2012
Stay Sharp in Today’s Knowledge Economy.
UnitedUniversity.org is pleased to offer a series of self-paced, online courses and simulations that help professionals become more effective, productive, and creative. Developed by business school professors, industry professionals, and subject matter experts, all courses are designed to enhance skills in management, leadership, finance, business communications, sustainable management, human resource, nonprofit management, project management, creativity, critical thinking, and more.
Features & Benefits
- Advance your career – Learn leadership and management essentials and build your confidence in the workplace or during your job search.
- Maintain your skills – Earn PDUs, CEUs, CFREs, HRCI credits, or CPE credits to maintain your certifications.
- Get expert advice – Experienced subject matter experts will resolve any of your unanswered questions.
- Learn more quickly – Engage in interactive exercises and case studies with real-world examples and review video commentary to quickly retain lessons.
- Enjoy the flexibility – Access courses online anytime. Determine your own schedule, and complete courses at your convenience.
- Set the pace – Take the time you need to process complex concepts, or power through more quickly—you set the pace.
- Save money – Our online courses represent an affordable alternative to classroom-based learning.
For more information, course descriptions, and to register, click on the Courses page
The United University Team Welcomes Francis Wey, J.D.
We were pleased to have several leadership meeting guests join us as 15 Minute Speakers in the recent past, including Francis Wey, J.D., U.S. Army civilian attorney at the TACOM command post in Warren, Michigan. A former U.S. Army Captain and Judge Advocate General on the ground in the Iraq war, Capt. Wey also serves as the Honorary Chancellor of One University of the Americas Fund. His principles of success include putting first things first in one's career and in life. A graduate of college and law school in California and Michigan, respectively, Capt. Wey challenged us to make our Veteran-serving efforts first class, paying particular attention to our United University of America (United University) effort. Capt. Wey and his wife, Elizabeth Wey, M.D. a William Beaumont Hospital physician, are the parents of two young sons.
United University is expected to educate Veterans and other potentially gifted students with a lifestyle twist. Students will learn the art of sharpening their minds, cultivating physical vigor, and getting along well with others at home and in our world of increasingly interdependent communities.
What International Students Look for in a University
Students over the years have looked for international universities that can develop their linguistic skills; and give them the opportunity to experience how other countries develop their industries.
A foreign student looks for international universities that have strong academic reputations, job prospects, and teaching qualifications. Health, security, housing and transportation benefits are also important requirements that foreign students look for in an academic institution. It´s important to recognize that an education is not only an investment it is a decision to improve and grow in a professional way.
Written by: Nilka Marilaine Rodriguez Troya
A foreign student looks for international universities that have strong academic reputations, job prospects, and teaching qualifications. Health, security, housing and transportation benefits are also important requirements that foreign students look for in an academic institution. It´s important to recognize that an education is not only an investment it is a decision to improve and grow in a professional way.
Written by: Nilka Marilaine Rodriguez Troya
Education and the Olympics
A recent article entitled Nigeria: Poor Education, Bane of Nigeria's Performance in Sports - Experts found on allAfriac.com linked Nigeria’s poor performance in the London Olympics to poor sport education. The article explained that Nigeria did not win any gold medals in the 2012 London Olympics. According to the article the reason for Nigeria’s poor performance may be attributed to its schools. The article went on to explain that unlike students in the United States who can be both student and athlete, students in Nigeria had to choose between sports or academics.
Our United University Effort emphasizes a sport and fitness component to our mission of educating students. The United University Effort plans to provide a mandatory fitness building block for our future students. We believe that sports and fitness play a vital role in building confidence, fostering friendships, and building communities which in turn help in achieving academic success.
Our United University Effort emphasizes a sport and fitness component to our mission of educating students. The United University Effort plans to provide a mandatory fitness building block for our future students. We believe that sports and fitness play a vital role in building confidence, fostering friendships, and building communities which in turn help in achieving academic success.
What Prospective College Students Look For in a University
When applying and selecting an institution for higher education, students have different needs and desires that they look for in their newest educational quest. Mainly, students will want to know how a university will help them acquire a career after they graduate. However, there are other factors to consider in the selection process. Students could be considering how the school’s specific programs suit their prospective career path, where the school is located, the school’s reputation, or even the school’s colors. Most of the common needs of students seem to fit into the category of academics. If a particular school has a specific well renowned educational program that fits the field of a student’s interest, he or she is likely to select that school. The main goal of a student should be to learn skills at a university that can best prepare them for their career in the future. Universities that implement hands-on, real world scenarios into their curriculum also tend to be more attractive to students, as they like to feel more work oriented and less simulated in their schoolwork. Taking this into consideration, many Universities find it helpful to take their classroom research and apply it directly to the surrounding community. For this reason, it helps to have a school that’s campus is embedded in the heart of a metropolis for school-based projects. These attractive qualities will draw students seeking higher education in the future and make a university successful.
Written by: Michael Bishop
Written by: Michael Bishop
Schools Accepting Veterans
Many universities today are striving to be listed as “veteran friendly.” Men and women leaving service are generally looking for an educational institution that will cater to their specialized needs as they look for further education. 1 The Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America believe that it is crucial for a university to accept military credits.2 Universities can do so by using the guidelines set in place by the American Council on Education (also known as ACE.) Also, it is very important to provide clear instructions and specialized guidelines for veterans within the school application process in order to help make a university more attractive to veterans. In addition to tailoring the application process to veterans, special scholarships can be designed exclusively for veterans who wish to attend the university. 3
It may seem easy to advertise benefits for veterans through a university; it proves more difficult to ensure the veterans obtain the benefits claimed or offered. Most veterans believe that you will attract veterans by following through with claims. Making claims of being “veteran friendly” is only half of the effort needed to get the veterans talking about any particular university; it is important to also build a solid reputation of execution in order to become known as a respected school that educates veterans. 4 As the axiom goes, knowledge is power; veteran friendly education has the capacity to empower all students to achieve their amazing untapped potential.
Part of the work of a veteran friendly school involves helping veterans affected by wartime service-connected issues like forms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.5 Veterans affected by PTSD can be healed. They need to know that is possible. The university instills confidence in the veteran as education becomes his or her new mission. Through learning from top notch instructors, veterans can understand and strengthen their capacity to interact with everyday citizens. The university integrates them as students. This can be accomplished by providing meaningful counseling, information, and referrals through the appropriate university office. If the school can deliver great results for veterans, everyone will be better off.
1 Truesdell, Joanne, and Janet Paulson. Community College Times. American Association of Community Colleges, 7 Nov. 2011. Web. 12 June 2012..
2 Military Times Edge. Gannett Government Media Corporation, n.d. Web. 12 June 2012.
3 New GI Bill. Org. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, n.d. Web. 7 June 2012..
4 Horton, Alex. Vantage Point. N.p., 6 Apr. 2012. Web. 12 June 2012.
5 Shumacher, Tom. Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 June 2012..
It may seem easy to advertise benefits for veterans through a university; it proves more difficult to ensure the veterans obtain the benefits claimed or offered. Most veterans believe that you will attract veterans by following through with claims. Making claims of being “veteran friendly” is only half of the effort needed to get the veterans talking about any particular university; it is important to also build a solid reputation of execution in order to become known as a respected school that educates veterans. 4 As the axiom goes, knowledge is power; veteran friendly education has the capacity to empower all students to achieve their amazing untapped potential.
Part of the work of a veteran friendly school involves helping veterans affected by wartime service-connected issues like forms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.5 Veterans affected by PTSD can be healed. They need to know that is possible. The university instills confidence in the veteran as education becomes his or her new mission. Through learning from top notch instructors, veterans can understand and strengthen their capacity to interact with everyday citizens. The university integrates them as students. This can be accomplished by providing meaningful counseling, information, and referrals through the appropriate university office. If the school can deliver great results for veterans, everyone will be better off.
1 Truesdell, Joanne, and Janet Paulson. Community College Times. American Association of Community Colleges, 7 Nov. 2011. Web. 12 June 2012.
3 New GI Bill. Org. Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, n.d. Web. 7 June 2012.
5 Shumacher, Tom. Washington State Department of Veteran Affairs. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 June 2012.
Leadership Meeting
One University of the Americas Fund welcomed university architecture professor Daniel Price to serve as our most recent Fridays at 4 speaker. A Vietnam veteran and award-winning CADCAM instructor, Prof. Price inspired the One University of the Americas Fund team. He went from serving in the Marines in Vietnam to earning five (5) degrees at the University of Michigan, to a distinguished professorship in his discipline. He urged us to - in his words - "move aggressively and quickly - [our] veterans are in immediate need of your vision."
Also in the past month, we were pleased to hear from Prof. James Maas who taught more than 65,000 students in his legendary psychology class at Cornell using - among other teaching tools - clips from the hilarious former Hollywood hit series, "Candid Camera." The son of Mr. Nutt's late classical piano instructor, Mary Maas Klein, Dr. Maas is an example worth emulating.
Also in the past month, we were pleased to hear from Prof. James Maas who taught more than 65,000 students in his legendary psychology class at Cornell using - among other teaching tools - clips from the hilarious former Hollywood hit series, "Candid Camera." The son of Mr. Nutt's late classical piano instructor, Mary Maas Klein, Dr. Maas is an example worth emulating.
The New Badges in Education
Early January The Chronicle wrote an article entitled "'Badges Earned Online Pose Challenge to Traditional College Diplomas." The article explained that a few online education providers and education reformers now offer "Badges." Placing a "badge" on a resume tells employers that you have gained the skills stated on the badge. For example earning, a video editing badge tells employers that you have gained skills as a video editor. Badges are free or cost little to earn, which I believe makes them very appealing to students. According to The Chronicle, badges and other alternative distinctions are even being considered by traditional education institutions; for example the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will allow students to watch free courses online and take online tests to earn certificates. We believe these "badges" can change the educational system as we know it.