{"id":1510,"date":"2024-01-05T11:07:49","date_gmt":"2024-01-05T16:07:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/giving\/?p=1510"},"modified":"2024-01-05T11:07:49","modified_gmt":"2024-01-05T16:07:49","slug":"adp-partnership-connects-students-to-business-expertise","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/giving\/2024\/01\/05\/adp-partnership-connects-students-to-business-expertise\/","title":{"rendered":"ADP Partnership Connects Students to Business Expertise"},"content":{"rendered":"

ADP and Montclair are iconic New Jersey institutions with global reach and intertwined trajectories to boost human potential. With far-reaching impact, this multifaceted and growing partnership is creating opportunities that span from student scholarships, alumni engagement and employee recruitment to collaborating on business education, where academia, expertise and innovation meet to prepare the next generation of professionals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Powerhouse Institutions, Joining Forces<\/strong>
\nADP is a c<\/span>omprehensive global provider of cloud-based human capital management and a leader in business outsourcing services, analytics and compliance expertise. In its 70 years, ADP has grown to a publicly traded corporation with more than 1 million clients in 140 countries.<\/span><\/p>\n

As New Jersey\u2019s second largest institution of higher learning, and one of its most diverse, Montclair is a respected contributor to the state\u2019s workforce pipeline. The Feliciano School of Business (FSBUS), fully accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), is home to six academic departments offering a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with 10 concentrations, a master\u2019s in Accounting, and an MBA. The Feliciano Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, the Ellyn A. McColgan Center for Student Services, and the 3D printing MIX Lab provide the School\u2019s more than 4,200 students with a state-of-the-art business education experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMontclair is actively engaged in the wider community, and working with partners like ADP ensures that our programs are relevant, that our students are getting hands-on experience and that our graduates are prepared to lead businesses,\u201d says Montclair State University President Jonathan Koppell. \u201cOur work with ADP exemplifies the potential of collaborating in new ways with major corporate players.”<\/span><\/p>\n

The Growing ADP-Montclair Partnership<\/strong>
\n<\/span>Montclair alumni have been a long-time force in building bridges between the University and ADP. Currently, more than <\/span>200 Montclair alumni<\/span> are employed with ADP, a reflection of the company\u2019s confidence in hiring Montclair graduates as well as the job satisfaction alumni experience once employed there.<\/span><\/p>\n

Over the years, ADP has been an engaged philanthropic partner as well, supporting students, events and programs at Montclair. ADP executives have been generous with their time, offering guest lectures and taking the time to meet and speak with students.<\/span><\/p>\n

This growing partnership exceeds the expectations of the traditional university-corporate sector relationship.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cADP has had a long-standing relationship with Montclair,\u201d says Barat Dickman, ADP\u2019s senior vice president of Worldwide Commercial Operations. \u201cI joined the Feliciano School of Business Advisory Board in 2019. My initial vision was to continue the work that was already in motion, but as I began to understand the School\u2019s goals and aspirations, I saw an opportunity for ADP to contribute even more. We will continue expanding our relationship with Montclair by working closely with the School to determine areas where we can contribute the most.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe get to give back to our local community by providing resources directly to Montclair students, and we are also introducing students to ADP\u2019s core values and culture,\u201d he continues. \u201cThe opportunity to cultivate this partnership is really one of my favorite parts of the job. <\/span>It\u2019s important for corporations to give back to their local community and it\u2019s great that ADP continues to invest the time and resources to cultivate these relationships.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2022, ADP Change Management lead strategist Crissette Maxwell joined the effort. \u201cWe have set up a Montclair alumni chapter here at ADP and we are continuing to grow our strategy by participating in more on-campus events and planning to host students at our Roseland campus on a more regular basis,\u201d she says. \u201cSince ADP is a large global company, this partnership gives students exposure to the many different roles and areas of the business that they could potentially pursue when joining the workforce. It also gives ADP associates the chance to give something back to the students and faculty as well. I believe we\u2019ve just scratched the surface of this long-standing partnership, and I am excited to be at the forefront of helping drive the progress.\u201d<\/p>\n

Preparing Students to Excel in Business<\/strong>
\nThe Professional Selling and Sales Management certificate program, developed collaboratively by FSBUS faculty and ADP professionals, is a 12-credit track that builds students\u2019 analytical, leadership, customer service and communication skills. Since it launched in 2019, more than 30 students have earned the certificate. The program\u2019s emphasis on strong relational and personal interaction skills and innovative technology, enhanced by an executive\/professional presence in the classroom, prepares students for success on day one.<\/p>\n

The success of the sales-oriented certificate program inspired an even bolder view of what this unique partnership could achieve. In fall 2023, Montclair rolled out the Strategic Human Capital Management (HCM) concentration, as part of the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree program, with 21 students enrolled in the first semester.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a great need for professionals who have the knowledge and skill to think strategically about human capital management,\u201d notes Dr. Warren Zhou, chair of the Management Department. \u201cStrategic human capital management transforms the HR function from a purely operational one into a strategic partner that contributes significantly to the achievement of business objectives. It helps organizations maximize the value of their human capital, adapt to changing environments, and maintain a competitive edge in the marketplace.\u201d<\/p>\n

This program is the first of its kind in New Jersey and connects Montclair to the emerging field of strategic human capital management. The curriculum, co-developed with ADP\u2019s human resources experts, offers students a deep dive into the discipline through coursework as well as two labs that will teach them to use ADP\u2019s human resource information systems software. Graduates of this program will be in high demand in the workplace.<\/p>\n

Amy Leschke-Kahle, vice president of talent insights and innovation at ADP, is also a member of the board advising the new human capital concentration. \u201cMontclair identified the critical role that people, process, and technology play in today\u2019s world of work,\u201d she says. \u201cTheir commitment to preparing students to be ready to meet the near-term needs of employers and have the skills necessary to lead their organizations\u2019 HCM practices into the future is priceless. Montclair is leading the way.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOur work with ADP is the result of really listening to our business partners, learning what their priorities are in terms of the knowledge and talent they need to move their enterprises forward,\u201d says Kimberly Hollister, dean of the Feliciano School of Business. \u201cIt is exciting to know that our students will be at the leading edge of the evolution of business.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ensuring Students\u2019 Path to Graduation and Career Success<\/strong><\/p>\n

ADP appreciates the challenges many Montclair students face in the quest to earn a college degree. The company\u2019s support for scholarships, including an Honors Program scholarship and a Student Development and Campus Life (SDCL) scholarship, are removing barriers for students and connecting them to the life-changing benefits of a Montclair degree.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWith the generosity of the ADP Student Development and Campus Life Scholarship, I will be able to finish my degree,\u201d says Donyelle Hayes, a senior majoring in Fashion Design and Merchandising. \u201cI\u2019ve worked hard to be active in the University community through clubs and campus jobs, but this past year has been challenging for me \u2026 I genuinely wasn\u2019t sure how I would be able to afford to complete school.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

ADP associates and leaders are invested in student success, o<\/span>ffering their time and expertise as mentors to undergraduate and graduate students alike \u2013 helping them build an awareness of the varied career opportunities available to them and providing guidance as they travel the path from college student to young professional.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI decided to become a mentor because I understand the value of these kinds of resources,\u201d says Dina Andrews<\/span> \u201902 \u201915 MBA<\/span>, an ADP service executive and undergraduate mentor. \u201cI think it\u2019s important for students to have a safe space to ask questions and feel heard especially when they are trying to navigate decisions that might shape their future. I have degrees in psychology and business \u2013 both from Montclair \u2013 and have held a number of front line and leadership roles while being a highly engaged friend, wife and mom. I\u2019ve overcome personal and professional adversities which have shaped me into the person and leader I am today. I can be a trusted ear and tour guide for their journey ahead.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Likewise, Erjola Cake \u201911 is eager to contribute to the growth and development of Montclair students. \u201cHopefully, sharing my own experience will help guide them on their next steps,\u201d she says. \u201cThe greatest impact I can bring to the students I mentor is helping them to refine their critical thinking skills and to develop a growth mindset.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

There are also <\/span>ADP mentors <\/span>who help the University\u2019s accelerated MBA students build a career continuum, with advice on how to navigate the corporate ladder and providing opportunities to attend company-sponsored events. In April 2023, <\/span>more than 30 Montclair students <\/span>spent an afternoon at ADP\u2019s headquarters where they met and learned from the company\u2019s high-level executives, including Sreeni Kutam, <\/span>president of Global Product and Innovation at ADP<\/span> and member of Montclair\u2019s Board of Trustees; Helena Almeida, vice president and Managing <\/span>Counsel; Linda Mougalian, senior division vice president of Sales Marketing; Sandy Thomas, vice president of Talent Solutions, and Barat Dickman.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI chose to mentor MBA students at Montclair not only because I am a recent graduate of the Montclair MBA program myself, but I also feel strongly that mentorship has had a significant impact on my own professional development,\u201d says Eloy Arocho \u201917 \u201923 MBA, manager of client services for ADP Insurance Agency, Inc. \u201cMBA students are more likely to have more specific needs from a mentoring relationship compared to undergraduates who may still be exploring career options. Either way, I believe mentorship is a valuable tool to help provide guidance and encourage growth for their career.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Enduring Value of the ADP-Montclair Partnership<\/strong>
\n\u201cAs a leading HR solutions provider focused on helping our clients navigate the evolving world of work, we understand the importance of preparing the next generation of talent for the workplace,\u201d says Kutam. \u201cAt ADP, we are dedicated to career development and providing inclusive and accessible experiences for our global associates that support our mission to promote learning and skills development. Our collaboration with Montclair seeks to enhance student learning experiences through hands-on programs that immerse students in real-world scenarios to unlock their potential and transform them into tomorrow\u2019s business leaders.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are excited about our ability to provide students with such a valuable educational experience,\u201d adds President Koppell. \u201cOur mission is to provide transformational opportunities for all of our students and to equip them with the tools they need for social mobility. We want every Montclair student to graduate with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their chosen field, and to leave here with greater opportunities than they came in with.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Montclair and ADP have long worked together to prepare the coming generations of business leaders, a collaboration that provides students with cutting-edge programs, alumni mentoring and more to pave the way to career success.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":326,"featured_media":1511,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1510","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-montclair-state-university-donors"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/giving\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1510","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/giving\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/giving\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/giving\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/326"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/giving\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1510"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/giving\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1510\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1515,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/giving\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1510\/revisions\/1515"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/giving\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1511"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/giving\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1510"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/giving\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1510"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.montclair.edu\/giving\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1510"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}