Chair, Department of Media and Theatre Arts and Director of the Graduate Film Program

Sacred Heart University Fairfield, Connecticut, USA

Longstanding problems with diversity and inclusion in the U.S. film industry have been in the news a great deal of late—ever since the social media #OscarsSoWhite phenomenon that began in 2015 and subsequent movements such as #WhiteWashedOUT and Time’s Up. Critics noted that in 2015, and again in 2016, all 20 Oscar acting nominations went to white actors, and all of the directing nominations went to men. If things seemed to have changed somewhat by 2019, when there were 13 Oscar winners of color overall, 2020 presented a more ambiguous result. Only one actor of color was honored with a nomination, and a number of diverse films that were in contention were overlooked. However, director Chloé Zhao became the second woman, and the first woman of color, to take home the award for Best Director. 

The Golden Globe Awards has undergone its own controversy because of the lack of diversity in its awarding body, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association. Public scrutiny of high- profile awards like the Oscars and the Golden Globes has seemingly pushed the industry in the direction of awareness and positive change when it comes to supporting the work of those who have historically been marginalized. However, as the examples above emblematize, this change can be agonizingly slow and subject to pendulum swings. While they can be an important hallmark of change, progress in the industry’s top honors are also the tip of the iceberg, as the film industry remains one of the least diverse professional sectors.

Citing a report by the management consulting firm McKinsey and Company, The New York Times recently reported that “The film industry…is a less diverse one than even typically homogeneous sectors like energy and finance.” The same report estimates that the film industry would stand to earn $10 billion more annually if it improved its representation of minority groups in film.[1] More importantly, given the U.S. film industry’s role in agenda setting and establishing and mediating cultural norms, not only in the United States but also globally, this lack of diversity among those who create the stories that we share is particularly problematic. Much of the path to greater inclusion in the film industry must be paved at the level of production companies, through a commitment to diversity in hiring and by greenlighting and providing greater financial support for productions that feature diverse casts and crews.

Given the important role played by graduate film schools as a funnel to industry careers, universities also have a crucial role to play if diverse voices are to gain traction in the media industries. Breaking into the media industries, particularly without a graduate degree, tends to require participation in unpaid or low-paid internships, and hires are often made on the basis of existing professional networks, perpetuating a ‘good old boy’ culture in the industry. Learning the skills necessary for creative careers is only part of what goes on in film school. This is also where many future film professionals gain cultural capital in the form of knowledge of film history and aesthetics, learn the ins and outs and the specialized language of the industry and gain access to vital professional networks. This is why many film industry creatives get their start in film MA and especially MFA programs.

However, many of the best-known film MFA-granting institutions are located in places like Los Angeles and New York City, where the high cost of living, on top of tuition and required equipment rentals, means that a three-year MFA degree can cost students as much as $300,000 or more. And this is if students can gain access to the top schools that have a notoriously high rate of rejection. All of this presents formidable obstacles for industry newcomers as well as for lower-income students, limiting equitable access to film industry jobs. The availability and recognition of high-quality but more moderately priced film schools, with admissions practices that are supportive of diverse and non-traditional applicants, is thus vital. Access to financial aid, equipment borrowing privileges that are included in the cost of tuition, intensive two-year MFA programs, part-time programs and course scheduling that allows students to hold jobs while earning their degrees, along with the incorporation of internships into the curriculum are other important considerations. Support both for and from recent alumni who are gaining a foothold is also crucial to developing new networks for advancement in the industry.

The contemporary media landscape provides a proliferation of formats and new exhibition opportunities that have the potential to allow more diverse voices and stories to reach audiences. While traditional film MFA programs may focus their attention and resources on a handful of students striving to reach the top of Hollywood feature film production, there is a need for programs that invest as much energy and creativity into students who will start small independent production companies or become documentarians, VR/AR/XR storytellers and television, web series, commercial or corporate video producers. A change in the kinds of stories told in all of these areas can contribute to a diversification of our cultural landscape. Film graduate programs should consider carefully whether all of their practices, from admissions through curricular design and outreach to alumni, perpetuate the status quo or help to create the conditions in which new voices are uplifted and diverse stories can be told.

About the Author:

Sara Ross, PhD (“Sally”) is a film scholar with a focus on women in film. She has centered her research and teaching practice on film aesthetics and film storytelling, both as they apply to film scholarship and also as vital tools for aspiring filmmakers. Ross is the author of scholarly articles on subjects ranging from the Hollywood flapper in the 1920s to contemporary 3-D cinema. She has published in the journals Film History, Camera Obscura, Modernism and Modernity, Aura, and in a number of anthologies. Her interests include silent film and female characters in Hollywood, with publications on these topics including “Screening the Modern Girl: Intermediality in the Adaptation of Flaming Youth”, Modernism and Modernity, “1922 – Movies and the Perilous Future”, American Cinema of the 1920s: Themes and Variations, “The Americanization of Tsuru Aoki: Orientalism, Melodrama, Star Image and the New Woman”, and “‘Good Little Bad Girls’: Silent Comediennes and the Performance of Girlish Sexuality.”  Her most recent work focuses on the history of the romantic comedy. As the second-largest independent Catholic university in New England, and one of the fastest-growing in the U.S., Sacred Heart University is a national leader in shaping higher education for the 21st century. SHU offers more than 80 undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and certificate programs on its Fairfield, Conn., campus. Sacred Heart also has satellites in Connecticut, Luxembourg and Ireland and offers online programs. More than 9,000 students attend the University’s nine colleges and schools.

Sperling, Nicole. “Hollywood Loses $10 Billion a Year Due to Lack of Diversity, Study Finds.” The New York Times, 11 May 2021. 

Read Full Magazine:- The 10 Best STEM Universities of 2021

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Navigating through the Odds

At a meeting on 29^th December 1919, the Cabinet Ministers of Latvia decided to open a technical secondary school as a state educational institution. By 1940, 1505 students graduated from the technical school and many of them pursued successful careers. However, the operations of the school were interrupted during the Soviet occupation.

In 1940, the administration and some training programs in the technical school were replaced. The German occupation period from 1941 to 1944 was also difficult for the school. However, the training continued despite the wartime challenges. After the war in 1945, the technical school was named “Riga Industrial Polytechnical School”. Later, it was renamed “Riga State Technical School” in August 1991.

Since the restoration of the independence of the Republic of Latvia in 1990, Riga State Technical School has grown significantly. Adapting to the requirements of an open economy, it changed the training programs in terms of content. The school also made significant investments in practical training equipment and environmental arrangements. In 2016, a new Innovation and Technology Center was established at Riga State Technical School. This year, the Center has planned to complete the third round of the European Regional Development Fund SAM Project and the Multifunctional Hall.

In-depth STEM Education

Riga State Technical School provides in-depth learning of STEM-related disciplines and prepares its students to pursue similar education at the next level as well. At the Technology and Innovation Center, students are provided with advanced equipment to acquire practical knowledge and skills in mechanical engineering, metalworking, woodworking, energetics, railway, and printing industries. Additionally, Riga State Technical School is one of the leaders in terms of education offered at the level of secondary vocational education—in professions such as programming and computer systems technician, material chemistry technician, etc.

Robust Career-Counseling Services

In recent years, Riga State Technical School has developed robust career counseling services for its students. The teachers-career counselors at the school offer individual or group career support counseling, appointments, and tours for pupils of general education schools—to know and explore the educational opportunities offered, get an idea of the dormitory, training environment, and technical provision.

The school works closely with the Employers’ Confederation of Latvia—in the preparation of labor market specialists—so that the outcome of the educational programs is relevant to the employers’ requirements. For several years, it has been recognized as the employers’ recommended vocational secondary education institute in Latvia.

The Students’ Self-Government

Students’ self-government at Riga State Technical School is the organization of the most active and conscientious students. It works to defend the students’ rights and manage different cultural and educational activities for them as well as teachers. Students’ self-government supports the involvement of students in the activities of different sport groups. Moreover, they are active participants of young people’s dance collective “Pavediens (The Thread)”.

Sustaining the Impacts of the Crisis

The COVID-19 outbreak posed several challenges for educational institutes across the globe. Practical learning was halted due to the stay-at-home orders and other pandemic impositions. However, the unprecedented situation did not majorly affect the process of practical lessons at Riga State Technical School. The work-based learning approach and the implementation of internships at employers provided an important base for maintaining the quality of the practical skills of students.

During the crisis, the students of Riga State Technical School were able to prove themselves with excellent achievements in professional skills competitions. They were the winners of the Graphics Design and Web Technologies competitions at SKILLS/LATVIA 2021. Moreover, they won the first prize both individually and as a team at “The Wise Accountant 2021” competition.

Preparations for the Future

Riga State Technical School is set to put the new Multifunctional Hall in service in the autumn of 2021, providing a plethora of opportunities for students to both engage in sports activities and organize events across the wider spectrum. It expects to quickly return to the onsite training process, as it is essential for the implementation of practical subjects as well as for the full provision of internship in both technical school and internship companies. The challenges for the school in the near future are related to the integration of new learning content into the study process, as well as quality monitoring across all levels.

Emphasizing Sustainability

The European Union has declared 2021 the European Railway Year to promote the use of trains as safe and sustainable transport. Heeding Rail Baltica’s new railway infrastructure project, Riga State Technical School has offered new education programs—such as the Renewable Energy Technician Program—in the context of the challenges of the railway sector, as well as updating the potential for alternative energy in the future.

The school is already outlining the developments of the future labor market in communication with industry representatives. This will allow it to respond to the most pressing challenges, both in the definition of future occupations and in the development and implementation of new study programs.

Being an RSTS Student

Riga State Technical School believes that only a comprehensive specialist of knowledge and skills who is ready to acquire new knowledge can be prepared for the challenges of the labor market in the 21^st century. Thus, it looks forward to the interest of young professionals in demonstrating themselves—both in various professional skills competitions in the sector and in the acquisition of general education and professional subjects.

Students choosing Riga State Technical School should be aware of the employers’ expectations from graduates of a vocational education institution. From the school’s point of view, they should have a desire to acquire a profession and be ready to pursue an internship during the training process at the employer. Moreover, an ideal Riga State Technical School student should consider the possibilities to study at the next level and pursue a lucrative career after graduating from the school.

ALSO READ: The 10 Most Recognized STEM Universities to Watch in 2022

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STEM education is a method of education in which subjects are taught in coherence instead of in isolation. It is important in today’s world as it emphasizes on bridging the learning gap by putting the children at the core of the experience, making them active learners from passive listeners. Thus, institutions offering STEM education are gaining ground in the rigorous competition among educational institutions today.

Incepted in 2001, Harrisburg University (HU) is one such institution that was founded by visionaries who upended old models of higher education in pursuit of STEM learning for underserved communities. The founders created an institution which partners with businesses and governments to fill their needs for a skilled workforce in science and technology. At Harrisburg University, strong career-development partnerships immerse students in the heart of the STEM economy even before they graduate.

Transforming Classroom Education into Careers

Harrisburg University is a world-class university with affordable tuition and a diverse student body hailing from its backyard and around the globe. The main campus stands in the heart of a safe, thriving metropolitan city. HU’s undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students engage in real research and work experiences, in close partnerships with leading and upstart businesses and agencies across the STEM spectrum.

An HU diploma equips students with the technical keys to success as well as the collaborative and communication skills that employers demand and the networking that opens doors. Guided by faculty who are respected leaders in their fields, HU’s students transform classroom education into careers with meaningful impact.

Best-in-class Academic Programs

At HU, the student success springs from undergraduate and graduate academic programs that are student-centered, technologically advanced, and experimental. The highly accessible programs offered by the university include undergraduate degrees offered on its vibrant campuses, while best-in-class graduate degrees are offered online or in a blended format. It offers numerous academic programs including,

• Undergraduate Degrees: S. Advanced Manufacturing, B.S. Applied Mathematics, B.S. Biotechnology, B.S. Computer and Information Sciences, B.S. Cybersecurity Operations and Management (Online), B.S. Environmental Science and Sustainability, B.S. E-sports Management, Production and Performance, B.S. Geospatial Technology, B.S. Information Systems and Information Technology (Online), B.S. Integrative Sciences, B.S. Interactive Media, B.S. Management, Entrepreneurship & Business Administration (Online), B.S. Management, Entrepreneurship, and Business Administration, B.S. Nursing RN to BSN (Online).
  
• Graduate Degrees:S. Analytics, M.S. Biotechnology, M.S. Computer Information Sciences, M.S. Consumer Behaviour and Decision Sciences, M.S. Healthcare Informatics, M.S. Human-Centered Interaction Design, M.S. Information Systems Engineering and Management, M.S. Learning Technologies and Media Systems, M.S. Next Generation Technologies, M.S Nursing (Online), M.S. Pharmaceutical Sciences, M.S. Project Management, M.S. Techpreneurship, Ph.D. Computational Sciences, Ph.D. Data Sciences Engineering and Management, Ph.D. Information Systems.

An Array of Support Services

Alongside the academic programs, students at HU also have access to a rich array of support services such as BRAINFUSE –Free, one-on-one online tutoring with professional tutors, faculty, and individual advisors; Tutoring Program –Individual peer tutors in many subjects available upon request; and Connections Program –where new students are directed to learn more about HU classes, academics, social events, study skills, and everything else that will help them succeed at HU. The university also offers Technology Literacy Program and The Bridge Program.

Furthermore, with its foundation in technology as a world-class STEM university, HU pivoted seamlessly to fully-online, high-quality learning as the pandemic took hold. The university introduced numerous virtual resources such as The Virtual Student Union (VSU) portal to support during unprecedented times.

Vibrant Campus Life

HU’s campus is located in the heart of Pennsylvania’s beautiful, riverfront capital city –that environs buzz with vast dining options, exciting entertainment and culture, and sports to play and watch. HU’s championship esports team–The HU Storm –hosts thrilling tournaments. The university offers students internship opportunities in topflight health care, government, and technology institutions. Moreover, every student gets a free membership in Harrisburg Young Professionals, where they can socialize, play, serve the community, and practice the art of networking–which is essential to career success.

Fulfilling the Industry Demands

The University empowers students by providing them with three essentials –21^st-century academic majors, affordability, and competency-driven education –to thrive in the increasing competition. The competency-driven education offered by HU produces well-rounded graduates, desirable to employers for their agile thinking and innovative perspectives. HU students are critical thinkers, able to define and approach situations from multiple viewpoints, and consider all outcomes. With their analytical skills, students can synthesize and interpret complex information from many sources. Their fearlessness in taking risks and offering creative ideas differentiates them from other students.

These and more essential skills are incorporated into HU’s core competencies. “These in-demand competencies also include civic engagement, entrepreneurship, and ethical awareness and reasoning, global awareness, information literacy, and that 21^st-century essential –teamwork and collaboration,” says Dr. Eric Darr (President at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology).

Spearheading the Expansion

Since being named the President of Harrisburg University in 2013, Dr. Darr has been instrumental in launching HU and has continued to shape its vision while serving as faculty member and administrator. Under his dynamic leadership, HU’s enrolment has grown from 500 to more than 6,000 students today. The university also added 33 new graduate and undergraduate concentrations and degree programs, and faculty have secured substantial grants and student scholarship support.

In downtown Harrisburg, HU’s presence has grown from one academic tower– fully-equipped with 21^st-century classrooms and laboratories, to five sites including historical buildings revitalized into modern residences. HU’s state-of-the-art, $100 million Health Science Education Centre, scheduled to open in 2023 will usher a new generation of students into the booming healthcare professions. Moreover, a new location in Philadelphia is centrally-positioned to deliver HU’s world-class STEM education to more students throughout the Mid-Atlantic. “Plans are underway to expand overseas, and more of our degrees are available 100 percent online. Students grow as HU grows,” adds Dr. Darr.

In the coming years, Dr. Darr envisions HU to seek growth in new corners by expanding its physical presence and program delivery methods. He believes that the new programs will keep pace with ever-changing STEM disciplines, while they continue to attract students eager to learn and grow in the global economy.

Read Full Magazine:- The 10 Best STEM Universities of 2021

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Established in 1960, Broward College is one of Florida’s largest public colleges. Originally named the Junior College of Broward County, Broward College was created as a part of a network of the country’s two-year colleges. It was further renamed Broward Community College afterward. In 2008, the college was finally named ‘Broward College’—when it was granted the approval to offer four-year bachelor’s degrees. The college is spread across three campuses and various centers throughout Broward County. Currently, it is home to over 60,000 students on an annual basis with a huge faculty and staff composed of more than 2000. In 2021, University HQ ranked Broward College the most affordable college in Florida from more than 100 higher education.

Abundant Academic Opportunities

Broward College is committed to fostering a learning-centered community which celebrates diversity and inclusion by empowering and engaging students, faculty, and staff. Be it a traditional or a non-traditional student, a first-generation college student, or a student from a low-income community, the college couples its commitment with immense support to guide students towards success.

Broward College offers several academic services to its students through the following initiatives:

Academic Success Center (ASC) – Provides a variety of quality support services in a comfortable, collaborative atmosphere. Services provided by the ASC include certified tutors and online tutoring services, collaborative project space, laptop loans, and open computer centers with printing and scanning access.

Accessibility Resources – Ensures seamless access to all Broward College programs, activities, and services and promotes college-wide access that leads to an inclusive and equitable opportunity for students with disabilities.

Career Center and the Career Services Team – Helps with choosing a major, exploring career pathways, advice on resumes, job searches, internships, practice interviews, and other career-related activities.

Seahawk Outreach Services (SOS) – Provides wrap-around services and holistic support to students by connecting them to key campus resources and referring them to community organizations. Its goal is to help reduce food and housing insecurities, stress/mental health challenges, homelessness, and financial obstacles among the student population.

Enriched College Experience

Every higher education institution must strive to produce graduates by offering opportunities for personal development and civic engagement—transitioning students into responsible and active citizens. Broward College offers an encompassing teaching experience which goes beyond what is taught in classrooms.

Broward College constitutes a rich student life network offering abundant opportunities such as community outreach initiatives, and fun activities. The college also provides students the option to participate in events it hosts such as the annual Hackathon, most of which were available even during the pandemic.

During the pandemic, the college adopted a remote learning environment by hosting events via zoom and other streaming and interactive platforms. Broward College highly believes that college is a time to broaden horizons and build real-life experiences, and offers a plethora of activities for the students. These are namely—student government, clubs, volunteering and philanthropy, cultural presentations, civic dialog, and study abroad programs.

Supervised by Idealistic Mindset

At the core of Broward College, Dr. Nichole Vaughan (Dean of Science and Wellness) works collaboratively with the faculty to develop high-quality academic programs. Being a senior-level administrator, she beholds experience in areas of curriculum development, assessing institutional effectiveness, managing department resources including budgets, facilities and physical assets, faculty development, and performance reviews.

People at the college work together to accomplish its goals and missions. Dr. Vaughan supervises the associate deans for the department, and also works in collaboration with other deans and district directors at the college as well as institution leadership to maximize opportunities for ensuring student success.

‘STEM Education’ for Academic Benefits

As a critical aspect to the nation’s ongoing economic success, Broward College emphasizes STEM Education in its curriculum as it drives innovation and the generation of new ideas. STEM education involves a seamless integration of four cornerstones—computer technology; mathematical science; engineering; and natural, physical, and life science. Although employment in STEM education has grown over the years, a shortage of STEM professionals graduating from programs continues to exist.

To promote and strengthen STEM education, the Department of Education, in general, has invested more than $500 million. The investment aims to provide avenues for curriculum development and access to materials, to recruit and train innovative STEM educators, as well as investment in attracting more diverse representation. To thrive in the global competition, the STEM investment must bear varied and diverse results in the STEM curriculum in elementary schools. This should further incorporate hands-on learning and real-world applications in order to promote STEM education to children at an early age.

Leveraging Potentials of STEM

Leveraging the potentials and possibilities of STEM Education, Broward College offers more than 33 programs inculcating STEM. These include eight programs at the associate degree level and four at the baccalaureate degree level along with varied technical certificates. These are namely—Spatial Computing, Information Technology, Cloud and Virtualization Analyst, Cybersecurity Analyst, Information Technology Management, Web Development, and many more.

Broward College looks for two important areas prior to enrolling students for STEM education. These are—interest in discovery, and the ability to engage in an inquiry to find its solutions. To do this, students need to be problem solvers and possess strong analytical and critical-thinking skills. STEM students also need to be able to communicate well and work collaboratively with others toward a common goal. Additional skills such as being adaptable, creative, and persistent are also important.

Escorting through Vast Opportunities

With an abundance in the availability of engineering colleges around the world, students should emphasize three important areas before opting for a college to pursue higher studies. The first one is the available academic majors. Students should enquire whether the concerned college is offering their preferred major and a strong network for placement in internships or career counseling.

Secondly, students should seek for affordability and availability of scholarships at their desired institution. They should keep looking out for the availability of work-study or jobs on campus in accordance with their financial situation. The third important aspect is the diversity of the campus. Students should keep in mind whether the campus feels inclusive and provides important services to them while deciding whether they feel represented or not.

Adapting to Changing Educational Spheres

Dr. Vaughan states that she expects a renewed push to return to normalcy for the 2021-22 academic year and on-campus learning. She adds that students will have to adapt to the new normal of learning in new ways, by merging lessons learned from remote learning with on-campus experience. “Faculty and students will need to be creative in how they can safely interact with each other, which may lead to novel methods of engagement.” Says Dr. Vaughan.

ALOS READ: The 10 Elite Engineering Colleges of 2023

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Webb Institute is such a top-ranked undergraduate institution that offers a unique academic opportunity with its special dual bachelor’s degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. The institute was established in 1889 by New York-based shipbuilder William H. Webb, with a mission to inspire and educate the leaders of tomorrow in an extraordinary learning community focused on engineering and design in the marine field.

It provides a rigorous education in the principles of engineering and the fundamentals of naval architecture, marine engineering, and related marine technologies—along with developing skills to enable graduates to become leaders of the professional landscape. The students of the Webb Institute instill the highest ethical standards and a sense of professionalism. It also cultivates curiosity in the arts, sciences, and humanities, and provides the background and encouragement necessary to support lifelong learning.

Making a Difference

Webb Institute is a highly selective, top-ranked undergraduate institution specializing in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. It’s extremely competitive program prepares the brightest young engineering minds to make a difference in the marine industry and beyond. Along with its 132-year-old legacy of academic excellence, Webb Institute provides a full-tuition scholarship. The college is situated along the beautiful waterfront in Glen Cove, NY, on the North Shore of Long Island.

Its dual ‘Bachelor of Science degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering’ is highly sought for in the United States. The course was rated as ‘the number one most valuable major’ by Bankrate and is regularly listed as a degree with one of the best returns on investment (ROI). In an academic year, a maximum of 28 students are accepted for the program, making it a rare and highly valuable field of study.

Exceptional Learning Opportunities

The Webb curriculum is based on a systems approach to engineering. It is designed such that it prepares the graduates for a professional career. The curriculum and course descriptions are carefully designed and arranged to achieve the mission of Webb Institute by focusing on the art and science of ship design.

The 146 credit curriculum provides each student with rich design experience. It is built on a strong foundation of mathematics and the basics of engineering sciences. Every semester includes at least one course in naval architecture or marine engineering that serves to tie the program together from the first to the final semester.

The general education component of the curriculum strives to educate the students morally, by offering classes in the humanities and social sciences. Finally, every student is required to complete a senior thesis, which is presented to the entire Webb community and invited guests.

“We educate the students to develop critical thinking at the detail level and train them to be able to work collaboratively,” mentions Lauren Carballo, the Director of Admissions & Student Affairs at Webb Institute.

A Collaborative Classroom Setup

The mode of education at the Webb Institute is unique as each of its classrooms serves as a cohort within a lockstep curriculum. The classroom is structured such that it supports this experience—it is provided with a two-room space that includes a teaching and learning space in the front and a design studio in the back. This space is available to the students 24×7. The professors rotate to take lectures in different classrooms, while the students remain in the space.

This supports a collaborative learning environment even outside of the tuition. Additionally, the students can seek help from their senior college mates by visiting their classrooms. With a small student body of just 100 students and a 9:10 student to faculty ratio, the professors are accessible all the time.

Shaping Future Industry Leaders

In addition to the theoretical and practical sessions, Webb Institute engages its students in extra classes. These classes are aimed to educate the students about the industry environment while discussing the technical and non-technical areas of study.

• Winter Work

A practical work period between the first and second semesters of each of the four years is an integral part of the academic program. These eight-week-long ‘winter work’ terms provide students with the first-hand experience in the industry and encourage attitudes and work habits that contribute to a sense of professional excellence.

• Lecture Series

In addition to the formal courses, all students attend the ‘Monday Lecture Series’ where speakers discuss a wide variety of topics from technical to historic to current events. This weekly lecture series is designed to expand Webb students’ education in both technical and non-technical subject areas.

Once or twice a year the Webb community and invited guests congregate for a special evening presentation as part of the ‘Zeien Lecture Series.’ That invites noted individuals from industry, academia, the arts, and government to Webb’s campus to share their stories, experiences, insights, and knowledge.

Life at the Institute

With a small student body, Webb Institute is like a family. The students tend to remain on campus and spend time at the college’s private beach. The institute also has an on-campus Frisbee golf course, student pub, movie room, and other leisure activity clubs. The students also spend time in downtown Glen Cove, in New York City which is a short train ride away.

From the classroom to the student kitchen, students lead a life of their choice at Webb Institute. The college offers various activities to participate into—the students can join the varsity soccer team or be part of a club. Additionally, Webb Institute encourages everyone to join, lead, and excel in its campus and community activities also. As a result the pupils develop a great level of maturity and respect while developing lifelong skills at the institute.

Webb Institute also has a social committee led by the students that are responsible for planning both on-campus and off-campus events and outings. It also includes the ‘Great Gatsby’ and ‘WEBBstock’ which are the largest annual college events in the area.

Encouraging Sportsmanship

Along with the excellent education, Webb Institute also provides numerous opportunities to participate in sports. It participates in several varsity sports including basketball, sailing, soccer, tennis, and volleyball. The sailors of the Webb Institute compete at the Middle Atlantic Intercollegiate Sailing Association (MAISA) periodically. While the student organization sponsors a number of intramural events and tournaments that include cornhole, crew (Rowing), cycling, disc golf, field day events, kite boarding, and the running club.

The institute has a dedicated gymnasium with basketball and volleyball courts, two outdoor hard-surface tennis courts, Thorpe athletic field, and a private waterfront where students get to use the boathouse, 420s, lasers, an I-20 Scow, and windsurfers

Expecting Normalcy in 2021

The institute cherishes some of the changes caused due to the pandemic in 2020. As the professors have now become more familiar with the different modes of education, Webb Institute finds it beneficial moving forward. The technology has added a level of flexibility which has, in turn, increased accessibility for the students. Post the COVID-19 pandemic, Webb Institute aims to return to normal operations in the fall of 2021. The institute has gained some normalcy as 98% of its students have already chosen to be vaccinated.

ALSO READ: Top 10 Software Training Institutes to look for 2023

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As startups are expected to bring high returns with limited resources, how can one as an entrepreneur maximize his profits while minimizing costs?

Digital Marketing Discovers New Talents

Being a startup many people don’t know about the company and its products and services. Having a niche market that caters to a specific market audience requires innovative marketing strategies. However, there is a cache that needs to accomplish all of these with limited resources, which can be very tricky. Nowadays, everyone finds the products or services they are looking for through google search engine. The easier to find one’s products or services, the better the company’s sales.

However, numerous startups tend to turn a blind eye on building appropriate marketing strategies. A study found an astonishing 84 percent of marketers do not have a formal content strategy.

Here we will talk about different parts of digital marketing and how they can be utilized for maximum ROI:

Search Engine Optimization

Using Search Engine Optimization (SEO) one can optimize the company’s website structure and content with the help of web design services to match perfectly with user intentions so that the website is the first result a user sees after typing his searching entry on various search engines. Although it sounds simple, getting to the top can be difficult without the right strategy. This is because of the number of competitors in the market and the plethora of products and services out there.

The right strategy uses a combination of techniques like contextual link building, which increases the number of backlinks you have on your website. Off-page optimization improves a website structure and content by using keywords relevant to the user search entries. On-page optimization to get you to the top of result pages.

Social media presence

People use social media to connect, communicate, and share with their peers. Hence, using social media as a platform to launch a marketing campaign can one of the most cost-effective methods out there to help a startup connect with a large audience. The benefits of social media marketing are plentiful, especially when an entrepreneur is in the infancy of his business. According to McKinsey, word of mouth drives 20 to 50 percent of purchasing decisions. Not only this, on Instagram alone 80 percent of people follow at least one business.

Inbound marketing

Digital marketing can be a great way to engage customers with great content either in the form of video design and graphic design or by writing helpful informative blog posts that engage users. Marketing in a digital age no longer focuses on pushing products and services onto people because it involves the waste of time and resources on selling to people who see no relevance in the product. Instead, the focus has shifted to inbound marketing which focuses on drawing people and by engaging them effectively through the creation of content that prospects find useful and informative. However, the content should not be thought of as an end but it means a kind of an end.

Content writing/marketing

Good content writing delivers a call to action from the user either to subscribe to a newsletter, try a demo version of the product, or get them to contact an expert. This can be accomplished by using content writing services, which strategically use keywords, relevant to user intentions to be easily discoverable and persuade a call to action from the user. This is also a great way to enhance user experience and build brand value for the company. With the number of marketing channels out there it can become very difficult to manage the progress of a marketing campaign. But by automating marketing efforts an entrepreneur can streamline marketing campaigns. According to CMI’s digital content marketing, 72% of marketers say content marketing increases engagement.

Email marketing

Automating marketing services through email marketing services not only helps automate the marketing process but it also helps to deliver personalized messages to prospects based on user behaviors. Let’s say some customers made an inquiry about a product. Executives can email them information about the product and other related products based on their preferences. In fact, email marketing is a part of lead generation services that help businesses nurture and develop new leads by building personal connections with new customers.

Long-term marketing strategy

Traditional mediums of marketing like brochures, TV advertisements are no longer having the impact they used to have. Not only are traditional mediums expensive but they are hard to customize for a specific audience and therefore not the best marketing option for any startup company. The digital age has completely transformed the way people consume and the way people process information. This has given way to the establishment of the e-commerce industry which capitalizes on this digital transformation, particularly e-commerce management.

Most successful startup companies have come from long-term wins with search engine optimization and conversion rate optimization. Such companies identify the nerve of customers through phenomenal market research that allows them to predict and set their ROI. For instance, they develop a huge following very quickly by allowing the customers to help promote their products or services for them. It is critical to use as 92% of people trust personal recommendations more than other marketing forms.

Conclusion – Getting people to click on a website is hard enough to get ahead of the game. A startup strategy should be to convert as many website visitors into customers, which is the ultimate goal of developing a website in the first place. This tactic is referred to as conversion rate optimization. The size of a company no longer matters, it is the way a person projects his brand image and product/service quality that truly matters at the end of the day.

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