PEWL Celebrates Managing for Innovation Class With Special Ceremony

The CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) recently celebrated the Managing for Innovation Program Managers’ Forum participants with a special certificate ceremony after an intensive seven session course held over 14 weeks.

Managing for Innovation (MFI) is a leadership program offered in partnership between the CUNY SPS Office of Professional Education and Workplace Learning (PEWL) and the Mayor's Office for Economic Opportunity (NYC Opportunity), consisting of the Program Managers’ Forum, the City Partners’ Workshop, and an alumni network.

MFI is one of 15 programs in PEWL's $34 million portfolio and one of three partnerships PEWL has with NYC Opportunity. The others are The Academy for Community Behavioral Health and Unlocking Employment.

The Program Managers’ Forum is for selected program directors, assistant directors, and other emerging leaders at NYC nonprofits, who manage or work on programs funded by NYC Opportunity, the Young Men’s Initiative (YMI), or other New York City agencies. The curriculum is based on the Program Management Core Competency Model, created by CUNY SPS and NYC Opportunity, which outlines fundamental competencies for successful program management.

The City Partners’ Workshop is aimed at city agency and Mayor’s Office staff who help to oversee the design, implementation, and monitoring of city-funded human services programming and systems change initiatives.

Program Director Clarke Griffith, who co-facilitated the module on strategy and planning, noted that the recent MFI graduation celebration for the latest group of participants, complete with balloons, sparkling cider, and cake, was particularly joyous because it was held in-person—the first time since 2019 when the pandemic began.

"I'm thrilled we were able to hold this in-person," Griffith said. "It makes such a difference. This outstanding group was able to bond, interact and collaborate in a variety of ways and it made for a much richer experience."

Jaye Smith, MFI lead facilitator, agreed. “It is a joy to be able to support this group of warriors helping to support the people of this city, especially those who need it most," Smith said. "Being back together in person made a world of difference."

Other course topics covered during the course include analysis and decision making; leading people and building teams; personal management; collaboration and partnerships; and contract management and budgeting.

Participants discuss their strengths and weaknesses, brainstorm solutions to problems, and receive group coaching. Their supervisors are invited to attend the first session which includes a goal setting discussion between the participant and supervisor. There is also a half-day workshop just for supervisors.

After completing the Program Managers' Forum, they become part of an alumni network that includes ongoing professional development opportunities.

Sara Feit, director of CASES ATI Intake Assessment Team, said what drew her to the program was the opportunity to collaborate with other managers, and to be able to learn about management.

"When you become a manager, you're just thrown in, and you kind of have to figure it out," she said. "What I loved the most about the program was the collaboration and hearing people who are in similar types of settings brainstorm about problems. Everyone can feed off of each other and it's very solution focused. We're looking at it from different points of view. 'Have you tried this? Well, how about this? Why don't you ask that as opposed to this?'"

Susanna Saul, director of Immigration at Her Justice, said the course continues to be instrumental and clarifying. "I see things now that I didn't see before," she said. "I have much more of a confident voice when I speak up. I have a very clear idea about what questions I should be asking."

Saul added with a laugh that everybody she works with is sick of hearing her say '"in my management course.' The people I have supervised have said, 'This is great that you did this, I can see a difference in your leadership.'"

Natasha Edwards, assistant director of East Harlem Jobs Plus with Urban Upbound, said she learned so much as the course progressed. "I can't even pinpoint one thing because every time we came to a new section, there was something that I needed to know," she said. “I also got the bigger picture for everything. I'm new as an assistant director. It really helped me with the foundation. It was a great opportunity for me to get all that information."

A few weeks after receiving her certificate, Jasmine Bolling, program manager for 100 Suits for 100 Men, finds herself still carrying around the large white binder of MFI course information and lessons.

"I find myself referring to what we learned in that binder very often," she said. "It has a lot of useful information. The program was phenomenal."

About the CUNY School of Professional Studies

As New York's leading online school since 2006, the CUNY School of Professional Studies (CUNY SPS) offers the most online bachelor's and master's degree options at the City University of New York, and serves as the University's first undergraduate all-transfer college. With 26 degrees and numerous other non-degree and grant-funded workplace learning programs, 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. Consistently ranked highly by U.S. News & World Report for its online offerings, CUNY SPS has emerged as a nationwide leader in online education. The School's renowned and affordable online programs ensure that busy working adults may fulfill their educational goals on their own time and schedule.

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