MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 24, 2017 – Capella University’s new School of Business and Technology Advisory Board, comprised of more than a dozen influential business and technology leaders, will advise Capella leadership on emerging trends, market needs and workforce competencies to maintain Capella’s close alignment between its degree programs and the needs and goals of today’s employers.
Advisory Board Will Help Capella Meet an Industry Business Need
According to a 2014 Gallup poll, only 11 percent of business leaders strongly agree that colleges are preparing graduates for the workplace. Capella is addressing these concerns, leveraging insights from the advisory board to ensure its learning programs are designed to help employers drive improvements, reduce skills gaps and proactively manage their talent for sustainable competitive advantages.
“In the rapidly evolving fields of business and technology, it’s crucial to remain agile and help an employer understand and address the complex skills requirements of the modern workplace,” said Rhonda Capron, Dean, School of Business and Technology, Capella University. “Close collaboration with leading industry voices helps us stay ahead of the curve and anticipate workforce needs – so we can equip students with the skills that deliver career-relevant outcomes, help businesses boost productivity and improve performance in the organizations from where they’re employed.”
Board members will serve for three years, meeting regularly to help ensure that Capella’s learning programs are designed to help employers reduce critical skills gaps and maximize the potential of their workforce.
“As higher education continues to evolve, it is important that individuals still realize that education can be a key to unlock a brighter future,” said William Prate, Director of Financial Planning, Tennant Worldwide. “I joined this board to both further the mission of Capella University while influencing a how the educational experience translates to improving the learner’s professional career and in the fields of business and technology.”
“Developing and implementing corporate talent strategies to transform and build capabilities requires collaboration with experts in education,” said Elisa Bannon-Jones, Chief Talent Officer, Frontier Communications. “Being a part of this Advisory Board presents the opportunity to engage and participate in developing learning content and programs critical to the workforce of the future.”
Advisory Board Input Will Benefit Capella Learners and Graduates
Since 1997, Capella’s College of Business and Technology has graduated more than 23,000 students. Through the Advisory Board’s input and feedback on the skills that employers demand of business management and information technology learners, Capella’s goal is to prepare graduates to meet employer needs and enable graduates to lead and contribute to their organizations and communities.
Capella University’s School of Business and Technology Advisory Board includes:
Elisa Bannon-Jones, Chief Talent Officer, Frontier Communications
Mignona Cote, Chief Information Security Officer, Aetna Inc.
Nick Eshkenazi, Chief Information Officer, Large Retailer Wholesaler
Carolyn Jacobson, Chief Human Resources Officer, Fairview Health Services
Roderick Jefferson, Vice President, Global Sales Enablement, Marketo, Inc.
Beth Karlsson, People Lead, Head of HR, Pinterest
Dan McDermott, Vice President, Technology, Starkey Hearing Laboratories
William Prate, Director of Financial Planning, Tennant Worldwide
Brendon Schrader, Chief Executive Officer, Antenna Consulting
Roy Skillicorn, Senior Vice President , Services, Cisco Systems
Julie Smolich, Vice President of Product Management, Cellular Therapies, Be the Match
Adrian Stevens, VP, L&D, Change Management, HR, Hewlett Packard Enterprise
Linda Vytlacil, Vice President, Retail Data Science, Walmart Labs, Walmart Stores, Inc.
Several Capella leaders will also serve on the board. To learn more about the Capella University School of Business and Technology Advisory Board, visit http://www.capella.edu/business-advisory-board.
About Capella University
Capella University (www.capella.edu) is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. Founded in 1993, the university is dedicated to providing flexible, professionally aligned online degree programs designed to help working adults advance in their careers. As of June 30, 2017, about 37,500 students were enrolled in Capella’s bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral and certificate programs. Known for its commitment to learner success, academic quality and innovations in online education, Capella pioneered competency-based direct assessment programs allowing students to learn at their own pace. For more information, call 1.888.CAPELLA (888.227.3552).
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