ABOUT US
The Center for Continuing & Professional Education [CCPE] provides the expertise you need, when you need it.
The Center for Continuing & Professional Education is committed to engaging individuals at all stages of their careers with educational experiences that support continued personal and professional growth. In addition, we support the evolving needs and demands of the workforce locally, domestically, and internationally through corporate partnerships, executive education, and innovative customer programming.
Our programs and services draw on the skills, resources, and expertise of Suffolk University. For more than a century, Suffolk has been opening new avenues of opportunity and success for learners from all walks of life. Over that time, it has also grown into an indispensable part of Boston’s cultural, economic, and civic landscape, forming longstanding partnerships with organizations across the city. Suffolk is known for distinctively hands-on curricula based in real-world contexts and scenarios. In short, it’s an ideal place to enhance professional development.
Our Mission
Our Vision
MEET OUR TEAM
Dee Masiello, Ed.D, Director
Dee Masiello, Ed.D joined Suffolk in April of 2021 as the Founding Director of the Center for Continuing and Professional Education. In this role, she is responsible for developing and executing the Center’s strategic and operational strategy focused on noncredit professional and executive programming. Prior to Suffolk, Dee served as Assistant Dean of Summer and Extended Studies at Boston College’s Woods College for Advancing Studies where she oversaw all undergraduate programming over the summer term and pre college residential programs. She was also responsible for the development of noncredit and executive programs related to the development of skills as defined by the “Future or Work” Prior to this role, she served as Dean of the School of Continuing Studies at Dean College in Franklin, MA and before that, Assistant Dean of Graduate and Faculty Affairs for the College of Professional Studies at Northeastern University.
Dee spent over 10 years working at the D’Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University. During that time, she held several pivotal roles including building operations for the Online MBA, which was at the time, the first fully online, nationally accredited, MBA program in the United States.
Dee earned a doctorate in Leadership and Organizational Change from the University of Southern California, a Master of Education from Northeastern University and a Bachelor of Arts in English from the University of Massachusetts.
She currently teaches at Georgetown University and Northeastern University at the undergraduate and graduate levels in areas including organizational behavior, strategy and international business. She also serves as dissertation chair for the Doctor of Law and Policy at the Graduate School of Education at Northeastern University.
Dee enjoys travel and has visited six of the seven continents. International destinations include; Australia, China, Vietnam, Argentina, Chile, Hong Kong, Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines, Egypt, and many countries in western Europe. England, however, remains her favorite destination due to her passion for Medieval British History. She lives south of Boston with her two dogs and cat.
Emily Pytka, Associate Director
Emily Pytka joined Suffolk University in August of 2008 and has been the Associate Director of the Center for Continuing and Professional Education since its origination in January 2021. As the Associate Director, she is responsible for implementing and maintaining standard operating procedures. She helps direct and execute the center’s programming, including working with faculty to shape curriculum design and development, overseeing logistics management, program analysis, and project management. Additionally, she is responsible for collaborating with stakeholders to identify learning opportunities and relevant training topics for targeted audiences.
Before joining the Center of Continuing and Professional Education, Emily was the Associate Director for the Sawyer Business School’s Center for Executive Education. In this role, she helped manage the Executive MBA, custom corporate education programs, and international programs.
Emily earned a Master in Business Analytics and a Master of Education, Counseling from Suffolk University, as well as a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Dickinson College.
Emily enjoys hiking, pilates, and painting. She lives in Salem, MA, with her two cats and partner.
Jackie Bishop, Associate Director of Learning Design and Technology
Jackie joined the CCPE in November of 2021 as the Associate Director of Learning Design and Technology. In this position, she will support Suffolk University’s Strategic Plan to build professional and career focused offerings for working professionals. In collaboration with the Director of CCPE and Center staff, Jackie will identify, source and create, maintain and review a portfolio of online programming focused on skills attainment for adult and professional students that are based on industry demand and cutting-edge pedagogy.
Before joining the CCPE at Suffolk University, Jackie worked at Northeastern University for twelve years. In her most recent role, she served as a Learning Experience Designer for six years. Jackie worked with faculty to design and build online courses using adult learning theories, provided pedagogical Blackboard support for a portfolio of faculty and managed stakeholders throughout course development projects. She also served as the Assistant Director of Academic Programs at the College of Professional Studies, as well as the Program Specialist for the Online MBA at the D’Amore-McKim School of Business.
Jackie has earned her Bachelor of Arts from Saint Michael’s College, her Masters of Education from the University of Massachusetts, Boston and her Graduate Certificate in Distance Learning from Northeastern University.
Jackie lives south of Boston with her husband and twins. She enjoys exercising, baking, funny podcasts and spending time with her family.
Allison Lakacha, Marketing Specialist
Allison joined the CCPE team in September of 2021. As the Marketing Specialist, she is responsible for developing, executing, and monitoring all marketing programs for noncredit and continuing and professional education courses and certificates. Allison is passionate about expanding educational opportunities for all learners and feels a deep connection to the mission of the CCPE.
Prior to joining the CCPE, Allison worked as the Marketing Manager at Techkon USA where she was the driving force behind the implementation and execution of marketing initiatives including content creation, search engine optimization, social media strategy, website management, and email outreach. As one of the earliest members of the team, Allison played a key role in the research, adoption, and roll-out of marketing automation software, responsive web design, and the thought-leadership program. Allison received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Babson College.
Outside of work, Allison enjoys learning about holistic health, traveling, and spending time outdoors with her husband, two children, and dog. Allison and her family reside in Melrose.
Andrea Leppert, Program Manager
Andrea joined the CCPE team in July of 2021. In her role, she supports the non-credit, online catalogue of continuing and professional education courses offered through the Center.
Before joining Suffolk University, she was the General Manager for WTS International and LifeStart Wellness Network at Federal Reserve Bank of Boston where she managed all aspects of health and wellness programming, staff and tenant engagement and community outreach initiatives. Prior to moving to Boston, Andrea spent almost 13 years as a high school Science Teacher where she developed a love for life long learning and looks forward to bringing her passion for supporting the success of others into the Center.
Andrea earned her Masters of Arts in Teaching (2002) and Bachelors of Science in Biology (1998) from Aurora University in Aurora, Illinois. In 2006, Andrea received a grant from NASA and SETI to study Astrobiology at San Francisco State University alongside some of the most renown Scientists, Physicists and Astronauts. Since completion of these degrees she continues exploring her interests and appetite for learning by taking additional coursework in Curriculum and Instruction, Environmental Science, Sports and Fitness Nutrition and Project Management. She holds a Personal Training and Health Coaching Certification through American Council of Exercise and a Yoga Teacher Certification through Yoga Alliance.
Andrea enjoys spending time with her family, exercising, cooking, listening to live music, and reading an intense mystery.
Cody Forrest, Program Coordinator
Cody joined the CCPE team as Administrative Coordinator in July 2021. In his role, he provides his team with administrative and clerical support. He also helps with research, planning, editing, and liaising between internal and external departments.
Before joining CCPE, Cody worked at the New England Conservatory Library. He continues to teach music history and theory part-time at NEC and is an active composer of contemporary Classical music. He has a BM from University of North Texas, MM from Syracuse University, and DMA from NEC, all in music composition. He lives in Boston with his partner and vast accumulation of books.