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I found Suffolk’s DEI certificate program to be extremely fulfilling. I learned a lot about myself, including my own emotional intelligence. It helped me identify areas in my own life where I wish to improve and it has provided me with tools that have enabled self reflection and growth. In addition, it has made me more cognizant of my surroundings as well as how power and privilege play a role in daily life.

I recently completed the DEI Certificate program offered by Suffolk University’s CCPE, and I cannot recommend it enough. Dr. Joyya Smith provided excellent instructional leadership throughout the program, and she was a knowledgeable and passionate instructor who made the course content engaging and interactive.

As the Director of Career & Professional Development at Eastern Nazarene College, completing the DEI Certificate program has been invaluable to me. The program provided me with a deeper understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion, and has equipped me with the tools and knowledge to create more inclusive programming and services for our students. This has been particularly helpful as we work to prepare our students for diverse and global workplaces. Additionally, the program has allowed me to connect with other professionals who are also committed to advancing DEI initiatives in their organizations, which has expanded my network and provided me with valuable insights and best practices.

Having this credential will undoubtedly impact my career. I believe it will enhance my professional development opportunities, and it will make me a more attractive candidate for future leadership positions. With the increased focus on DEI in today’s workplaces, having a credential in this area will provide me with a competitive edge and help me to better serve our students and colleagues. I highly recommend the DEI Certificate program to anyone who is committed to advancing DEI initiatives and enhancing their career opportunities, and I especially commend Dr. Joyya Smith for her excellent instructional leadership.

In my experience, certificates have given me the edge with focused learning, skills, and confidence. Prior to earning the Suffolk University CCPE certificate “Becoming a Culture Change Agent: Harnessing the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)”, my prior certificates also distinguished me from the pack. For example, a paralegal certificate embedded in my BA enabled and empowered me to contract as a Public Information Researcher, working for a Boston service workers union where I discovered predatory financing practices in Boston’s systematically marginalized neighborhoods which led to Massachusetts legislation protecting homeowners of color. Next, my Graduate School Certificate in Dispute Resolution opened the door to a chapter in Human Resources, where I served more than two decades as an Employee Relations Specialist, HR Consultant and HR Business Partner.

Now, with the Suffolk University CCPE certificate, I am pivoting to what I am calling my Third Wind, like the feeling one gets at the end of a gym workout telling oneself there’s more in me to do another round. My timing is great as more companies are seeking DEI Managers. I am very enthused by this CCPE certificate, not only for the new learning and skills, but also for confirmation that many of my prior experiences were valid in the sense that this learning described specialized practices and skills that I had been performing, and now named and packaged these to readily transfer to growing opportunities with many companies. I enthusiastically support all professionals looking to distinguish themselves and in my opinion a CCPE certificate will give them the “muscle to ease the lift”.

I found the DEI program engaging and informative. I truly appreciated the ability to learn about my own journey in the DEIB space and translate this knowledge into methodologies I am able to apply in my career.