professional education | The Contracting Education Academy

March 9, 2020 By cs

Botchwey named associate dean in Professional Education

Georgia Tech Professional Education (GTPE) has named Nisha Botchwey, associate professor of city and regional planning in the College of Design and an adjunct professor in Emory University’s School of Public Health, its new associate dean of academic programs.

**Nisha Botchwey has been named associate dean for Academic Programs in Georgia Tech Professional Education.**

Botchwey was selected following a national search and will begin her new role on March 9.

She holds a master’s and Ph.D. in urban planning from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s in public health from the University of Virginia. Throughout her career, Botchwey’s research has focused on health and the built environment, with an emphasis on youth engagement, health equity, and data dashboards for evidence-based planning and practice.

She has earned many distinctions, including an NSF ADVANCE Woman of Excellence Faculty Award, a Hesburgh Award Teaching Fellowship from Georgia Tech, the Georgia Power Professor of Excellence Award, a Rockefeller-Penn Fellowship from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Nursing, and a Nominated Changemaker by the Obama White House’s Council on Women and Girls.

“GTPE has embarked on a transformational journey to strategically align our academic offerings with the needs of a rapidly changing workforce. Nisha Botchwey’s experience with strategic planning, team management, and community engagement will enhance our growth plan and elevate the quality of offerings for an ever-increasing, diverse population of learners,” said Nelson Baker, dean of Georgia Tech Professional Education. “We are thrilled to have such expertise on our team.”

GTPE serves the fastest growing learner population in higher education: working adults aged over 25.

In this new position, Botchwey will support the development of new demand-driven programs, such as additional at-scale online master’s degrees, a new Fintech Academy, and pioneer contemporary educational products including alternative credentials and enhanced career services for adult learners. She will have curricular oversight and management of all new and existing online degrees and professional development programs and foster a learner-centric environment in service to the adult learners across GTPE programs.

Botchwey will maintain a joint appointment in the College of Design, where she will continue her research and teaching, advise students, and remain involved in the intellectual life of the college.

“This is an era of change and adaptation across institutions,” said Botchwey. “I look forward to working with this amazing team of faculty, staff, learners, and industry partners as we continue to create innovative educational pathways and solidify GTPE’s role as the lifelong learning home for Georgia Tech, here and across the globe.”

A search committee consisting of faculty and leadership across the Institute reviewed over 130 applications. Members included Daniel Castro, chair and professor in the School of Building Construction; Lizanne DeStefano, executive director for the Center for Education Integrating Science, Mathematics, and Computing (CEISMC); Larry Jacobs, associate dean of the College of Engineering; and Sri Narasimhan, professor and business analytics center co-director in the Scheller College of Business.

“The applicant pool was extremely competitive,” said Jacobs. “Alongside her experience and relevant technical skills, it was Botchwey’s enthusiasm, clear preparation, and strong people skills that stood out.”

Georgia Tech has been at the forefront of creating cutting-edge educational offerings that are accessible to career-minded individuals and provide real-world knowledge. As the global campus and lifetime learning arm of the Institute, GTPE serves more than 42,000 working professionals each year through more than 400 professional development courses and boot camps, 50 professional certificates, and 13 industry-specific online degrees.

Source: https://www.news.gatech.edu/2020/03/04/botchwey-named-associate-dean-professional-education

February 24, 2020 By cs

Fiscal 2021 budget seeks to ‘resize’ the bureaucracy

Among other things, the White House wants to rein in “improper end-of-year spending” by agencies.

On the afternoon of Feb. 10th, President Trump sent Congress a $4.8 trillion budget request for fiscal 2021 that seeks to “resize” the federal government by eliminating what the administration views as duplicative and wasteful programs and focusing on core security priorities.

The budget request includes a number of proposals Congress has previously rejected, such as significant cuts to the social safety net, foreign aid and environmental programs, as well as some federal workforce hiring and firing reforms and changes to federal retirement the administration has tried to implement previously with mixed success.

Margaret Weichert, deputy director for management at the Office of Management and Budget, told reporters on Monday that the budget reflects “the core elements of the president’s management agenda” and is a “continuation of what we’ve attempted to do over the last couple of years around the workforce.” While the administration will continue to press for moving federal employees to a pay-for-performance system and employee training and reskilling, “not surprisingly, in year four of an administration there’s not a lot of net new ideas,” she said.

Keep reading this article at: https://www.govexec.com/management/2020/02/trumps-fiscal-2021-budget-seeks-resize-bureaucracy/163014/

February 18, 2020 By cs

10 tips to help you succeed as an adult learner

Adult learning is no walk in the park. Going back to a formal learning environment can be daunting for working professionals even if they’re top achievers in their jobs.

At Georgia Tech Professional Education (GTPE), we support adult learners as they build their expertise to pursue their career goals. Our staff are adept at serving the needs of adult learners because they understand their challenges – they’re lifelong learners themselves. Here are the top tips from GTPE staff based on their personal experiences as adult learners.

1. Choose the Right Learning Opportunity

Your time is valuable, so it’s essential that the program you choose is worth your while. Chris Walker, assistant director of marketing, found that deciding whether training would truly benefit him to be one of his primary concerns. He advises conducting research before committing to a program of study. “See if the school you’re interested in will provide contacts to their graduates who can offer references,” he suggested. “It’s so important to know if you’ll get a return on investment before you make your decision.”

Brenda Sanders, graphic designer, mentioned other ways to research potential programs. “I went online to see the reviews from other students about what they learned and how they felt about the assignments and instructors,” she said. Getting recommendations from friends and colleagues is also an effective way find out if a program will be a fit for you.

2. Prioritize Your Learning

Balancing work, life, and learning is always a concern for working professionals. And for Najla Lewis, marketing manager, it was no different. “One of my top challenges was managing my responsibilities – work, family, and homework,” she said. She overcame this obstacle by completing as many tasks as possible before her course started. During the course, she tried to make use of short bursts of free time to minimize her workload in the office, such as answering emails during her lunch breaks and in the evenings. Her advice to others is to prioritize learning. “Plan to make short-term adjustments to your life pattern because they will benefit you in the future,” she said.
Lindsey Laney, academic program manager, found that she needed a dedicated learning space when she worked on her second master’s degree. “I knew I needed a quiet space to work, so I transitioned our guest bedroom into an office dedicated to school,” she said. “I had a dedicated school computer, school desk, and an understanding that when the door was closed, I was working on school and couldn’t interact at that time.”

Fatimah Wirth, instructional designer, pointed out another aspect of planning ahead: reviewing the syllabus and course structure. “If you’re taking an online course, make sure to set aside enough time to watch lecture videos, complete assignments, projects, quizzes, or exams and take part in discussions,” she said. “If you’re taking face-to-face classes, allow enough time to attend classes and complete assignments or projects outside of class time. Take into account travel time and travel conditions.”

For Patrice Miles, assistant dean of business operations, prioritizing her learning also means being fully engaged during class. ”I focused on being ‘in the moment’ and avoiding distractions when I was in class,” she said. “The phone stayed in my purse!”

3. Don’t Let the Big Picture Overwhelm You

Laura Haynes, assistant director of operations, experienced three major life events while working on her doctorate. She got married, had a baby, and suffered the loss of her father. She also had a full-time university teaching position during this time. It’s no wonder she considered abandoning her studies. However, one comment gave her the will to keep going. “I shared my thoughts with one of my mentors, who was a university president. He advised that I would ‘never regret completing a Ph.D. program.’ I credit his simple remark with compelling me to persist and complete the degree,” she said.

Her recommendation to other adult learners is based on her mother’s advice to focus on the manageable tasks at hand and take one day at a time. “Take bite-sized morsels of study digested daily to avoid choking on the potentially overwhelming number of assignments required to complete each course,” she said. “I highly recommend this approach, without which I may have become overwhelmed and disengaged.”

4. Believe in Yourself

Georgia Tech is known for its rigor and the strength of it STEM programs. This reputation can lead working professionals in non-technical fields to wonder is they are able to succeed in our programs. Najla Lewis, marketing manager, found herself questioning if she would be able to manage the rigor of a course at GTPE and whether she would be a fit for a project management program with her non-technical background. “Even though many of our learners are from technical fields, there are also learning opportunities for people in non-technical fields,” she discovered. “I found that the project management certificate program had a good mix of adult learners from all industries, career levels, and disciplines. I fit in well and was able to lend my individual talents to the group activities and discussions.” Her advice to others is to believe in themselves.

5. Focus on Long-term Benefits Not Short-term Obstacles

Chris Walker, assistant director of marketing, considers taking time off work for professional education to be a key challenge. Being out of the office to take a course means that the work piles up while you’re away. Rather than focusing on the consequences of missing work, Walker suggests keeping your long-term goals in mind. “Try to focus on the value of the long-term benefits of training versus the short-term inconvenience of taking time off work and having to play catch up,” he suggested.

6. Don’t Let Technology Get You Down

Technology plays a major part in our lives, so make sure it works to your advantage when you’re learning. Edith Greenwood, producer of interactive instructional media, raised the issue of technical needs. “Take care of any technical requirements related to the class before it starts,” she said. “Trust me, this will make assignment completion less frustrating.”

Lindsey Laney, academic program manager, pointed out the importance of contingency plans related to technology. “I planned for ‘what if’ scenarios such as what if the Internet goes down? What if my computer stops working? Are my documents saved on a cloud so I can access them from any computer?”

7. Know How You Learn Best

From online programs to traditional face-to-face classes, today’s adult learners have many options to choose from when it comes to professional education. Each delivery method has its advantages. Online learning offers optimal flexibility and the opportunity for online collaboration with peers outside your area. Traditional classes provide the face-to-face contact with your instructor and classmates. Hybrid programs offer a combination of online and face-to-face learning.

Brenda Sanders, graphic designer, suggests considering which option offers you the best chance of success before you choose a program. “Figure out which classes work best for your lifestyle and for the way you learn,” she said. Some people need to be in a classroom, but more and more people are turning to online learning.”

8. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Jay Boudreaux, course management coordinator, noted that adult learners need to be patient with their learning. “Ask questions when you need help with understanding content,” he said.

Whether you take an online or a face-to-face class, take advantage of the opportunities to interact with instructors and classmates to enhance your learning. Fatimah Wirth, instructional designer, suggested, ”Be comfortable with seeking help by asking questions in a face-to-face class or in discussions if you’re in an online class. Be sure to attend office hours, face-to-face or online, to seek clarification or answers to questions you may have.”

9. Revisit What You’ve Learned and Apply It

Having taken mainly traditional, face-to-face classes, Bobby Strickland, graphic designer, found he needed to adjust to online learning. “I learn better in a classroom, so learning online was a challenge. I needed to repeat sessions to make sure I understood the content,” he said. “Taking written notes helped me retain the online content and made it feel more like a classroom. I tried to implement the content into my work projects as soon as possible so that I had a better chance at retaining it.”

Strickland’s advice to other adult learners new to online learning is not to be hard on themselves. “Be patient with yourself. If it’s been a while since you were in a learning environment, know that the pace has escalated,“ he said.

10. Explore Your Financial Options

The cost of professional education is often a concern for working adults. When Najla Lewis, marketing manager, decided to take the project management certificate program at GTPE, she explored the financial options available to her. GTPE, along with many employers, is generous when it comes to contributing to employees’ professional education, so always check with your employer if funding is available to you. Lewis also took advantage of a discount by committing to the entire certificate program rather than taking only some individual courses. “I also spaced courses out over two fiscal years so that I could take advantage of the educational support from my employer,” she said.

Massive open online courses or MOOCS are growing in popularity. Offered by the world’s top universities, they are free to everyone from anywhere. MOOCs are a convenient, affordable way to keep learning. They’re also a useful, low-risk way to test the waters before you decide to invest in professional education on a specific topic or to ease back into formal learning if you’ve had a long break from it.

Lifelong Learning Is Worth It

Balancing work, life, and family while pursuing professional education can be a challenge, but you can overcome it. And the long-term benefits far outweigh the short-term inconveniences.

“Professional education allows me to be more effective and relevant in my role, and to set an example for my team about the importance of education for a lifetime,” said Patrice Miles, assistant dean of business operations. “I also find the networking with others in the program to be so valuable as we continue the learning outside of the classroom.”

You’ll never regret deepening your knowledge, sharpening your skills, and building a professional network. Ongoing professional education makes it possible.

Source: https://pe.gatech.edu/blog/working-learning/adult-learning-success

Georgia Tech Professional Education is a leader in innovative educational delivery, designed for working professionals in tech, business, and leadership. Our connection to the marketplace — coupled with our world-class faculty, researchers, and subject matter experts — provides an unparalleled prospective to education innovation, industry trends, future work, and lifelong learning. To uncover additional resources to help with questions and challenges around career advancement visit our Working & Learning page.

February 4, 2020 By cs

Map out your future with a ‘personal board of directors’

In an era of rapid technological development, acquiring new skills is more than a matter of professional development. It is a matter of professional survival.

**By surrounding yourself with the right people, and by seeking their guidance, you can stay on top of important changes in your workplace.**

The goal is to keep pace with change and remain relevant in your chosen field. The question is how to do that strategically, especially when people now hold an average of 12 jobs in their lifetime.

At Georgia Tech, half of the Institute’s total student population is comprised of adult learners taking professional development courses. Through Georgia Tech Professional Education (GTPE), professionals in STEM and business fields strive to keep up with latest developments. These learners understand that it takes a lifetime of learning to keep your skills sharp and your capabilities aligned with shifting market trends.

The question remains though: How do you find the right program? As a busy professional, how do you focus your learning to derive the intended benefits? With so many options to choose from, how do you make the right choices?

One way is to tap into a network of mentors or career advisors.

“At Georgia Tech, as part of our vision for higher education of the future, we’ve identified the need for what we call a ‘personal board of directors,’” explains Nelson Baker, dean of GTPE. “A personal board of directors is similar to a mentorship but more explicit and broader in its application. Your personal board is a group of people who can help navigate your career and education, offering a mix of experience, talent, and diversity that a single individual can’t match.”

If you are ready to take that step, here are a few practical questions to ask yourself as you begin building your personal board of directors.

What is my goal? Board membership should shift and change over time, just like your career goals. If you’re at an early stage of your career and you have your sights set on management, find someone who is at that level. If you’re not sure of your next career steps, find someone who can help you think through your options. And if you don’t want to keep moving up, you need someone who helps you to make sure you stay current. In all cases, find board members who can steer you in the direction you want to go.
How do I find board members? As we envision it at Georgia Tech, a personal board of directors is more explicit than traditional networking. Don’t be afraid to seek out specific expertise, even if you’ve never met that potential board member in person. It doesn’t matter whether your board members are on a different continent or the other side of the country. If they have the skills, connections, and knowledge base you need and are willing to serve on your board, they’re suitable.
How do I approach potential personal board members especially if I’ve never met them? It’s important to do your homework before you reach out. You need to be able to articulate the kind of guidance you’re seeking and show that you are proactive and have done your own research about the field that interests you. You also need to have researched the potential board member and be aware of their expertise and background and how it can be of benefit to you in your career. This preparation before your initial contact is essential because it enables you to approach the individual with purpose, demonstrate that you are proactive and serious about your career, and that you respect their time and value the opportunity to to learn from them.
Why would anyone want to serve on my personal board of directors? Look at it like this: Each of us in our lives can benefit from being on someone’s board. For board members, it’s a way to give back. As for concrete benefits, you represent a potential source of talent to your board members. Equally, they can become resources for one another. Connecting with other mentors and expanding personal networks is helpful at all stages of a career. One key factor to keep in mind is the value of the time your board members spend to help you achieve your goals. Make sure you plan wisely so that you use their time efficiently. Be accommodating, work within their schedules, and never take their time for granted. If you show upfront that you’re conscious of the value of their time, you’re more likely to build a successful professional relationship.
What kinds of skills should my personal board of directors have? Regardless of the size of your personal board of directors, ensuring your board has a wide range of expertise and experience allows you to explore new paths and new passions. You should also consider at least one board member who can help you overcome self-doubt and encourage you to take bold new steps. This board member needs good insight as to who you are as a person and how you operate in day-to-day situations. That might be someone from within your community or your personal life.
What kinds of assistance should I seek from my board? The answer to this question is as variable are you are. First and foremost, they should guide you to keep pace with changes in your field and build the skills and capabilities needed to ensure your job security and career development. This group of advisors should also know what you’re passionate about and help you follow those passions over a lifetime. Keep in mind that passions change or evolve, and so should your personal board of directors.

Regardless of industry or profession, our workplaces and our business environments are in a constant state of flux. By surrounding yourself with the right people, and by seeking their guidance, you can stay on top of those changes. Be proactive, seek out the best board members for your personal goals, and always maintain the attitude of a lifelong learner.

In its report Deliberate Innovation, Lifetime Education, Georgia Tech’s Commission on Creating the Next (CNE) outlines the concept of the personal board of directors. Find out more on CNE’s roadmap for the future of higher education.

Source: https://pe.gatech.edu/blog/working-learning/personal-board-of-directors

February 3, 2020 By cs

How much do you want to become a ‘FAR master’?

Whether you are a government contracting official or a government contractor, your success hinges on your mastery of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) — the rules that must be followed in acquiring goods and services.

*Don’t miss the opportunity to learn all about the FAR — side-by-side with your peers.*

The FAR’s rules are voluminous — 2,000 pages in all, plus hundreds of supplemental rules tailored to individual agencies throughout the federal government. How can you be expected to find these rules, grasp their meaning and, most importantly, apply them properly?

Fortunately for you, Georgia Tech has the courses that will teach you all you need to know. And, best of all, our instruction is based on practical application, so you will return to your job equipped with the skills and knowledge to confidently navigate all aspects of contract planning, contract formation, and contract administration.

Our FAR coursework is based on training originally developed by the Defense Acquisition University (DAU). It’s been enhanced by Georgia Tech to provide the know-how actually needed by acquisition professionals like you. And, best of all, our comprehensive coursework is broken-up into modules so that you can learn conveniently, based on your priorities and at your own pace.

The Contracting Education Academy at Georgia Tech (The Academy) offers its comprehensive FAR course in four, one-week classes. Each “module” focuses on a different aspect of the FAR and, best of all, the modules may be taken in any order. This means you have multiple opportunities throughout the year to complete the entire course without the challenge of being away from your job or home for an entire month.

The Academy’s foundational course focuses on four distinctly different aspects of the FAR:

Contracting Overview of the FAR (CON 090-1) introduces the FAR and how to navigate all of the acquisition regulations. This four-day course answers the who, what, when, where, why, and how of the FAR. This module is considered the most challenging lesson in the course, as it provide hands-on training on the FAR’s structure, meaning, and proper application.
Contract Planning in the FAR (CON 090-2) presents information on the policies and procedures for the acquisition of supplies and services from required or preferred sources. Key topics in this lesson include the use of required sources, use of existing contracts, and required participation by small businesses.
Contract Formation in the FAR (CON 090-3) goes deep into different methods of contracting by: 1) comparing and contrasting the solicitation and evaluation of offers in sealed bidding and competitive negotiation, 2) exploring the procedural requirements of making a contract award, and 3) explaining simplified acquisition procedures as well as the policies and procedures for handling bid and size status protests.
Contract Administration in the FAR (CON 090-4) covers the basic principles of contract management, including making contract modifications, administration of selected terms and conditions, handling delays, quality assurance procedures, making payments, addressing disputes and appeals, and contract terminations and closeouts.

**Students are exposed to realistic case studies and get a chance to work in groups to tackle real-life problem-solving exercises.**

Click on any of the course titles listed above to see course schedules and pricing. And see our exclusive Student Resources page for a detailed outline of the content covered in each of our four FAR course modules.

Benefits of attendance include expert instruction, a printed Student Guide to be used back on the job, valuable handouts, and exclusive electronic resources. In addition, a complimentary breakfast is served each morning, along with snacks throughout each day. Plus, you’ll earn Continuous Education Units from Georgia Tech as well as credit toward Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) and Federal Acquisition Certification in Contracting Program (FAC-C) training requirements.

All courses are conducted in Georgia Tech’s world-class Global Learning Center, conveniently located in Midtown Atlanta. Interested in us bringing our coursework to you? Simply contact us at info@ContractingAcademy.gatech.edu — we will be happy to speak with you about scheduling and quantity discounts.