Join Peirce on our social networks … Facebook, Twitter, and beyond

You might not know that Peirce was one of the first colleges in the country to start a serious blogging program. We got into the game very early and we’ve been at it for a while, but did you know we also have some other social media channels?

Here’s a snapshot of where you can find Peirce College on some of the most popular social networks.

• Like us on our Peirce College Facebook page
• Follow @PeirceCollege on Twitter
• Check out our YouTube channel for videos featuring Peirce people

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First Philadelphia, then the world: Peirce grad lands job at International Monetary Fund

Faculty member Justine Baker received this note from former Peirce student Del Alfred over the holidays, and we wanted to share it here. Del graduated in June 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in Information Technology, and today he works for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in Washington, D.C.

Dr. Baker thought his story would motivate other students, and I agree. Del kindly gave us permission to share his words here on the blog. Read about his journey below:

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Time for a checkup with healthcare professor Bonnie Sermons

We’ve made a lot of changes lately with the addition of great new programs that arm our students with the credentials to get jobs in the fast-growing healthcare industry. Bonnie Sermons, Program Manager and Assistant Professor, Healthcare Administration, has played an integral role in the development of these programs, so we wanted to talk to her for our faculty interview series.

Like many of our professors at Peirce, Bonnie brings real world experience to the classroom. Her knowledge of the healthcare industry gives her an important perspective into all facets of healthcare management and administration, from human resources to information management, coding, billing, and handling medical records.

In the following video, Bonnie talks about her path to becoming a professor, what she hopes to impart upon her students, the most valuable lesson she’s learned herself in her time at Peirce, and what you need to know about the new healthcare degree offerings. Click play to get to know Professor Sermons:



Thank you, Bonnie, for helping us tell the Peirce story straight from the heart of the organization -- our educators!

Peirce College delivers holiday donations to Philadelphians in need

Back before the holidays, we gave the Peirce community a variety of ways to give back -- and did you ever! Your thoughtful donations, whether in the form of toys or cash, allowed Peirce to make the holidays a little brighter for people in need across Philadelphia.

Thanks to your generosity, we were able to make a few special deliveries. We presented checks to the Hero Scholarship Fund and the Philadelphia Second Alarmers Association, and donated nearly 100 toys in support of the Youth Action Holiday Toy Drive.

And once again, we raised money to purchase uniforms for Thomas May Peirce Elementary School -- $1,130 to be exact! Like last year, some of these new uniforms went to the nurse’s office to be kept as spares for any student who might need them, and others were given to children identified by the teachers.

Jim Merigotti, Rosemary Connors, Jessica Quilter, and I were honored to bring the uniforms to the school. We had the opportunity to meet two of the fifth grade classes and tell them a little more about the history of our shared namesake, Thomas May Peirce, and his commitment to education.

It was a special day made possible by your generosity, so thank you again for your support of these deserving causes this holiday season.

Peirce President Jim Mergiotti poses with fifth graders from Thomas May Peirce Elementary School

A higher standard for higher education

Harvard researchers recently conducted a study comparing student graduation rates, federal loan repayment rates, and student success in securing jobs between nonprofit and for-profit institutions.

Chris Kirkham reported on this study in The Huffington Post, highlighting a lot of important points from the data. While studies like this are important, what we really need to be focusing on is not the type of institution, but whether that institution provides the best value for students’ investment.

Regardless of whether the institution is for-profit or nonprofit, the most important factor to consider when evaluating the institutions within our education system is whether they provide a high quality educational experience.

I touched on this in a comment I left for Chris on his article, and I wanted to expand on those thoughts here. It’s our responsibility as educators to ensure that we deliver value to our students, and there are many ways we can do so:

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4 ways to celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in Philadelphia

Many schools and businesses, including Peirce College, will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16, in honor of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

A vital figure in the Civil Rights Movement, Dr. King is known for speaking about justice, empowerment, love, and peace, but he also paid special attention to fighting poverty.

Every year, Americans celebrate Dr. King’s life and legacy by serving their communities and working together to provide solutions to our most pressing national problems.

Looking for a way to celebrate his legacy and give back to your community? Here are some events happening in the Philadelphia area:

Visit the National Museum of American Jewish History, located on Independence Mall. In honor of Martin Luther King Day, admission is free and includes:

• Exhibits highlighting the struggles and efforts for equality in America.
• A screening of “Eyes on the Prize,” a TV series documenting interviews and historical footage during the civil rights movement.
• A special watercolor project for children.

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New schedule of Walker Center workshops is now available

A fresh schedule of spring workshops at the Walker Center for Academic Excellence is now available! Workshops are broken down into several categories to help you develop your academic skills, navigate new technologies needed to succeed in your course work, and balance your personal life with student life.

Below is a flyer detailing all of our upcoming workshops, so read on for more information.

There are plenty of great resources lined up to help you make the most of your academic experience. To register for these workshops, email the Walker Center or call 888-467-3472, ext. 9251. Be sure to reserve your spot today!