Drexel Launches Five New Professional Development Programs

Philadelphia, PA (Vocus) January 12, 2010

Drexel University’s Goodwin College of Professional Studies today announces the launch of five new continuing education programs designed to help professionals increase their marketability, advance or change their careers, and proactively plan for long-term career success.

Leading-Edge Networks are offered through on-campus and online courses, workshops events, webinars and blended formats, providing a curriculum that teaches professionals how to adapt and retool their existing skill set to address unique challenges and circumstances and remain ahead of the latest trends in their industry.

“The key to maintaining a successful career or business in a turbulent economic climate is knowing how to proactively identify and take advantage of new markets and opportunities,” says Dr. Rosalie Guzofsky, associate director of Customized Learning Solutions at Goodwin. “Leading-Edge Networks teach professionals how to think holistically, creatively and innovatively about their careers to develop new opportunities and thrive in any kind of business climate.”

The Leading Edge Network initiative launches this winter term with five programs developed specifically around emerging growth areas:

• Nonprofit: Developed to update and educate professionals taking on a new role in the nonprofit sector, those looking to start a nonprofit organization or those transitioning from the corporate sector into nonprofit.
• Historic Preservation: Educates professionals working in preservation, construction and architecture about preservation advocacy, emerging trends and opportunities in the field of historic preservation.
• Hospitality and Food Service: Goodwin has partnered with the National Restaurant Association to offer the highly-successful ManageFirst Program™. The program teaches students how to excel as mangers in the restaurant, hospitality and foodservice industry.
• Building and Construction: Offers a holistic overview of the building and construction environment and how existing knowledge can be harnessed to identify and stay ahead of forthcoming industry trends.
• Online Non-Credit: This selection of flexible online courses was developed to keep working professionals up-to-date on the latest industry trends and skill sets. Course offerings include: Customer Service, Negotiating, Motivation, Dealing with Difficult People, Doing Business in China, Doing Business in India, Effective Business Communication, Effective Presentations, Grammar, Innovation in the Workplace, Management Skills Introduction, Problem Solving Through Productive Thinking, Project Management Professional Certification and Business Ethics.

For more information about Goodwin’s Leading-Edge Networks, email Rosalie Guzofsky at rg384(at)drexel(dot)edu, or call 215.571.3922. To register for courses in a Leading-Edge Network, visit http://www.drexel.edu/goodwin/continuing, or contact Patricia Gremmel at pg32(at)drexel(dot)edu, 215.895.2154.

About Drexel University’s Goodwin College of Professional Studies:
Goodwin College’s School of Education, School of Technology and Professional Studies, and Division of Customized Learning and Continuing Education provide hands-on and accessible education to adult learners, traditional students, and organizations seeking superior academic quality and unique solutions to meet their learning needs. With a variety of delivery modes including traditional day, part-time evening, accelerated Saturday classes, online, off-campus and customized corporate programs, Goodwin College combines Drexel University’s resources with flexible learning options to meet the needs of its students and partner organizations.

###