-square-foot library, located on the seventh floor, was the fifth part of this multi-phase project. Design of the library began in 2009, construction started in May 2010, and the library opened in late summer for the 2010 school year.

When the building was first constructed, the seventh floor was a mezzanine running track around the perimeter of the building, open to the sixth floor gym below.

The 2011 Construction Excellence Awards judges stated that, "This was an exemplary project. It was an extremely intricate design and was well executed. This project was selected for the difficulty in construction and the challenges in working with multiple materials."

According to Walter P. Palmer III, President & CEO General Building Contractors Association, "This is the second time the team of Peirce College and Haverstick-Borthwick have teamed up to create a winning project. Back in 2001, Peirce College and Haverstick-Borthwick won for Alumni Hall, and this week we celebrated their award-winning partnership with the Best Industrial/Institutional Project Under $5 Million. I am glad to see that owners and contractors working together on complex projects and achieving such positive results."

The GBCA, the Philadelphia Builders’ Chapter of the Associated General Contractors of America, dates back to the early 1700s, and is one of the oldest trade associations in America, serving a membership in the Philadelphia five county area of Montgomery, Bucks, Delaware, Chester, and Philadelphia.

About Peirce College

Peirce College offers bachelor’s and associate degree programs in the areas of Business, Healthcare, Information Technology and Legal Studies. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Peirce is a non-profit institution that specializes in serving the unique needs of working adults, many of whom work full time and are raising families. In response to the changing demands of the economy and the prospect for future jobs in the Philadelphia market, Peirce recently introduced additional degree programs in Healthcare Administration, Human Resource Management, Accounting, and Criminal Justice. Peirce College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104 (phone: 267-284-5000). The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs accredits the College's Business Administration program and the Paralegal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association.

For more information about Peirce College, call 888.GO.PEIRCE, or visit www.peirce.edu.

Visit Peirce’s blog, Peirce Connections, at http://blog.peirce.edu.

Become a fan of Peirce on Facebook.

Follow @PeirceCollege on Twitter.

View the Peirce YouTube Channel.

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Ways to give back to the people of Philadelphia this holiday season

2011-12-13T15:40:00.000-05:00

Looking for a way to help those in need this holiday season? Although our Youth Action Toy drive just ended, here are more opportunities to give back and give thanks this holiday season!

Outfit Philadelphia school children with new uniforms. We’re excited to again partner with the Thomas May Peirce Elementary School. Schools always need new uniforms for their students, and like last year, we are inviting the Peirce community to make a personal donation to help us supply new uniforms.

If you would like to make a contribution, please submit cash or a check (made payable to Peirce College) to the cashier in the Business office by Thursday, Dec. 15. Uniforms will be purchased and delivered to T.M. Peirce the week of Dec. 20.

Helping heroes. We also wanted to find a way to give back to the emergency responders who help our community every day of the year, so we’re supporting two additional organizations -- the Hero Scholarship Fund and the Philadelphia Second Alarmers Association.

If you’d like to make a contribution to either of these groups, just submit a check made payable to whichever organization you would like to support. Drop them off at the College with Jessica Quilter in Institutional Advancement by Dec.15; she will be collecting and delivering all donations.

If you have any questions, give Jessica a call at 888.GO.PEIRCE, ext. 9430.

Peirce welcomes 2 new trustees

2011-12-12T12:44:00.001-05:00

Welcome, Lisa Curran and Kathryn McCluskey, to the Peirce College Board of Trustees!

Lisa Curran

Kathryn McCluskey

Lisa is the Marketing Manager at The Vanguard companies. She brings strong financial skills to our board as well as the perspective of a major employer in our region. Kathryn is an Associate in the Healthcare practice group of White and Williams LLP. She also spent many years as a physician assistant, which gives her experience that will be particularly helpful in guiding our new healthcare degree programs.

We look forward to the contributions of both Lisa and Kathryn as they take their places on the Board. Read the full news release below for more about our two new trustees.

Two New Trustees Elected at Peirce College Annual Meeting

Vanguard’s Lisa Curran and White and Williams’ Kathryn McCluskey Join Peirce Board

PHILADELPHIA -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Peirce College announced the election of two new trustees -- Lisa Curran and Kathryn McCluskey -- at the College’s board meeting held November 17 in Philadelphia.

Curran is Marketing Manager at The Vanguard companies. She brings strong financial skills to her role as trustee, as well as the perspective of a major employer in the region. Curran also has a keen understanding of the needs of working adults, Peirce College’s core student base. She lives in Havertown, is an adjunct professor in the finance department at Saint Joseph’s University, and published Greece and the European Monetary Union, in the Journal of the Academy of Business Administration. She earned a B.S. in Psychology from Shippensburg University and a MBA in Finance from St. Joseph’s University. Curran was a member of the Alpha Epsilon Lambda Graduate and Psi Chi Honor Societies.

McCluskey is an Associate in the Healthcare practice group of White and Williams LLP. She was formerly with Executive Health Resources; Tsoules, Sweeney, Martin & Orr, LLC; and Drexel University. McCluskey was employed as a physician assistant for many years and remains associated with the Drexel University Hahnemann Physician Assistant Program. She is a member of the American Bar Association, American Health Lawyers Association, American Academy of Physician Assistants, and Pennsylvania and New Jersey State Bar Associations. She is also actively involved in the Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants.

McCluskey, who lives in Exton, has presented Managing Your Risks against Law Suits; Health Care Reform - What You Should Know, to the Society of Dermatology Physician Assistants; and Meaningful Use, presented to Siemens Healthcare. She earned her A.S. from LaSalle University, B.H.S. from Hahnemann University School of Health Sciences, M.P.H. from Drexel University School of Public Health, and J.D. from Widener University School of Law.

“Peirce College is an exciting and dynamic educational institution with an impressively talented and dedicated faculty and staff. I look forward to joining the Board in continuing its long tradition of supportive leadership and guidance to Peirce College,” McCluskey said. “As a former non-traditional student, achieving two advanced graduate degrees, I am happy to become a part of this historic college as it continues to achieve recognition and growth in bringing exceptional academic opportunities to other non-traditional students throughout the region.”

Curran added, “Peirce takes great pride in its students' achievements and providing each student with a personalized education experience. The members of the Board are truly dedicated to working with the administration to provide students with the tools they need to be successful. I'm honored to become part of that effort.”

“Lisa and Kathryn bring exceptionally strong credentials and employer perspectives to key areas of Peirce’s specialized curriculum. Their expertise will be invaluable in helping us meet the evolving needs of the working adult learner as we implement our multi-year strategic plan,” said James J. Mergiotti, Peirce College President & CEO. “Their presence on the board will add significantly to Peirce’s ability to serve students and employers in the region.”

About Peirce College
Peirce College offers bachelor’s and associate degree programs in the areas of Business, Healthcare, Information Technology and Legal Studies. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Peirce is a non-profit institution that specializes in serving the unique needs of working adults, many of whom work full time and are raising families. In response to the changing demands of the economy and the prospect for future jobs in the Philadelphia market, Peirce recently introduced additional degree programs in Healthcare Administration, Human Resource Management, Accounting, and Criminal Justice. Peirce College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104 (phone: 267-284-5000). The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs accredits the College's Business Administration program and the Paralegal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association.

For more information about Peirce College, call 888.GO.PEIRCE, or visit www.peirce.edu.

Visit Peirce’s blog, Peirce Connections, at http://blog.peirce.edu.

Become a fan of Peirce on Facebook.

Follow @PeirceCollege on Twitter.

View the Peirce YouTube Channel.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50103172&lang=en

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Peirce elects first female Board Chairman in the institution’s 146-year history

2011-12-06T09:15:00.001-05:00

It’s another history-making moment at Peirce with the election of our new Board Chairman, Katy Theroux. For the first time in the College’s 146-year history, a woman has taken leadership of the board.

Ms. Theroux is Senior Vice President, Customer Engagement and Human Resources, for GS1 US, a standards and solutions organization with more than 200,000 members. She brings to the board more than 20 years of leadership experience in global companies.

Peirce alumnus Bill Morgan, who serves as Senior Vice President of Global Human Resources for NASDAQ OMX, was named Vice Chairman.

For more about Ms. Theroux and Mr. Morgan, read the full news release below.

Katy Theroux Elected Board Chairman of Peirce College: First Female Chairman in the Philadelphia-Based College’s 146-Year History

NASDAQ’s William Morgan Elected Vice Chairman

PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Peirce College announced the election of Katy Theroux as Board Chairman of Peirce College at the institution’s annual meeting in Philadelphia.

Katy Theroux is Senior Vice President, Customer Engagement and Human Resources, for GS1 US, a standards and solutions organization with more than 200,000 members. She is based at the organization’s headquarters in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Theroux was appointed to the Peirce board in 2001. In 2008 she chaired the search committee for the president of the College.

Theroux has more than 20 years of leadership experience in global companies. Prior to joining GS1 US in 2006, she was Director of Human Resources for Microsoft Corporation, in the company’s Entertainment and Devices Division. Before that, she served as Vice President of Human Resources for First Data Corporation and as Vice President of Human Resources for ARAMARK Corporation.

“I am thrilled to be board chairman. It is an honor to help move Peirce College forward. While we face the same challenges as other institutions of higher education, I believe Peirce’s size and business focus allows us to quickly respond to the fast-paced changes in the marketplace,” Theroux said. “Recently, Peirce has added a number of new programs in business, healthcare and legal studies that further enhance its delivery of career-related education to working adults in the region.”

Theroux said, when she joined the board, she saw “a wonderful institution that focuses on non-traditional students.” When she was selecting an institution for her master’s degree studies, she looked for a non-traditional MBA program, “because I needed a lot of flexibility due to my job. So I can relate to the need for flexibility, accelerated programming and high-quality education. The same elements Peirce provides to its students,” Theroux added.

At the meeting, William H. Morgan was elected Vice Chairman of the Board. Morgan, who is a Peirce alumnus, joined the Peirce board in 2009. He is senior vice president of global human resources for NASDAQ OMX. He was formerly executive vice president technology and operations and chief information officer for the Philadelphia Stock Exchange (PHLX).

“I am very honored to serve as Vice Chairman of the Peirce Board of Trustees. It has been my privilege to serve as a trustee, and I look forward to continuing to work with the management team and Board on our many exciting opportunities and challenges. It gives me great pleasure to give back to my alma mater,” Morgan said.

“Peirce College is very fortunate to have trustees with the expertise that Katy and Bill bring to the board,” said James J. Mergiotti, Peirce College President and CEO. “Katy has outstanding leadership qualities and a steadfast commitment to Peirce’s mission. Over seventy-five percent of our students are women, so having a female board chairman provides a very strong synergy with our core demographics.

“Bill Morgan is one of Peirce’s most prominent graduates. His extensive business background and knowledge are invaluable to the College’s career-related strategy,” Mergiotti said.

About Peirce College
Peirce College offers bachelor’s and associate degree programs in the areas of Business, Healthcare, Information Technology and Legal Studies. Located in the heart of Philadelphia, Peirce is a non-profit institution that specializes in serving the unique needs of working adults, many of whom work full time and are raising families. In response to the changing demands of the economy and the prospect for future jobs in the Philadelphia market, Peirce recently introduced additional degree programs in Healthcare Administration, Human Resource Management, Accounting, and Criminal Justice. Peirce College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 19104 (phone: 267-284-5000). The Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs accredits the College's Business Administration program and the Paralegal Studies program is approved by the American Bar Association.

For more information about Peirce College, call 888.GO.PEIRCE, or visit www.peirce.edu.

Visit Peirce’s blog, Peirce Connections, at http://blog.peirce.edu.

Become a fan of Peirce on Facebook.

Follow @PeirceCollege on Twitter.

View the Peirce YouTube Channel.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50093275&lang=en
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Thinking about a legal career? Prepare with paralegal studies

2011-12-02T13:33:00.001-05:00

While theory is important to education, it can’t stand alone. A degree is not going to help you succeed in your chosen career if you don’t also learn the practical skills needed to be a real contributor.

Case in point is the legal field. In fact, I recently came across a great article by The New York Times reporter David Segal that talked about just this.

In his article, “What They Don’t Teach Law Students: Lawyering,” Segal talks about how a law school education often fails to provide the practical training needed to truly succeed in the legal field.

To me, this article hits on the very core of the vision, mission, and goals of our undergraduate Paralegal Studies program. Bottom line, our goal is to generate strong legal minds, as well as skill-set ready practitioners. It is that emphasis on practical skills that prepare our students for the real world that makes all the difference.

To best prepare our students for a career in their field, we work intently to structure a rigorous academic program steeped in a wide breadth of General Education and Legal Studies courses -- honing critical thinking, analysis, writing, communication, and legal specialty skills. We also integrate practical application focus into each legal specialty course. This serves to truly demystify the legal process and build competence and confidence in working with, and in, the legal system.

We aren’t the only ones who think this way. The American Bar Association (ABA) has clearly identified the importance of both the traditional academic and practical application emphasis in structuring a sound Paralegal Studies program. We are firmly committed to the ABA approval process and use the ABA approval guidelines as a key source for program review.

Ultimately, this approach serves our students well. They graduate well prepared to meet the expectations and demands of legal employers.

A Paralegal Studies background can provide a strong foundation for students interested in pursuing law school. It can prepare them for the law school experience, give them an understanding of the realities and expectations of legal practice, and ultimately help them thrive as legal practitioners.

So if you’re thinking about law school, make sure you are fully prepared for the expectations and demands that come with making the commitment to pursue a law degree. From my perspective, a Paralegal Studies degree is the best foundation and preparation for that pursuit.

By targeting an undergraduate degree or post-bachelor certificate in Paralegal Studies, a law school candidate:

Gains a true understanding of the expectations and opportunities connected with a career in the legal field;
Approaches the study of law from a theoretical, conceptual, and practical perspective;
Develops the critical and analytical thinking skills that are essential to succeeding in the law school environment;
Brings a working knowledge (and work product portfolio) of legal research, legal technology, legal process, and legal procedure to the law school experience;
Establishes a networking base in the legal community that generates the lifelines for building a legal career.

Everyone knows it is a competitive environment out there, so no matter what kind of degree you are pursuing, make sure you’re armed with the practical skills needed to succeed in your career.

How to pay for college: Scholarships can finance your education

2011-11-29T08:48:00.001-05:00

A 2008 study conducted by the Institute for Higher Education Policy found that the majority of college-qualified students who did not enroll in a degree program indicated college cost and the availability of aid as primary obstacles to their enrollment. That’s why Peirce College invests significant time and energy in tuition resources for working adult students.

For the second year in a row, Peirce is partnering with the mayor’s office to offer the Mayor's City of Philadelphia Scholarship to two students of the College, one designated for a Philadelphia resident and one for a city employee. Providing tuition resources that will help more Philadelphia residents go back to school gets us one step closer to educating the city and helping Mayor Nutter reach his goal of increasing the number of Philadelphians who have college degrees.

This year Peirce is providing full-tuition scholarships to City of Philadelphia employee Greg Wilson II, and West Philadelphia resident Ann Marie Daly.

Greg Wilson II, Mayor Michael Nutter, Ann Marie Daly, and Peirce President Jim Mergiotti

Ann Marie juggles her education with the responsibilities of taking care of her three kids and working at the Peirce Library as part of our work-study program. On June 13 she graduated with an associate degree in Paralegal Studies and plans to put her scholarship towards a bachelor’s degree.

Greg has been an employee of the city for 16 years, and began his pursuit of a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration when he started classes in September. He wants to earn his degree to set a positive example for his family.

Both merit-based and need-based scholarships are available to help students fund their education, earn their degree, and improve their future. If you’re looking for financial support, talk to your school’s Financial Aid office and any professional associations or community organizations where you’re a member. Many groups, businesses, and organizations offer a wide variety of scholarships. Also be sure to check out resources like Fastweb.com for more scholarship listings.

Congratulations to Ann Marie and Greg for all of their hard work and their commitment to earning a degree! We wish them the best of luck in their future endeavors.