The University of Vermont Unveils First-of-Its-Kind 100% Online Certificate Program in Sustainable Innovation

TAMPA, Fla., Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Increasing environmental awareness among consumers, coupled with rising operational costs, is creating unprecedented opportunities for businesses to become stronger, more socially responsible organizations through green innovation. As a result, sustainability training is in high demand for today's professionals. According to The Wall Street Journal, online job postings requiring sustainability skills have quadrupled in the past two years.* Long a trendsetter in the field, U.S. News & World Report-ranked University of Vermont (UVM) is taking its sustainability expertise online with their certificate in Sustainable Innovation. Registration is now open for this comprehensive, 100% online program. Classes start in April 2012 and will be offered monthly, thereafter.

Through three eight-week courses, the certificate in Sustainable Innovation can help professionals become transformational agents who will position themselves to steer their organization toward success. Emphasizing the maximization of the Triple Bottom Line (people, planet and profit), the program empowers them with highly valued, marketable skills, including how to:

• Boost revenue by minimizing operational deficiencies
• Apply green practices in operations such as energy, waste, water and transportation to reduce costs and environmental impact
• Catalyze innovation to gain a competitive edge among eco-savvy customers
• Foster goodwill within the community to promote brand loyalty and recognition
• Capitalize on current sustainability trends to minimize future ramp-up costs
• Maintain compliance with government regulations

"We are excited to partner with University Alliance for this program, which draws upon some of the top experts currently working in the sustainability field to guide professionals in creating a sustainable business culture within their organization," said Cynthia Belliveau, Dean of Continuing Education at UVM. "This, combined with University Alliance's innovative e-learning technology, helps create an optimal educational experience for busy professionals."

Using a state-of-the-art online classroom powered by University Alliance, the certificate in Sustainable Innovation allows acclaimed instructors to share their expertise with professionals across the United States and throughout the world. The program features streaming video lectures with convenient 24/7 access, as well as a variety of interactive tools that connect instructors and participants, including discussion boards, live chat rooms and email.

"We're delighted to provide technology, marketing and a suite of best-in-class support services for this program to the University of Vermont," said Adrian Marrullier, Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer for University Alliance. "Sustainability is a critical field, and we're proud to help make available a training program for the leaders of tomorrow alongside the university that is clearly best qualified for the job."

UVM is unequaled in sustainability leadership. Given an "A" rating from the College Sustainability Report Card in 2011, UVM is the home of the Institute for Global Sustainability, which the university established in 2007 to educate students and citizens on how to serve as leaders in the transition to a sustainable world.

In addition to the certificate in Sustainable Innovation, UVM is launching a new certificate in Sustainable Campus Innovation, a comprehensive program developed to help operations, administration and student leadership personnel apply sustainability initiatives on campus. Learn more about both programs or enroll today, at www.UniversityofVermontOnline.com or call 855-300-1467.

About the University of Vermont

Founded in 1791, the University of Vermont combines faculty-student relationships most commonly found in a small liberal arts college with the resources of a major research institution. It is the fifth oldest university in New England (after Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth and Brown). Located in Burlington, Vermont, UVM's setting in a valley on the shores of Lake Champlain, between the Adirondack and the Green mountain ranges, inspires visitors and residents alike.

About University Alliance Online

Founded in 1971, Bisk Education is the world's leading provider of professional education online. The University Alliance (UA), a division of Bisk, facilitates the promotion and online delivery of associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees as well as professional certificate programs from the nation's leading traditional universities and institutions. Powered by UA's technology and support services, our university partners have surpassed 450,000 online enrollments - making UA the largest facilitator of e-learning in the country. University partners include Villanova University, the University of Notre Dame's Mendoza College of Business, Michigan State University, Tulane University's Freeman School of Business, the University of San Francisco, the University of Vermont, Florida Institute of Technology, The University of Scranton, Jacksonville University and Dominican University. U.S. News University Directory, part of the Bisk network, provides comprehensive and unbiased information on more than 2,000 academic institutions directly from U.S. News & World Report, the most trusted source for college and university rankings since 1983.

*"Sustainability Jobs Get Green Light at Large Firms," The Wall Street Journal, July 11, 2011

Prospective students are encouraged to conduct research regarding local job growth rates as they may vary from the national average.

Contact:

Sandy Levine, VP of Marketing Services
Bisk Education/University Alliance Online
9417 Princess Palm Avenue, Tampa, FL 33619
813-621-6200, ext. 328

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SOURCE University Alliance Online