Connect-Us Academy Summer Institute: 2020 Recap
In the summer of 2020, the Connect-Us Academy (CUA) transitioned its traditional paid summer internship program into a paid, virtual leadership and professional skills development program called the Connect-Us Academy Summer Institute. The Institute, which ran from July 7-30, 2020, provided training to drill down on the critical professional workplace skills that the graduates of the CUA would have otherwise developed during the course of their summer internships. The curriculum and faculty were designed and selected in concert with the CUA’s corporate partners, business leaders, and internship sponsors. In addition to completing four rigorous weeks of virtual training sessions, each student completed a capstone project that they presented during a culminating event at the end of the program.
The theme of the Summer Institute was “Building Your Personal Brand.”
The program was designed to give students the skills and confidence they need to develop a strong personal voice that is persuasive, compassionate, and relevant. The curriculum was constructed to foster self-awareness, develop skills, and cultivate each person’s leadership potential by setting the foundation to build their personal brand.
Program Objectives
Enable self-awareness; Educate students on career opportunities; Develop a sense of career curiosity; Develop time management skills; Develop public speaking skills; Develop selling/persuasive communication skills; Create a sense of optimism for the opportunities ahead; Enable self-esteem and self-motivation; Develop leadership/team-building skills.
Faculty
• Rich Eldh, Dean of the Connect-Us Academy Summer Institute, Founder (Emeritus), SiriusDecisions, Inc.
• Wendy Agnew, Senior Equity Analyst, State Street Global Advisors
• Jill Bicks, Member, Pullman & Comley
• Dr. Rock Ferrigno, M.D., Chair of Emergency Medicine
• Michelle Hite, VP, Human Resources, Barnum Financial Group
• Dr. Charles Morgan, M.D., Chair of Bridgeport Hospital’s Psychiatry Dept.
• David Nackman, Creative Director, Performance of a Lifetime
• Melissa Poli, HR Consultant, Barnum Financial Group
• Melody Rollins, Senior Client Advisor, Bridgewater Associates
• Pullman and Comley, team of attorneys
• Deb Sawch, Ed.D., Education Consultant and Instructor
• Jenn Steliga, Financial Coach
• Julie Thomas, President & CEO, ValueSelling Associates
• Karen Wackerman, Counsel, Pullman & Comley
• Steve Wakeen, CEO & Leadership Coach; Founder, Playbook Coaching
Program Outline
WEEK 1: SETTING THE STAGE
Building Your Personal Brand and Selling Your Ideas
Rich Eldh, SiriusDecisions, Inc., and Julie Thomas, ValueSelling Associates
Public Speaking and Presentation Skills
David Nackman, Performance of a Lifetime
Business Writing 101
Deb Sawch, Ed.D., Education Consultant and Instructor
“Project Connect” Capstone Presentation Set-Up
Melissa Poli, Barnum Financial Group
WEEK 2: TELLING (AND SELLING) YOUR STORY
Interviewing Masterclass
Rich Eldh, SiriusDecisions, Inc., and Melissa Poli, Barnum Financial Group
Creating a LinkedIn Profile that Stands Out
Deb Sawch, Ed.D., Education Consultant and Instructor
“Project Connect” Check-In
Melissa Poli, Barnum Financial Group
What Do You Care About/Believe In: How Can You Impact Policy Changes in Your Community?
Jill Bicks and Karen Wackerman, Pullman and Comley
WEEK 3: SPOTLIGHT ON YOU AND THE WORLD
Mid-Program Check-In
Pam Lewis and the Connect-Us Academy Professional Mentors
Time Management (When There’s Never Enough Time)
Michelle Hite, Barnum Financial Group
De-Globalization and Understanding Economic Trends
Wendy Agnew, State Street Global Advisors
What is Your Personal Brand?
Melody Rollins, Bridgewater Associates
Impact of COVID-19: A Hospital's Perspective
Dr. Charles Morgan, M.D., Chair of Psychiatry Dept., Bridgeport Hospital
Dr. Rock Ferrigno, M.D., Chair of Emergency Medicine, Bridgeport Hospital
Personal Finance
Jenn Steliga, Financial Coach
WEEK 4: THE SHOW MUST GO ON
Becoming an Exceptional Leader
Steve Wakeen, Playbook Coaching
“Project Connect” Presentation Rehearsal
Pam Lewis and the Connect-Us Academy Professional Mentors
Project Connect Final Presentations
Pam Lewis, All Faculty, and all Connect-Us Academy Professional Mentors