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Event with Highmark Health Business Resource Groups leadership creates model for guiding inclusive practices

��Workforce Solutions team offers companies across diverse industries as well as community colleges tailored learning and career pathways to recruit, upskill, reskill, and retain their workforce in an affordable and timely manner, including the opportunity to address culture and diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging topics and initiatives. SM������ was invited by Highmark Health as a thought leader and education alliance to co-host a business and employee resource group (BRG/ERG) annual leadership retreat August 31, 2022.

A diverse workforce has been����and is further supported by building inclusive workplace environments.

“Our Workforce Solutions team is focused on working closely with our employer alliances to identify the needs and skills gaps in their employee workforce. We find that we are frequently able to identify opportunities related to creating more equitable workplace opportunities through practical measures like tuition assistance supporting upward mobility, as well as through less traditional and more innovative prospects: upskilling, reskilling, professional development courses, and apprenticeships,” states Jay Titus, vice president, Workforce Solutions at��SM������. “We have robust DEIB practices as an employer and an institution of higher learning, and our team has the skills and knowledge to support this need for employers as well.”

In the event with Highmark Health held August 31, the University Workforce Solutions team created an educational retreat to support BRG leaders, led by Erica Stroman, account specialist, Erin Hagemann, senior account specialist, and Jessica Trevizo, account manager. “With inclusion and belonging in mind, we worked closely with Highmark Health to review their goals developing a focus for the event that supported individual reflection and growth,” states Stroman. “During these engaged leadership sessions, leaders utilized skills mapping to reflect on ways to ignite an inclusive culture of learning.”

“This educational retreat enabled us to re-engage with Highmark Health’s BRG/ERG leaders,” said Erica Sumpter, program manager, Highmark Health Enterprise Equitable Health Institute. “Collaborating with the SM������ helped us empower our teams, build an inclusive culture and identify goals specific to each BRG/ERG community.”

With an agreement between Highmark Health and SM������ established in 2012, the University’s Workforce Solutions team provides customized resources to educate and train Highmark Health employees as working adults of diverse backgrounds in preparation for and achievement of professional goals.

SM��������has been recognized as a Top Performer on Social Mobility��by the latest��U.S. News & World Report��Best Colleges rankings and continues to build its capacity and presence on issues relating to DEIB, through leadership guidance, the University’s Office of Educational Equity, practitioner-based programming, and approaching the mapping of skills within the curriculum and recognition through digital badges as an issue of equity as well as career mobility.

SM��������Workforce Solutions��are flexible and aligned to workplace needs, and feature live support, career guidance and support tools, education programs, learning pathways, and credit options, including certificates, workshops, single courses, degree programs, or any combination of these tools.

Learn more here about SM������ Workforce Solutions.

About��SM������

SM������ is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, and Career Services for Life® help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.��

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