CECILE ROBERTI, a business and professional studies professor at the Community College of Rhode Island, recently received the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs International Teaching Excellence Award at the annual ACBSP Conference in Miami. Two award recipients were selected from the group of regional winners – one from a graduate degree-granting institution and one from an associate degree-granting institution. Roberti received the award representing associate degree institutions.
What does it mean to you to receive the International Teaching Excellence Award? I am truly honored to receive the award and be recognized among such accomplished colleagues. My parents were both teachers and growing up I was taught the value and power of an education. My father always said, “Education is the key to success.” I started my career as a CPA working in public accounting and private industry, then chose to become an educator to share my passion for my subject matter and to help my students achieve their dreams.
In working as a certified public accountant, how was it helping small businesses with taxes this past year during the COVID-19 pandemic? This has been one of the busiest tax legislation periods in a long time, with many new tax acts passed from 2019 through 2021 that impact small businesses. As a CPA, it is important to help businesses fully understand and take advantage of the many programs and tax laws that affect them, as well as assist and support these businesses in managing, for some, the “worst-case scenarios” that came with the COVID-19 pandemic.
You helped launch the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program at CCRI. How has that program been vital for small businesses over the years, especially last year during the pandemic? Goldman Sachs 10KSB is a world-class entrepreneurship program that helps small businesses grow and create jobs by providing them with education, access to capital, one-on-one advising, and business support services. The 10KSB Rhode Island program is now in its fifth year and has 352 graduates across the state. During the COVID shutdown last year … our program provided graduates with free virtual business advising on developing pivot plans and applying for PPP [Paycheck Protection Program] and EIDL [Economic Injury Disaster Loan] loans and state grants.
What, if any, new business-related curricula do you plan to introduce at CCRI? Our college is always looking to provide meaningful and relevant programs for our students to help them to be prepared and successful in the changing workplace. A new course will be offered to students who plan to enter the financial services industry, preparing them for the Securities Industry Essentials exam, a national industry certification. Recently, we introduced a course in operations and supply chain management. In addition, we’ve introduced other new certificates that can be completed in one year and provide a stackable credential leading to an associate degree in business.