Pmo Presentation free essay sample

Dzingwa Madzima June 2010 1 Overview †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ The What and Why of PMO’s Starting a PMO Types of PMO’s PMO Roles and Responsibilities Executive Buy-In PMO Best Practices Telecel Zimbabwe PMO 2 The What and Why of PMO’s 3 Enhancing Your Bottom Line By Investing In Better Project Management Increasing Throughput Rate Strengthening the weakest link Achieving higher customer satisfaction Identifying the bottlenecks Reducing the program delivery interval Becoming the service provider of choice 4 What Is a PMO Exactly? 9% of respondents said PMO means project management office; 12% said it means program management office. Study by Brian Hobbs PMP and Monique Aubry â€Å"An organizational unit to centralize and coordinate the management of projects under its domain. A PMO oversees the management of projects, programs or a combination of both. † A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK ® guide), Thi rd Edition  © 2004, p. 17 In each organization, the definition of a PMO may vary in name and by function, but it essentially centralizes, coordinates and oversees the management of projects and programs. We will write a custom essay sample on Pmo Presentation or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Article by Bud Baker, Ph. D. PMI Network, June 2007 5 The Project Management Office (PMO) A PMO is a centralized organization dedicated to improving the practice and results of project management. †¢ †¢ Some PMO initiatives are minimal, involving part-time staff. †¢ Other initiatives involve huge infrastructure, with rigid centralized planning, control and methodology. †¢ An organizational entity created to assist project managers in achieving project goals. †¢ A PMO is a group of people with a mission to support project managers in the successful launch, implementation, and completion of projects. Provides an opportunity for project managers to develop professionally more quickly than most could ever hope, if they were working isolated from one another. 6 PMO Responsibilities 7 What Benefits Does a PMO Offer? The most important service of a PMO is to provide qualified project managers to an organization†¦ †¢ PMO’s are/can†¦ ? Making ava ilable qualified †¢ If a PMO is not used†¦ project managers ? Provide support personnel to assist project managers ? Allow project managers to pool their skills and knowledge ? Help project managers to develop professionally ? Recommended for organizations with many project managers ? Provide consulting-type services and products to its constituency y With several projects under way, project managers are probably not learning from one another y PM’s are probably not sharing best practices y PM’s are not challenged to continuously improve their skills y Project managers can be overtly influenced by line managers y Project managers scattered across an organization with no common bond are significantly handicapped 8 Starting a PMO 9 Key Considerations †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ PMO charter Culture change Implementation strategy Staffing Metrics/Performance Success factors Maturity of Project Management Practices PMO Charter †¢ Charter Scope – Business Needs – Sponsor – PM Maturity †¢ Charter Document – – – – – – Mission/Vision Goals/Objectives Sponsor Service Offering PMO Governance Key Performance Metr ics PMO Culture Change †¢ Natural resistance to change †¢ Political landscape †¢ Degree of cultural change – – – – – – – – PM maturity PMO charter Existing skill level Key driver implementation strategy Assess impact of change Inform Educate Involve – Winners/Losers – Management Support Change Management PMO Implementation Strategies †¢ Strategy drivers – PMO charter – PM maturity – Sponsor and management support – PMO drivers – Perception of value – Political environment – Culture/Value System Evolutionary/Incremental – Lower implementation risks – Lower start up costs – Will take longer to demonstrate ROI – More suitable if high resistance to change and low management support Revolutionary/Wholesale – Higher implementation risks – Higher startup costs – May be able to demonstrate ROI quicker â⠂¬â€œ More suitable if crisis or recognition at high level that change is imperative †¢ Success Factors †¢ Clear Charter – Creates clear expectations – Defines boundaries for implementation †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ †¢ Top-Down Support Bottoms up Buy-in Sponsor Reporting to senior executive Strong LOB representation Communication/PR – Promotion of services – Education of value – Performance metrics that demonstrate business and customer value Starting a PMO FACTS O Executives must deliver in two key areas — ongoing operational results and improvement efforts. O Functional managers are continuously evaluated by senior anagement, peers, and subordinates for their ability to make things happen quickly. O Many projects involve multiple departments and functional areas. O Each organizational unit has its own language, its own standards, its own project management techniques or lack thereof. O No wonder so many central projec t management coordination units have sprung up in the last few years. 15 Starting a PMO PMO Requirements: u PMO value must be measurable to become sustainable. u If you cannot measure, you cannot control and if you cannot control, you cannot manage. The PMO must be aligned with the interests and goals of the organization to sustain itself. †¢ A PMO has responsibility for educating the organization it serves about its benefits it brings to projects †¢ A PMO must create and track metrics to show the results of its contributions †¢ A PMO should survey its customers routinely to verify it is adding value †¢ The PMO should focus on portfolio management of: uProject investments uResources uAssets uStrategic objectives 16 Types of PMO’s 17 Current PMO and Advanced Models Traditional PMO Focus mostly on tactical issues Science of project management Views organization as a complex machine Emphasis on monitoring and control Provides tools similar to a precise map to follow Internal process focused Process driven Standard (heavy) methods and practices Based on rules; follow rules Defined, repeatable, managed and optimized practices Focus on efficiency Process leadership Heavy management and governance Next Generation PMO Focus on strategic and cultural issues Art and craft of project management Views organization as a complex ecology Emphasis on collaboration Provides tools similar to a compass that show the direction Focus on end products, customers and outcomes Business driven Adaptable and flexible (agile) methods and practices Based on guiding principles; follow rules and improvise if needed Adaptive and innovative practices Focus on effectiveness and innovation Thought leadership Balanced management, governance and leadership Table courtesy of J. Du ggal, Projectize Group, http://www. projectize. com. 18 What Does a PMO Look Like? u Typical starting point for a PMO can be three project managers, a team leader, and five team members (also called PMO support personnel). Reporting View of a Small Project Management Office u PMO Project Starter Services†¦ †¢ Provide well-trained and competent project managers to run key projects. †¢ Provide project management consulting. †¢ Review contract proposals from vendors. †¢ Sponsor project management education. †¢ Develop, document, and maintain project management best practices. †¢ Conduct project culture training. †¢ Perform project reviews. †¢ Perform post-project reviews. †¢ Ensure that new projects apply lessons learned. 9 PMO Models Early on in PMO history, the Gartner Group identified three PMO models as flourishing: †¢ Project Repository Model† †¢ Project Coach Model †¢ Enterprise PMO Model There is a fourth model, called the Deliver Value Now Model, that should not b e ignored. 20 PROJECT REPOSITORY MODEL PROJECT REPOSITORY MODEL PMO serves as a source of information on project methodology and standards. l Assumes the enterprise has embraced a cohesive set of tools for project design, management, and reporting. l Occurs most often in organizations that empower distributed, businesscentric project ownership or with weak central-governance. l l BENEFITS Data gap identification l Incremental risk management control as projects initiate and mature in the development cycle l Bottleneck identification for all projects l Raising the bar for delivery goodness 21 PROJECT COACHING MODEL PROJECT COACHING MODEL Assumes a willingness to share some project management practices across functions and uses the PMO to coordinate the communication. l Best practices are documented and shared and project performance is monitored actively. l Results are used to raise enterprise performance and train inefficient or new project managers. l l BENEFITS Acts as trainer l Consultant or mentor l Source of information on project processes l Often helps in project setup and postproject reviews 22 ENTERPRISE PMO MODEL ENTERPRISE PMO MODEL The most permanent, consolidated, organizational model and concentrates project management within the PMO. l The mission of the EPMO implies direct management or oversight of projects. l All project managers are staffed within the shared service and consigned to projects as needed. l The EPMO acts as a contracted project manager, assessing scope, allocating resources and verifying time, budget, risk, and impact assumptions. l l BENEFITS Many firms have since learned that a consultative approach aimed at increasing project throughput and reducing project durations requires teamwork between the EPMO and the project teams. l The idea of a PMO owning the project managers has some significant potential negative effects. The project management expertise and standards may not filter through to functional areas. l When significant portions of the projects are part of one functional area, that functional area may not feel as committed. 23 DELIVER VALUE NOW MODEL DELIVER VALUE NOW MODEL Puts o rganization goals first. l Improvements in PM methodology are viewed as a means to an end, and not the end in itself. l A holistic approach, embracing methods, skills and strategy that views project management as one piece of a bigger puzzle. l Enables consistent motivation for the entire organization to seek out accelerated project deliveries. l A stronger, more balanced project portfolio and better project performance. l l BENEFITS A strong, well-balanced project portfolio that identifies up-to-date project workload, sponsorship, tactical progress, health status and current data gaps. l A monthly plan and forecast that identifies portfolio opportunities and threats, top issues and risks, projects over/under budget summary. l A project prioritization model for all portfolio projects based on ability to form a Governance Board to direct model creation. l Governance Board setup and/or modification enables the force-ranking of the portfolio of projects. l Project management training, coaching, and mentoring based on need. 24 DETERMINING THE PMO MODEL FOR YOUR ORGANIZATION Questions you should ask†¦ 1. Who will initially be the main customers of the PMO? 2. What is the maturity level of the project management community? 3. How well does the Executive Team work together for the good of the enterprise? 4. Where is the greatest pain? 5. Will the PMO be able to deal with the intensity of missed delivery expectations from the executives and all of its implications? 6. Will the PMO be able to rescue troubled projects critical to the business? What if it cannot? 7. Will the PMO be funded sufficiently and supported by the executives to meet the value opportunities and threats? 25 PMO Roles and Responsibilities 26 PMO Roles and Responsibilities PMO EXECUTIVE PROJECT PORTFOLIO MANAGER PROJECT MANAGEMENT MENTOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT TOOL MENTOR RESOURCE PORTFOLIO MANAGER HELP DESK SPECIALISTS METHODOLOGY SPECIALIST DATA ADMINISTRATOR PROJECT MANAGEMENT TRAINER 27 PMO Services Overview †¢ As a PMO begins to define its objectives, it needs to consider what services it will provide to meet those objectives. †¢ It must also assess when in its implementation schedule it will provide these services. †¢ The services that are required dictate the various roles and responsibilities. †¢ Each service provided will require some level of staff support. 28 Most large-scale transformation programs do not succeed, mainly driven by inadequate governance and poor planning Large Programs Success Rates Why Projects / Programs Fail Others Technical Problems Successful 16% 11% 4% 4% 36% Problems with Suppliers Insufficient Project Personnel Resources Poor Organization and Project Management Practices 10% 53% 31% 15% 20% Cancelled Under Perform Ineffective Project Planning Poorly Defined or Missing Project Objectives Source: Standish Group International, Survey from 2500 personnel attending project management training A Program Management Office (PMO) can effectively help address these challenges†¦ PMO Challenges Benefits Benefits of PMO 4 Identifies gaps in realization of strategic objectives 4 Escalates current risks and identifies potential risks earlier 4 Ensures proper communications to relevant stakeholders 4 Improves monitoring and ontrol of projects 4 Mediates issue resolution 4 Increases efficiency in tracking progress of projects 4 Integrates project plans for all projects – Standardizes progress reporting Examples of Challenges 4 Project mission and tasks are poorly defined 4 Lack of a clear process for escalating risks to senior management 4 Insufficient reporting to support top-management decisions 4 Ineffective enforcement of project controls and policies 4 Conflict between line, project managers 4 Projects do not meet deadlines / milestones 4 Lack of standardized reports and reporting frameworks for all projects Fragmented project plans †¦and can accelerate progress, increase value, and reduce risk of failure Value of an Effective Efficient PMO Value ($) Efficient Program Management Office Value 2: Delivers Incremental Value Traditional Program Management Implementation Planning Set-up Validation Detailing, Planning Assessment Concept Development Time Value 3: Reduces Risk of Failure Value 1: Accelerates Progress A PMO would be initiated through five key steps leading to the first PMO session and the kick-off of Implementation PMO Set-up Process 1 Nominate and Confirm PMO Team 1. Nominate and confirm PMO team: 4 Identify, nominate and obtain approval for the PMO leadership from senior management 2. Setup PMO: 4 Determine relevant stakeholders, and/or external participants and structure PMO appropriately 4 Communicate key interested parties’ required involvement and PMO expectations 4 Engage all relevant key interested parties to get buy-in on program objectives and approach 3. Prepare tools, processes and templates: 4 Prepare all required tools, processes and templates 4 Distribute templates and reports for PMO meetings 4 Prepare project reporting, issue management, change management, and planning and communication management processes 4. Develop PMO master plan: 4 Obtain detailed required changes documents 4 Conduct interviews, meetings, and workshops with key interested parties regarding telework initiatives 4 Prioritize telework initiatives and conduct high-level review of any dependencies, overlaps, and issues 4 Consolidate tentative telework initiative project plans into a consolidated master plan 5. Conduct first PMO session: 4 Confirm logistics and communicate timing and agenda of first PMO session 4 Discuss issues, dependencies, project plan recommendations, role of PMO going forward 4 Distribute program-related process information 2 Set-up PMO 3 Prepare Tools, Processes Templates 4 Develop PMO Master Plan 5 Conduct First PMO Session During the PMO lifecycle, nine functions will help ensure success of the various implementation and transformation initiatives Continuous Program Management Functions 1. Progress Tracking and Reporting: Track milestones and deliverables for each project: – Reject project plans if they do not conform with PMO standards and required level of details – Identify and coordinate program critical path changes throughout projects 2. Communication Management: Communicate relevant messages to all key interested parties 3. Resource Management: Identify potential resource bottlenecks, unique requirements, contingencies and plan accordingly 4. Issue Management: Establish and maintain standards for issue categorization and resolution according to issue severity and facilitate resolution 5. Risk Management: Pro-actively identify and quantify potential risks (e. g. , financial, resource, technical) Establish and maintain quality assurance standards, procedures and schedule compliance / assurance reviews 6. Quality Assurance: Provide criteria in selecting contractors during the RFP process 7. Change Management: Establish and maintain a standard process for receiving, testing and approving changes to program scope 8. Business Alignment: Assess the fit and identify gaps between business needs and processes with the proposed solution 9. Technology Alignment: Assess the fit of proposed technologies with current or planned environment / infrastructure Change Management 7 Business Alignment Technology Alignment 9 8 Quality Assurance 6 Risk Management 5 LTO Program Management 2 4 3 1 Progress Tracking Reporting Communication Management Issue Management Resource Management Continuous Cycle of Direction, Validation and Adjustments To Accelerate Delivery Direction Governance Review Leadership Enterprise Strategy Business Unit Strategy Governance Review Leadership Feedback Prioritization Feedback Project Managers PMO Feedback Q/A Project Status Reports, Time Sheets, Project Schedules 34 The PMO Managing the Total Portfolio Business Strategy Management Project Management Office Management Plan and Execute Validate and Adjust Project Portfolio Resource Portfolio Application Portfolio 35 Executive Buy-In 36 Executive Buy-in of The PMO Executives will embrace a PMO that dramatically increases the probability of meeting their goals. A PMO must deliver on its promise through four major processes: Choosing the right project mix — a new way of strategic planning u Linking the executive teams strategies to current and planned projects u Managing the project portfolio correctly u Measuring the PMO to tangibly improve project performance relative to the execu tives strategic goals A PMO must be able to help executives with execution of strategy, as determined by the project mix and flow, or the PMO will not achieve sufficient level of value to sustain itself. 37 Executives Embrace a PMO If†¦ †¢ CHARACTERISTICS OF A PMO THAT EXECUTIVES WILL EMBRACE: ? Executives will perceive value if the PMO helps the executives meet the goals on which they are measured ? It must drive more projects through completion, without correspondingly increasing resources ? Projects must be completed in drastically shorter times ? The impact of the PMO is clearly felt on both the top and bottom lines of the organization (even in not-for-profit organizations) ? Executives and managers throughout the organization feel that they are getting benefit out of the PMO 38 PMO Best Practices 39 Elements of An Effective PMO q The Right People q The Right Tools q The Right Data q AVOIDS: The Wrong Result The Right People †¢ Include people from the The Right Tools †¢ PMOs may purchase The Right Data †¢ To improve, project delivery must be measureable. †¢ This process is often accomplished with project status reports. †¢ The PMO must diagnose system problems to help solve them. supply side and market side of the organization. A PMO requires skills in marketing and communications. †¢ The PMO should cover multiple disciplines. Enterprise Project Management (EPM) tools †¢ With low project management maturity, sophisticated tools meet heavy resistance. †¢ PMOs without a marketing plan to gain strong buy-in on tool usage are doomed. 40 THE WRONG RESULT — WHY PMO IMPLEMENTATIONS FAIL†¦ yThe PMO did not define its value proposition. yThe PMO is not perceived as impacting project delivery abilities. yThe PMO is seen as a threat — most often too authoritative. y The PMO does not have buy-in from the senior management. yThe PMO is too low in the management reporting. y Project Management Overhead — the bad PMO acronym. The PMO is micromanaging — trying to control every project directly. 41 Some Final Thoughts on starting a PMO†¦ C C C C C C C In todays economy, more value is needed now. Establishing a PMO that brings recognized value in the first six months of its existence is critical. Recommend you go beyond the original models. As you plan the PMO implementation, seriously consider establishing visible value to senior management from the getgo. Go after the low-hanging fruit that helps everyone win and the PMO will be on its way. A void being perceived as sitting in the Ivory Tower of Project Management Excellence. Build a PMO that will Deliver Value Now. 42

The history of Dubbing in France

The history of Dubbing in France Economic issues Dominance of dubbing in the French film industry has been there for the past six decades. This translation technique requires an expert to match the actor’s dialogue with lips synchrony, a factor that has economic effect on both the small and medium distributors in the industry. Hiring such experts would be hugely expensive for these small and medium distributors like what Joinville studios experienced (Christine 2004, p. 208).Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The history of Dubbing in France specifically for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More Major distributors have dominated the industry because their bulk production does not incur a lot of cost when dubbing (Dana 1991, p. 607). The expense for producing a dubbed film is 10 times higher than any other translational technique; these producers can only afford this form. Preferences for dubbed films have driven many filmmakers to acclimatize to their marke t demands by embracing dubbing as opposed to subtitling (Bogucki 2004, p. 71). A tradition by French citizens to hold firmly onto dubbing has done little to embrace translational change. It is true that any abrupt change without both technological considerations as well as market survey would mean economic woes to dubbing industry just like what subtitling companies in Europe went through before the version could, became attractive to local companies (Riggio 2010, p. 31). Dubbing has in turn created a few job opportunities for the actors doing voice translation. A survey carried out by European commission (2007, p. 1) inextricably linked economic down trend with dubbing by arguing that citizens from nations like France who grew up in a culture without diversity lack English skills to land them considerable contracts because dubbing neither promote English language development nor cultural diversity (Cattrysse 2004, p. 39). Social class issues This method of translation has been in u se across France because it is a perfect way of shunning certain expressions and trademarks found in the films. This involves actors replacing vulgar words with a softer language expression that will not be offensive to the viewers. These would include advertisements on alcohol, drugs, and certain brand names like coca cola trademarks. The elites and professionals within the social group AB prefer subtitles and original versions to those in the lower social ranks who prefer dubbed films. However, it is true that one would go for the method he or she came across at an earlier stage of life, this is particularly true with French citizens. Subtitle movies have not had commanding support because most common citizens prefer dubbed version. Attitude has also played a crucial role in French movie industry in the sense that most citizens’ views dubbing as a way of preserving their culture and nationalism, as opposed to those shown in foreign languages (Danan 1991, p. 611).Advertising Looking for research paper on art and design? Let's see if we can help you! Get your first paper with 15% OFF Learn More Literacy Studies show that international students from nations dominated with subtitles like Scandinavians and Dutch learning English have always outperformed students from countries dominated with dubbed movies, of these France and Germany students are the majority. Literacy improves in countries consuming subtitling movies, for it promotes foreign language comprehension, as opposed to dubbing (Koolstra and Beentjes 1999, p. 51). Subtitle and the original versions would not only help the viewers learn foreign languages but also help in learning proper pronunciation; this would improve learning skills of a person (Danan 2004, p. 67). Dubbing, on the other hand, has promoted the French people to embrace a culture of people who do not want to read and learn other people’s traditions and customs (Pettit 2004, p. 25; Heiss 2004, p. 208) . Reference List Bogucki, L. 2004.The constraint of relevance in subtiting. The Journal of Spedialised Translation 1 Web. Available from: jostrans.org/issue01/artuckes/boguckien.htm . Cattrysse, P. 2004. Stories Travelling Across Nations and Cultures. META, 49(1), pp. 39-51 Web. Available from: erudit.org/revue/meta/2004/v49/n1/009018ar.html . Christine, H. 2004. Dubbing Multilingual Films: A New Challenge? META, 49(1), pp.208-220 Web. Available from: erudit.org/revue/meta/2004/v49/n1/009035ar.html . Danan, M. 1991. Dubbing as an Expression of Nationalism. Meta: Translators Journal, 36(4), pp. 606–614 Web. Available from: erudit.org/revue/meta/1991/v36/n4/002446ar.pdf . Danan, M. 2004. Captioning and subtitling: undervalued Language learning Strategies. Meta: Translators Journal, 49(1), pp. 67-77 Web. Available from: erudit.org/revue/meta/2004/v49/n1/009021ar.html .Advertising We will write a custom research paper sample on The history of Dubbing in France specificall y for you for only $16.05 $11/page Learn More European Commission 2007. Effects on the European Economy of Shortage of foreign Language skills in Enterprise Web. Available from: http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=MEMO/07/79format=HTMLaged=0language=ENguiLanguage=fr . Heiss, C. 2004. Dubbing Multilingual Films: A New Challenge? META, 49(1), pp.208-220 Web. Available from: erudit.org/revue/meta/2004/v49/n1/009035ar.html . Koolstra, C.M. and Beentjes, W.J. 1999. Childrens vocabulary acquisition in a foreign language through watching subtitled television programs at home. Educational Technology Research and Development, 47(1), pp. 51-60 Web. Available from: springerlink.com/content/7951541774721423/ . Pettit, Z. 2004. The Audio-Visual Text: Subtitling and Dubbing Different Genres. META, 49(1), pp. 25-28 Web. Available from: erudit.org/revue/meta/2004/v49/n1/009017ar.html . Riggio, F. 2010. Dubbing vs. Subtitling Web. Available from: 1stoptr.com/adm in/UpImage/Dubbing_vs_Subtitling.pdf .

Facts About the Prehistoric Xilousuchus

Facts About the Prehistoric Xilousuchus Originally classified as a proterosuchid (and thus a close relative of the contemporary Proterosuchus) a recent analysis has located Xilousuchus much closer to the root of the archosaur family tree (the archosaurs were the family of early Triassic reptiles that gave rise to dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and crocodiles). The significance of Xilousuchus is that it dates to the very beginning of the Triassic period, about 250 million years ago, and it seems to have been one of the earliest crocodilian archosaurs, a hint that these ruling lizards split off into prehistoric crocodiles and the ancestors of the first dinosaurs (and thus of the first birds) much earlier than had previously been thought. By the way, the Asian Xilousuchus was closely related to another sailed archosaur of North America, Arizonasaurus. Why did the cat-sized Xilousuchus  have a sail on its back? The most likely explanation is sexual selection; perhaps Xilousuchus males with bigger sails were more attractive to females during mating season, or perhaps the sail fooled predators into thinking that Xilousuchus was bigger than it was, thus sparing it from being eaten. Given its small size, though, its very unlikely that the sail of Xilousuchus served any temperate-regulation function; thats a more likely hypothesis for 500-pound reptiles like Dimetrodon, which needed to heat up quickly during the day and dissipate excess heat at night. Whatever the case, the lack of any sailed crocodiles in the later fossil record hints that this structure wasnt crucial for the survival of this widespread family. Fast Facts About  Xilousuchus   Name:  Xilousuchus (Greek for Xilou crocodile); pronounced ZEE-loo-SOO-kussHabitat:  Swamps of eastern AsiaHistorical Period:  Early Triassic (250 million years ago)Size and Weight:  About three feet long and 5 to 10 poundsDiet:  Small animalsDistinguishing Characteristics:  Small size; sail on back

First Generation College Motivational Support Systems Dissertation

First Generation College Motivational Support Systems - Dissertation Example They are also given a fair idea of the academic and co-curricular outcomes that are expected from them to make them progress to the next level, which is the university level. However, most often than not, students at the college are not able to meet their ascribed pass marks. A new trend of modern research has suggested that one key condition that determines the rate of success that could possibly be achieved by a student at the college is the generational factor of enrolment (Goodman, 1986). What this means is that as to whether a student is a first generation college student or non-first generation college student is an important factor in determining the rate of success that will be achieved. With this, it has been argued recently that first generation college student face the worse chances of failure in their college prospects (Finn, Nybell and Shook, 2009). It is for this reason that it is important that first generation college students be given all needed attention and guidanc e that is aimed at minimizing their risk of possible failure at the college level. Indeed, even though improved college enrolment is a positive sign of a well equipped and functioning educational system in a country (Eurelings-Bontekoe, Diekstra and Verschuur, 2005), it is important to note that student aspiration do not end with college admissions and that most students enter college with bigger hopes and dreams than merely being called college students. Ultimately, the student would want to pass college and continue to the highest point of education but for this to be possible, there must be effective support systems put in place. Considering the motivational support system in most colleges as a very vital and instrumental scheme to assisting in the quest to minimizing the risk of possible failure associated with the first generation college student, the researcher seeks to undertake the present study with the purpose of evaluating the effectiveness of these motivational support s ystems in various colleges. Indeed, this is a generalized purpose that will be expanded through a number of research areas. These research areas shall be referred to specific objectives as they define the present task that the researcher ought to achieve in order to achieve the larger and collective purpose that has been spelt out. Among the specific objectives of the study are the following: 1. To identify the factors that cause academic output differences between first generation college students and non-first generation college students. 2. To examine the components of first generation college motivational support systems used in various colleges across the country. 3. To critically assess the role of motivation to the academic success rate of First Generation College students. 4. To analyze factors that account for academic failures among First Generation College students. 5. To devise a model of First Generation College motivational support system that can be used effectively a cross colleges to bring about improved rates of academic success for first generation college students. Research Question The following research questions are set to serve two major purposes in the proposed study. In the first place, the research questions are going to be the basis on which secondary data are going to be collected for the study. It would be noted that the collection of secondary data shall be made

Leadership - Paper assignment Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Leadership - Paper assignment - Essay Example In addition, she won several contests and awards such as Peabody Award. The road to becoming a star strengthened while she was Chicago where she met Quincy Jones and Stedman Graham, who have remained influential in her leading role. She became the first African American to own a national television program (Garson, 2011). Oprah Winfrey’s leadership remains manifested in her entrepreneurial endeavors. She belongs to the fourth level of celebrities described as celebrity entrepreneurs. The characteristics representative of this level include well established business tycoons who preside over their personal empires, and goes beyond endorsing and claiming control of their products. Some of her attributes encompass a sense of self-making, wide audience appeal, over element of business knowledge and understanding, and a celebrity status that enhances appeal. In addition, she exists as an individual corporation, maintains a indistinct line between her private and public life, liked b y many, niche finder and a tastemaker given her influence over public opinions. All these attributes reveal her influences, influence, and styles in leadership (Miller, 2004). The Disney Company exists as one of the long-term outstanding film producing companies in the United States. Disney upholds a film legacy from a Marxist, cultural studies, feminist, and post structuralism perspective. The company also bears a twofold role as both a cultural producing company and an American symbol. Thus, the company continues to maintain its brand name on the values of conservative American families. The film productions address a variety of contemporary issues. These issues include nature, heritage of fairy tales, engendered images of science, gender performance, technology, business, class, race, family, and translations of oral culture to visual texts. The ideology of Disney Company demonstrates how representation, identity, and power comprise the substantial positions in American cultural struggles (Bell & Sells, 1995). The Disney Company experienced a lengthy and complex relation to the lesbian and gay community. This became criticized based on how animations, theme parks, television series, merchandise, and live action films from the company provided ideas and traits that the gay culture readily embraced. This historical occurrence created an ambiguous legacy on how modern advertising and consumption affected ways in which gay men and lesbians express their sexuality. During this particular point in history, Oprah Winfrey’s leadership influence would have altered the ambiguous legacy of Disney while reinforcing the organization’s image especially to the gay and lesbian community (Bell & Sells, 1995). Oprah Winfrey also experienced an almost similar occurrence when the Independent Cattlemen’s Association of Texas placed a suit against her, claiming that she had ridiculed the production and distribution of beef products. This made her to relocate her daily show to Texas while working on the suit. However, she won the case. Concerning Disney’s historical case, Oprah’s leadership would have similarly reformed the legacy of the company given her strong and well-known leadership attributes. Given the self-made man ethos as well as the spirit of entrepreneurship as part of the cultural dimension of United States, it would be no surprise that Oprah would have utilized her celebrity power in

Profile of a Hate Crime Offender Essay example -- Papers

Profile of a Hate Crime Offender Sterilized from emotion, hate crime, also called bias crime, is those offenses motivated in part or singularly by personal prejudice against other because of a diversity-race, sexual orientation, religion, ethnicity/national origin, or disability. Hate crimes are committed out of anger, ignorance, and lack of knowledge of another’s ideas and beliefs. There are many causes for an individual to commit a hate crime. Also, many different profiles fit the description of a hate crime offender. There are ways to prevent and control hate crimes, but they will always be present in society as long as every person has the right to express his or her opinion. The term hate crime first appeared in the late 1980’s as a way of understanding a racial incident in the Howard Beach section of New York City, in which a black man was killed while attempting to evade a violent mob of white teenagers, shouting racial epithets. Although widely used by the federal government of the United States, the media, and researchers in the field, the term is somewhat misleading because it suggests incorrectly that hatred is invariably a distinguishing characteristic of this type of crime. While it is true that many hate crimes involve intense animosity toward the victim, many others do not. Conversely, many crimes involving hatred between the offender and the victim are not ‘hate crimes’ in the sense intended here. For example an assault that arises out of a dispute between two white, male co-workers who compete for a promotion might involve intense hatred, even though it is not based on any racial or religious differences... ...Violence on College Campuses," (Baltimore: National Institute Against Prejudice and Violence, 1990). Fox, James and Jack Levin Overkill: Mass Murder and Serial Killing Exposed (New York: Dell, 1996). Freeman, Steven, "Hate Crime Laws: Punishment Which Fits the Crime," Annual Survey of American Law (New York: New York University School of Law, 1993); pp. 581-585. Hamm, Mark S. Hate Crime: International Perspectives on Causes and Control (Anderson: Cincinnati, 1994). Jacobs, James B. and Jessica S. Henry, "The Social Construction of a Hate Crime Epidemic," The Journal of Criminal Law and Criminology (Winter 1996); 366-391. Jacobs, James B. and Kimberly A. Potter "Hate Crimes: A Critical Perspective," Crime and Justice: A Review of Research, Ed. Michael Tonry (University of Chicago Press: Chicago, 1997).

Concealment in the Twelfth Night

British Literature: Concealment in Twelfth Night Throughout Twelfth Night, concealment influences each character’s life because it’s essential to portray how falsehood can be amusing or agonizing before they can discover their identity in life. Therefore, the concept of concealment not only affects the characters’ mistaken identities and abilities to express true love, but it gives the story comedic and entertaining qualities.Furthermore, concealment portrayed throughout this story makes each character develop an identity with either showing cleverness or madness, while it also makes each character realize the principles towards obtaining love and truth. For instance, Viola's disguise as Cesario and Feste’s costume as Sir Topas shows that they are both clever and amusing which causes characters to experience deception and confusion until their identities are revealed.With this in mind, concealment not only deludes characters from reality, but it exposes th e abundance of true love among Viola, Orsino, Olivia, Sebastian, Maria and Sir Toby, which leads to three marriages within the story. Nevertheless, concealment causes the people to experience deceptions and illusions, but also provides humor concerning the morality of human behavior. Moreover, the first example of concealment during the Twelfth Night is Viola's disguise as Cesario.Viola’s concealment is central to the plot because it is clearly evident that the fluctuation in attitude to the dual role and the situations and tribulations imposed upon the character Viola/Cesario, ends up creating a better understanding of both sexes and thus, allows Viola to have a better understanding of Orsino. For instance, at the end of the story when Orsino finally realizes who Cesario is, he professes his love to Viola by saying: â€Å"When that is known, and golden time convents, A solemn combination shall be made Of our dear souls.Meantime, sweet sister, We will not part from hence. Ce sario, come- For so you shall be, while you are a man; But when in other habits you are seen, Orsino’s mistress and his fancy’s queen† (5. 1. 352-358). Consequently, Viola learns that in the role of Cesario, she had to be quick on her feet and defend the probing questions and statements as to her love and others love for her. Also, she acquired the skill to bide her time, until the time was right, in case she reveal her true self or intentions.The disguise also prevents Viola from expressing her love for Orsino, it contributes to the dramatic ironies by causing complications of mistaken identity. Moreover, Viola cannot show her love for Orsino, the only way she can express them is in her soliloquies to the reader, this contributes to the dramatic ironies. For example, when Viola conveys to Orsino what Olivia told her concerning love by saying: â€Å"A blank, my lord. She never told her love, But let concealment, like a worm i' the bud, Feed on her damask cheek. She pined in thought, And with a green and yellow melancholyShe sat like patience on a monument, Smiling at grief. Was not this love indeed? We men may say more, swear more, but indeed Our shows are more than will, for still we prove Much in our vows, but little in our love† (2. 4. 108-115). There are many examples of concealment concerning Viola alone, which enables her to work for Orsino as a messenger: it causes Olivia to fall in love with her and it causes both of them to disguise their feelings from each other until Orsino becomes aware that Cesario is Viola. Concealment also causes mistaken identity.For example, Sir Andrew goes looking for Cesario, strikes him, finds out later it is, Sebastian. Sebastian hits him in return, but sevenfold, and Sebastian having been in Illyria only a few days is proposed to by a beautiful lady and is hit by a man he had never seen before, † Why, there’s for thee, and there, and there! Are all the people mad? â€Å"(4. 1. 16-1 7). This is a funny series of events started by the disguise of one single woman. It is evident therefore, that the disguises of Viola / Cesario as an example are very important and central to the plot.Also, it portrays how some characters are deceived about their true nature. An example of this is when Orsino sees himself becoming Olivia’s sweet perfections, fulfilling her sexual desire, thought and feeling. He naively believes that he is in love with Olivia when he has never really spoken with her. Another example is Olivia adopting the pretence of mourning and the puritanical Malvolio is tricked into the role of Olivia's suitor and becomes a smiling courtier. As a result, oncealment contributes to most of the comedy because there is the occasion when Feste dresses up as Sir Topas and Sir Toby brings the joke to an end out of self interest than any concern for Malvolio.Feste uses a black parson's gown, which is, ironically, the color normally associated with Malvolio, who i n contrast is dressed in bright colors. This reversal provides a visible symbol of just how thoroughly his pride has been humiliated. Feste says, â€Å"There is no darkness but ignorance† and Malvolio's ignorance has been ruthlessly exposed, although he was ignorant to think that Olivia loved him in the first place (4. . 33). It is the verbal and character comedy of Sir Topas, showing how humor comes from the rapid switching of roles and, if rather uneasily, from the deception of Malvolio. There are also more subtle examples of concealment in the Twelfth Night, the nature of characters as well as their identities are disguised. In the letter to Malvolio, Sir Toby Belch disguises his real motives behind his show of friendship for Sir Andrew. Illyria could also be a disguised England, not many people had traveled in Shakespeare's day and so perhaps he made up Illyria to be a fantasy England.This place could be where all stereotypes of English people get up to a variety of thing s, creating familiar stereotypes in a slightly different setting. Perhaps also, Shakespeare wishes to show his audience how ready humans are to disguise themselves: Orsino and Olivia are both disguising their feelings, Malvolio's vanity and illusions about himself and his mistress help in his humiliation. The irony is that Orsino and Olivia are led to face reality by the characters Viola and Sebastian, who are at the center of the confusion over identity.Disguised characters were a stock convention of comedy, but Shakespeare uses the device to give it wider significance. The play makes us consider what our beliefs are about ourselves and others based upon. Therefore, in conclusion, it can be seen how very important and significant the theme of concealment is. Many forms of concealment featured in the play portray how  emotions and intentions are disguised behind an outer appearance, pretence or an attitude in which the characters possess within each situation.Concealment connects the story, the characters and the different scenes in the play. However, if there wasn’t concealment in the Twelfth Night, there wouldn’t be any humor reflecting the conflicts or problems, which influences the characters’ lives with understanding the truth about love and what causes illusion/deception.Bibliography Shakespeare, William. Twelfth Night. The Longman Anthology of British Literature. Ed. David Damrosch et al. 4th ed. New York: Longman, 2009. Vol. 1B. pp. 1217-1272.