Thursday, April 28, 2011

Wanted by Cops: UI&U's Criminal Justice Program

SACRAMENTO, CA – Union Institute & University’s (UI&U) Sacramento Academic Center is now making degree completion even more accessible for law enforcement professionals in Northern California - by bringing higher education to them. The university recently launched sites at the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Regional Training Center and the San Mateo County Sheriff's Department in support of its growing Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Management (CJM) program – the university’s largest and most popular BS program.

The private, non-profit university has plans to grow the CJM program into large metropolitan areas including Fresno and the Bay area. Dr. James Rocheleau, associate provost of special projects and former dean of the California Centers, says his goal is to open two new CJM sites in California each year.

“The sites in Stanislaus and San Mateo are a testament to how popular – and successful – our criminal justice management program has become,” said Rocheleau. “We listened to what law enforcement professionals wanted and created a program that is convenient, accelerated, academically rigorous, and affordable.”

More than 350 learners are currently enrolled in the CJM program and four current California sheriffs, including Stanislaus County Sheriff Adam Christianson, are graduates of UI&U’s CJM program. Law enforcement professionals seek UI&U’s CJM program because they can earn advanced credit for police academy training, complete courses in eight weeks, and learn from former police officers who have extensive experience in criminal justice management.

As an alumnus, Sheriff Christianson has been looking forward to bringing the program to Stanislaus County. “This is an excellent partnership and a unique educational opportunity for members of the Stanislaus County Sheriff's Department,” said Sheriff Christianson. “Union's program is tailored to the needs of those working in criminal justice today and it sets the stage for them to advance and become leaders in public safety.”

In addition to these new sites in northern California, UI&U now has a total of 10 sites throughout California, including locations in San Bernardino County, Arcadia, Brea, Orange County, and Palmdale, all in response to growing demand for CJM degree completion programs. The LA center already has successful agreements with the Los Angeles Police Department and the Los Angeles Sheriff’s Department.

For more information about the Sacramento Academic Center’s new sites contact Dr. James Rocheleau, associate provost for special projects at 888.862.9950, x1518 or x1710, or james.rocheleau@myunion.edu.

May 15 Commencement Honors Florida Graduates

NORTH MIAMI BEACH – On May 15, Union Institute & University’s Florida Academic Center will honor new graduates who have earned undergraduate or graduate degrees from the private, non-profit university located in North Miami Beach. Louis Albert Jolivert, senior director at BNY Mellon Wealth Management and current chairman of the Miami Foundation’s Board of Governors, will serve as the commencement speaker. The university will also present UI&U board member and former president, Dr. George Pruitt, President of Thomas Edison State College, with an honorary doctorate degree.

Many of the Miami graduates are adults who have balanced work and family commitments with their efforts to fulfill their lifelong dream of earning a college degree. New graduate LaToya Williams, who immigrated to Miami from Jamaica in 2008, earned her BS in elementary education and is the first in her immediate family to graduate. “It has not been an easy road,” said Williams, whose parents are traveling from Jamaica to see her commence. “The classes were very challenging – but with the help and encouragement of Union’s faculty, I was able to succeed and to emerge feeling very empowered.”

Also taking part in this year’s commencement ceremony are two married couples who not only attended UI&U together, but who also work together: Jorge and Marie Guerra are both police officers in the Miami-Dade Police Department, and Yolanda and Willie Jones are officers for the City of Miami. “We supported one another and kept each other going when it got tough,” said Yolanda Jones, who, along with her husband and the Guerras’, earned her BS in criminal justice management.

Union chose Jolivert as commencement speaker for his commitment to service within the Miami community and within his profession. As a servant leader, Jolivert’s commitment to his community is reflected in his day-to-day involvement in its growth. “Miami is an up-and-coming city,” said Jolivert. “It’s experiencing a great deal of growth now, and I’d like to contribute to that, to make it an even better place for people to live. Whether through my work with the Miami Foundation or in other aspects of my life, I work to make this the city of choice, a community of choice.”

Union’s May 15 Florida Center Commencement will take place at 1 p.m., at the Miami Airport Hilton, 5101 Blue Lagoon Dr., Miami. For more information contact Angela Byles at angela.byles@myunion.edu or at 305-653-7141.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

UI&U Brattleboro Graduates First Women's Empowerment Scholarship Recipient

BRATTLEBORO – On Sunday, May 1, students from Brattleboro and across New England will converge at UI&U’s Brattleboro Academic Center to take part in the university’s Bachelor of Arts Weekend Option commencement. Former UI&U BA core faculty member Rickey Gard Diamond, editor at Vermont Woman magazine, will serve as the guest speaker for the event.

As students in the weekend residency option, the new graduates met one weekend each month at the Brattleboro Center and completed the remainder of their coursework online. The option allowed the students – mostly working adults – to earn their degree while fulfilling job and family responsibilities. “Most of our commencers are adult learners who did not find satisfaction at traditional schools, but who flourished at Union, where they were able to do independent and self-designed study tailored to their needs,” said Sharon Sprague, BA program advisor.

Brattleboro resident Elizabeth Johnson, the first recipient of Brattleboro’s Women’s Empowerment Scholarship, will graduate. A single mother with a young son, Elizabeth pursued the program’s Historical, Social, and Cultural Studies concentration. The primary focus of her studies was the sociological study of the single-parent family. The Women’s Empowerment Scholarship that funds eligible single, female, heads-of-households, allowed her to finish ahead of schedule.

“I returned to school to complete my education so that I would be able to better provide for my son and myself,” said Johnson. “I realized that a degree would enable me to pursue a career and provide me with the time it takes to raise my son, without having to work extra hours just to get by.”

A hallmark of the Brattleboro commencement ceremony, the new graduates will be presented their diplomas by loved ones who helped and inspired them to complete their education. Johnson chose her young son to present her with her diploma.

An informational ‘visiting day’ will take place on Saturday, April 30, from 1-3 p.m. at the Brattleboro Center for those interested in learning more about the BA program. The Sunday commencement will begin at 11:45 a.m. Both events will be held at the UI&U Brattleboro Academic Center located at the Vermont Agricultural and Education Center on Old Guilford Road at 3 University Way. For more information about the Brattleboro degree programs and the B.A. commencement please contact the Brattleboro Academic Center at 802-257-9411 or email Brattleborocenter@myunion.edu.

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

UI&U Alumnus Dr. Sidney Harman Dies

Union Institute & University mourns the loss of alumnus Dr. Sidney Harman, who died Tuesday, April 12, at the age of 92 after a brief illness.

Dr. Sidney Harman
Dr. Harman was a pioneer in high-fidelity sound equipment who dedicated his life to furthering education, the arts, and later, journalism. Dr. Roger H. Sublett, President of UI&U shared these reflections on Dr. Harman:

"I first met Sidney Harman when I became president of Union Institute & University in 2003. I met Sidney at his office during a trip to Washington to visit with graduates of Union. I found him to be one of the most remarkable people I have ever met in my life. He was not only knowledgeable about leadership—a field that we both shared a passion for—but we had both had written on the topic of “Leading from the Heart” which we found almost ironic. Subsequent meetings led to Union inviting Sidney to serve as our National Commencement speaker in 2004.

Sidney’s obvious commitment to education and Interdisciplinarity, his caring concern for others, and his generous philanthropy enriched his life as much as his professional commitment to business. He had a brilliant, innovative mind and an uncommon interest in people. I found all of my meetings with Dr. Harman to be inspirational, fulfilling my strong belief that only people make a difference in our lives. Through a life well lived, Dr. Harman touched all with whom he came in contact through his positive vision and belief that anything was possible.
We have lost a dear colleague and friend."

Read more about Sidney Harman's lifelong impact...

“The maverick's way of conducting business forswears the leader as commanding general; it rejects the practice of top-down, authoritative command. Rather, it proposes the leader as catalyst, conscience, and inspirer… what I call a ‘prismatic’ leader. He or she must be the prism through which is refracted the other rays of light into one coherent fashion.” - Dr. Sidney Harman


Sidney Harman, Ph.D. 1973 and University Trustee, 1981 to 1994
Recipient, of the 2004 President’s Medal and 2004 National Commencement Speaker
Founder and Executive Chairman, Harman International Industries
U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce, 1977 to 1978
Chairman of Newsweek magazine

For more than 50 years, the name Harman has symbolized high-fidelity sound. For Union Institute & University alumnus and Newsweek chairman, Dr. Sidney Harman, the concept of “fidelity” — faithful adherence to what is true or real — is synonymous with his approach to living and leading in business, education, and government. For decades, Dr. Harman served as the executive chairman of Harman International Industries, which he founded as Harman/Kardon, Inc. with engineer Bernard Kardon in 1952. Together they launched a revolution in the audio industry by creating the first integrated, high-fidelity audio receiver and the very first series of stereo amplifiers.

Dr. Harman became sole owner in 1956 and headed this Fortune 500 company with 10,000 employees worldwide, nearly $2 billion in annual revenue, and products for concert halls, home living rooms, and workplace computer stations everywhere. The company’s repertoire includes high-end digital sound and navigational systems, voice-activated telephony, and climate controls for luxury automobiles.

A pioneer of progressive management theory, Dr. Harman initiated "Quality of Working Life" programs at his plants around the world, beginning with the 1969 Bolivar (Tennessee) Project, which became a model for American industry and a case study at business schools worldwide, because of remarkable improvement in worker commitment, compensation, and productivity. The success at Bolivar led to Dr. Harman's appointment as deputy secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce from 1977 to 1978 during the Carter administration. After selling his business to avoid conflict of interest, Dr. Harman organized and administered the government's program to revitalize the ailing U.S. shoe industry.

After retiring from government service, Dr. Harman reacquired his company and resumed his role of successful but “maverick” CEO. He promoted long-term, emotional bonds between company and employees, established in-house classrooms, and built his newest plant in the United States, bucking the trend of outsourcing jobs overseas. During a visit to the Harman plant in Northridge, CA in 1996, President Clinton commended Dr. Harman’s commitment to innovative ideas and products as well as to the success of Harman employees, their families, and the community. “Harman International shows how a cutting-edge company can do well while doing right by its people,” President Clinton said.

An accomplished educator, Dr. Harman was inspired by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to teach disenfranchised African-American students when Prince Edward County, Virginia schools defied desegregation orders in the 1960s. He also served from 1970-1973 as president of Friends World College, an experimental Quaker college. An early Union alumnus in 1973, Dr. Harman’s Project Demonstrating Excellence doctoral dissertation, “Business and Education – New Experiments, New Hope,” reflected his desire to be “an active agent for constructive social change” and his pledge to “reject dogma and rhetoric, and embrace invention, daring, and human development.”

Frequently the subject of profiles and interviews by the media, Dr. Harman has written extensively for publications including Newsweek, The Washington Post, and the Christian Science Monitor, and coauthored Starting with the People (Houghton Mifflin, 1988) with public opinion pollster Daniel Yankelovich. In 2003, he published Mind Your Own Business: A Maverick's Guide to Business, Leadership and Life (Currency Books/Doubleday), acclaimed as required reading in this era of corporate misdeeds and bad behavior.

He tells how he created a culture of personal responsibility throughout his company, and compares his top management team to a jazz quartet that listens to and improvises with one another to create harmony. He also emphasizes his belief that employees at every level are a company’s most valuable asset. “What is essential is an ingrained, developed, and practical system of ethical conduct. We cannot legislate conscience. It must be the raw material of every transaction, every judgment, every decision.” And, he adds, it must begin with the CEO’s consistent exercise of “simple, straightforward decency and respect for others.”

Known to recite Shakespeare on a moment’s notice, his generous support of Washington D.C.’s Shakespeare Theatre Company enabled it to expand in a new home, the Harman Center for the Arts, in 2007. “Sidney’s contributions to both the Shakespeare Theatre Company and the entire arts community are tremendously commendable and invaluable,” Shakespeare Theatre Company director Michael Kahn told The Washington Post. His commitment to the arts, said Kahn, has inspired many in Washington and beyond. Dr. Harman was also passionate about classical music and served as a trustee emeritus for the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the National Symphony Orchestra.

In 2010, Dr. Harman purchased the iconic Newsweek magazine from the Washington Post Company and hired editor Tina Brown, who merged it with her Web site, the Daily Beast, creating a new source for daily and weekly news. He added the column “Connecting the Dots” to reflect his view of the role of a weekly news publication. Although actively involved in the development of Newsweek, Dr. Harman found time to establish the Academy of Polymathic Study at USC, a program designed to offer a series of conversational encounters intended to intensify integrated interdisciplinary awareness.

A fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, he served on the advisory board of the Center for Public Leadership at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University, and sat on the Advisory Committee of the university’s Science, Technology, and Public Policy Program. He served as a trustee of The Aspen Institute and the Carter Center at Emory University, and served on the boards of Business Executives for National Security, the Public Agenda Foundation, and the National Alliance of Business.

His wife, Jane Harman, recently stepped down from her role as a U.S. Representative (D-California), to lead the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, an organization aimed at uniting the world of ideas to the world of policy by supporting pre-eminent scholarship and linking that scholarship to issues of concern to officials in Washington.