Eli Lilly and Company Seeks to Jump-Start IT Career for 50 College Students

Eli Lilly and Company has been a major BDPA corporate sponsor for over a decade. The company upgraded its annual sponsorship to the Platinum level in 2014, primarily because the 36th annual BDPA Technology Conference is coming to Indianapolis, IN on August 5-9, 2014.

To celebrate this major investment, Eli Lilly wants to reach out to at least 50 college students who live or go to school in the state of Indiana. The company has purchased 50 BDPA memberships which are being given to deserving college students who supply them with six simple data points:

1. Name
2. College
3. Email Address
4. Mailing Address
5. Phone Number
6. Resume *or* URL for your LinkedIn Network profile

Not only will the first 50 college students that respond to his offer receive a complimentary annual membership into BDPA ... these students will also receive an exclusive dinner invitation to attend an IT College Student Dinner, sponsored by Eli Lilly, that takes place on Thursday, August 7, 2014 during the annual technology conference. This dinner will provide the invited college students with a unique networking opportunity with IT executives and managers from Lilly's world headquarters offices. Finally, the students will be inspired as part of the private audience of keynoter Pierre Campbell.



The process is simple enough. Send the six data points shown above by email to either Angel Henry (Eli Lilly) or Wayne Hicks (National BDPA).

Do it now! Don't procrastinate! This is a rare opportunity for a college student to get connected with some of the movers and shakers in the IT industry. Find a way to 'make it so' for your life and career!

Related articles

• BDPA and Eli Lilly Offer $2,500 Scholarship to Minority Students
• Seeking STEM Student Participants for 12th Annual BDPA IT Showcase
• Recruitment Begins For 100 Eli Lilly and Company Jobs

University of Phoenix Offers (ISC)2 Cybersecurity Scholarship

University of Phoenix is pleased to collaborate with the (ISC)2 Charitable and Educational Foundation “(ISC)2” to offer a scholarship program. The (ISC)² Foundation’s mission is devoted to making the cyber world a safer place for everyone by supporting cyber security education and awareness in the community.

Scholarship Amount: nine (9) full-tuition scholarships

Eligible Degrees: Each scholarship will allow a prospective student the opportunity to complete an undergraduate or master’s degree program at University of Phoenix. Recipients may choose to attend a University of Phoenix on-ground campus or may attend University of Phoenix online.

In addition, (ISC)2 will provide recipients with a voucher to take either the SSCP or CISSP certification exam within one year of graduation. The exam voucher will be provided to the awarded upon proof of graduation in an area of study with an emphasis on cybersecurity and/or information assurance.

Eligibility Requirements:

1. Applicants must be currently employed or looking to work in the information assurance or cyber security field.
2. Applicants must agree to take the SSCP or CISSP certification exam within one year of graduation. The exam voucher will be provided to the awarded upon proof of graduation in an area of study with an emphasis on cybersecurity and/or information assurance.
3. Applicants must not be currently enrolled nor in the process of enrolling at any University of Phoenix campus or in any online program at any time prior to the scholarship award date.
4. Applicants must meet all admissions requirements of University of Phoenix.
5. Applicants must not be an employee or family member (spouse, dependent child or domestic partner) of an employee of Apollo Education Group, Inc., University of Phoenix, Western International University, Institute for Professional Development or any other subsidiary of Apollo Education Group, Inc.

Open Application: March 25, 2014
Application deadline: June 3, 2014
Scholarship award date: August 13, 2014

To get an application, and for additional eligibility
requirements, visit phoenix.edu/isc2scholar.

Related articles

• University of Phoenix and the (ISC)2 Foundation Offer Nine Full-tuition Cybersecurity Scholarships
• Top Scholarships for Aspiring IT Security Professionals
• Look to (ISC)2 for Cybersecurity Resources and Support for Academia

Grant Proposal: Haile U.S. Bank Foundation

BDPA Education and Technology Foundation (BETF) partnered with BDPA Cincinnati chapter to submit a $10,000 grant proposal to the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr./U.S. Bank Foundation. The Haile Foundation is an independent family foundation dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for residents in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. They concentrate their efforts and resources in areas about which Carol and Ralph were most passionate: Arts and Culture, Community Development, Education, and Human Services.

BDPA Cincinnati requested $10,000 in grant funding for the Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) program in Cincinnati. The objective of the SITES program in Cincinnati is to effectively use technology to stimulate and sustain the interest of young people in science and technology.

Wish us luck in this funding effort! BETF exists to get funding for BDPA programs, scholarships and services at the local, regional or national level. Please reach out to us by email or phone, (513) 284-4968, if you want to make a funding request.

Related articles

• Cincinnati.com, 1/6/2014 (Hadiya Harrigan)
• Meet streetcar's savior: The Haile Foundation
• Cincinnati.com, 9/11/2013 (Clarence Larcarte)

Wells Fargo Foundation

The Wells Fargo Foundation seems to have a much more regional focus in the areas they have traditionally served. Wells Fargo is proud to support organizations working to strengthen their communities. Through the efforts of their enthusiastic team member-volunteers and their contributions, they share their success within our communities by giving back to non-profits and educational institutions that address vital community needs and issues.

Where They Give - They direct their giving to areas that they believe are important to the future of our nation's vitality and success: community development, education, and human services.

Does your BDPA chapter have an account at Wells Fargo? Does your chapter have BDPA members that work for Wells Fargo? If so, then you should consider working with BETF to submit a grant proposal for your Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship program. BETF operates on a first-come, first-served basis.

Let me know if your chapter are interested in pursuing this funding opportunity.

Baxter International Renews BDPA Corporate Sponsorship

Baxter International made its sponsorship commitment to BDPA for the 5th time in the past 7 years. The investment is focused on the programs and services provided by our BDPA Chicago chapter and includes the purchase of ten (10) corporate memberships.

Baxter is an American health care company with headquarters in Deerfield, Illinois. The company primarily focuses on products to treat hemophilia, kidney disease, immune disorders and other chronic and acute medical conditions. Baxter applies a unique combination of expertise in medical devices, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology to create products that advance patient care worldwide. Baxter had 2013 sales of $15.3 billion and has approximately 61,500 employees.

Please reach out to BDPA for more information about the corporate sponsorship program via email or phone (301.584-3135 ext. 108).

Related articles

• Baxter Split-Up, a Page From Abbott's Playbook
• BDPA Announces Platinum Sponsorship with Johnson & Johnson
• BDPA Welcomes Hilton Worldwide as a Bronze Sponsor

BDPA Member Benefit: Online Business Training Resources (Learn About The Web)

Onuora Amobi is the chief executive officer of Learn About The Web, an eLearning company founded in 2008.  Onuora and his company are dedicated to making the process of setting up a web presence easy. They have created a unique methodology for teaching the process of setting up and marketing a web presence. In addition, LATW provides the tools and services for educational institutions to teach online marketing.

We are pleased to announce that BDPA and LATW have a very special member benefit to share with you all.  BDPA has partnered with the good folks at Learn About The Web to provide our members with COMPLIMENTARY access to online business training resources.

How do you get access to this benefit? It’s really simple.

1. Head to www.learnabouttheweb.com
2. Click on the “Pricing” tab at the top of the homepage.
3. Create a FREE account. This will give you access to one of the 9 available training modules.
4. Click on the “Contact” tab on the top of the home page and use their contact form.
5. Send a brief message with your email address and username in the system. Explain that you are a member of the BDPA. IMPORTANT - make sure you use the words “BDPA” in the message.
6. Within 24 hours, your account will be upgraded to a FREE LIFETIME Premium membership.

It’s never been easier to build an online business. Take advantage of this FREE offer and equip yourself with the online business education you’ve always wanted!

BDPA continues to seek out tangible benefits to increase the value-proposition of membership in our growing organization.  Our members are invited and encouraged to start their own online business with Learn About The Web!

Related articles

• Introducing Learn About The Web™

This Week in BDPA (May 4-10, 2014)

BDPA offers strong programs in 46 cities around the nation. Are you taking advantage of these programs? Here is a weekly preview of upcoming events gathered from the centralized BDPA calendar:

• May 4:  BDPA Chicago - Workshop, 'Learn More About Virtualization, Linux, Security and Cisco (Chicago)'
• May 10: BDPA Philadelphia - Computer Camp, 'Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) Program'
• May 10: BDPA Indianapolis - Computer Camp, 'Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) Program'
• May 10: BDPA Dallas - Computer Camp, 'Student Information Technology Education & Scholarship (SITES) Program'

Please let us know of other BDPA events 

that we may have missed! 

You can always find BDPA programs, services or networking activity online at places such as:

• BDPA Facebook Group
• BDPA Foundation Facebook Page
• BDPA Foundation Twitter Account
• BDPA LinkedIn Network Group

BDPA supports your efforts for career advancement in the IT industry. Our hope is that you find reasons to provide tax-deductible support to our Causes, our HSCC Scholarship Funds or Your Causes! We encourage all BDPA leaders to take advantage of the centralized BDPA Groupsite Calendar to post your upcoming events.

Related articles

• This Week in BDPA (April 27 - May 3, 2014)

Cox Enterprises Renews BDPA Corporate Sponsorship

Cox Enterprises made its sponsorship commitment to BDPA for the 6th time in the past 7 years. The investment is focused on the programs and services provided by our BDPA Atlanta chapter.


Cox Enterprises is a leading communications, media and automotive services company. With revenues of nearly $16 billion and more than 50,000 employees, the company's major operating subsidiaries include Cox Communications (cable television distribution, high-speed Internet access, telephone, commercial telecommunications and advertising solutions); Manheim (vehicle auctions, repair and certification services and web-based technology products); Cox Media Group (television and radio stations, digital media, newspapers and advertising sales rep firms); and AutoTrader Group (automotive media and software solutions). The company's national consumer brands include AutoTrader.com, Kelley Blue Book, Savings.com and Valpak.

Please reach out to BDPA for more information about the corporate sponsorship program via email or phone (301.584-3135 ext. 108).

Related articles

• Cox Communications Reviews
• Baxter International Renews BDPA Corporate Sponsorship
• BDPA Announces Platinum Sponsorship with Johnson & Johnson
• BDPA Welcomes Hilton Worldwide as a Bronze Sponsor

Message from BDPA Cincinnati Chapter President

Dalric Webb

Spring is here and the BDPA Cincinnati chapter is warming up like the weather!  The month of May brings birds singing, flowers blooming, and a renewed sense of purpose to the air. I’d like to unofficially designate the BDPA Cincinnati chapter as the “Spring” chapter this month. With the sustained efforts of the hard working volunteers, our membership continues to grow and we continue to execute on many areas of community engagement contained in our 2014 action plan!

Please join me in welcoming Shavon Webb to the chapter's Board of Directors as our director of Career Development Department.  Welcome Shavon!

BDPA Cincinnati is the fastest growing chapter in the nation!  The membership has grown 88% since the beginning of the year.  Congratulations to the Membership Management team and welcome to all the new members! We want to make the BDPA experience meaningful to our members ... so keep an eye out for upcoming 'members-only' events and activities.  Use the BDPA Cincinnati Groupsite for news on special membership benefits and events.   If you are not currently a member ... what are you waiting on?

Of course, with any great power, such as being a member of the BDPA organization, comes great responsibility! We still need more hands to accomplish the tasks that benefit our communities and the members of our organization. Won’t you lend a hand? I will be posting a special request for volunteers this month in our Groupsite.  Our chapter has STRONG technically focused members and I hope MANY of you will step forward to give back to our community and our industry, while also furthering your own success! For those of you who I have had the pleasure and honor of meeting, you will understand when I say, I will be calling! Please answer the call.

Our Vice President of Strategy & Planning helped us document strong relationships being built with the University of Cincinnati and Per Scholas! These relationships bring more opportunities for our members to grow and develop as well as greater opportunities for networking and exposure to other professionals in the area.

Many of our strategic partners and hiring managers attend our monthly program meeting held on the third Wednesday each month at Brown Mackie College.  Our next program meeting, 'Rapid Prototyping, Visualization and Simulation' takes place on May 21st.  This will be a very special and informative meeting you again, don’t want to miss. I hope to see you there.

Speaking of our program meeting, I must give a very special thank you to last month's guest speaker, Crystal Kendrick (The Voice of Your Customer). Crystal delivered an OUTSTANDING presentation that is still being discussed to this very day! It is these opportunities to engage with professionals and leaders within our community in a non-stressful environment that is one of the “secrets to success” in BDPA.

We draw closer to the 36th annual National BDPA Technology Conference in Indianapolis on August  5-9, 2014.  Our chapter will take a strong team to compete (and WIN) the National BDPA High School Computer Competition championship.  We will also have student members competing in both the BDPA IT Showcase and the Mobile Application Showcase.  The support of these students’ dreams and technical growth is important to our BDPA vision to take them 'from the classroom to the boardroom'!

Before I close, let me ask a simple question; are you willing to invest five (5) hours per month in your own success? If so, I again ask that you consider joining the BDPA Cincinnati Chapter Board of Directors. We have a very strong team which works VERY well together to accomplish our mutual goals and objectives. You will be in the company of some really good, positive and smart people with a passion for not only YOUR success, but the success of our youth and our communities.  Please consider taking one of the open positions within the chapter. No role is too small and the need is great. You can do this. We need you. Our communities need you. Our students need you. Can you lend a hand? Contact me directly if you are interested in learning more about these volunteer opportunities.

As always, your feedback is earnestly solicited. How is your BDPA membership working out for you? How can we improve the value of your membership? Send me a note or pull me to the side at the monthly program meeting. This is YOUR chapter. Are you feeling engaged?

Sincerely,
Dalric Webb, president
BDPA Cincinnati Chapter
(513) 549-6991
Twitter: @BDPACincinnati

Related articles

• Message from the BDPA Cincinnati Chapter President
• President Profile: Dalric Webb (BDPA Cincinnati)
• Message from BDPA Cincinnati Chapter President

Top 10 BDPA Chapters (Membership, April 2014)

The lifeblood of any nonprofit association is its membership.  We are proud to announce that membership has grown for the 4th straight month to its highest level since January 2010.  In fact, the total membership increased by 21% so far this year ... and up 50% from this time last year!  The membership growth is a direct result of efforts by local, regional and national leaders to provide a value proposition to members (and potential members) with its programs, scholarships and services.  Kudos to the National BDPA president Craig Brown and his team for the continued positive trending in this core metric.

For the third month in a row we pay homage to BDPA Cincinnati chapter (president Dalric Webb) for its continued success in terms of membership retention and recruitment.  BDPA Cincinnati added more members in April than any other chapter in the nation as it became the 2nd largest chapter in the nation.  Most of these new members came from sponsorship decisions made by Cincinnati Bell and Procter & Gamble.   

LaDonna Crum

Two other chapters deserve recognition for their membership growth in April.   BDPA chapters in Greater Birmingham (president, LaDonna Crum) and Greater Columbia (president, Mildred Allen) managed to grow their chapters by 30% and 20%, respectively last month.

We believe in the management maxim -- you get what you measure.  Let us assess the numbers in order to honor those local BDPA chapters who are demonstrating success in their efforts to recruit and retain members. Let's take a look at the ten largest chapters in BDPA-Nation:

1. Chicago - president, Reggie Rush
2. Cincinnati - president, Dalric Webb (up 1 spot from last month)
3. Washington DC - president, Perry Carter 
4. Philadelphia - president, Eileen Gadsden
5. Atlanta - president, Derrick Brown 
6. New Jersey - president, Goldie Bonney
7. Dallas - president, Chad White
8. Los Angeles - president, John Malonson
9. New York - president, Tyronne McKinney
10. Detroit - president, Beverly Moore

The top five chapters on the list remain in the 'BDPA Century Club'! The benefit of having powerful leadership is obvious when we see that Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Philadelphia and Washington DC each have over 100 members. One of the common denominators for each of these chapters is that they place a high premium on the delivery of quality programs and services to their members. These chapters work hard to ensure that there is a strong return on the $100 investment that each member makes thru annual dues.

What are your thoughts about the value of BDPA membership? What can your local chapter do to improve the value-proposition for you on a personal or professional level?

Related articles

• Top 10 BDPA Chapters (Membership, March 2014)
• Top 10 BDPA Chapters (Membership, February 2014)
• Top 10 BDPA Chapters (Membership, January 2014)