Hofstra Continuing Education Blog

Growing is what gardeners do best, but is it time to grow as a gardener?  

Hofstra University Continuing Education (CE) is very proud to present this series of four gardening courses taught by Vincent Simeone, expert horticulturist, writer, and lecturer, and Director of Planting Fields Arboretum State Historic Park (plantingfields.org).  You may have seen him on HGTV or Martha Stewart, or perhaps read one of his many articles and books.  Now he comes to Hofstra CE to offer his expertise in these highly rewarding 2-hour courses:

Creating a Sustainable Landscape

March 6, 2012, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Sustainable landscaping offers unique challenges.  In this lecture, Mr. Simeone will help you understand habitat management, invasive species management, recycling, composting, and proper plant selection to ensure your landscape is as low-impact and sustainable as possible.

Sound Gardening Techniques for a Healthy Garden

March 13, 2012, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

There’s a lot to think about in caring for your garden, including the proper siting, planting techniques, watering, pruning, fertilizing, and mulching.  It can be overwhelming, but the basic and advanced techniques Mr. Simeone will cover will help you grow a beautiful, healthy garden and ensure the success of both old and new plantings.

Great Flowering Landscape Shrubs and Trees

March 20, 2012, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Flowering shrubs and trees can greatly improve the aesthetics of a garden.  In this lecture, Mr. Simeone will celebrate exciting new cultivars of traditional trees and shrubs including Dogwood, Hydrangea, Viburnum, Lilac, Crabapple, and Cherry.  Landscape design techniques and plant choice for the optimal aesthetic value, landscape function, and cultural requirements of your garden will also be discussed.  You’ll also learn about new and improved varieties of shrubs, which are more drought-, cold-, and pest-resistant, to use as part of an IPM (integrated pest management program).

Selecting Superior Varieties of Annuals and Perennials for the Home Garden

March 27, 2012, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

A wide variety of options exist to add color, texture, and interest into your landscaping using annual and perennial ornamental grasses and flowers.  In this course, Mr. Simeone will discuss these options and offer ideas for proper selection, siting, and design when landscaping with herbaceous plants.

You already grow a garden – now is your chance to grow as a gardener!  Click on any of the above course links to join Hofstra University CE and Vincent Simeone for any or all of these great gardening courses.

Long Island is called the “Cradle of Aviation,” and rightly so.  With Hempstead Plains, Roosevelt Field, Mitchel Field, the Flying Boats of Port Washington, Fairchild, Republic, and Grumman, it’s easy to see why it’s the birthplace of many aviation firsts, from the first pioneering balloon flights in the late 1800s to Charles Lindbergh’s 1927 solo transatlantic flight to Paris, France in The Spirit of St. Louis.

It’s also the birthplace of many plane manufacturers.  Did you know that during World War II, most of the Japanese aircraft shot down were shot down by planes built by Grumman, a Long Island company founded in 1929? It's really no wonder Long Island was vitally important in aviation -- it’s ideally situated at the far eastern edge of the U.S., the far western edge of the Atlantic, and close by New York.  

Besides this, its topography makes a natural airfield, with the only prairie east of the Allegheny Mountains, flat and treeless. And yet, as instructor Robert Waldvogel notes, Long Island's flying history is largely unknown: "I have been in the airline/aviation industry for three decades, but it recently dawned on me that Long Island's rich aviation heritage has often gone unnoticed, or it is altogether unknown by the younger generation. What better way to keep it alive than by offering a course to review some of its very important milestones?"

Are you interested in the aviation history of Long Island before and during the Golden Age?  If so, you should jump on board for Hofstra Continuing Education’s “Long Island's Aviation Heritage” course, starting on February 1, 2012.  You’ll learn about everything from vintage aircraft to the many Long Island events that made local and international headlines.

On March 3, 2012, the course culminates in a trip to the popular Cradle of Aviation Museum, which commemorates all those exciting airborne advances.  The museum's first curator was William K. Kaiser, who performed his own aviation first when he participated in the first transatlantic crossing of non-rigid airships in 1944 as a young ensign blimp pilot in the United States Navy. The current curator, Joshua Stoff, is a well-respected author in aviation circles. The museum houses 60+ aircraft and scale models of airplanes from various time periods, including Charles Lindbergh's barnstormer, the Curtiss Jenny, an A-10 Thunderbolt II, and a Grumman F-14 Tomcat.

Click here to register for this high-flying continuing education opportunity today!

Have you ever wondered if it’s worth it to pursue continuing education – whether the purported benefits outweigh the cost?  Consider this quote from Career Counselor Francine Fabricant:

“If you are looking to advance in your career or prepare for a new one, you must think about sharpening your skills and adding new ones. This can involve exploring which skills expand your marketability in areas that interest you, and have the most promise.”

“Continuing education is no longer really a choice, because lifelong learning is the norm. It’s not a question of whether you will need to expand your skills, but when and how. This can involve getting up to date on current technology or social media, learning how to write or speak more effectively, or expanding your skills in a new area for personal enrichment, a career change, or to re-enter the workforce. In a lifetime, a person may explore adult learning in many areas.”

The job market is tough.  Even before it was truly terrible, though, employers looked for applicants who cared enough about their careers that they refreshed their existing skills and added valuable new ones.  It’s even more important in today’s hiring field – continuing education matters.

Hofstra CE wants to help you understand the job market of today and explore your continuing education opportunities.  Join us for an open house on 7 January 2012 at 10 a.m.  We’ll have a 2-hour information session, highlighting the many valuable courses and certification programs we offer, followed by an enlightening 1-hour panel discussing career outlooks for 2012 and beyond.  Fred Burke, Director of the Hofstra Career Center, and Francine Fabricant, MA, EdM, NCC, Career Counselor, and Hofstra University Continuing Education (CE) instructor), will offer tips about where the jobs will be and how to prepare for them.  If you’re ready to make the next move, you can even register on site.

Continuing Education can truly change your life.  How will you prepare for the future?  How will you impress employers and advance your career in 2012 and beyond?  We hope our open house helps you answer these questions.  Click here for more information about the Continuing Education Open House on 7 January 2012.  We’re looking forward to seeing you there!

So You Think You Can Dance Want to Be a Professional Broadcaster?

Actually, getting involved in the broadcasting, sportscasting, or TV production field is a whole lot easier than dancing for millions of people week after week (especially since you can’t be just voted out in the finals). 

Hofstra University Continuing Education (CE) offers Sportscasting and Television Production Summer Workshops that will give you a complete look at the world of broadcast journalism, with hands-on instruction from experienced working professionals, enabling you to pursue your dreams of becoming a broadcaster.

Summer Sportscasting Institute for Adults

Learn the fundamentals of sportscasting from professionals with decades of experience by getting hands-on instruction in TV and radio, including play-by-play, anchoring, and reporting.

Summer Sportscasting Institute for Teens

Designed to improve communication and writing skills, this course will help provide a pathway to a future profession for teens who are passionate about sportscasting.

Beyond the Camera: An Intensive Television Production and Performance Workshop

The more versed you are in video production, the more employable you’ll be. This course will guide you through video production, basic writing techniques, and editing methods, plus you’ll gain experience with operating studio and field equipment and on-air performance.

World of Broadcasting Workshop

In this “crash” course, you'll get practical and applicable broadcast journalism experience assembling an entire newscast by writing, reporting, interviewing, editing, anchoring, sportscasting, and weather reporting.  You’ll also receive superior voice coaching, mentoring in public relations and marketing, and performing experience in front of the camera and behind the microphone.

Don’t take our word for it -- See for yourself!

It might be difficult to make a decision when all you have is a short blurb or pamphlet to look at. Thankfully, we have a solution:  Hofstra University CE is holding free information sessions that will give you an in-depth look at our summer broadcasting workshops.  An information session for the World of Broadcasting is being held on January 10, 2012 at 6 p.m., and one for Summer Sportscasting and Television Production on March 6, 2012 at 7 p.m.  You’ll have the opportunity to talk to our professional instructors and receive detailed information about each program.

Do you have what it takes to be a professional broadcaster?  Click here for more information and a short video, then put down your dancing shoes and sign up for Hofstra University CE’s Sportscasting, Television Production, and Broadcasting courses today!

The economy will fluctuate, jobs will be lost and created, but it seems that nothing can touch the movie industry.

The silver screen will keep flourishing, and it’s constantly looking for the next big movie, screenplay, or director. However, the movie business isn’t easy to break into, and in order to succeed you need to be as prepared and equipped as possible. Hofstra University Continuing Education (CE) now offers professional film studies taught by award-winning filmmakers to give you a leg-up in the industry.

A variety of film studies for a variety of roles

Whether you’re writing the next blockbuster screenplay or simply making your own videos more professional, we have several interesting courses for film students, including two all-new offerings:

Be Your Own Film Critic - New!

Ever wonder what makes a good film a great one? This new course that will teach you to analyze films. Learn the mental processes that film art tries to reproduce through character development, compositional choices, use of music, editing, and more -- all taught by an award-winning filmmaker. Be Your Own Film Critic - Class Info.

Digital Video Production Workshop - New!

Learning to write, shoot, and edit a video can make the difference between professional and homemade. Regardless of whether it’s for your film career, your business website, or YouTube, this course will guide you through the entire process, from learning to use your camera to using editing software. Digital Video Production Workshop Info

Beginning & Intermediate Screenwriting

Taught by a professional screenwriter, these in-depth courses will take your screenplay from conception to script. Develop your dramatic writing skills by focusing on structure, character development, and narrative techniques. You’ll also get the opportunity to discuss different approaches to beginning a professional screenwriting career with the instructor. Beginning Screenwriting | Intermediate Screenwriting

Hollywood Film School: A Crash Course for Independent Filmmakers, Producers, Directors, and Writers

If you’re serious about getting into the film industry, you don’t want to miss out on this acclaimed course, which helped to launch the careers of Quentin Tarantino, Robert Rodriguez, Guy Ritchie, and 20 Sundance entrants, among others. In a single weekend, you’ll learn every aspect of film, from directing and shooting to financing and distribution. Hollywood Film School Info

Give yourself a leg up in the film industry by equipping yourself with the skills and knowledge you need to make it to Hollywood.  Come take a class led by an award-winning instructor at Hofstra University CE today!

Ever wish you could download information straight into your brain? Push a button and - wham! You’re an instant genius.

Unfortunately, we don’t have the technology to do that yet.

Instead, you have to prioritize what classes are worth your time and will give you the most benefit.  One of the biggest commitments you can make is to a course, which is often difficult to fit into a busy schedule. Most people assume that there are no alternatives to taking a full six-week course, especially for something they are passionate about, like photography. However, Hofstra University Continuing Education (CE) has the ideal solution.

So what is the ideal solution?

Similar to our new one-session writing courses, Hofstra University CE is now offering one-session photography courses. Spend only one afternoon learning about a specific aspect of photography that will enable you to create dazzling photos and teach you valuable skills to enrich your photographic career.

What courses are offered?

We offer a select variety of intensive courses for photographers, including indoor and outdoor portrait photography, lighting, and learning to maximize your digital camera.

Lighting Workshop Intensive - Saturday March 24, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

Good lighting can make or break a photo. Led by an award-winning lighting director, this class will teach you the uses and principles of bounce, fill, artificial, and natural lighting. This one-day intensive, hands-on workshop will enable you to create the highest quality photographs.

Maximize Your Point-and-Shoot Camera - Saturday March 24, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.

Confused about all the features on your digital camera? This informative course will teach you to make the most out of the features on your point-and-shoot digital camera. Maximize your photographic potential by learning everything you need to know in a two-hour session.

Indoor Portrait Photography - Saturday, March 24 1-5 p.m.

Don’t know where to start with indoor portrait photography or looking to improve your skill as a portrait photographer? This intensive one-session course will give you a complete overview of indoor portrait photography. Spend your afternoon learning about composition, lighting, backgrounds, posing, location and more.

Outdoor Portrait Photography - Saturday, April 28, 1-5 p.m.

Outdoor portraits present photographers a unique variety of challenges and opportunities. From learning how to work with difficult lighting to finding the ideal location, this afternoon course will give you the tips and tools you need to be a successful outdoor portrait photographer.

Instant-download technology isn’t available yet, but you can still learn a lot quickly!  Come take a one-session photography class at Hofstra University CE to get the most out of your time and enhance your photographic skills.

So much to do, so little time.

Time flies.

Time is of the essence.

Time and tide wait for no man.

Can you relate to any of these phrases? Most people can. Time can be one of the greatest pressures of life. Unfortunately, many people have to give up a valuable opportunity simply because they are hard pressed for time in their schedules.

We at Hofstra University CE received your feedback about our 6-week writing courses -- many people cannot commit to a long-term writing course -- and we completely understand! More than that, we’re determined to make sure you get the most out of your  time and writing education. This spring semester, we are offering new one-session, two-hour writing courses that will easily fit into your schedule and enrich your writing career.

Shorter courses, yet still a wealth of information

Although we’ve created shorter courses, we’re not sacrificing any material. Taught by our master teachers, these new intensive writing courses cover a diverse variety of subjects within the writing field. Every one of our two-hour courses will leave your writing enriched and improved.

Diverse courses for diverse writers

Need to improve your writing overall? Stuck on a specific aspect of your novel? Don’t know how to get to a publisher? Trying to find your niche in the writing world? We offer a wide variety of one-session intensive courses so you can pick and choose which ones will benefit you the most.

Take a look!

Improve Your Overall Writing:

Become a Better Writer in 10 Easy Steps

Jumpstart Your Creative Engine

Courses for the Novelist:

How to Structure Your Novel in 3 Acts

Funny Fiction

Such a Character: Learn How to Create Memorable Characters

Secrets of a Page Turner

Dead-on Dialogue

Courses to help you get published:

Writing a Top-Notch Query

Get Your Book Noticed: Getting a Publicity Campaign

Finding your niche in the writing world:

Finding Freelance Jobs in the Tween/Young Adult Market

Find Your Voice Through Journaling

See the World: Become a Travel Writer

Magazine Queries that Sell

Be Heard, Write an Editorial

Because lost time is never found again, using your time efficiently is paramount to getting the most out of your writing experience. By taking one of Hofstra University’s one-session, two-hour writing courses, your writing will be sure to flourish while letting your schedule breathe easier.

Teamwork. Competitiveness. Good sportsmanship. Leadership.

Nothing can replace the skills that a summer sports camp can provide for children and young adults. Besides the obvious benefit of getting them off the sofa and onto the field, sports camps instill good character and life lessons that will stay with them for years to come.

However, not all sports camps are alike. Hofstra University Continuing Education (CE) Sports Academy Camp strives to go above and beyond the expectations of most camps to provide a safe, fun environment, professional teachers, and a state-of-the-art facility for campers to fully enrich their experience.

What's so Special about Hofstra University's Sports Academy Camp?

Unlike many sports camps, Hofstra University CE's Sports Academy is engineered for the serious athlete who wishes to immerse themselves in their chosen sport for the full camp day.  Designed for campers entering third through twelfth grades, Hofstra offers several different sports camps, including:

• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Soccer
• Baseball
• Wrestling
• Lacrosse
• Softball
• Cheer
• Dance Academy
• Pep Band

Sports Academy Camps are offered throughout the summer, so you can choose more than one, customizing the schedule to best fit your needs.  All camps are held in our state-of-the-art facilities on Long Island, specifically the David S. Mack Sports Complex, the University Field, Hofstra Recreation Center, the Physical Education Building, and the James M. Shuart Stadium/Howdy Meyers Pavilion. Daily supervised games, a first class lunch program, a fully equipped infirmary with registered nurses, and our Olympic-sized swimming pool for extra training will ensure your camper has the time of their life.

Sports Academy Coaching

We're proud of the program we've created, but what we're really proud of is our coaching staff. Most of the coaches are our very own Division I staff for Hofstra's Pride Athletics program. Experienced, professional, and capable coaches will teach your child how to gain confidence by building the skills they need and realizing their maximum potential. Coaching in individual and group settings ensures your child gets one-on-one attention while still focusing on team building.

Why not give your child the summer camp that will benefit them the most? Hofstra University CE's Sports Academy Camp will do more than just improve your child's basketball, soccer, or wrestling skills -- it will help them become a more gracious competitor, a more committed team player, a more skillful athlete, and a more confident person.