Introducing RISE Academy
The College of Business has launched a new program that offers students a chance to get a jumpstart on their future. RISE Academy, an acronym for the focus areas of resilience, integrity, selflessness, and excellence, began welcoming program participants in the Spring of 2023. Students will understand the importance of strong emotional intelligence skills, critical thinking, and participate in internships and mentoring opportunities with industry leaders. Jeremiah Valentine, Editorial Assistant for the College of Business, asked the Director of Access and Achievement, Philisa Stanford, about this and more.
Jeremiah: Can you describe RISE Academy’s mission in your own words?
Philisa: RISE aims to provide our diverse students with the educational and professional resources they need to succeed in their academic journey and prepare them for their professional business careers. We want to offer our diverse student body a chance to develop skills, access resources, and facilitate mentorship opportunities that will help them excel in the workplace.
Jeremiah: Why was RISE Academy started?
Philisa: I have worked in UTA’s College of Business for about ten years, much of my time spent advising undergraduate students. I served as the primary advisor for the Goolsby Leadership students for over five years. In this role, I could see how the power of belonging to a group of like-minded peers with similar professional values and goals transformed the students in the academy.
Jeremiah: Who allocated grant funds to start the Academy?
Philisa: Santander Consumer USA Foundation generously provided grant funds for us to start RISE Academy. We are grateful that Santander’s representatives understood our vision and mission for the RISE program, who graciously donated to us to implement the program.
Jeremiah: Why now?
Philisa: We feel our obligation is to equip our students, the future workforce, with the necessary skills and knowledge to contest injustice in our communities, organizations, and impact positive change. A key component of RISE Academy is our diversity certificate, Managing Diversity and Inclusion in Organizations (MDIO). Incorporating the certificate into RISE provides our students with a skill set that will meet industry demands and prepare them to be more inclusive as they enter the workforce. As UTA is one of the most diverse schools in the nation, RISE is structured to create positive experiences for students going through the program and the companies interested in hiring our students.
Jeremiah: How does it benefit the individual student on campus?
Philisa: In addition to building a community of like-minded peers, selected students receive a scholarship to help pay for their education, participate in a mentorship program with our industry-leading diversity partners, and engage in programs to expand their network with fellow students and UTA alumni. RISE Academy is structured so participants gain experience from multiple internship opportunities and the chance to study abroad with their peers.
Jeremiah: As an employer, what could you expect from a graduate of this program?
Philisa: RISE Academy participants are chosen because they exhibit our core values: resilience, integrity, selflessness, and excellence in many aspects of their lives. Therefore, employers can expect our RISE students to be well-rounded individuals who have gained experiential learning to help with their transferable skills. RISE students will earn the MDIO certificate, so they will understand the best practices for developing and managing diverse applicants, employees, and constituents.
Jeremiah: What impact on the business community do you plan to make with your students?
Philisa: RISE Academy’s success will yield a positive impact on the business community. RISE Academy graduates will join the workforce with a greater understanding of businesses’ (large and small) responsibility to cultivate diverse, equitable, and inclusive business practices. The experiences embedded throughout the program foster the high-demand, transferable skills, and our graduates will be equipped to be excellent managers in their organizations.
Jeremiah: What do you expect students to gain from the RISE Academy?
Philisa: I hope students will gain the knowledge and resources to prepare them for a robust career. I hope RISE students will take the knowledge gained from the MDIO coursework and apply it as they move up the corporate ladder. Ultimately, I hope students will understand the importance of service to others, paying it forward, and that the experiences they gain will positively impact their families for generations to come.
RISE Academy will be taking applications until February 24th, 2023. For more information, please follow the links below.
Philisa Stanford
cob-aa@uta.edu
philisa@uta.edu
817-272-3370