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TECHNOLOGY EXCHANGE
Fielding Graduate Institute Builds Niche
in Custom Learning Solutions for
Corporations, Government and Nonprofits
First Data Corp. Program Exemplifies Outsourcing Trend
SANTA BARBARA, Calif., September 25, 2002 - First Data Corp. (NYSE: FDC), a world leader in electronic commerce and payment services, recently undertook several major initiatives designed to increase revenue. To help the company prepare for large- scale organizational change, it turned to another leader: Fielding Graduate Institute.
Fewer than two months later, 22 First Data executives around the country were online earning a Certificate in Organizational Development in a customized e-learning program designed by Fielding. First Data executives are learning organizational skills, such as performance coaching and managing collaborative work teams at a distance, that are needed by leaders of major organizational change initiatives.
"The team at Fielding truly partnered with our team to understand our vision and were able to customize a program to help develop the internal skills and competencies we need to drive change throughout our the company," says Ria Nicholls, First Data's director of executive development & organizational change.
First Data's certificate program represents a growing trend among organizations that are outsourcing their internal training and employee development needs. Capitalizing on this trend, Fielding-a premier provider of graduate education for mid-career professionals-has
established a leading role in the design and implementation of learning solutions for corporations, government entities and nonprofit organizations.
" A broad range of knowledge and experience in leadership development and large-scale organizational change can be found among our faculty members. Those competencies, combined with our expertise in e-learning, make Fielding well suited to fill this need," says Christi A. Olson, Ph.D., Fielding's associate dean for e-learning and partnerships and director of the Organizational Management and Organization Development program. Fielding's expertise in adult learning and proficiency in online delivery mean fast design and implementation. "We're able to design a program and have it up and running in 60 days. That's of tremendous value and importance to our customers," says Olson. Organizations traditionally have partnered with local academic institutions or consultants to help them fulfill their training and education needs. The adoption of the Internet as a delivery system means that organizations are no longer restricted geographically. "E-learning allows companies to look elsewhere for partners with quality reputations and specific competencies," says Olson. "Fielding has an advantage because we offer certificate degrees and academic credit, a benefit for executives who may wish to continue toward a full degree."
Fielding recently created a customized masters program for Santa Barbara county and city employees of the fire, police and sheriff departments. The program focuses leadership skills and change management and uses a "blended" training model combining online and face-toface learning.
Fielding also designed a blended solution for AMS, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMSY), the international business and information technology consulting firm. That program, created for senior consulting partners and vice presidents, focuses on managing strategic client relationships.
About Fielding Graduate Institute
Fielding Graduate Institute is world renowned for its leadership in networked education for adult professionals. Fielding is an accredited, nonprofit graduate institute offering a spectrum of programs within schools of Psychology, Human & Organization Development, and
Educational Leadership & Change. Fielding is dedicated to lifelong learning, social justice, and innovation and change in the workplace and the community. For more information about Fielding Graduate Institute, visit www.fielding.edu.
Contact:
Sylvia Williams, Fielding Institute, (805) 898-2947 sawilliams@fielding.edu
Jeff Fox, MacKenzie Communications, (415) 433-8200 jfox@mackenziesf.com
Fielding Institute
2112 Santa Barbara Street
Santa Barbara, California 93105-3538
805.687-1099 • 805.687-4590 fax