Wagner College’s Nicolais School of Business has been awarded $25,000 through a Project-C Workforce development grant from National Grid. The grant will help fund Career Activator, a professional development program for first-generation and underrepresented students in the business school.
Through Career Activator, students will participate in workshops to develop their professional, interpersonal and leadership skills; work with a minority-owned business or nonprofit organization on Staten Island through a micro-internship or gig project; visit companies to understand organizational structure and workforce opportunities, and connect with industry mentors.
“We are grateful to National Grid for investing in this program and for creating opportunities for students from underrepresented groups to become career-ready young professionals who will thrive in the business world,” said Aarti Ivanic, dean of the Nicolais School of Business at Wagner College. “By conducting micro-internships for small and large businesses, minority-owned businesses and nonprofit partners, the Nicolais School of Business and Wagner College will be able to meaningfully invest in workforce development on Staten Island.”
“National Grid has a long-standing partnership with Wagner College, and we are proud to sponsor this important program that develops students leadership qualities,” said Carol Decina, National Grid, customer and community manager of Staten Island. “Workforce development is vital for businesses and the community; helping students build critical skills and preparing them for the future is significant.”
The grant builds upon initial seed funding from the KPMG U.S. Foundation’s Reaching New Heights grant.
To learn more, please contact Aarti Ivanic, dean of the Nicolais School of Business.
Wagner College, founded in 1883, is located on Grymes Hill in the New York City borough of Staten Island. The school’s signature curriculum, the Wagner Plan, unites deep learning and practical application, combining the college’s geographical location with its longstanding commitment to both the liberal arts and professional education. The college has about 1,600 undergraduate students and 350 graduate students enrolled. For more about Wagner College, go to wagner.edu.
