PHILADELPHIA – Peirce College has named Hassan Charles as the institution’s vice president of Workforce Initiatives and Development to lead workforce training initiatives and career-ready solutions for employers and students, as well as fundraising and development.

Charles will provide executive stewardship for a new virtual center focusing on workforce initiatives, including credit and non-credit programs, industry-recognized credentials and workshops offered by Peirce College. In addition, he will work with business partners, funders and public officials to develop sponsored, supported programs linked to career opportunities. 

“We are honored and excited to welcome Hassan as a member of the college’s senior leadership team,” said Dr. Mary Ellen Caro, president and CEO of Peirce College. “Emerging adult student needs and market trends both here in Philadelphia and across the country are pointing to the growing importance of shorter, stackable educational components that lead to jobs. Hassan will play a pivotal role helping us re-envision and better integrate our workforce initiatives and accelerate the development and implementation of new offerings and services.”

Charles underscored that he is excited to join Peirce because of its history of being an innovator in flexible, career-focused education for adults, and to advance the institution’s work to expand access and strengthen the connection between higher education and workforce training.

“Peirce is investing at a time when it is needed most,” he said. “Upskilling and re-training will play a significant role as part of the recovery of our region. Peirce is positioned very well to provide the type of programs needed by employers and students, especially underserved populations in Philadelphia. Our new center will play a critical role to galvanize these important efforts.”

Most recently, Charles played an instrumental role as executive director at Year Up Greater Philadelphia, where he increased student enrollment and funding, expanded corporate internships and improved outcomes for students across the board. Previously, Charles has served in a variety of leadership roles in the corporate, education and public service sectors, and has cultivated an impressive network of policy makers, funders and corporate leaders.

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Media contact:
Amanda Hill 
717.314.1315
Amhill@peirce.edu
www.peirce.edu