Centers and Departments

The Center for Program Innovation (CPI) is a catalyst for educational change. Its mission is to expand signature experiential learning opportunities and academic integration across disciplines, two fundamental elements of Bryant’s approach to education.

The center is directed by Michael Roberto, Trustee Professor of Management, who works with a steering committee of faculty, staff, and students. “We aim to create innovative and active, hands-on learning experiences for our students. In so doing, we will nurture and develop leaders who can make a difference in the world,” Roberto says.

Key Activities

• Faculty Innovation Grants: The center awards seven $2,000 grants each year to faculty members introducing a substantial innovation into the classroom at Bryant. Recipients present their work at the annual Research and Engagement Day
• Bryant App-a-Thon: This annual competition challenges students to design mobile device apps for the University. The winning app is built by Bryant Information Services.
• Innovation Design Experience for All (IDEA): a multi-day immersive program for all first-year students. The center has run this program since 2012.
• Facilities Design: The center was instrumental in prototyping several new classrooms that eventually led to the design and construction of the Academic Innovation Center, which was awarded the national Grand Prize for outstanding design and architecture in the College Planning and Management 17^th Annual Education Design Showcase.

The center also serves as a clearinghouse for information on program innovation taking place at other educational institutions, and hosts seminars and workshops to provide a forum for discussion on these issues.

The John H. Chafee Center for International Business at Bryant University provides comprehensive business development services to assist companies, organizations and individuals with their global business. Working in close collaboration with Bryant University professors and students, the State of Rhode Island, other trade associations and business professionals, the Chafee Center is a valuable, cost-effective resource to companies and individuals for any of their international and domestic trade issues. Linking the local, national and international business community with international trade professionals and the resources of a top notch university, the Chafee Center offers in-depth individualized research studies, corporate and individual training, one-on-one strategic consulting and global trade assistance programs to help companies successfully grow and manage their business.

Services include:

• International consulting and market research
• Global business training
• Customized international business development projects
• Organized foreign trade missions and trade show events
• Annual World Trade Day
• Connections to international business organizations and programs
• Grant programs, including STEP (State Trade Export Promotion)
• Participation in Bryant University Practica, student experiential learning opportunities that assist businesses with real-world issues

The Chafee Center is proud to have assisted companies of all sizes and industries, including some of Rhode Island’s largest corporations as well as start-up enterprises and foreign entities interested in entering the U.S. market.  Through these programs, the Chafee Center annually assists over 300 companies with international business needs and provides training to over 600 individuals.

Bryant’s Executive Development Center offers professional and business certificates and courses that provide high-level management skills in critical business areas. We work with you or your company to select the best program to meet your educational needs.  Courses and certificate programs are designed for emerging leaders, managers and those high potential, career aspiring individuals and growth focused companies. Courses are available online, via our e-learning management system, on campus or onsite for groups or choose a blended approach. Select your areas of interest or focus then decide how you want to learn.

We know how adults learn. Our courses are taught by subject matter experts with a focus on value-based knowledge retention and adult learning methods, using best practice models in a highly interactive environment.  Blending a consultative and academic framework ensures that you will learn the what, why and how to apply what you have learned quickly.

Learn and earn a certificate or prepare for certification – your competitive advantage. The path to knowledge is yours to choose. We offer courses and certificates with formats that afford you the flexibility to choose how you want to learn.

Certificates and Courses are provided in:

• Business Analyst*
• Business Analytics
• Business Continuity Planning*
• Business Process Management*
• Customized Corporate Programs
• NIST Cyber Security*
• Design Thinking
• Digital & Social Media Strategy
• Event Management*
• Emerging Leader
• Financial Planning*
• Healthcare Quality*
• Human Resources Management*
• Innovative Leadership Professional
• Innovative Healthcare Leadership
• Leadership Mastery
• Lean Practices*
• Microsoft Tools
• Portfolio Management
• Project Management*
• Six Sigma*
• Supply Chain Management
• Virtual Teams

*National Certifications: EDC programs are aligned with national and international certifying organizations.  As an Authorized Registered Education Provider, our certificates satisfy the educational requirements for certification in these as well as other specialty areas of career focus.  Designations in:

• Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP)
• International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA)
• NIST Cyber Security Framework (NCSF)
• Disaster Recovery International Institute (DRII®)
• Association of Business Process Management Professionals International (ABPMP)
• International Live Events Association (ILEA)
• Institute for Supply Management (ISM-APICS)
• Project Management Institute (PMI)
• SHRM-CP™ and SHRM-SCP™- Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM)
• Six Sigma: Green and Black Belt

The Office of Conferences & Special Events at Bryant University provides meeting and event planning services to external businesses and organizations, coordinates several special events for the campus community.

The Office of Planning and Institutional Research (OPIR), reporting within the President’s Division, is responsible for collecting data and analyzing information relevant to Bryant, including information on selected higher education institutions, trends in higher education, and demographic, economic, and occupational forecasts. These efforts provide benchmark data, facilitate institutional planning, assist the work of other University divisions, and support further assessment efforts that advance the University’s mission. OPIR serves as Bryant’s official source of information for most government agencies and external publications, including rankings and guidebooks.

OPIR is responsible for providing information that is relevant, reliable, and timely. Office procedures adhere to FERPA guidelines and ensure the confidentiality of all members of the Bryant University community. OPIR has an approved annual collection and analysis plan that serves as the basis for the office’s recurring research areas.

Basic information about Bryant and selected OPIR reports are disseminated through a public community group in Office 365.  Bryant community members with specific institutional data inquiries can submit requests through their Department or Divisional leadership.  Community members with short-term data needs can send a message to opir@bryant.edu. For students and course instructors, OPIR can support student and course projects with institutional data as time and resources permit.  OPIR can also assist institutional research efforts of other Divisions through collaboration on data collection and analysis.