Click to View Video About Scholarships and the Course

Founded by a benefit company, SHERPA Sustainability Institute measures success, not only by financial performance, but also by our contribution to society. As part of our B-Corp Charter, SHERPA provides gratis seats to military veterans and other deserving professionals who do not have employer sponsorship for professional development, to gain breakthrough skills in CISR_® - Continual Improvement for Social Responsibility. The project-based, online Certified CISR_® Practitioner Course is 14 weeks, with 1:1 expert coaching.

Nominations for scholarships is easy. Simply click here and watch the short video, by SHERPA’s Andrea Hoffmeier, with with details.  Scholarship FAQs:
Q: When are nominations due? A: Spring Term nominations are due February 28^th.  Summer Term nominations are due April 28^th. 
Q: Can I nominate myself? A: Yes! SHERPA welcomes self-nominations for either the Veterans or Coaches Scholarship
Q: What is the Coaches Scholarship? A: These are Gratis Seats for deserving professionals who are interested in CISR Practitioner Certification and do not have employer sponsorship to register.  It is named the Coaches Scholarship because our CISR Coaches select the recipients from nominations.
Q: What if nominee is not employed and does not have an organization (there is a question on nomination form about the organization for project)? A: Participants do not have to complete projects with an employer. Organizations in the local community, such as school, municipal departments, clubs, house of worship and more, are excellent options for project completion.

Scholarship recipients join a community of professionals from organizations including Accenture, Benchmark Electronics, ERM, DHL, Heritage Home Group, Interface, Kaiser Aluminum, Rockwell Collins, Sanmina Corporation, SunEdison, Xerox, and more.  

Participants receive 14 weeks of expert instruction and 1:1 coaching.

Here's what past participants have to say:
“This course has been the only source of practical content for improving Social Responsibility I have found.  Until I began working on the CISR Certification, I was not fully aware of the power of strategic thinking in the realm of social responsibility.”
-Billy Ingram
Director of Lean Product Development - Interface
Certified CISR^® Practitioner & Coach

“This is not just an online course where you’re out on your own.  The coaching I received helped hold me accountable, so I made progress every week. I’ve really enjoyed the discussion boards, as well as networking with other participants and instructors.”

  -Brion Hurley
  Six Sigma Black Belt - Rockwell Collins
  Certified CISR^® Practitioner & Coach

The method taught is from the textbook, A Six Sigma Approach to Sustainability: Continual Improvement for Social Responsibility. Check out this ASQTV Interview to learn more! 

Example Certified CISR^® Practitioner Projects
Consumer Issues
New Manufacturing Method Communications Launch
Optimized success of new product launch, through strategic sales and marketing aimed to clearly communicating benefits and educate consumers.
Improved Product Information & Education
Increased sales of healthier snack choices in vending outlets, by providing access nutrition information.
Employee Engagement & Organizational Effectiveness
Improved Roles & Responsibilities Descriptions/Definitions
Elimination of ambiguity and duplicate efforts elevated job satisfaction and team effectiveness.
Enhanced Employee Recognition Program
Aligning rewards and recognition with employee preferences improved job satisfaction and performance.
Environment, Health & Safety
Hazardous Materials Handling Improvements
Mitigation of risks related to handling of highly flammable materials.
Comprehensive Recycling Program Development
Expanded recycling program in multi-campus community college from paper recycling to all recyclables, setting example for local community and other institutions nationally.

Interested in registering yourself or members of your team for the course?
For complete Information PDF, click this link:
CISR® Certified Practitioner Course

Sherpa Sustainability Institute

Sherpa Sustainability Institute

Sherpa Sustainability Institute (SSI) is dedicated to improving Social Responsibility Performance Improvement, through research, education, publishing and collaboration.

SSI is powered by SHERPA, a benefit company, and as our name implies, we guide organizations on their Sustainability journey. This is YOUR journey, and it cannot be undertaken by simply bringing in “experts” from the outside. As a B-Corp, we sit at the intersection of a for-profit and not-for profit organization, measuring our success by the contribution we make to society.

Our Founding Partners are co-authors of a seminal text in the field of CSR. A Six Sigma Approach to Sustainability explains and demonstrates the meaning of CISR® Continual Improvement for Social Responsibility.

CISR® (sounds like scissor) is a rigorous method for improving social responsibility performance, similar to Six Sigma being a method for improving quality. A six-step methodology is introduced for achieving sustainability through social responsibility. But the goal is not simply the completion of an ongoing series of projects.

The goal is to achieve a CULTURE of Responsibility. It is only when everyone in the organization thinks and behaves with a long-term view, that a socially responsible culture has taken place.

And without LEADERSHIP, this CULTURE CHANGE is impossible.

The Institute’s research, education and collaboration supports, connect and inform organizational leaders in their culture change efforts.

CISR® is a registered trademark of Sherpa, a Colorado Benefit Company USPTO reg. 4182636, 2012, The purpose of registering the trademark is to ensure it is used correctly ad that use is aligned with the mission and values of the Sherpa Sustainability Institute. Visit www.Sherpabcorp.com for permissions to use.

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