Andrews University is offering a new educational event. "Andrews in May," a graduate level intensive session, will teach practical methods for increasing corporate responsibility toward the community. The three-week annual event takes place on the beautiful and historic AU campus in southwestern Michigan.

AiM will teach attendees the skills needed to enhance their company's public image, benefit their local community, and increase their international impact. Event structure allows students to put new knowledge into practice immediately, through assignments that are flexible enough to be completed at the home base of each attendee.

"Our students receive a unique chance to blend their careers and their education into one experience," says Dr. Oystein LaBianca, senior director of the International Development Program and the Graduate Programs Coordinator of Behavioral Sciences at Andrews University. "We provide established professionals with classes that are short, intensive and relevant. Even the assignments can be tailored to suit a student's current employment."

"Andrews in May" offers corporate individuals an opportunity to develop their project management skills and to apply social science research methods to problem solving in the community. Attendees will learn how to use statistics in their community and international development projects. They will also study practical techniques to promote community and individual capacity building.

While AiM was originally developed as a module within the full-time degree program at Andrews University, attendees may choose to receive graduate credit for the classes they complete instead of pursuing a full degree.

Those who choose to pursue a full degree have several options. A full-time program can be taken on the Andrews campus and completed in less than two years. An extended program entails similar academic requirements, but the classes are offered in brief yearly intensive sessions and spread over 4 or 5 years. This is ideal for established professionals, allowing them to design the program to benefit their current position with very little actual class time. Individuals may attend these intensive modules around the world or on the Andrews campus.

Professionals from around the world attend development classes at Andrews University. "I'm so glad I can take these classes without having to quit my job. I just take my vacation weeks to attend school," says Graziela Vinha, a Brazilian employee at Whirlpool Inc., and a graduate student at Andrews.

Corporate individuals will reap tangible benefits, whether they pursue a full degree or just participate in one intensive session. More information on the AiM session can be found at www.andrews.edu/GRAD/CIDP/AiM

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