Larger enrollment and an economy that still beckons college graduates may be pushing the increase. The demand for an educated work force persists, with more employers recruiting on campus this year and a 15 percent increase in online job postings, according to Elaine Stover of ASU Career Services.

The largest-ever class of 243 nurses got their tassle, along with 900 teachers, 675 engineers, 210 lawyers, 600 business undergraduates and 550 MBAs.

The School of Design graduated 390 architects, designers and urban planners, and the Walter Cronkite School educated 188 journalists. The Herberger College of the Arts graduated 328 artists, musicians, dancers, theater and film professionals, and scholars and historians of the arts.

Overall, the West campus graduated about 1,070 students, Polytechnic about 550 graduates and the Downtown Phoenix campus graduated 980.

Graduates who attended commencement this morning listened to a speech by James Duderstadt, president emeritus at the University of Michigan, who received an honorary doctorate at the ceremony.

If YOU graduated from ASU today, or you have a newly minted Sun Devil alum in your life, keep the good times flowing with a Grad Pack membership in the ASU Alumni Association. The Grad Pack quells post-graduation anxiety by providing you with gift cards and other presents from merchants such as Target and Starbucks, introducing you to the services and benefits of the Alumni Association and by acting as your guide to a lifetime of Sun Devil connections!

I have found, since becoming a member of GET Phoenix (www.getphoenix.org), this organization is like no other. GET Phoenix (www.getphoenix.org) has many areas that young professionals can get involved and educated at the same time. I value GET Phoenix (www.getphoenix.org) because of different avenues in which I can position myself to have opportunities I would otherwise not have. With over 220 energetic young professionals at the first GET Phoenix (www.getphoenix.org) networking event, at Su Vino Winery, I was able to meet many people with the same interests.  I continue to keep in contact with them, as they are now a part of my constantly growing network.

Another reason why I was attracted to GET Phoenix (www.getphoenix.org) is because of the educational series. The educational series allows me to interact with my peers to learn about ways to better ourselves. Personally, I’m most excited for the finance series that GET Phoenix (www.getphoenix.org) is putting on.  Let’s be honest, this is a great time to think about saving, investing and planning for our futures. The other areas of GET Phoenix (www.getphoenix.org) include community outreach programs, public awareness and a mentorship program that will be rolling out in 2009. To become a member of  GET Phoenix and learn all it has to offer log onto www.getphoenix.com. Board positions are also available, applications are on the website.

• How others perceive you
• How to leverage your strengths
• How others like to be treated
• How others are motivated and like to be treated

After just one hour you will leave the workshop knowing at least two things you can personally do differently to be a more effective leader.

Prior to the workshop, it is important that participants take 15-20 minutes to complete the Persogenics Personal Communications Assessment by using the following link: 

http://apps.persogenics.com/App/Event?id=8SG6BV8MD6

Sponsor:  HelmsBriscoe                       

Central Valley Lunch Meeting   Date:  Tuesday May 20, 2008              11:00 AM - 11:30 AM - Networking              11:30 AM - 1:00 PM - Lunch & Presentation          Location:  Arizona Biltmore - Aztec Room   Topic: Total Rewards   Speaker:  Catherine Hartmann

Catherine Hartmann will share lessons learned from her work building total rewards strategies for clients and partners.

Her presentation will include:

• Global market assessment and structure design
• Developing content material
• Managing total remuneration programs
• Leading employee focus and incentive design groups
• Analytical tools to evaluate design and model feedback

Catherine is a principal in the Human Capital Advisory Services business in the Los Angeles office of Mercer Human Resource Consulting, Inc.

Sponsor:  HelsmBriscoe               

West Valley Breakfast Meeting   Date:  Thursday May 22, 2008            7:30 AM - 9:00 AM   Location:  Arrowhead Country Club   Topic:  Leading Through Effective Communication   Speaker:  Patrick Bosworth   Instantly become a more effective leader by unlocking the secret to communications.  You will leave the workshop knowing and understanding your primary and secondary styles of communication.  Not only will you better understand why you say and do what you do, but how you can communicate more effectively with those not like you.  You will be introduced to four patterns of communication and the characteristics common to each.  Once you understand communication patterns you will discover:

• How others perceive you
• How to leverage your strengths
• How others like to be treated
• How others are motivated and like to be treated

After just one hour you will leave the workshop knowing at least two things you can personally do differently to be a more effective leader.

Prior to the workshop, it is important that participants take 15-20 minutes to complete the Persogenics Personal Communications Assessment by using the following link: 

http://apps.persogenics.com/App/Event?id=8J9U3P45JA

Sponsor:  HelmsBriscoe                  

To Register:

Go to http://www.vshra.org  or email contact@vshra.org

VSHRA P.O. Box 7163 Phoenix, AZ  85011 (602) 712-9822 (t) (602) 712-1252 (f)      

For exciting partnership information and events:  

AHHRA (Arizona Healthcare Human Resource Association)  

AAAA (Arizona Affirmative Action Association