Page 19 - OIT Progress Report: 2024 Edition

for first-year students and Program Manager of
the Cox Career Accelerator Program (CAP) at the Cox School of Business, I have the joy of seeing employers shocked and excited when we share that 100% of our students will have completed the MOS Excel Associate Certification by the end of their first year at SMU. Cox students having their Excel certification completed as part of their curriculum in their first year at Cox is an incredibly valuable differentiator to employers and increases the odds of an employer being willing to consider first-year applicants for their summer internships!”
Our expanded collaboration with the Cox School of Business enhances the academic experience and ensures our commitment to preparing students
for the workforce. Preparing to accommodate the request to onboard 575 additional students was no small feat, particularly for a team that manages this program as part of its training outreach efforts rather than as a fully staffed independent certification center.
When a department member expresses interest
in offering certification as part of a course requirement or for extra credit, the training team arms faculty with certification-specific Canvas course pages, videos, practice test materials, and supplemental learning recommendations. These materials aid faculty as they onboard students. The training team works with approximately 15 faculty members in Cox, Dedman, Guildhall, Meadows, and Simmons each semester to communicate certification grades and coordinate
classroom presentations. In total, 2,038 certifications were achieved, with two Cox School of Business students ranking #1 in Texas for the top Excel Associate scores for the Fall and Spring qualifiers for the Microsoft Office National Championship. We hope we will soon have a student compete for scholarship money
at the Microsoft Office National Championship.
In addition to expanded partnerships with Cox, the training team also expanded partnerships with the Altshuler Learning Enhancement Center and the Office of Academic Engagement Success by meeting the requests for additional Excel workshops for students pursuing MOS certification and aiding staff in skills development.
“Partnering with Laurene and Zach over the last eight years to provide technology workshops for SMU students has enhanced opportunities for students to learn valuable skills to enhance their academic experience at SMU and prepare them for their careers once they graduate. We appreciate the new class offerings and suggestions they make to continue engaging our students and look forward to our continued partnership,” reflected Director of Academic Skill Development Becca Umobong.
To further expand opportunities for faculty and staff training, the training team launched the Spring Skills Sharpener, which offered 24 training opportunities. The training series, which launched in April, was a combined partnership to meet requests from the Office of Academic Engagement and Success for additional training
and further expand to the community through joint communication
efforts with
dEvElOPInG dIGITAl lITERAcy ThROuGh TRAInInG And mIcROSOfT OffIcE cERTIfIcATIOnS
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