U.S. News & World Report Recognition

 

Photo Caption: Berkeley College Online® students, faculty and staff celebrate their latest accolade in online learning from U.S. News & World Report.

For the second consecutive year, Berkeley College has been ranked among the Best Colleges for Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs by U.S. News & World Report. Berkeley College was ranked among the Top 100 schools nationwide, rising to No. 87 in online education.

Across Berkeley College, celebrations were held on January 7, 2015, to acknowledging the recognition. An enthusiastic group of students, faculty and staff also gathered at the Berkeley College Online® offices in Clifton, NJ, to mark the accomplishment.

Here are my comments from the celebration:

I am pleased to be here with you this morning to celebrate a significant achievement of Berkeley College and for Berkeley College Online®. 

On January 7, 2015, U.S. News & World Report issued its ranking for online colleges and Berkeley College was ranked among the Top 100 colleges in America for Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs.

Berkeley College is one of two colleges in New Jersey and one of seven in New York in the Top 100.

Congratulations to everyone at Berkeley College Online®: to Carol Smith, the Assistant Provost for Online and Sharon Goldstein, the Campus Operating Officer.

2015 marks the second consecutive year that Berkeley College has been included in the rankings. What makes this year special is that Berkeley College moved up 51 positions to No. 87.

Colleges are ranked on factors such as student engagement; faculty credentials and training; and student services and technology. 

U.S. News & World Report is a respected and widely recognized organization that current students, prospective students and the general public turn to for guidance when selecting a college. 

This recognition speaks to Berkeley’s commitment to excellence and innovation in teaching, learning and the use of technology in broadening access to a college degree. We have students from 25 states and 23 countries enrolled in online programs at Berkeley.

Online learning is the future of education. Berkeley College has been a leader in distance learning since 1998. This success is witnessed throughout our 83-year history as an institution that paves a path to the American Dream. Let’s keep building on the standards of excellence that define Berkeley College and our mission to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers.

Berkeley College serves nearly 8,000 students and has more than 900 international students from nearly 100 countries. 

In the 2014 Fall Quarter 2,718 Berkeley College students were enrolled in at least one online course and Berkeley College Online® offered 280 online courses. These numbers will continue to grow.

I would like to share another notable piece of information about the Online program. Not only is this the second year Berkeley College has been included in the rankings, last year, the College also made the U.S. News & World Report list of 2014 Best Online Programs for Veterans.

Again, I would like to congratulate Berkeley College Online® and all our colleagues across the system for achieving this recognition.

Thank you for helping us celebrate this great news!

Veterans Day

Photo Caption: Student veteran Ryan Davenport recites the Soldier’s Creed during a Veterans Day ceremony in Woodland Park.

On Monday, November 10, Berkeley College held a Veterans Day ceremony to honor the many individuals, including those at Berkeley College, who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Here are my comments from that day:

Good Morning. Today we are proud to observe Veterans Day at Berkeley College. This morning’s ceremony in Woodland Park is one of two Veterans Day observances sponsored by Berkeley College and the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs. Tomorrow on November 11, the official Veterans Day, Berkeley College will march in the Veterans Day Parade in New York City.

I would like to thank Dr. Richard Robitaille, Assistant Vice President of Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, for his leadership; Tami Maurer, Director of the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs; Lisa Mulligan, Assistant Director and Veterans Success Advisor; and Maja Johnson, Coordinator of Military and Veterans Affairs, for their roles in organizing the Veterans Day tributes at the College.

Veterans Day was started to commemorate the Armistice that brought the official end of World War I at 11 a.m. on November 11, 1918. The following year, President Woodrow Wilson, named November 11 as National Armistice Day. In 1938, President Dwight D. Eisenhower renamed the national day of observance Veterans Day. It is a 95-year old tradition that supersedes us. Let us pause and reflect on the sacrifices of servicemen and women from around the nation, and those students, faculty and associates on our own campus who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are 21.8 million veterans in the United States, including1.6 million female veterans, and 1.3 million veterans who served in multiple wars. More than 9 million U.S. veterans are over the age of 65. Did you know that nine percent of veterans own their own business and that 26 percent of veterans over the age of 25 have at minimum a Bachelor’s degree?

The new U.S. Veterans Administration Secretary, Robert McDonald, is announcing a massive restructuring of the department that includes a restructuring of the veterans’ healthcare delivery system. During a 60 Minutes interview that aired yesterday, Secretary McDonald said he plans to hire 28,000 medical professionals, including 2,500 mental health professionals.

Secretary McDonald was the former Chairman and President of Procter and Gamble. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1975 and served as a Captain in the U.S. Army.

At Berkeley, we are fortunate to have more than 500 students, as well as faculty and associates, who have served in the military. I ask you all who have served to please stand.

In addition to Ryan Davenport, an Army veteran who has gone from driving trucks in the U.S. Army to Fashion Merchandising and Management major, I would like to mention some of the other veteran students at Berkeley.

John Partin, a freshman here in Woodland Park, spent 22 years in the U.S. Marines before making his way to Berkeley. John was featured in The Record newspaper recently because he is such an inspiration. At the age of 41, he is reinventing himself as a Criminal Justice major and a member of the Cross Country team.

Another student I met earlier this year is Sherry Wu, served eight years in the U.S. Navy. Sherry was born in China, attended a university in Beijing, and is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Graphic Design at Berkeley College in Woodland Park. Sherry is a Federal Work Study student and assists the Student Development and Campus Life team on various projects. She is scheduled to graduate at the end of 2016.

You may have heard me mention Speedy Guareno, who served in the U.S. Army. Each year Speedy’s story gets better. Speedy, who is majoring in Justice Studies with a minor in Management, has been a student at Berkeley College in Newark for three years. He is a Student Leader at his campus and was honored by La Voz, the Spanish newspaper, for his service and achievements.

Berkeley has received a number of accolades for the support we provide our student veterans. I would like to share them with you. Berkeley College was named a Best Online College for Veterans by U.S. News and World Report; a Best College for Vets in the online and nontraditional category by Military Times; a Best College for Vets in the four-year category by Military Times; and for five years in a row, Berkeley has been recognized as a top Military-Friendly School by G.I. Jobs and Military Advanced Education.

On a day when we gather to remember those veterans who have gone before us in acts of bravery and heroism, let us remember their sacrifices and pray for those who have lost their lives and the colleagues and loved ones they have left behind.

As we remember these men and women, I ask you to think about something you can do to honor our veterans. There are many opportunities for you to be involved in veterans’ activities at Berkeley throughout the year. Here are some examples.
Tomorrow you can show your support by marching in the New York City Veterans Day Parade.

You can participate in holiday card and care package drives for troops overseas;
Support a veteran-owned business;
Volunteer at local and national veterans organizations;

Be a part of the Veterans History Project administered by the Library of Congress;
Provide tutoring and academic support to student veterans; or
Get to know veterans through activities sponsored at any of the five veterans resource centers located at our locations in New Jersey and New York.

Ninety-five years ago on November 11, 1919, President Wilson said, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”

These words still ring true today, as we honor all veterans and the sacrifices they have made for our country.

Renaissance Hall Ribbon Cutting

Photo Caption: Berkeley College leadership, students, and elected officials celebrate the opening of Renaissance Hall at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

On Wednesday, September 17, Berkeley College held the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Renaissance Hall in Woodland Park. Here are my comments from that day:

Welcome to Berkeley College and to the new Renaissance Hall.

I would like to thank all our guests for being here. I would like to acknowledge our Chairman Kevin Luing and Trustees; and Trustee Emeritus Walter A. Brower, for whom our Library in Woodland Park is named is also here.

In addition to our distinguished guests, public officials and representatives from business and industry, we also have other college presidents in the audience: Chris Grieveson, President of Devry University; Thomas Eastwick, President of Eastwick College; Glen Gabert, the President of Hudson County Community College; and Steve Rose, President of Passaic County Community College.

I would also like to give a special thank you to the Spiezle Architectural Group, and Thomas Perino, a principal with Spiezle; and to our team at Berkeley College and BES: Linda Pinsky, our Campus Operating Officer in Woodland Park; Tom Alessandrello, Vice President, Operations, BES; and Mark Wagener, Vice President of Operations of Berkeley College.

The Renaissance was one of the most intellectually and artistically productive periods of European civilization. The Palazzo Vecchio in Florence was at the Center of the Italian Renaissance, just as Renaissance Hall in Woodland Park is at the center of teaching and learning on this campus.
There is a purpose to our Renaissance at Berkeley College. This rebirth is founded on the pillars of the following three disciplines: Criminal Justice, Design and Management.

The past five years have been extremely productive at Berkeley College, as we implemented our Vision and Roadmap for the Future through a Strategic Planning process that spanned from 2010 – 2015, and a new Master Planning process that set the foundation for the growth and future success of the College.

At the core of the New Master Plan is the expansion of the Woodland Park campus. This beautiful building is a center for academic student services. This 35,000-square-foot facility features:
· Classrooms
· A three-story atrium that is the bub of student activities
· an Academic Support Center
· the Walter A. Brower Library
· an Admissions Welcome Center
· Student Development and Campus Life Offices
· Dining facilities
· the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs
· and conference rooms and multipurpose rooms for lectures, business and community events

The building is a one-stop destination for admissions and enrollment, academic support, student activities and campus life.

The construction of Renaissance Hall was privately funded at a cost of $9 million. The new facility is mobile in every way – from access to wireless technology and a modern library, to open classrooms with desks on wheels that allow easy movement for group projects and team activities.

When you visit the Academic Support Center, you will see special rooms where students are coached in career preparation, job interview and presentation skills. These types of details underscore the commitment of Berkeley College to student success from classrooms and conference rooms, to careers and community service!

Our Mission at Berkeley is to empower students to succeed in dynamic careers. Just a few weeks ago, we hosted a Career Fair at Renaissance Hall, with dozens of employers meeting with hundreds of students, opening opportunities to their future careers.

Another objective for Berkeley College as an institution of higher education is to add to the capacity for educating the future workforce. This is a responsibility we share with academic institutions across the nation, as we broaden access to higher education and workforce development opportunities the advance the economy and lives of our citizens.

The U.S. was once the leading nation among industrialized countries from around the globe for educating large numbers of its citizens. Today, unfortunately, the U.S. is close to last in educational attainment for working-age individuals from the ages of 25 to 64. This age group, known as non-traditional students, is an important part of our diverse student body at Berkeley College.

Berkeley College serves more than 8,000 students at nine locations in New Jersey and New York and a global population through our Online college, with 2,400 students taking online courses from 27 states.

There are more than 900 international students from nearly 100 countries. Berkeley College is ranked as 6th for international student enrollment among 40 specialized institutions around the country.

The Mission of Berkeley College – to empower students to achieve lifelong success in dynamic careers – is rooted in our 83-year legacy as a learning institution that provides students a portal to opportunity. We are proud of this legacy which includes relationships with more than 5,500 businesses and organizations in New Jersey and New York. These companies and organizations employ our graduates and provide an entrée to career opportunities through internships and other learning activities.

We are proud of our students, who in 2013 provided 5,348 hours of volunteer service to nonprofit organizations in the communities Berkeley College serves. We are also proud of our 1,500 employees who as part of Berkeley College Community Service Day, have volunteered thousands of hours in volunteerism activities.

We are proud of our more than 562 student veterans at Berkeley College who serve our country with honor. The Berkeley College Office of Military and Veterans Affairs program is recognized as one of the best in the nation by organizations such as U.S. News and World Report, U.S. Veterans Magazine and Military Times.

We are proud of our alumni – more than 50,000 of them – who contribute to the vitality of our communities locally and globally – as professionals, entrepreneurs and community leaders.

We are proud partnerships with community colleges and the Berkeley College T.O.P. Scholars program, which provides scholarships to community college graduates and transfer students throughout New Jersey in an effort to make a college education more affordable for students and families.

I would like to recognize our partner in student success, Passaic County Community College, located in our home county, with 123 students from Passaic continuing their education at Berkeley College, and more than $3.1 million dollars in scholarships provided to these students.

Many of you may connect the Berkeley College name with business careers, but did you know that Berkeley College offers a range of Bachelor’s and Associate’s Degrees and certificates in healthcare fields, information technology, graphic design, interior design, fashion marketing and merchandising, legal studies and justice studies?

In addition, Berkeley College has earned many distinctions including recognition by U.S. News and World Report in 2014 as one of the Best Colleges in the nation for Online Bachelor’s Degrees.

Berkeley College is proud to invest in New Jersey’s future as we grow in the Garden State. Since 2010, Berkeley College has expanded its operations in New Jersey at the Woodland Park campus and we have opened new locations in Clifton and Dover.

We make these investments because at the core of our mission at Berkeley College is the success of our students and the communities we serve.

Renaissance Hall is more than an impressive building. The underpinnings of this beautiful facility are reinforced by the pillars of excellence and achievement in teaching and learning, career development and community service that will continue to drive the legacy of Berkeley College into the future.

I would like to paraphrase Leonardo DaVinci, a great artist and creator of the Italian Renaissance, who once said, “I have been impressed with the urgency of making a difference. Knowing is not enough; we must apply. Being willing is not enough, we must continue to make our ideas a reality.”


Thank you for sharing this important milestone with us.

Honors Scholars Graduate Reception

Photo Caption: Here I am with Berkeley College Honors Scholars at the Chart House in Weehawken, NJ.

On Tuesday, September 16, I was honored to speak at the Berkeley College Honors Scholars Graduate Reception, held at the Chart House in Weehawken, NJ. My comments were as follows:

Good evening. I would like to welcome you to the 2014 Berkeley College Honors Scholars Graduate Reception. Welcome students, student volunteers, faculty members, family and friends to this glorious occasion.

I would like to congratulate each of our 38 Honors Scholars here this evening and give special acknowledgement to Dr. Byron Hargrove, Director of the Honors program, and to all the faculty mentors, faculty members and staff who made this evening possible. Tonight you join the ranks of the 76 Scholars who have graduated from the Berkeley College Honors Program since its inception in 2011.

I am delighted to report that 76 percent of the scholars being honored this evening will graduate at the end of this Summer. Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the inaugural Honors Scholars Research Symposium hosted at our Midtown Manhattan location. The event was attended by 145 people including faculty, administrators, guests and incoming Honors Scholars.

The symposium marked the last step toward graduation for many of you. I am proud to say that our Honors Scholars presented and defended their thesis papers with poise and confidence. The presentations covered a wide variety of topics including: “The Good, the Bad and the Ugly: Social Media’s Impact on Thinking, Families and Society”; “Women in the Workplace, Looking Beyond Gender Bias”; and “Environmental Innovations: How Green Construction is Taking Over NYC.”

A year ago, our Berkeley College Scholars received invitations to join Honors Program Cohorts in New York, New Jersey and Online, and you rose to that challenge. Through the Honors Program, you participated in interdisciplinary classroom discussions, seminars and research studies centered on the theme, “Rediscovering New York.” As a New Yorker myself, what an exciting theme, it is like rediscovering the center of the universe, because New York City is the center of the universe!

Community service also is a requirement for graduation from the Berkeley College Honors Program and this year’s graduates completed a total of 419 hours of service. These Scholars served meals at the Food Bank for New York City; volunteered their time at the Boys and Girls Club of Paterson, NJ, and participated in numerous fundraising walks for nonprofit organizations throughout New York and New Jersey.

Your undergraduate experience as Honors Scholars allows you to be better prepared for careers and graduate education. I strongly encourage you to consider pursuing a graduate education.

Participation in the Berkeley College Honors Program motivates our top-ranking students to step outside their comfort zones and teaches them how to work creatively and effectively within a team. Upon graduation from this program they are well prepared to take up leadership roles in the workplace and to go out and make a difference in their local communities.

Having Honors Scholar status distinguishes students and gives them an advantage when applying for a job or admission to graduate school. Employers seek top graduates who have the collaborative, critical thinking, research, cross cultural and communications skills to succeed. In the business world these are soft skills, and from the U.S. to Asia to Europe and Latin America, employers are expressing their concern about the soft skills gap in the emerging workforce.

According to a Harris Poll of more than 2,100 hiring managers conducted for Career Builder earlier this year – 77 percent of employers believe that soft skills are just as important as hard skills. Sixteen percent of employers said soft skills are MORE important than hard skills when evaluating candidates for a job. The top five skills they cited include:

1) A strong work ethic – 73 percent

2) Dependability – 73 percent

3) A positive attitude – 72 percent

4) Self-motivation – 66 percent and

5) Being Team-oriented – 60 percent

Berkeley College Honors Scholars possess all of these skills along with the intellect and desire to succeed, which is reflected through your academic achievements.

Another competitive advantage is the diverse learning community you are a part of as Honors Scholars at Berkeley College. We have students from around the world who are part of the Honors Program. I would like to recognize the parents and family members from Switzerland and Peru who came here to support their children. Thank you for being here. We share your pride. Congratulations again!

At Berkeley, diversity is not just cultural, it is multigenerational and covers many social spectrums – a single mother, a military veteran, international students, recent high school graduates and working professionals returning to school. This diversity is another competitive advantage!

I always like to close my remarks with a famous quote. This evening I would like to share the words of one of our Honors students at Berkeley College. Her name is Marielena Moreno. Marielena wrote a lovely note to Dr. Hargrove about her experiences with the Berkeley College Honors Program and the bond she developed with her fellow students in the program. Here are Marielena’s words:

“It goes without saying that the Honors Program has challenged me in ways I never knew were possible, and it has created opportunities I never knew could be mine. I’ve learned that without initiative, incredible work ethic, perseverance, determination, passion and purpose, nothing this wonderful would have ever come true ... It has truly been a blessing in many ways, and although this is the end of our journey as a cohort, it is not THE END.”

Marielena is correct … tonight’s ceremony marks the continuation of your journey to success. Congratulations to each of you! Enjoy the evening.

The Passing of Nelson Mandela

It is hard to imagine a world without Nelson Mandela. Mr. Mandela was a tirelss opponent of apartheid. His legacy of leading a democratic South Afica and statesmanship will inform future generations. We are blessed to have had such a giant for human rights among us and the world is better off because of him.

There is much we can say about Mr. Mandela, but the words that have the most profound impact are those of Mr. Mandela himself, who preferred words over weapons, and education as an equalizing force. In his later years, Mr. Mandela committed himself to building schools for South Africa's children because he knew that the resilience of one's spirit is reinforced by the brilliance of the mind.

In his innauguration speech as South Africa's first democratic president in 1994, Mr. Mandela's eloquence echoed around the world as he chronicled the deep struggles and pain endured by the people of South Africa for the good of freedom. He spoke of the heroes and heroines before him, and now their father has passed. Mr. Mandela closed his innaugural address by saying, "The sun shall never set on so glorious a human achievement." And the sun shall never set on such a transformational figure.


 

Follow the Berkeley College Office of the President on Facebook

Berkeley College's Office of the President is now on Facebook!

Click on the link below to "like" the page and stay up to date on news and events from the Berkeley College President's Office.

See photos from Commencement, recent VIP visits, and more.

 https://www.facebook.com/presidentcortes



 I look forward to connecting with you.

Cordially,
Dario A. Cortes, PhD
President
Berkeley College



Election Day 2012

The 2012 election is just days away. As eligible voters, each of us has a duty to understand the electoral process. The right to vote is a tremendous privilege and we show our appreciation by participating in the democratic process.

As President of Berkeley College, I am especially interested in encouraging the youth of the nation to be politically active citizens. According to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement at Tufts University, “roughly 11 million eligible voters, ages 18 to 24 are in college, about a quarter of all eligible young voters.”

The youth vote is sadly underrepresented, even though important issues facing students such as financial aid funding, loan repayment terms and job creation will be affected by the outcome of the election. I am proud that Berkeley College students have demonstrated that they understand the importance of the election and are spreading the word to others. This year more than 75 students participated in "Rock the Vote" events at the New York City campus.

The social media team has also been busy reminding students about deadlines to register and have provided live streaming links to the Presidential and Vice Presidential debates.

Click on the video below to see how Berkeley College students are taking charge of their future and voting!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVAKn2MnelU&feature=youtu.be

On Tuesday, November 6, 2012, I will cast my ballot. I encourage you to do the same.

Cordially,

Dario A. Cortes, PhD
President, Berkeley College

Berkeley College Celebrates our Community Partnership with the Town of Greenburgh

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

Career services, job training, and community partnerships have always been an important part of the Berkeley College mission. Last week I was able to see a community partnership in action with a win-win solution.

The White Plains Career Services Department has partnered with the Town of Greenburgh, NY to provide students with real world work experience through the federal work study program.

The program has been so successful that year after year, the town asks for more student workers, and this year nine Berkeley College students will provide service to help combat the back-log of paper parking tickets and save the town close to one million dollars!

On September 20, 2012 I participated in a press conference with Paul Feiner, Town Supervisor who thanked Berkeley College for its continued participation in this important project.

Mr. Feiner said, "This partnership is of tremendous benefit to the Town of Greenburgh and the 90,000 citizens we serve. We are so proud of these talented students from Berkeley College who are performing meaningful government work, gaining real government work experience, and saving our taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars.”

The Greenburgh partnership showcases the best of Berkeley College and once again proves that our students are hardworking individuals with valuable education and work experience. Meaningful projects like this are a testament to the success of Berkeley College.

I encourage you to share your comments on this and other Berkeley College success stories in the comments section of this blog.

Cordially,

Dario A. Cortes, PhD

President, Berkeley College

¡ Celébre el mes de la herencia Hispana ! Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month!

Photo Credit: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:US_Army_51842_U.S._Army

"Queremos un mundo donde la vida se conserva y la calidad de vida se enriquece para todo el mundo, no sólo para los privilegiados".

"We want a world where life is preserved, and the quality of life is enriched for - everybody, not only for the privileged".

- Isabel Allende, Chilean American writer

Dear Friends and Colleagues,

From September 15 to October 15, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month. This month we recognize the historical, economic and social contributions made by people of Hispanic descent. Born in Colombia and raised in Argentina, I am proud of my heritage and have a personal connection to the Latino people and culture.

Throughout its history, Berkeley College has shown a commitment to diversity, and I am pleased to lead an institution with a growing number of Latino students. Today, students at Berkeley who identity as Hispanic, represent over 28% of the student body.

During this month we celebrate the Hispanic contribution to the social and cultural growth of our country.

Cordially,

Dario A. Cortes, PhD

President, Berkeley College



                                                        

Estimados amigos y colegas:

A partir del 15 de septiembre hasta el 15 de octubre celebramos el Mes de la Herencia Hispana. Durante este mes reconocemos las contribuciones históricas, económicas y sociales de la población latina. Nacido en Colombia y criado en la Argentina, me siento orgulloso de mi descendencia y tengo un fuerte vÍnculo con la gente y la cultura latina.

A lo largo de su historia, Berkeley College ha demostrado su compromiso con la diversidad y estoy orgulloso de ser parte de una institución que tiene un gran número de estudiantes latinos. Hoy en día, los estudiantes de Berkeley College, quienes se identifican como hispanos, representan más del 28% del cuerpo estudiantil.

Durante este mes, celebramos nuestra contribución hispana al progreso social y cultural de los Estados Unidos.

Cordialmente,

Darío A. Cortés, PhD

Presidente, Berkeley College



Summer Reading

I hope that you are enjoying this hot and humid summer. Whether you are spending the summer working, in school, or vacationing with your family, take the opportunity to enjoy a good book. Reading is a lifelong hobby for me and an important part of my professional and personal growth.

I recently returned from vacation with my family and would like to share with you my summer reading list. My list includes non-fiction references to expand my knowledge as well as narrative works to develop my imagination.

That Used to Be Us:  How America Fell Behind in the World It Invented and How We Can Come Back 

By Thomas L. Friedman and Michael Mandelbaum

Steve Jobs 

 By Walter Isaacson

El Cantaba Boleros (in Spanish)
By Guillermo Cabrera Infante

Educating the Net Generation 

 By Diana G Oblinger

I have also asked our distinguished faculty to share their summer reading lists. Below are a few of their suggestions.

Red Harvest

By Dashiell Hammett

Maps and Legends: Reading and Writing Along the Borderlands 

By Michael Chabon

Persuasion

By Jane Austen

Ready, Set, Green: Eight Weeks to Modern Eco-Living
 by Graham Hill, Meaghan O'Neill

I invite you to share your summer reading favorites by clicking on the comments section. 

Cordially,

Dario A. Cortes, PhD

President

BERKELEY COLLEGE DEDICATES LARRY L. LUING SCHOOL OF BUSINESS

On Friday, June 15, 2012, we celebrated the dedication of the Larry L. Luing School of Business.

Berkeley College Chairman Emeritus

Larry L. Luing became President of Berkeley College in 1969. Through his vision and leadership, The Berkeley School was transformed into a regionally accredited coeducational college awarding Bachelor's and Associate's degrees with a solid reputation locally, nationally, and around the globe.

  

Click to view "A Vision of a Leader" video


As President of Berkeley College, I am honored to continue the legacy of Larry L. Luing.

One of my first tasks as President was the development of a strategic plan. An outcome of this plan was the realignment of the academic departments into three schools, one of which is the School of Business.

I am proud to report that today the School of Business student population comprises 5,000 students. Of these, 80 percent are pursuing Baccalaureate degrees.

Larry L. Luing School of Business
naming ceremony

Join me in thanking Larry L. Luing for creating an institution that has allowed thousands of students to attend college, graduate, and follow their dreams.

Please share your congratulations and excitement for this momentous occasion in the comments section.

I look forward to hearing from you.

Cordially,

Dario A. Cortes, PhD

Berkeley College Community Service Day

Berkeley College has a long tradition of serving organizations in the local and global community. On Friday, May 11, 2012 we continued this tradition with our annual Berkeley College Community Service Day.

I am proud to report that over 350 Berkeley College associates and 15 alumni volunteered over 1,500 hours of community service at 36 locations across New York and New Jersey.


Community Service Day at
Room to Grow in New York City

This year I volunteered at Room to Grow, a non-profit foundation with the mission to enrich the lives of babies born into poverty. Room to Grow provides parenting support and essential baby items to families across New York City that they receive through donations. Our task on Community Service Day was to sort and organize the donated clothes and toys.


Community Service Day with Mayor McCormac
at Trinity Church in Woodbridge, NJ

 While we spent the day knee-deep in baby blankets, our colleagues were busy serving lunches at the Hoboken Shelter, cleaning up the beaches in Sandy Hook, NJ, delivering meals with City Meals on Wheels, planting a garden at Gilda’s Club, as well as
other activities in New York and New Jersey.  

Giving back is a core value of Berkeley College. Teaching and learning takes place both in and out of the classroom and is critical to the full educational experience of our students.

Community Service Day is a wonderful opportunity for our associates to give back to the communities where we live and work.

Please share your Community Service Day experience or tell me about your past service experience by clicking on the comments section.

Cordially,
President Cortes

Earth Day 2012

Each year on Earth Day we celebrate the beautiful world we live in and remember that each of us contributes to the health and well-being of the Earth.

At Berkeley College we take environmentalism seriously. I would like to congratulate the Brooklyn and White Plains campuses for their extraordinary efforts in Project GreenPath’s Recyclemania 2012!

View this great video to learn about Recylcemania at Berkeley College.







Berkeley College academics is also green! An option to the Management Degree in Environmental Management is offered online and at the Woodland Park campus.

 

Berkeley College is participating in Earth Day events throughout New York and New Jersey. Join the Earth Day fair in New York City, clean up the parks in Woodbridge and Woodland Park, and attend the Earth Day Auction in Westchester. Click here for the list of events.

How to do you plan to celebrate Earth Day?

Leave a note in the comments section to let everyone know your plans.

Happy Earth Day everyone!

Cordially,

President Cortes

Celebrate Women in History 2012

February is African American History Month and was first celebrated during a week in February 1926 that encompassed both the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

The celebration was expanded to a month in 1976, the nation’s bicentennial. President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans “to seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every endeavor in our history.”

This year’s theme, “Black Women in American Culture and History,” invites us to recognize the contribution that African American Women have played in our country’s history. These courageous women “have long served as champions of social and political change,” said President Barack Obama in his January 31, 2012 proclamation.

To celebrate both African American History Month and Women’s History Month, we are presenting the following events for our students, alumni, and the Berkeley community. Join us and hear from diverse and talented women leaders as they share their perspectives and experiences.

March 7 - Women’s Leadership Forum, 1:30-3:15pm, 3 East 43rd Street, NYC

(for more information please contact Nicole Luthman at 212-986-4343, ext 4214)

March 9 - 4th Annual Women’s Leadership Panel, 11:00am, Woodland Park, NJ
(for more information please contact Laura DeMers at 201-967-9667, ext 1794)

March 21 – “Women’s Leadership: Reflections, Insight, and Wisdom,” 6:30pm, 3 East 43rd Street, NYC
(for more information please contact Corina Slackman at 973-278-5400, ext 1208)
In celebration of African American History Month and Women's History month, I would like to learn about the women of color whom you admire and respect.

Please enter your comments by clicking on “comments” or in the box below.

Dario A. Cortes, PhD
President

Veterans Day 2011

Each year on November 11, we honor the veterans of our armed forces for the enormous efforts they have made to keep our country safe and free.

As Americans, we owe them a debt of gratitude that we can never fully repay.But what we can do is provide our returning veterans with the tools they need to achieve their career goals and make a successful transition from military life to civilian life.

It is a responsibility that we take very seriously here at Berkeley College.
During the past few years, we have instituted a number of programs to provide our returning veterans with the counseling, academic support and financial services they need to earn their college degrees.

Our efforts on behalf of our active military and veteran students have been recognized by GI Jobs magazine and Military Advanced Education Magazine, which has included Berkeley College on its honor roll of military friendly schools for the past three years.

We are also a Servicemember Opportunity College (SOC), which means that we are members of a consortium of colleges and universities that adhere to a set of standards known as the Military Students Bill of Rights. The Military Students Bill of Rights ensures that veterans are treated with fairness and honesty in recruiting, enrollment and academic practices.

At Berkeley College, our admissions officers are fully trained in G.I. Bill regulations. Our two Coordinators of Veterans Support Services are able to provide our military and returning veteran students with the information they need to learn about and apply for the VA benefits to which they are entitled.

Berkeley College has also instituted a unique educational partnership known as CVET, specifically designed to meet the needs of our combat veteran students. Administered by the Berkeley College Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, the program is staffed by retired and current members of the military who are uniquely prepared to offer our student veterans the services they need to succeed.

Participants in our CVET program receive direct counseling and support throughout their academic journeys and are able to choose from a wide variety of academic options that make it possible for them to integrate their career studies with their family and financial obligations.

And, when our CVET students near graduation, they are assigned to an on-the-job internship with one of the many employer participants who are proud to do their part to help our veterans succeed.


Berkeley College is recognizing Veterans Day with a ceremony at our Woodland Park Campus today. We are also marching in the parade in NYC on November 11. How are you celebrating Veterans Day? I would like to hear from you. Please add your comments below.

To all of our staff, faculty and student military/veterans, thank you for your service.

Dario A. Cortes, PhD
President

Where were you on September 11, 2001?

On September 11, 2001, I was at my desk on the 9th floor of a building in the Chelsea section of Manhattan, 27th Street and 7th Avenue, where I was provost of an academic institution with 12,000 students.

As I worked in my quiet office, I became aware of a lot of commotion in the hallway and asked my assistant what was going on. She told me she had heard that a plane had hit the World Trade Center.

With other members of the staff, I walked out onto our 9th floor terrace and saw smoke rising from the twin towers, 30 blocks away. We went inside and turned on the television, watching with the rest of the world as another plane hit the twin towers. It was clear that this was no accident.

As Chief Academic Officer of this university, my immediate task was to establish a crisis management protocol to ensure the security of our college community. I asked the staff to turn on all the TVs in our large auditorium, where our students and staff gathered to witness the events of the day together in relative safety.

Outside, there were hundreds of people walking like zombies through our stricken city. Bridges and tunnels had been closed down. Manhattan was like a military zone.

Because cell phones were not working, we offered our landlines to students and staff so they could let their families know they were all right. It was about midnight when my staff and I determined that our work for the day was done and that we could safely go home.

The lessons of that day will last a lifetime. From an administrative perspective, we have learned to do things much better in the area of crisis management. I have learned to meet crisis with calmness, logic, planning and pragmatism.

And personally, I have learned how important it is to let our families know how much they mean to us, and to understand, as well, how important we are to them. As we mark the 10th anniversary of this life-changing event, please share your stories of September 11, 2001.

Cordially,

Dario A. Cortes, PhD
President
Berkeley College

"How has the Uncertainty in the Economy Affected You?"

As I reflect back on the financial economic news of the past few weeks, I recognize that the state of the economy has an impact on all of us. How we spend our money in these uncertain times takes on a whole new dimension when we are making lifestyle decisions.

On Friday, August 5, one of the nation’s largest credit rating agencies, Standard & Poor’s, took the unprecedented step of downgrading the credit rating of the United States government from AAA to AA-plus.

The action dealt a significant blow to what has long been the world’s largest and most stable economy. Wall Street reacted to the news with a roller coaster ride of ups and downs that mirrored the moods of investors shaken by fears of another recession.

The truth is that the state of our national economy affects us all. As we are anxiously waiting for the economy to recover, I am very interested to hear from you about how you are changing your lifestyle to ride out the storm.

Please add your comments in the space below.

LinkedIn

Have you been asked “to join my professional network” recently? If you have, you must be a registered LinkedIn network user. At Berkeley College - our alumni, associates, faculty and students are actively participating in the LinkedIn network looking for internships, job opportunities, corporate partnerships, and overall opportunities to connect with individuals. The popularity of the site is growing.

When LinkedIn blasted on to the stock market on May 19, the shock waves resounded around the world and across cyberspace.

After issuing its Initial Public Offering (IPO) at $45 a share, stock in LinkedIn (trading as LNKD) catapulted to the top of the market, ending its first day as a publicly traded company at $94 per share.

In the space of a single day, the value of LinkedIn more than doubled, skyrocketing from $4.3 billion to $8.9 billion -- pretty good for a company that was born not in a board room but in the living room of company co-founder and former Yahoo executive Reid Hoffman, in 2002.

Today, new members join LinkedIn at the rate of more than one per second, and the social networking site for professionals now has 100 million members worldwide, including CEO's of Fortune 500 companies, recent college graduates, entrepreneurs, mid-career professionals, human resources managers and executive "headhunters."

What makes LinkedIn so attractive?

Unlike Facebook, where the emphasis is more on the social aspect of social networking, the emphasis is on networking at LinkedIn. You don’t make “friends,” but you may just find the job of your dreams or make a critical connection.

That doesn't mean you can't find friends on LinkedIn or enjoy the lighter moments that we all need in our working lives. The power of LinkedIn lies in its ability to help its users build or enhance their professional identities by taking the old-fashioned business of networking from horse and carriage to warp speed.

LinkedIn users have access to a worldwide pool of employers, career candidates, business colleagues and professional resources that simply exists in no other place.

As a member of the Berkeley College community, please let us know your experience with LinkedIn so that others can learn the benefits of utilizing this social network. Please add your comments in the space below.

Berkeley Brooklyn Campus Grand Opening Unveiling of Berkeley College Heritage Time line

Photo by Kathryn Kirk

Friday, April 15, 2011 marked a milestone in the history of Berkeley College as we celebrated the grand opening of our Brooklyn campus and the unveiling of the 80th Anniversary Berkeley College Heritage Timeline.

Our distinguished guests at the event included Kevin L. Luing, Chairman of the Berkeley College Board of Trustees; Board of Trustees Timothy D. Luing, Warren J. Martin Jr. Esq., José A. Tavares, and Kenneth L. Weinstein; Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz, area legislators, and members of the Brooklyn business community, who joined Berkeley faculty, associates and students in marking this historic occasion.

As the Berkeley College Heritage Timeline so effectively illustrates, the establishment of our Brooklyn campus is only the latest achievement in the proud history of an institution that has been changing lives for 80 years.

Developed as a class project by the Leadership Berkeley Class of 2010, the timeline traces Berkeley’s growth from its origin as a secretarial school established at the height of the Great Depression in 1931 to its present status as a four-year college providing academic opportunities to 9,000 students at eight locations in New Jersey, New York and Online.

The establishment of the Brooklyn campus is particularly meaningful to me because it was in Brooklyn that I began my own academic journey as a community college student, commuting each night from my home in Bayside, Queens. I later transferred to Queens College, where I earned my bachelor’s degree.

Our efforts to establish a campus in Brooklyn began more than five years ago with the idea that Brooklyn was a place we wanted to be. Over the next few years, we made many visits to this borough in search of an appropriate location.

With the invaluable assistance of area legislators, borough officials, members of the academic and business communities and the guidance and leadership of Tom Alessandrello, Berkeley College Vice President of Operations and Conrad Walker, Campus Operating Officer - we were able to find, renovate and open our new facility at 255 Duffield Street (the corner of Duffield and Fulton).

Our new location is easily accessible via public transportation from all five boroughs. The new facility has 10 classrooms, a student support center, a student lounge, bookstore, library, office space and an art gallery that will engage Berkeley students, faculty and associates in the intellectual life of this diverse community.

The largest borough in New York City, Brooklyn hosts people from 150 countries that speak 136 languages. As Brooklyn Borough President Marty Markowitz puts it, Brooklyn is “home to everyone from everywhere.” In short, it is a Berkeley College kind of place.

Today, more than 500 students are receiving the student-centered Berkeley education of which we are so proud right here in Brooklyn. We look forward to changing the lives of students at our Brooklyn campus for many decades to come.

Berkeley College Embraces the iPad

How are you using your iPad?

It has been less than a year since Apple launched its iPad, which literally put the world at our fingertips in a whole new way.

Released in April of 2010, more than three million copies of the little pc sold in the first three months after its release, and by the end of September 2010, the iPad held a 95 percent share of the tablet pc market worldwide. In November, Time Magazine named it among the top 50 best inventions of the year.

Just what is it that makes the iPad such a game-changer? Aside from providing virtually all the advantages of a laptop computer without the necessity of lugging around a screen and a modem, there are more than 350,000 apps now available for the iPad, with more being released every day. The Academy Awards just had a special app for Apple’s iPad that allowed you to access behind the scenes interviews with Hollywood stars.

Berkeley College utilizes the iPad in our Honors Program. As one example, students in the program, with the help of their iPads, will keep a journal that documents the path of their intellectual journey and charts the impact that it has on their own life.

I invite you to share your own experiences with your iPad or tablet pc by writing your comments below.

Cordially,

Dario A. Cortes, PhD
President