Through the Institute for Diversity Certification (IDC)®, CERTiFi by Mercy College will prepare adult learners for the next generation of diversity at work.
CERTiFi by Mercy College (CERTiFi) has entered a licensing partnership with The Society for Diversity Inc. (Society), the leading professional association for diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). The partnership is a part of CERTiFi's goal to equip adult learners at every stage in their careers with the skills and knowledge to be successful in a rapidly changing workforce. Together, the two organizations will help engage talent, develop leaders and yield positive DEI results throughout New York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
Today, more employers are challenged to design meaningful interventions that eliminate racism, inequity and bias in hiring, compensation, management and promotions. "Inclusive excellence needs to go beyond diversity officers; it needs to be fully integrated with all company functions, including finance, customer service, health care, software development and more,” says Society President Leah Smiley. “Regardless of job function, IDC's certification program can help DEI champions create opportunities for everyone while minimizing organizational risks. Not only does Mercy College enable adult learners to improve their careers, but they’re also certified as a minority and Hispanic-serving institution. It culminates in a highly valuable collaboration.”
“In addition to Mercy College's long-standing commitment to creating career opportunities for learners from all backgrounds, I have heard directly from corporate leaders and public officials that regional economic growth directly depends on our ability to truly diversify the full spectrum of employment throughout all our industry sectors,” said Brian Amkraut, vice president and general manager of Mercy’s Division of Workforce Credentialing and Community Impact. “CERTiFi by Mercy College is pleased to partner with the Society, a recognized leader in this field, to offer training to corporate clients and individuals looking to address the critical economic and social imperatives for change in this area.”
IDC designed its rigorous certification system to serve as a standard for inclusive excellence. The diversity certification process is designed for all types of employees, from the C-Suite and supervisors to human resources and diversity champions. It consists of a standardized test and a peer-reviewed work-related project to ensure that employees have the knowledge and skill to lead culture change at work. IDC is in the process of completing its accreditation process with the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and is a current member of the Institute for Credentialing Excellence.
For professionals seeking to achieve bottom-line impact and make real progress in their careers and for their organizations, CERTiFi will offer both the Certified Diversity Professional (CDP)® and Certified Diversity Executive (CDE)® eight-week exam preparation courses. The classes will be offered virtually and will meet twice weekly for 1.5 hours. The first CDP® offering is June 6 - August 1, 2023, while the first CDE® course is scheduled for June 5 - July 31. For more information or to register, please click here.