Bryant programs focus on digital workplace

FACE TIME: Mari Anne Snow, an adjunct professor at Bryant University, in the Bryant TV studio filming video segments for e-learning certificate programs. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO
FACE TIME: Mari Anne Snow, an adjunct professor at Bryant University, in the Bryant TV studio filming video segments for e-learning certificate programs. / PBN PHOTO/MICHAEL SALERNO

Beginning in the fall, four new certificate programs at Bryant University’s Executive Development Center will focus on online and global changes to the workplace as a result of digital innovation.
Of the four, the digital-media strategy and leadership-mastery programs within continuing education will be offered on campus as well as online, while the virtual team-leader and virtual team-professional programs will be offered exclusively online.
These certificate programs, which in the future may lead to national certifications that include rigorous exams, are expected to give students a competitive advantage in today’s workplace, where online tools and strategies are changing constantly, said center Director Annette Cerilli.
“In terms of a career path, students [may] have an undergrad or advanced degree,” she said. “The certificates are what keep them relevant and current. You’re adding value to your organization and it’s something you can take with you wherever you go.”
The instructor, Bryant adjunct professor Mari Anne Snow, says this type of learning is critical today.
“The pace of change is not slowing down,” said Snow. “It’s picking up. So, maintaining job relevance, continual skill upgrades, is an absolute necessity. It’s not even negotiable anymore. And in a state like Rhode Island, where we’re struggling and saying, ‘How are we looking at creating job relevance?’ education is a piece of the puzzle.”
The two virtual team programs directly address the need to work remotely, whether as a leader or team member.
“Remote work means [individuals] can live in this state and work anywhere,” she said. “It’s turning the old [business] model on its head.”
The digital-media strategy program focuses on using online tools in today’s rapidly changing business world, while leadership mastery, which has a virtual component, is about advancing in your field, perhaps at your workplace, in markets that are often global in scope, Snow said. The programs will be offered to individuals through open enrollment at different times throughout the academic year, though any of them can be customized for particular businesses or corporations, Cerilli said. They each cost $1,995 and last anywhere from a one-week boot camp to five-week programs in a variety of scheduling configurations. The online virtual programs can take place any time, she added.
Bryant has confidence in the market for the digital-media strategy and leadership-mastery programs after offering short seminars on the topics this past spring. Attended by about 50 people each, the seminars yielded feedback in evaluations from participants saying they would like to see more, Cerilli said. Snow taught the seminars.
Each certificate offers students the opportunity to reinvent themselves and position themselves to be more current in their fields, Cerilli added.
“We think these programs are going to be a great corporate product as well as for individuals,” Cerilli said. “That’s what employers are looking for – people to apply best practices with the new technologies that are available.”
Tom Mazzone of Milton, Mass., who oversees technology services for RBS Citizens’ Cranston office, attended the digital-media strategy seminar, and is considering taking the program in October.
“I’m looking at it from the lens of a big organization wanting to stay cutting edge,” Mazzone said. “We have this expertise [already]. We need to build on that and just get better and better at it. The fact Bryant is taking initiative in this area is welcomed by us.”
Deepening and broadening skills is how Citizens’ employees stay sharp, he said – and that applies to his own work ethic on such subjects as cloud computing, where shared services are delivered over a network.
“Personally, I want to get a deep understanding of core technologies – the ‘cloud’ and big data and the implications of that,” Mazzone said. “Citizens is doing a good job in this space and in servicing our customers. We’re aggressive in learning the ‘cloud.’ But I can benefit from learning about the operational strategies of working in a ‘cloud’ environment.” Snow approached Bryant about the prospect of offering these programs because she sees the relevance in her own life.
Her 5-year-old business, SophiaThink LLC, provides practical guidance and strategy planning to customers seeking to expand their presence online. Her latest startup, Sophaya in Pawtucket, builds professional-development materials for virtual teams: those who work from home or work remotely.
Describing herself on her LinkedIn page as a “dynamic speaker, educator, digital media and virtual team geek [and] passionate collaborator,” Snow is writing a book. Tentatively titled “Remote Nation Handbook,” she plans to self-publish it by end of 2014.
The digital-media strategy program is made for the savvy businessperson who wants to increase his ability to understand and use the latest in social and online media technologies, Snow said.
“The intent of this certificate program was to develop an affordable and business-targeted curriculum that would educate any businessperson small or large as to how the ecosystem for online business works and how to use it to advantage,” she said.
For instance, simply putting up a Facebook page for a business isn’t enough, she said, because businesses have to spend time managing and updating it. And though the Internet is ubiquitous, “throwing money at it doesn’t necessarily get you further – not if you’re throwing money in the wrong places,” she said.
Mazzone said Snow has the ability to explain issues clearly and motivate her listeners.
“She’s an incredible speaker,” he said, “connecting with the audience in a way that people walked away understanding more deeply what it meant for them.” •

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