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DAWN CAREER INSTITUTE PROMOTES JENA ZAPATA TO CHIEF MARKETING OFFICER POSITION

 

Dawn Career Institute (DCI) is pleased to announce Jena Zapata has been promoted to the newly created Chief Marketing Officer position.  Zapata, who has developed superior knowledge and familiarity with career education throughout her career, will be responsible for DCI’s marketing strategy and various functions including brand management and recognition, local and national marketing initiatives, overseeing public relations efforts, and forming strategic relationships.

In her new role, Zapata will work closely with the chief operating officer – admissions and career services and corporate partners, as well as other service providers to continue DCI’s commitment to quality and further position it as a leader within the career education business.  Zapata will provide strategic and functional leadership to DCI’s human resource initiatives. 

“While my previous role has involved certain aspects to our marketing and branding efforts, this new position will bring more cohesiveness to our approach and allow me to concentrate on our core corporate objectives,” Zapata said. “Our organizational goals include encouraging an environment that fosters creativity and strives to bring Dawn’s brand to the forefront of the career college sector.”

Zapata’s professional career growth and development began early on while in college working as the assistant marketing coordinator and administrative assistant at DCI.  Upon graduating with a Bachelor of Science in Business Management degree from Wilmington University, Zapata seized the opportunity to join the organization and aspired to increase her responsibilities and roles.  While attending Wilmington University, Zapata also attended and completed DCI’s Esthetics program, resulting in her becoming a licensed esthetician in the State of Delaware.  While at DCI, she gained a passion for business development and marketing strategy, which provided a natural transition to marketing and human resources and, ultimately, her role as Chief Marketing Officer.

DAWN CAREER INSTITUTE NAMES SHANNON YERKIC CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

 

Dawn Career Institute is pleased to announce Shannon Yerkic has joined DCI as Chief Operating Officer of Admissions and Career Services.  Yerkic, who is particularly well-versed in the challenges that career college students must overcome, brings years of experience in admissions and career services to his new role. He will work with Dawn’s faculty and admissions staff to ensure that the Institute’s current and future students receive the attention and high-quality services they need to succeed in their educations and careers.

“I’m eager to have the opportunity, and look forward to displaying the same dedication and determination that has enabled my former clients, companies and teams’ success and look forward to fostering those results to the students and employees of Dawn Career Institute Inc.,” Yerkic said.

In his former roles, Yerkic served as Vice President of Sales & Marketing for a consulting and training firm within proprietary education that focused on working with online and ground colleges and universities both nationally and internationally. Yerkic served as Managing Director at Huntington Learning Center where he set sales records from the onset. In addition, he also served separate tenures as Director of Admissions and Director of Career Services at Florida Technical College where he raised the placement rate by 52 percent within a six-month period, as well as the enrollment rate by 75 percent from the previous year’s statistics. Yerkic was also a Healthcare Recruiter at Maxim Healthcare Services, where he managed over 150 healthcare professionals and provided service to over 132 clients.  Yerkic is a graduate of Valdosta State University.

“I am excited to bring my experience, energy and enthusiasm to the position of Chief Operating Officer of Admissions and Career Services at Dawn Career Institute Inc.,” Yerkic said. “With my previous background consisting of executive/corporate management within proprietary and supplemental education, I feel my insight and experience will complement and assist an already impressive organization reach extraordinary educational goals.”

DAWN CAREER INSTITUTE NAMES CHERYL ZAPATA PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Dawn Career Institute (DCI) is pleased to announce its appointment of Cheryl Zapata as President and Chief Executive Officer.  Zapata brings over 28 years of progressively responsible business experience in the postsecondary for-profit education and aviation industries to her new role as President and CEO. Her proven ability to build enterprises and motivate people, and her experience in developing long-term, productive strategic relationships made her transition to this new role a natural one.

Zapata utilizes her leadership, management, communication and marketing skills to fulfill Dawn Career Institute’s mission of cultivating an environment where students thrive in the pursuit of fulfilling personal, professional and academic goals. She will continue to produce innovative programs within the allied health, wellness and business fields that integrate curriculum and technology to position graduates for success in their chosen career fields.

“My CEO efforts are focused on creating an environment where people thrive,” Zapata said. “I believe in the global mission of career education: Providing accessible, affordable and relevant education focused on outcomes and career opportunities to a diverse ground and online student population. As an organization, we seek opportunities to create an extraordinary learning experience for our students through capstone events, our Coffee Shop Learning Center, Learning Resource Center, our New Beginnings Spa, and other labs and projects.  We extend the philosophy to our graduates and employers in similar fashion, hosting learning luncheons, graduate workshops, and participating in a variety of community events.  Once again, taking advantage of an opportunity to invest in and to provide an environment where people thrive.”

In the past two years under Zapata’s direct leadership, she has spearheaded a number of initiatives that have helped bring DCI to a higher level of performance for students: Dawn Career Institute developed partner relationships with Professional Fitness Institute to deliver a Personal Fitness Trainer program; ComCourse to launch and provide the learning platform for the distance education programs; PlattForm Advertising to build an internationally award-winning web site;  expanded the facility to 36,000 square feet; and assembled an outstanding executive team including Director of Education William Harris, COO – Admissions & Career Services Shannon Yerkic, and CMO Jena Zapata.

 Through the years, her influence over the organization inspired her to increase her responsibilities.  In her role as Executive Vice President she provided direct management support, maintained all budgets; provided direction and oversight to marketing, events, and advertising; assisted with new program approval/accreditation renewal processes, Department of Education review, and curriculum reviews.  Zapata currently serves as a board member of the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce and is a member of Vistage, an international CEO development organization.  Previously she served as Chair of the Delaware Coalition of Literacy and as Vice President of Dawn Aero Inc.

 

Dawn Career Institute wins Hermes Creative Award

Dawn Career Institute and PlattForm Advertising are pleased to announce that they have been honored with a gold award in the 2010 Hermes Creative Awards competition for Dawn Career Institute’s recently redesigned web site.

 

Launched in October of 2009 to showcase Dawn Career Institute’s new name and updated branding efforts, the site was a collaborative effort between the School and PlattForm Advertising. Designed to be informative, user-friendly and to present the benefits of becoming a student at Dawn Career Institute, the new interface speaks to the School’s mission and vision.

 

“After sharing our goal of creating an award-wining web site with our advertising partner, PlattForm Advertising, that is exactly what they delivered,” Jena Zapata said. “This was a mutual effort in which they carried out our original vision. We’re excited to see the final product attract recognition from such an esteemed award organization.”

 

Hermes Creative Awards is an international competition for creative professionals involved in the conceptualization, writing and design of traditional materials, programs and emerging technologies. Thousands of entries come from corporate marketing and communication departments, advertising agencies, PR firms, design shops, production companies, web-based innovators, and freelancers.

 

Dawn Career Institute’s site was entered into the Web Site Overall category and was chosen to receive a gold award by the judging panel, comprised of members of the Association of Marketing and Communication Professionals.

 

“The Hermes Creative Award only reaffirms what we’ve been telling our clients for years – that our creative teams are innovative, are committed to quality, and speak straight to the heart of prospective students,” PlattForm CEO Dave Admire said.

MEET DCI'S NEW DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION!

 

Dawn Career Institute leadership is pleased to announce William Harris recently joined DCI as Director of Education. Harris, a career college alumnus and former instructor, has more than seven years’ experience in career education management and teaching. Given his background, Harris is particularly well versed in the challenges that career education students must overcome. He works with the institute’s faculty and staff to continue providing high-quality career education and forward-thinking education strategies in both the classroom and online realms.

In his new role, Harris provides organizational leadership to the institute’s academic endeavors and oversees the professional development of staff and faculty members. He also advises students, keeping them motivated to pursue their education through completion, and works with faculty to ensure essential support to equip students for some of today’s burgeoning career fields.
 
For the last two years, Harris served as Director of Education for CHI Institute in Broomall, Pa., where he was responsible for managing student retention and completion outcomes for 650 students enrolled in both day and evening programs. Previously, he also served as Director of Education for The Chubb Institute in Springfield, Pa., for a total student body of 350 students.
 
Prior to that, Harris served as Computer Networking and Security Program Director for The Chubb Institute in Springfield from 2002-2006. There, he supervised instructors and oversaw their professional development. He also managed student retention and success, evaluated training curriculum, and was an evening Technology Instructor from May 2002-December 2004.

“This is an exciting opportunity for me because I know the challenges of today’s career college students firsthand,” Harris said. “Our faculty and staff realize that I started out on a similar path as our students so I know who they are working with and how to reach them.”
New Personal Fitness Trainer program set to start at Dawn Training Centre

First class begins on April 28th

 

WILMINGTON (MARCH, 2009) – One out of every three American adults is now considered obese or overweight.* These numbers don’t lie. Take a look around and see for yourself the undeniable truth. Many Americans are reaching unhealthy weight levels and are seeking help from Certified Personal Fitness Trainers!

 

Because of the growing demand for Certified Personal Trainers throughout the state of Delaware, Dawn Training Centre has unveiled a new Personal Fitness Trainer program. In just eight months students learn the skills needed to have a rewarding job in the fitness field and help others change their life! Employment of fitness workers is expected to increase 27 percent over the 2006-2016** decade, much faster than the average for all occupations. These workers are expected to gain jobs because an increasing number of people are spending time and money on fitness, and more businesses are recognizing the benefits of health and fitness programs for their employees. At Dawn Training Centre, the goal is to prepare students for a career as a certified personal fitness trainer. DTC can equip students with the knowledge, training and hands-on skills that lead toward a successful career path.

 

What is a Certified Personal Trainer?
Certified Personal Trainers put their extensive knowledge and experience to work identifying each person’s lifestyle, fitness level and health concerns. Certified Personal Trainers have a growing number of employment options available to them. Many Certified Personal Trainers work in gyms or health clubs, but they aren’t limited to just these types of employment. Large corporations need to staff company fitness centers, and busy executives hire trainers to work with them on a one-on-one basis.

 

Prepare for the real world
The fitness industry directly affects the lives of every American. Being a successful Certified Personal Trainer requires much more than being good with weights and possessing knowledge of the muscles. That’s why Dawn’s new program goes a step further, providing training in a variety of areas to ensure students receive a well-rounded education.

One of the most exciting parts of the course is getting national certification during the week-long Boot Camp. Held in Las Vegas, NV, this Boot Camp is an excellent opportunity for students to use all of the knowledge gained during the course of the program. Led by top industry experts and celebrity instructors, such as Beth Horn, Jen Hendershott and Jay Cutler, this intense experience serves as the highlight of the Personal Fitness Trainer program.

 

*According to the American Council on Exercise

 

** According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics website (bls.gov)

 

About Dawn Training Centre
Dawn is a post-secondary educational institution that concentrates on career-focused education and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). The ACCSCT is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Educating students for more than 30 years, DTC offers 10 program disciplines in the areas of Allied Health, Wellness and Business. Dawn Training Centre’s campus is located at 3700 Lancaster Pike in Wilmington, Delaware.

To learn more about DTC, please call (302) 633-9075 or visit www.dawntrainingcentre.edu

 

 

DTC - Small Business Award Winner

FLYING HIGH AS AN ENTREPRENEUR

Entrepreneurs begin their business at different stages of their lives. In 1976, near the end of Hollis Anglins’ 21-year Air Force career, he and his wife, Fran, started the Dawn Aeronautics Institute. It began with a few employees and one classroom. Today, Dawn Training Centre is a $3.6 million business and employs 50 staff and faculty members on a sprawling campus in Wilmington, Delaware. In 2007, the Anglins’ were named the Delaware Small Business Persons of the Year. More than 450 students a year receive training in some of the fastest growing career fields: medical assistant, medical transcription, nursing assistant, medical billing/health insurance claims processing, pharmacy technician, massage therapist, esthetician, spa body technician, and legal assistant. In 2007, the school expanded yet again by adding a new dental assistant program. Dawn Training Centre is synonymous with staying power. While many of its competitors have failed over the years, Dawn has endured for 31 years. Much of the success is due to the Anglins’ ability to adapt and expand to meet the needs of the ever changing workforce. “We see students coming in who are in their ‘60s and are looking to start new careers and those just out of high school,” said Anglin. Over the years, the Anglins financed Dawn’s start up and expansion operations from the profits of the business. In 2006, thanks to two SBA guaranteed loans they purchased equipment and expanded training facilities to accommodate a new dental assistant training program. “If you are just starting out in business, partner with a bank early,” Anglin advises. “You need to establish a line of credit before you actually need it.” Learning about your industry is essential to success. Anglin advises joining your industry trade association so you can stay on top of trends and network with others in your profession. The Anglins’ business is a family affair. Daughter Cheryl Zapata, serves as executive vice president, and several grandchildren work in the business part-time. In recent years, Dawn Training Centre partnered with the SBA Delaware District Office and the Small Business Development Center to offer small business workshops for its students. The workshops, focusing on SBA programs and services, complement Dawn’s technical training with business skills development. Some of the students graduating from the training centre are then able to start their own businesses. The training centre also allows its facilities to be used by the students as their first location of their own small business. The Anglins are not only finding success growing their own business but they are nurturing future entrepreneurs.

 

 

DTC expanding options for Professional Development Classes

Dawn Training Centre has partnered with Journey Leader, a company regionally and nationally recognized for organizational and educational development and business coaching.

 

Together, Dawn Training Centre and Journey Leader will provide students with the opportunity to enhance and develop skills through short, one-time educational courses in business, human resources and team building. These programs are designed to help enrich life and create opportunities for students, allowing them to take their careers to the next level. Information about specific programs and courses being offered through Dawn Training Centre will be available in Fall 2008.

 

“We’re excited to be able to expand our professional development offerings in the Wilmington, Delaware, area,” said Cheryl Zapata, Executive Vice President of Dawn Training Centre. “Journey Leader and Dawn Training Centre are combined in their commitment to educational excellence, and we believe this partnership will provide a number of great opportunities for students, both current and future.”

 

In the education business since 1976, Dawn Training Centre teachers use classroom instruction and hands-on experience in all of the School’s career training programs. In addition, Dawn Training Centre helps students develop professional skills that build confidence in job searches. Dawn Training Centre currently offers a number of programs catering to those interested in careers in the healthcare, wellness and business fields

 

In business since 2001, Journey Leader develops and delivers courses in management, supervisor, leadership, sales and sales management, communications, customer service, stress management, and media. By partnering with Dawn Training Centre, Journey Leader is able to make their programs even more accessible to qualified individuals and companies.

 

Together, Dawn Training Centre and Journey Leader strive to meet their goal of providing high-quality, integrated and innovative professional development programs that serve the Delaware area’s local, regional, national and international communities.

 

Dawn Training Centre
Dawn Training Centre’s mission is to help students develop their potential through technical training and to produce graduates who are qualified for skilled positions. Based in Wilmington, Delaware, Dawn Training Centre has access to major employers throughout the mid-Atlantic, tri-state area. Dawn Training Centre offers career training in some of the nation’s fastest-growing career fields, such as Esthetician (Skin Care Specialist), Massage Therapist, Spa Body Technician (Skin Care and Massage), Medical Assistant, Medical & Dental Insurance Billing & Coding, Medical Office Assistant, Nurse Assistant, Pharmacy Technician, Dental Assistant, and Legal Assistant. The School is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology.

 

 

“Why I Choose” - DTC Graduate Profile, Jess Moss

When it comes to the skin care business, there are so many facets you have to learn. When a client comes to you, they want to be secure that you know what you’re talking about! I’m able to keep up with all of the latest skin care techniques and tips that come along through complimentary refresher courses at Dawn Training Centre! And that’s even after I graduated! Education is the most important thing you can provide a client, and refresher courses help boost my confidence! My instructors were extremely knowledgeable. There was no such thing as a stupid question. They all had unique personalities, and all of them brought something new and different to the table. I think that’s one of the number one mistakes a student can make is not doing their homework before choosing a school. Dawn Training Centre stood out the most in my mind – not only with all of the programs they offered, but how friendly the teachers and staff were to me.

 

Knowledge is truly power. The most rewarding thing in the world is when you educate a client and that client thanks you for the wonderful job that you did. I really do feel as though I received the best education from Dawn Training Centre. I felt prepared at the end of my 750-hour course in Esthetics to take my state boards, and I passed with flying colors! I’ve been here at my salon for a few years now and I’ve never been happier about what I’m doing! I’ve always wanted to make a positive difference in someone’s life. I thought, as a cosmetologist or esthetician, I could make people (especially women) feel better about themselves. If I can make someone look good on the outside, then hopefully it will make them feel better on the inside. Everybody wins!

 

I did do a lot of research before picking a school. Why wouldn’t you? I finally came across a school that seemed to be right up my alley … Dawn Training Centre. I had read reviews about the school and even contacted some of their former students, and they had nothing but nice things to say about the Esthetics (Skin Care Specialist) program. A week later I scheduled an interview with the owner and was able to discuss where I could take my future with this program. I was more than impressed. Not only was the school very appealing to me, but the customer service was impeccable. The following day I signed up for the course, and within a few weeks I started classes. What was really great about the school was that they offered night classes, which was convenient for me! When I told my friends and family that I wanted to go back to school, they all supported me in my decision. There is no such thing as too much education. Everyone said it would further my career and I would not regret it in the end. It was a great decision on my part. The only thing that did scare me was: What is the tuition like? Dawn Training Centre worked with me on a payment plan and helped me with whatever questions I had.

 

- This article appeared in the May 2008 issue of Career College Central, a nation wide industry publication. www.careercollegecentral.com

 

 

Round the clock counseling now available to DTC students!

Dawn Partners with Student Resource Services Inc.

WILMINGTON (JANUARY 8, 2008) Recognizing the need for additional support outside of the classroom, Dawn Training Centre now provides students with 24/7/365 counseling through its partnership with Student Resource Services, a St. Louis-based firm specializing in student retention. By calling a toll-free number, students can speak live with masters-level clinicians who can connect them with legal, financial and in-person psychological counseling. In addition, Student Resource Services has access to local resources for those who need face to face services or referrals to ancillary services.

 

“We realize that today’s adult and college-age students have many challenges and needs to be met outside of the classroom,” said Cheryl Zapata, Executive Vice President of DTC. “It’s important that they have access to an additional resource any time of the day or night. It’s a real point of difference for our students,” said Zapata.

 

Web-based articles and information on topics such as balancing job/work/family, time management and stress reduction can be found at www.studentlifetools.com. There, students who prefer to have questions answered via e-mail, they can choose the “Ask an Expert” function for a personal response from specialists in various subject areas.

 

“Student Resource Services has provided counseling and resource services to colleges throughout the country for the last fifteen years,” said William Rowe, President. “Dawn Training Centre’s partnership with Student Resource Services provides peace of mind to the student, and allows faculty and staff to focus on teaching and administration. It’s a win-win situation for everybody.”

 

Dawn will continue to provide on-campus advising to assist student needs. Students can reach DTC advisors by calling (302) 633-9075.

 

About Dawn Training Centre:
Dawn is a post-secondary educational institution that concentrates on career-focused education and is accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT). The ACCSCT is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency. Educating students for more than 30 years, DTC offers 10 program disciplines in the areas of Allied Health, Wellness and Business. Dawn Training Centre’s campus is located at 3700 Lancaster Pike in Wilmington, Delaware.