2008 Woodie Awards
Alliance boosts job prospects
By Rachel Seeman
Rocket News Editor
Issue date: 10/14/05 Section: News
The Regional Learning Alliance in Cranberry, Pa., extends educational and work opportunities to students through a partnership of colleges and universities.
"We provide students with part-time, minimum wage jobs in a corporate atmosphere," Yvonne McAvoy, director of technology, said.
The alliance is made up of 13 Pennsylvania colleges and universities that are led by Slippery Rock University.
"Half of the business is training and classes, the other is a full service conference to serve the needs of the corporate community," General Manager Justin Griffith said.
According to the Regional Learning Web site, "by collaborating rather than competing, educational providers make better utilization of their talents and resources. The facility for the alliance will be an 'educational mall,' a highly adaptive multifunctional full-service training facility providing auxiliary services such as career center, conference center, child-care, manufacturing development center, and other needed support services."
Availabilities in the center include 28 meeting rooms, a 4,000 square foot Great Room with wireless touch panel audio visual controls, international translation equipment and in-house food services.
"(Students will) deal with high profile companies on a day-to-day basis," McAvoy said.
SRU President Robert Smith said he agrees with McAvoy.
"Everybody there is tied to workforce development," Smith said.
Griffith said they have had a lot of interns in the past, but they are limited.
In addition to the work experience, there are many programs and classes offered from the schools within the partnership.
Students may enroll in classes to receive certification or credit graduate school studies.
Environment education, creativity, ethics/school law and social work methods II are just a few of the classes that Slippery Rock is offering this semester.
Slippery Rock also offers six programs in school counseling and educational psychology, elementary education, special education, professional writing and environmental education graduate certificate.
"We provide students with part-time, minimum wage jobs in a corporate atmosphere," Yvonne McAvoy, director of technology, said.
The alliance is made up of 13 Pennsylvania colleges and universities that are led by Slippery Rock University.
"Half of the business is training and classes, the other is a full service conference to serve the needs of the corporate community," General Manager Justin Griffith said.
According to the Regional Learning Web site, "by collaborating rather than competing, educational providers make better utilization of their talents and resources. The facility for the alliance will be an 'educational mall,' a highly adaptive multifunctional full-service training facility providing auxiliary services such as career center, conference center, child-care, manufacturing development center, and other needed support services."
Availabilities in the center include 28 meeting rooms, a 4,000 square foot Great Room with wireless touch panel audio visual controls, international translation equipment and in-house food services.
"(Students will) deal with high profile companies on a day-to-day basis," McAvoy said.
SRU President Robert Smith said he agrees with McAvoy.
"Everybody there is tied to workforce development," Smith said.
Griffith said they have had a lot of interns in the past, but they are limited.
In addition to the work experience, there are many programs and classes offered from the schools within the partnership.
Students may enroll in classes to receive certification or credit graduate school studies.
Environment education, creativity, ethics/school law and social work methods II are just a few of the classes that Slippery Rock is offering this semester.
Slippery Rock also offers six programs in school counseling and educational psychology, elementary education, special education, professional writing and environmental education graduate certificate.
