Aug 27, 2009 -- Sy Syms School of Business further expands the scope of its education beyond undergraduate programming this fall when it launches the Center for Executive and Professional Education. The center will offer post-graduate education and professional development to meet the needs of business professionals, especially in the Jewish community.

“Success in business demands continual updating of our knowledge and skills,” said Dr. Michael Ginzberg, dean of the business school. “This is never more true than at a time of rapid economic change such as we are experiencing today. The center’s professors are experienced practitioners and talented educators who know what is needed to succeed in today’s economic environment and have the skills to communicate it.”

The center launches with two one-day seminars this fall dedicated to entrepreneurship skills and another series in the spring dedicated to family business challenges and not-for-profit leadership. “These are areas where we have great experience,” Ginzberg said.

The certificate-granting seminars will be held on Sundays to cater to Sabbath-observant participants.

Teaching these seminars will be Syms faculty Dr. Brian Maruffi and Dr. Steven Nissenfeld, both professors of management, and Michael Strauss, adjunct professor and entrepreneur-in-residence, as well as outside industry experts.

The center is working towards offering an Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) in fall 2011, which will be designed for mid-career managers and professionals. It will also hold on Sundays for Sabbath observers and those who cannot do the typical Saturday coursework of many of other EMBA programs.