CUNY SPS Hosts Blockchain Webinar for Business Students

The online business programs at the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) hosted the webinar Blockchain Basics on November 17 as part of the Talking Business series, which features guest speakers and practitioners in discussion about contemporary topics in business.

Professor Carlos Ronisky, a member of the CUNY SPS business faculty who organized and emceed the webinar, opened by introducing guest speaker Ara Ohanian, the former CEO of Systech International.

During his talk, Ohanian (pictured above) offered a big-picture look at blockchain technology and noted in particular how this technology is drastically reducing costs in supply chain operations while also providing for all sorts of innovation within the financial industry.

Ohanian also responded to a number of student questions, including how blockchain systems will affect new business growth. He observed, “This development is as big as the introduction of the internet once was. Back in the early internet stages, small cottage industries could become global because of the exposure the internet provided. In the same way, small companies that don’t have access to traditional capital resources can have access to funding through cryptocurrency because of the blockchain.”

Dr. Edwin Knox, associate professor and academic director of the online business programs, also spoke at the event, highlighting the importance of this series. “The Talking Business series was started to keep our students, graduates, and faculty abreast of essential topics trending in the business world. The presentations within the series take place each Fall semester and complement our annual business conference.” 

After the webinar, Ronisky reflected on the need for these gatherings. “Students are looking for more of these types of synchronous events, particularly during the pandemic.” He added, “With Dr. Knox’s leadership, we are developing a special two-day conference to cover the topic of entrepreneurship, which will be held in April 2022. The event will be a great opportunity to build community, which is highly important in today’s job market. Our students really appreciate these offerings. Our first segment, titled The State of Business Education, was held in November 2020, and was a big success.”

A recording of the webinar is also available for viewing online.

About the CUNY SPS Online Business Programs

The BS in Business online degree program provides students with a fundamental background in business functions and principles that can be used to build or advance their careers. Through the examination of case studies, global business models, and analytical tools, students gain a strong understanding of where they would make the greatest impacts within an organization. Additionally, the attention devoted to ethical decision-making, corporate responsibility, and team collaboration helps students develop the practical managerial skills needed to thrive in a range of business areas.

The MS in Business Management and Leadership online degree program inspires working professionals to become innovators, influencers, and decision-makers across all areas of business. With an emphasis on maintaining corporate ethical practices in a global environment, the program examines case studies and organizational models to help students solve timely issues related to diversity, sustainability, and consumer trust. Unlike the MBA, the MS degree provides versatility and flexibility to all students as they learn the core business functions in addition to the emerging industry areas. The program grounds itself in the ability to help students analyze numerical and non-numerical data alike so they can become better at explaining and justifying their decisions.

About the CUNY School of Professional Studies

For over 15 years, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) has been leading online education in New York. Notable for offering the most online bachelor’s and master’s degree options at the City University of New York, and for serving transfer students as the University system’s only undergraduate all-transfer college, CUNY SPS meets the needs of adults who wish to finish a bachelor’s degree, progress from an associate’s degree, earn a master’s degree or certificate in a specialized field, and advance in the workplace or change careers.

The School’s growth has been remarkable, with twenty-four degrees launched since 2006. Enrollment has risen by more than 30% in the last four years to over 4,000 students in the credit-bearing programs. Thousands more are enrolled in non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs. In addition, the School has an active alumni network and has established the CUNY SPS Foundation, which offers multiple scholarship opportunities to current students.

CUNY SPS has consistently been named by US News & World Report as one of the country’s top online institutions. This year, the School was ranked in the top 2% in the nation on the publisher’s list of the 2021 Best Online Bachelor’s Degree Programs.

Press Contact
Andrea Fagon
Director of Marketing and Communications
andrea.fagon@cuny.edu