Excelsior College Partners with The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce to Support Workforce and Economic Development
Albany, N.Y. – Excelsior College is proud to announce an exclusive educational partnership with The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce (NPR Chamber). Members of the NPR Chamber include entrepreneurs, businesses, corporations, and government entities in Puerto Rico. The NPR Chamber provides an opportunity to bridge economic and workforce development by advocating for business owners in Puerto Rico by connecting them to the mainland of the United States.
The partnership is even more important amidst high unemployment rates and challenges resulting from hurricanes to COVID-19, and it can help students save on tuition costs. It provides educations opportunities and workforce training that can contribute to business economic prosperity. During the early part of summer, Puerto Rico was one of the countries hardest hit, with the unemployment rate at 23 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. National news reports indicate Puerto Rico residents have been dealing with the aftereffects of natural disasters, Covid-19, poverty, and unemployment that create challenging times.
Excelsior College is a not-for-profit, online learning institution founded in 1971 focused on providing educational opportunities to adult learners. This partnership aligns with the College’s mission of providing educational opportunities to underserved populations, creating a pathway for success in a variety of careers. “We are excited to offer the more than 8,000 members of The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce education and training opportunities to help start-ups, the hospitality industry, real estate, financial services, and farm-to-table businesses,” says David Schejbal, president of Excelsior College. “Education improves people’s lives, and the faculty and staff of Excelsior College are very much looking forward to working with the members of The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce to help them learn new skills, earn degrees, and achieve their learning goals.”
Maria Bermudez, a small business member of the NPR Chamber, is an attorney and disability advocate serving individuals with disabilities in the Philadelphia region and Puerto Rico. Bermundez shared, “Higher education is one of the greatest investments I’ve made in myself. It has enabled me to broaden my perspective and achieve my career goals. Acquiring both substantive knowledge and organizational skills placed me in a position to purposefully serve my community that I’m passionate about helping.”
Joel Berrocal, national director of small business development for the NPR Chamber, stated, “The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce looks forward to what can be accomplished through our partnership with Excelsior College. The focus on student success and the value a degree and workplace training programs can provide our members and their families is the reason we sought out this partnership. With Excelsior’s wide array of degree programs, we know that all our members looking to enroll will find a program that fits their needs and goals. Their focus on providing educational opportunities to adult learners with an emphasis on those historically underrepresented in higher education was also very important, and we felt that aligned well with our beliefs as an organization. With this joint venture, we hope to continue to provide value to our members in Puerto Rico and the United States and be the bridge between these two distinct ecosystems.”
For more information, visit The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce partnership page.
# # #
Media Contact:
Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu, 518-464-8531
About Excelsior College
Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is an accredited, not-for-profit online college focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. The college contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity. Learn more at excelsior.edu.
