Dr. Rodney Ridley announces Engineering programs at 401 Penn Street

O'Pake Institute programming allows professionals to remain competitive

 

Alvernia University's O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship meets the rising need for professional development by launching project management and cybersecurity certification programs through the institute's Center for Entrepreneurial Leadership (CEL).

 

"After researching workforce development needs in the area, the top two areas in which professionals indicated a need for certificates were project management and cybersecurity," said Donald Schalk, O'Pake's director of business and corporate development and the director of the CEL. "While we are launching those programs immediately, we look forward to exploring other certification programs as part of our mission of assisting in economic development in the region."

 

Each certificate program will run for approximately nine weeks, with sessions held via Zoom,and are limited to 15 students.

 

Learn the Driving Forces of Project Management, which is already sold-out and underway, is being taught by Peter Christian, former head of project engineering for Crayola Corporation and certified in project management and senior project management by the American Management Association. The course is designed to foster effective leadership and other essential management skills, including setting definite project goals and ensuring collaboration amongst team members.

 

The cybersecurity program is currently in development and will be taught by Eric Robuck, owner and founder of the Valander Group. He has multiple industry certifications, including CEH (Certified Ethical Hacker) and Security +, among others, and over 20 years as a programmer, IT data expert, and security professional under his belt. The program will provide participants with a working knowledge of ultramodern technology and strategy. It will encompass topics such as identity and access management, cloud security, attacks and vulnerabilities.

 

"As we look to continue to aid Reading's economic redevelopment, certificate programs like this provide cutting-edge, relevant and timely training for today's business professionals and entrepreneurs," said Vice President, Associate Provost and Chief Operating Officer of the O'Pake Institute, Dr. Rodney Ridley. "We look forward to continuing to grow and enhance the O'Pake Institute's programming by connecting with more exceptional business leaders like Peter and Eric through the Reading CollegeTowne initiative."

 

The CEL provides business owners and key personnel with timely and valuable information through a series of educational programs on relevant business topics. RKL, LLP., Kozloff Stoudt Attorneys at Law and Mosteller & Associates are proud sponsors of the CEL.

 

Alvernia University's O'Pake Institute for Economic Development and Entrepreneurship is a change agent for the economic and entrepreneurial outlook of Reading. The O'Pake Institute acts as a catalyst for organizational growth by mentoring businesses through a student-powered approach, and actively partnering with other economic development drivers. To date, the institute's student-powered business incubator has served over 50 clients, completed 25 projects and over 1000 hours of work since its reconfiguration in February 2020.

 

Those interested in learning about upcoming O'Pake Institute or CEL programs and events can do so here.

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