Latest news with #SouthernConnecticutStateUniversity
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
CT university launches new way of learning. It's called an ‘on-ramp' for jobs and it's growing fast
It could be for those who don't have the money, time or inclination to get a college degree. Southern Connecticut State University has developed an Office of Workforce and Lifelong Learning program that after a little more than a year is burgeoning in popularity beyond the university's expectations, said Amy C. Feest, senior program director. Feest describes the program of classes as 'an on-ramp' to employment and upscaling existing careers. 'It's usually much less expensive (than a degree) but ends up as a credential… We are growing at a rate that we did not anticipate,' Feest said. The program is just over a year old and Feest said they're looking at expansion. 'A lot of times people don't see themselves as being successful in college, but this is like college,' with a syllabus, sometimes homework and rigorous material. A wide variety of useful courses are offered, many of them online ranging from $50 to $3,000. Those who take the courses are looking to upscale their jobs, prepare for promotions or even train for a new career, Feest said. Lisa Rudd, a nurse practitioner at a clinic in North Carolina took an online course through the program in medical Spanish so she can better communicate with Spanish speaking patients. She intends to also take a second and third level course. Even after one course Rudd can ask what brings them to the clinic and get basic background information. 'I already see a difference from the class,' she said. 'I had zero competency and now I can understand things.' In another scenario, Taevon Walker, 27 of Ansonia, is trying to piece together a cybersecurity and technology career by taking courses like Python (a programming language), cyber security, AWS, and coding. He attended Fairfield University for electrical engineering after graduating from Amistad High School in 2016, but left after a year and a half because of money. Walker said he didn't like paying for electives like art history because they had nothing to do with his major. Then he became a licensed electrician, but tired of that with an eye toward technology. 'I want to get a foot in the door for cyber security,' Walker said. 'I feel like I'll be able to land a job or career and scale up from there.' The courses, that can run from a hours to months, include: mini MBA microcredentials, executive leadership in customer service, artificial intelligence, non-profit management, tourism and hospitality, computer science, education, health and human sciences, humanities, arts, social & behavioral sciences, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. There's also a category for Connecticut state inservice workers and the courses include de-escalation for frontline workers, redefining training with XR technologies, Spanish language and culture for front line workers, supervision in a union environment. Feest said their original target audience was in New Haven, but now they're aiming for all of Connecticut. Feest said many of their students have a college degree, but are looking to update skills, In some cases they are looking at a promotion to supervisor and want to learn the intricacies of handling employees, how to do a budget, or how to write an evaluation, Feest said. 'If you go to college and you graduate, passed computer class, you don't necessarily have an expertise in PowerPoint,' Feest said, 'but you can take a class here' (in PowerPoint to give you an edge in getting a job or moving up in a job). Sometimes, Feest said, people 'who didn't see themselves as being successful in college,' change their mind after taking the courses and enroll. Those who take the Office of Workforce and Lifelong Learning, or OWLL, courses learn, 'College isn't as scary as they thought,' Feest said. They even have a course in MBA micro-credentials. There are courses that don't exactly a career make, but may help get a foot in the door. For instance, those who earn a certificate in tourism and hospitality may be more likely to land a job at a hotel, or museum because they know about the language of the industry, Feest said. There are many technology courses and, 'That will absolutely open doors for you,' she said Some of the programs will train for a full career, such as medical billing and coding, EKG technician, drone academy where one learns to fly a drone and prepares for licensing. 'We really need people who are skilled,' in the workforce, Feest said. She said university officials have been 'very forwarding thinking' in supporting the initiative. Contact Pam McLoughlin at pruddell@
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘Wicked' star to speak at Southern Connecticut State University commencement
BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (WTNH) — A 'Wicked' star is set to speak at this year's Southern Connecticut State University commencement, the school announced Thursday. Actress and disability advocate Marissa Bode plays Nessarose in Universal's 'Wicked' series, alongside Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, and Jonathan Bailey. She was the first wheelchair user to portray the character, marking a milestone in disability representation in Hollywood. UConn celebrates commencement at Storrs campus Bode has been acting since she was 8 years old and trained at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. She also serves as an ambassador for a nonprofit that empowers young women from diverse backgrounds, called Saving Our Daughters. She's set to give the commencement speak at the university's undergraduate ceremony in the Total Mortgage Arena on May 22. Former U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona will speak at the graduate ceremony later in the day. Before his appointment to the Biden administration, Cardona was the commissioner of education in Connecticut and a former classroom teacher in Meriden. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
SCSU students optimistic over new American pope
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — Thousands were at the Vatican on Thursday to witness the election of a new pope. Cardinal Robert Francis Prevost of Chicago elected to be the 267th pope and he chose the name Leo. This makes him the first American to become the pontiff. Connecticut church leaders, lawmakers react to election of new pope Pope Leo XIV made his first appearance on the balcony of St. Peter's Basilica Thursday, while delivering his first blessing. He emphasized peace several time and says he wants to pick up where the late Pope Francis left off. Catholics from around Connecticut also reacting to the new American pope. On the Southern Connecticut State University campus at the Interfaith Center students were very excited, very joyful very happy at the new pope, but surprised by a new American pope. 'The symbolism of Catholic globally, coming together in the Cardinals, choosing an American pope, was not lost on us,' SCSU Newman Society vice president Jack Abbot said. Students with the Newman Society at SCSU are celebrating the new American Pope, and the hope that he brings to the future of America. 'America needs unity right now, and I hope that it will unify us with other countries,' said SCSU Newman Society president Sydney Crockett. 'I think the American pope is nice, especially with a more controversial election of our current president and the stirring pot that can be American politics,' added SCSU Newman Society secretary Pierce Kozlowski. Father Anthony Federico is from the Hartford Archdiocese, and he talked to News8 from Rome just after returning from the Vatican. 'I'm hearing all of these different languages and seeing the flags and banners from all over the world, a very festive atmosphere, jubilant,' Federico said. He booked a trip to the Vatican months ago and was only in Italy for two days, but was there when they named a new pope. 'There was nothing like the surge of excitement that rolled through Saint Peter's Square when the white smoke came out, there was just like this exuberant exaltation of so many people, Federico said. In Hartford there were flowers and bunting at the Cathedral of Saint Joseph as parishioners came in for a celebratory mass. 'My hope is that he will show to the world a side of America that is merciful, charitable, and generous and peaceful,' Archbishop Christopher Coyne of the Archdiocese of Hartford said. As students continue celebrate a new American pope, they're going to remember next year as they reconvene at school, and move forward, keeping his mission in mind. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Get to know the Connecticut man who saved thousands from the Holocaust
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — He saved hundreds of people from the Nazis in the 1940s, then lived out his life here in Connecticut. You probably don't know his name though- which is something a local college professor is leading an effort to change, advocating for creating a day dedicated to Varian Fry. After 80 years, not many Auschwitz survivors are left. One man makes telling the stories his mission Today, America has many memorials to the Holocaust, but when it began, hardly any Americans knew about it. That is, until a journalist named Varian Fry went to Germany and witnessed the violence for himself. 'And was shocked by this experience, and he wrote an article for the New York Times, which appeared a day or two later,' said professor Dr. David Pettigrew, chair of the philosophy department at Southern Connecticut State University. A copy of that article is now in Pettigrew's New Haven office. He teaches a course on Holocaust history and said Varian Fry's reporting was only the beginning. 'He later wrote in his book that he resolved at that moment to do anything he could to save even one life,' Pettigrew said. Manfred Goldberg wants you to know how the Nazis took his brother's life. And how an angel saved his Fry joined a group called the Emergency Rescue Committee. He went to Marseille in southern France on a mission to save Jews, artists, and intellectuals before they were sent to Nazi concentration camps. The plan was to save 200 people in three weeks. 'He ended up staying 13 months until he was escorted to the border,' Varian's son James Fry said in a Zoom interview. 'And he helped orchestrate the escape of 1,500 or so people.' Among the at least 1,500 he saved was painter Marc Chagall; writer Hannah Arendt; and modern artist Marcel Duchamp. Fry smuggled them anyway he could, often with forged documents. Eventually he was kicked out and came back to the United States in 1941. He kept writing, including a book. 'Surrender on Demand' is what those fleeing the Nazis were ordered to do in France. But still, few remembered what he had done as he lived out his life in Connecticut. Rose Girone, oldest living Holocaust survivor, dies at 113 'He was teaching at Joel Barlow High School when he died in relative anonymity,' Pettigrew said. Pettigrew is now working with lawmakers in Hartford on a bill to declare Oct.15 'Varian Fry Day.' That date was chosen for a couple of reasons. For one thing, it was Varian Fry's birthday. For another, it falls during the school year, and Pettigrew is hoping educators around the state will use the opportunity to talk to their students about him. 'I thought it was very interesting how I've never heard of Varian Fry, being a Connecticut resident and going on this heroic mission, and we were just never taught about it,' a first-year student at SCSU Keana Criscuolo said. Criscuolo found out about Fry in Pettigrew's class. She submitted testimony in support of the Fry bill. Other countries and some museums have honored Fry's work, but Pettigrew said today we could use a role model who stood up to the Nazis. 'And, you could say, stand against hate in all of its forms, including racism or islamophobia,' Pettigrew said. 'He uprooted his life and headed right toward the danger zone and put himself in the thick of it to save hundreds of people,' James Fry said. 'So, I think, if that's not worth honoring, then there's not much that is, I guess.' Honoring a man who not only told America about the Holocaust, but did something about it. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
SCSU student helps local nonprofit in guide dog training for visually impaired
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (WTNH) — A non-profit organization that trains puppies to help those who are blind or visually impaired says it is seeing a significant shortage in volunteers. It's one reason a Southern Connecticut State University has started her own club to encourage others to help. Justice is a guide-dog-in-training at SCSU. 'He's got a really lovable personality. He's always got a smile on his face. It's adorable,' said sophomore student Ella Bernegger, who is currently raising the 1-year-old pup. Waterbury PAL hosts Rachael Ray for cooking demo Justice is a potential candidate for Guiding Eyes for the Blind, a non-profit that provides 165 guide dogs to the blind and visually impaired annually. Bernegger says she started a club at the university, hoping to get more students involved, adding the cause hits close to home. 'I started the club in memory of our old dog, Trent. He was my mom's K-9 partner in K-9 narcotics detection and I started the club because I wanted to create a community where people who were familiar or interested in the Guiding Eyes mission to come together,' she said. Guiding Eyes' puppy trainer, Maureen Hollis, says Bernegger's initiative is helping to address the non-profit's significant shortage of volunteers. 'When COVID hit, a lot of people emptied shelters and what that did is it really lowered our volunteer numbers. So, having schools to participate to help us with our volunteer numbers is a crucial step for us,' Hollis said. Currently, the sophomore's club has over 100 student members. Two more puppies will be available in May for students to help raise. 'I'd be lucky to see Justice helping someone else one day,' Bernegger said. Guiding Eyes says Justice will go through about six more months of training and testing before it's determined whether or not he's fit to be a guide dog for someone in need. If you're interested in volunteering or learning more information, you can visit or contact mhollis@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
