NGN features CPS Associate Professor Darin Detwiler, National Food Policy Expert
Federal agencies have announced one food recall after another in recent weeks, with the most serious involving an 18-state outbreak of listeria from deli meat that has killed nine people as of Aug. 29.
Darin Detwiler, a teaching associate professor at Northeastern and national food policy expert, attributes the cases to better reporting but also breaks in the food safety chain.
CPS celebrates its second summer of empowering teens
As part of the Northeastern University partnership with the City of Boston’s SuccessLink summer jobs program, an initiative funded by the city of Boston to create 7,000 summer jobs for teens as an opportunity to gain work experience in supportive environments, CPS has hosted six interns who have spent the last 6 weeks working with the college. The interns have been under the guidance of employees Mariah Hwedi and Carl Barrows.
The interns, Marwa, Ruby, Benson, Kiandre, Anari and Jalen, produced this newsletter to tell the story of their internship experience; the production of the newsletter that was written, designed and published by them was also a lesson in corporate communications.
History of SuccessLink at CPS
Last year, when Mariah Hwedi received the outreach from Northeastern, she was eager to host interns at CPS and saw this as an opportunity to bring vibrancy and creativity to the college through the brilliant imaginations of the interns. Before working at CPS, Hwedi had a long history of work with youth and at-risk teenagers teaching history to third grade through high school students at the Commonwealth Museum. As an undergraduate at UMass Boston, Hwedi also worked as a global student ambassador and mentor for freshmen, first generation Asian-American students who were facing income disparities, as well as an overnight counselor for at-risk teenagers at Camp Wing in Duxbury.
It was at Camp Wing that she first realized the impact and life-changing results that could come from giving young people hope.
“The founder of Camp Wing decided that the best way to help young people in the city was to take them out of their urban environments and bring them to nature, where they could just get the chance to be a kid. Many of these kids experienced trauma from a young age – two siblings separated by foster care would get to see each other once a year at camp, one child came for the whole summer with only a Ziplock bag with socks to wear, and those were the lighter versions of the traumas these kids were enduring. I remember the first group that got off the bus at the start of camp was so angry and did not want to listen to authority because authority never showed up for them when they needed it most. By the end of the summer, those same kids were crying so hard, saying they didn’t want to leave us, that this experience changed their lives. We worked 24 hours a day with them, almost like their parents, and it was worth every minute. It still gives me chills thinking about it…about how much that summer gave them hope”.
After working at Camp Wing, Mariah promised herself she would continue to seek out any opportunity to help with youth betterment. Even though she had just started at CPS in March 2023, she was confident the SucessLink program would benefit all parties involved and knew she could balance the work.
Now that the program is ending its second year, Mariah has already seen the transformation in her interns: improved writing skills, confidence in public speaking, sharpened interviewing strategies, and data and research driven thinking that would make them all perfect candidates as Northeastern students one day. Mariah hopes that the internship will continue to recur annually.
Learn more about Northeastern Univeristy’s C2C Summer Intern Program.
Learn more about the Boston SuccessLink program.
“The Evolution of Hiring: What Managers Know About, Think About and Are Doing with Microcredentials”
Researchers from CPS’s Center for Higher Education and Talent Strategy published a comprehensive study on the growing interest in micro-credentialling compared to traditional degree programs.
The study focuses on that observation that a confluence of economic, societal, and technical trends has given rise to significant changes in the hiring process. Notable among these changes has been a push to adopt skills-based practices in which hiring and talent management activity is organized around essential skills and abilities, rather than emphasizing traditional qualifications such as degrees. This focus on discretely identified skills has, in part, prompted the rise of a new way to package learning experiences: the microcredential.
The study focuses on that observation that “a confluence of economic, societal, and technical trends has given rise to significant changes in the hiring process. Notable among these changes has been a push to adopt skills-based practices in which hiring and talent management activity is organized around essential skills and abilities, rather than emphasizing traditional qualifications such as degrees. This focus on discretely identified skills has, in part, prompted the rise of a new way to package learning experiences: the microcredential.”
-CPS Center for Higher Education and Talent Strategy researchers who authored the report: Amanda Welsh, Shannon Alpert, Anne Nanovic, and Jamie Warner
Surveying 1,250 hiring managers from different industries across the nation, the study gauges their attitudes, awareness and adoption of hiring candidates with micro-credentials. The three fundamental findings from the study show that:
- Hiring managers’ primary challenge is not a lack of applicants, but rather finding the right candidates for their roles. Strategic consideration of microcredentials in hiring can help employers better match candidates to available jobs.
- Currently, most managers consider microcredentials as an indication of discipline, ambition or learning mindset. Aligning credentials to roles can help managers improve their hiring and increase their chances of finding the right candidates.
- Hiring managers who had earned a microcredential were roughly 200% more likely to hire applicants with microcredentials only; meanwhile, younger hiring managers (Gen Z) are more likely to think college degrees prepare candidates better. These personal factors are more predictive than many external factors such as industry, level of the role, or degree of remote work allowed, and suggest that companies can craft programs that change how managers think about hiring.
The power of women leaders to change the world.
“Women are the gentle forces that transform the world”
Jinan Liu, President, World Women University Presidents Forum
Last May, Patty Goodman Hayward, EdD Associate Teaching Professor and program lead for the College of Professional Studies’ Bachelors in Digital Media Communications and the Corporate and Organizational Communications Graduate Program, joined more than 200 invited leaders from around the world at the World Women University Presidents Forum (WWUPF) at Huanghe S&T University in Zhengzhou, Henan Province, China.
Goodman Hayward was invited to share the work she developed with her fellow researchers and former students, Zirui Yan, MS COC, Tsinghua University and Sahar Rehman, MS COC, Northeastern University, She presented findings from their Cultural Transformation Framework research.
Focused on the cultural values of women leaders and the connection between transformational leadership and cultural transformation, their research was based on the analysis of 60 cases across nearly 30 different cultures. They also collaborated with other women leaders in various fields, discussing topics such as higher education, community health, and global scientific collaborations.
The figure below provides the cultural values that bubbled up from the detailed data analysis of the 60 cases or chapters about the women leaders.
According to Rehman, “As an educator, I see myself living these values in all interactions with my students. We are role models for learners, they are our future. Our aim is to collaborate in creating pathways, inspiring, advocating, and building networks, along with developing the skills to be successful.”
At the closing ceremony, Goodman Hayward donates her book
to Communication University of China (CUC),
which includes the case, Jinan Liu: As a Woman,
about a Woman Leader in her role as Founder
of WWUPF and President of Communication
University of China (CUC).
In pursuing this work, Goodman Hayward and her colleagues have recognized that women should be more valued for their extra effort in making transformative changes. The WWUPF event represents women who lead major universities all over the world—from the United Kingdom, Egypt, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Bolivia, Cuba, Lebanon, Nepal, South Korea, Malawi and beyond. Transformational change is made possible, according to Goodman Hayward’s research, when the interwoven narrative of culture and purpose are aligned with intentional communication, and the women at this forum embody that movement.
For example, Lucia Campos Pellanda, President of the Federal University of Health Sciences of Porto Alegre Brazil developed an experiential learning program following a flood that dramatically impacted her community. Supporting community health with direct experiential service Pellanda successfully took her students into the community to provide health care. This approach builds upon the idea of experiential learning as a means of creating a lasting impact on both the lives and careers of the students involved as well as the people in their communities their learning program serves.
Another leader at the conference, Loretta O’Donnell, the Vice Provost at Nazarbayev University, in the Republic of Kazakhstan shared her passion for transformational learning. She supported the impact of storytelling in bridging opportunities, particularly in addressing complex political challenges in the region.
A cultural transformational framework informs stories that can change lives. And women all over the world are centered in that framework.
Northeastern is one voice at that table, centering cultural transformation in its programs. As this work continues to build, more voices are encouraged to join in the conversation to share best practices to create a growing movement of women leaders around the world.
Staff Spotlight: Arlene Buchanan, Associate Director of Employer Engagements and Partnerships Outreach
Arlene Buchanan, Associate Director of Employer Engagements and Partnerships Outreach, is excited to develop strategic partnerships that offer students transformative real-world experiences and to connect talented students with industry leaders, providing opportunities that enhance their career prospects and deliver fresh, innovative perspectives to our partners. Buchanan’s role matters because it ensures our students are well-prepared for the workforce while contributing to the growth and success of the organizations we collaborate with.
“Northeastern University stands out by providing industry-aligned co-op experiences that significantly increase employability – boom, the ROI. I am proud of the impactful work we are doing and excited about the contributions I can make in this role.”
– Arlene Buchanan
Conversations about the value of a college degree have become increasingly common, with students and their families questioning the ROI of higher education. With over a decade of experience in higher education, Buchanan understands the importance and value of a degree and aligning with institutions that prioritize this outcome.
She said, “Northeastern University stands out by providing industry-aligned co-op experiences that significantly increase employability – boom, the ROI. I am proud of the impactful work we are doing and excited about the contributions I can make in this role.”
Developing Partnerships
Buchanan is based in Miami, Florida, and she is also strategically focusing on emerging markets beyond the state.
She said, “My goal is to forge relationships with industry leaders in key sectors and regions. By engaging with employers in these areas, I aim to create diverse and dynamic co-op opportunities that align with our students’ academic and professional goals. I love to collaborate, so if you have an idea, market, employer, or opportunity worth exploring, let me know and I will look into it. Let’s go!”
Faculty Spotlight: Nneka Allen-Harrison, Assistant Adjunct Professor at Mills College
Assistant Adjunct Professor for CPS at Mills College, Nneka Allen-Harrison, has conducted a new study titled “Bay Area Black Voices: Employment Outcomes of the Black Labor Force in the San Francisco Bay Area.” Her research synthesizes employment data to explore economic disparities in the region. Despite its robust economy and diverse population, the Bay Area faces a significant racial wage gap. Drawing on U.S. Census data, Allen-Harrison highlights that in 2019, Black men in the Bay Area earned a median income of less than $60,000, whereas their white counterparts earned over $80,000 annually. For further insights, refer to her work in the NGN article.
“The disparities in employment and economic outcomes for the Black labor force in the Bay Area underscore the urgent need for solutions that promote social empowerment and create a more equitable society.”
– Nneka Allen-Harrison
2024 Women Who Empower Awards
The Women Who Empower Innovator Awards, now in its fourth year, have provided more than $1.32 million in funding to over 100 changemakers in the Northeastern community. The 2024 recipients were selected by a panel of judges and 33 winners will receive a total of $500,000 in funding. Four of the 33 winners are affiliated with CPS. Congratulations to all of the winners across Northeastern University!
Northeastern University’s Women Who Empower initiative is grounded in the belief that diverse and inclusive communities empower a better world. The network comprises strong, aspiring, and distinguished individuals dedicated to fostering positive environments, building lasting connections, and providing meaningful experiences where all people thrive, through entrepreneurship.
Making CPS Proud! CPS Affiliated 2024 Winners
This year’s CPS Affiliated winners are:
Mary DeVega, CPS’22, NUSL’25
GRADUATE STUDENTS 1st Place
San Francisco, CA | MPowered: A staffing firm dedicated to empowering women through training and professional development
Linh Dinh, CPS’25
GRADUATE STUDENTS Honors
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam | ATURE: Bridging the gap between Asian SMEs and global markets
Rama Doddi, CPS’24
GRADUATE STUDENTS Honors
Boston, MA & Vizag, AP, India | RegPulse: Identifying the Regulatory “Pulse” of small to mid-lev Pharmaceuticals, Medical Devices and Biologic industries and provide solutions for their regulatory concerns
Claudia Tobar, CPS, D.Ed’20
GRADUATE ALUMNAE 2nd Place and
POWERING GLOBAL CHANGE AWARD 3rd Place
Pichincha, Ecuador | Kamina: A revolutionary financial wellbeing platform, that provides a comprehensive solution with advisory, access and assessment, committed specifically for women and non-banked individuals
Learn more about Women Who Empower.
Rachel Toncelli Selected by U.S. Department of State for Prestigious English Language Specialist Project
The U.S. Department of State announced the selection of Rachel Toncelli , CPS Lecturer for NU Immerse and Global Pathways, for a 2-week English Language Specialist project focusing on teaching academic writing in the age of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) in Russia at a national conference focused on teaching writing. Toncelli is part of a select group, as her project is one of approximately 240
that the English Language Specialist Program supports each year.
Toncelli is part of a select group, as her project is one of approximately 240 that the English Language Specialist Program supports each year.
Toncelli is a lecturer at Northeastern University’s College of Professional Studies most recently, her scholarly interest has centered around exploring how English language educators develop critical AI literacy. This past March, Toncelli and CPS colleague and Ilka Kostka were awarded the Ron Chang Lee Award from TESOL International Association. Named in honor of one of the pioneers in the implementation of technology in English Language Teaching (ELT), Kostka and Toncelli’s work was recognized for its pedagogical innovation.
The English Language Specialist Program is the premier opportunity for leaders in the field of teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) to enact meaningful and sustainable changes in the way that English is taught abroad. Through projects developed by U.S. Embassies in more than 80 countries, English Language Specialists work directly with local teacher trainers, educational leaders, and ministry of education officials to exchange knowledge, build capacity, and establish partnerships benefiting participants, institutions, and communities in the United States and overseas.
English Language Specialists are counted among the more than 50,000 individuals participating in U.S. Department of State exchange programs each year. The Specialist Program is administered by the Center for Intercultural Education and Development at Georgetown University.
For further information about the English Language Specialist Program or the U.S. Department of State, please visit elprograms.org/specialist, or e-mail [email protected].
Staff Spotlight: Pete Cardillo, Associate Director of Employer Engagement
Last year marked an exciting milestone with the launch of CPS’s Employer Engagement Team, dedicated to creating dynamic experiential learning co-op opportunities for students. Pete Cardillo helps forge and sustain vital relationships with companies eager to benefit from the fresh perspectives and skills our students offer. His goal? To showcase CPS’s eagerness to collaborate and highlight how our students’ exceptional talents can significantly bolster industry teams—a true win-win scenario!
“Our CPS alumni form an essential support network for our students, enhancing their experiential learning and co-op journeys. With a dedicated team now in place, we aim to encourage our alumni, especially those needing skilled student workers, to reach out and discover the impactful contributions our students can offer.”
-Pete Cardillo
Cardillo is continually connecting with various industry partners and engaging both long-time collaborators and new employer prospects. He shares, “Our CPS alumni form an essential support network for our students, enhancing their experiential learning and co-op journeys. With a dedicated team now in place, we aim to encourage our alumni, especially those needing skilled student workers, to reach out and learn more. Unlike typical interns, our students often arrive with substantial experience, ready to make a remarkable difference from day one. While we value partnerships with companies of all sizes, we particularly treasure the unique experiences provided by medium and small-sized businesses. So, whether you run a family-owned enterprise or a large corporation, we’re eager to connect with you!”
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to partner with us. Learn more here or just reach out to Pete and his team today at [email protected].
Please note: while the Employer Engagement Team and the broader CPS team strive to connect students with valuable experiences, they do not function as a staffing or placement agency for students or employers.