Whether you are employees, students, graduates, employers or other constituents, we are always interested in keeping you up to date with interesting activities here at AI.

Our primary goal is to provide effective educational opportunities to our students that help them maximize their chances of achieving their goal of career change or enhancement and help meet the workforce needs of the 21st century in the process.

Achieving that goal takes hard work and effort on our employees’ part and on our students’ part. It requires that we become partners in the process for a time – and partnerships only work if each party does its best to understand and appreciate the other’s point of view and needs.

So as you read about AI and stay up to date with the happenings here, remember to consider your role in the partnership for success of our schools, students and future prospective employers. And commit to doing your best to contribute.

American Institute School of Health Careers Students Volunteer at “Operation Bright-Eyes/Operation Bright-Smile” Sponsored by State Representative Hazelle Rogers

2010-07-07

July 7, 2010, Lauderhill, FL – On Friday, June 18, 2010 students from American Institute School of Health Careers participated in “Operation Bright-Eyes/Operation Bright Smiles” hosted by Florida State Representative Hazelle Rogers, (D - District 94).  The event took place at Georges Park in Lauderhill, Florida.  Along with a number of community sponsors and volunteers the students donated their time to help the community as well as participate in the event to gain field experience in their chosen program of study.  

The event offered elementary and middle school children free dental and vision screenings.  “The goal of the event was to offer positive intervention for the children that will lead to continuous good health practices.  In the end, prevention saves money, pain, and lost time from school which is a benefit for the children and the parents of Broward County. 

Randy S. Proto, CEO of American Institute stated, “Operation Bright Eyes/Operation Bright Smile is a really positive event for the community, and we are proud that our students were able to participate.  It is vital to the success of our communities that we promote good health practices that lead to better preventative care for our youngsters.  They will be our future but sometimes their health and preventative care gets lost in the shuffle.  Events like this one ensure that they get the care they need.  At the American Institute schools we believe it is important to participate in community service events.  It is also critical to have Legislators like State Representative Hazelle Rogers who understand and are committed to utilizing every resource to help the citizens of Florida. I want to thank Representative Rogers for giving our students a chance to participate.”

In a correspondence to the School, State Representative Hazelle Rogers wrote, “I am happy to report that the event was a great success and we owe its success to you as we could not have done it without your help.  Your commitment in giving back to the community is appreciated by all.”

The group of students from American Institute School of Health Careers included: seven Dental Assistant students (Caridad Diaz, Claudia Salomon, Kavon Mercurious, Latoya Bryce, Malissa Robertson, Sharday Calixte, and Sherly Heath), three Medical Assistant students (Diana Russ, Judy Hinds, and Kadiann Henry), and one Medical Office Administrator student (Amber Cannon).
 
“The American Institute School of Health Careers embraces every opportunity to make an impact within our community,” added Richard McCulloch, Campus President.  “Operation Bright Eyes/Bright Smile was a wonderful event in which we were able to afford our students the chance and platform to showcase their acquired skills.  In addition, local dentists were able to appreciate the skill level of our students as well as experience the high level of community consciousness that makes us more than just a school, but a community resource.  We look forward to our continuing relationship with State Representative Rogers and the outstanding leaders of Lauderdale Lakes and Lauderhill.”

 

Fox Institute, New Jersey Massage Therapy Students Participate in Relay for Life Event

2010-07-07

July 7, 2010 Clifton & Pequannock, NJ – This past June there were several Relay for Life Charity Events going on in the State of New Jersey.  Two of the Relay for Life events took place close to the Fox Institute Clifton, NJ campus.  The Fox Institute team, with some great leadership from many members of the staff and faculty, rounded up several massage therapy students to donate their time and massage skills to two of the Relay for Life events.  Some of the students helped relax participants before the event with pre-race sports massages and helped them recover after their participation in the event with post-race sports massages, and others actually walked in the event.  The students volunteered at the Relay for Life in Clifton and the Relay for Life in Pequannock. 

Relay for Life is a volunteer-driven cancer fundraising event of the American Cancer Society.  Relay for Life events are typically held in local communities like the ones the Fox Institute student’s participated in.  The events usually take place during a 24 hour period and several participants stay overnight at the facility.   Although the main objective of Relay for Life is to raise money for cancer research and cancer patients, the event is held to spread cancer awareness, celebrate the lives of survivors, remember those who lost their lives to cancer, and unite a community in the fight against cancer.

The Fox Institute students helped to achieve these goals on June 12, 2010 in Clifton.  The event was hosted at the Clifton Stadium where 392 participants (which included 46 relay teams) and the event raised over $71,000.00.  Team Fox Troopers from Fox Institute not only donated their time as masseuses to the participants but also collected over $1,000 in donations from other students at the School.

Just one week later in Pequannock, NJ on June 19, 2010 the Pequannock High School held a Relay for Life event.  Several massage therapy students from Fox Institute gathered from 5pm until 8pm offering the 313 participants (including 36 relay teams) a 3 hour period of sports massages.  The Relay for Life event not only offered the students with onsite experience but they also can be proud that they participated in an event that raised over $55,000.00.

“As always we are so proud of our students and their desire to get involved in community events,” said Hilda Diaz, Campus President of Fox Institute, New Jersey.  “I also need to thank some of my staff for their commitment to these events, Rula Slim, Selene Del Valle, Vanessa Tate, Scherri Moten, and Terry Barreto all gave their time and effort to this great cause and helped make the participation of the students possible.  The students all enjoyed their experience and being able to give massages to the participants really made them feel like a part of things.”

Christopher Coutts, Chief Operating Officer for American Institute and Fox Institute added, “Cancer can touch all of us in many ways.  For some it is very personal and can touch us right at home.  For others it is more indirect and but still present in each of our lives.  I am proud to have had Fox Institute students at these events participating in such a great cause.  I hope that they made the Relay for Life easier for at least one person, if they did – then they accomplished their goal.  Congratulations Clifton, great job.”

“Once again our students gathered to support such a wonderful cause,” said Rula Slim, Regional Director of Career Service. “Their participation was welcomed and appreciated by all the walkers and participants in the Relay for Life event. I am always proud to be part of and be represented by Fox and will continue to support any event that reflects what we stand for.”

Vanessa Tate, Medical Assistant Program Director at Fox Institute added, “Thank you to everyone who helped with the Clifton walk!  The Medical Assistant students always come through for a good cause.  We had about 50 students walking and running throughout the day.  Several students stayed past midnight, as well as Basilio Orozco, our Registrar and Cristine Cano, from our Financial Aid Department.  It was a great event, and much is accomplished through teamwork.”

And Terry Barreto, an Admissions Representative at Fox Institute, said, “What a beautiful sight seeing our students come together for such a great cause.  During the candlelight ceremony there was a sense of unity and compassion. Everyone there had been touched and whether it was their brother, their sister, their mom or their friend who had fought the fight - we were all there to fight the same cause at that moment.  I can’t wait to be part of it again”

 

Joseph Varsallone, Mayor of the City of Margate Addresses Graduating Class of the American Institute School of Wellness and Beauty

2010-06-17

June 17, 2010, Margate, FL – Gussie Wilkins-Holmes, Campus President, of American Institute School of Wellness and Beauty stated, “Our graduation on Friday was an exciting event,” and she thanked the Mayor of Margate for addressing the graduating class.  She added, “The graduates found his speech inspiring, motivating, and inspirational.  He clearly understands why the professions of Massage Therapy, Skin Care and Cosmetology are so important to our society as a whole, and his encouraging words allowed our graduates to feel appreciated by the Mayor and by the City of Margate.”

The commencement ceremony took place on June 11, 2010 at the Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in Coral Springs, Florida.  There were 140 graduates that received their diplomas in programs varying from Massage Therapy, Skin Care and Cosmetology.  Mrs. Wilkins-Holmes commented on the graduation, “I am very honored to continue to shepherd such great groups of men and women into the fields of Massage Therapy, Skin Care, and Cosmetology.  Their commitment and passion never ceases to amaze me, and I am grateful to the staff and faculty at American Institute for their tireless efforts on behalf of the students.”

Mayor Joseph Versallone stated, “It is important as we watch these students celebrate their accomplishments and enjoy their graduation, that we not lose sight of the impact of these programs.  These students are taking part in programs that are the creation of artistic beauty encompassing the human body.”

“Graduations always remind of us of what we do at American Institute,” said Randy Proto, CEO of American Institute.  “We educate students to pursue careers for which they have passion, and we prepare them well to compete for jobs that will sustain them in the future.  We are proud of all of the graduates.  We encourage them to thank their families, friends and support systems – for without their encouragement and support, education is always more challenging, and we wish them all the best of luck as they begin their career paths in Massage Therapy, Skin Care and Cosmetology.”

 

 

American Institute School of Wellness and Beauty Participates in Gathering Hair to Support Cleanup Efforts in the Gulf

2010-05-27

May 26, 2010, Margate, FL – As the Nation watches the oil spill in the Gulf continue to grow and cause additional ecological concerns, the American Institute School of Wellness and Beauty is pleased to be participating in efforts to collect human hair and sending it to the Gulf.  The initiative is being spearheaded by Matter of Trust.

“We first learned about the efforts from Matter of Trust a few weeks ago,” said Gussie Wilkins-Holmes, Campus President.  “When we heard that they were taking human hair and putting it into nylons to actually create booms that would soak up oil we thought – wow, we can help.  Our salon director and our students immediately took action and started collecting the hair clippings after each hair cut.  As educators we thought it was a great opportunity to help our students learn about being good civic participants while they were being trained in cosmetology.  It was a win-win situation for the students and they are proud to be participating in something that can actually help to make a difference.”

According to the website “Matter of Trust was established in 1998, and is an ecological public charity that links ideas, sparks action and materializes flourishing systems.  It concentrates on manmade surplus, natural surplus, and eco-education.” Their website address is: http://www.matteroftrust.org.

“The situation in the Gulf threatens one of the backbones of our eco system,” stated Randy Proto, CEO of American Institute.  “When we learned that human hair can actually make a difference and be used to soak up oil we were sure we had to participate.  We knew that our salon and hair clippings would not make a huge impact but we thought it was important to show our students that we each must do our small part.  If others that educate cosmetologists, and salon owners and operators do their small part we will have all joined forces to make a difference.  In my mind that is human participation at its best, and education at its best.  I am encouraged to learn that Matter of Trust has seen participation from all 50 states and several countries.”

“We are proud of our students and it is nice to watch them feel empowered as they participate in something that is so much larger than just our school and our program,” added Benigna Garcia- DiLorenzo, Salon Director.  “I think it also has made them feel really connected to the profession that they have chosen to pursue.” 

For more information about American Institute School of Wellness and Beauty please visit us at http://www.americaninstitute.com.

 

 

Fox Institute Holds Fundraiser for Student Who Lost Everything in Union City Fire Last Sunday

2010-05-05

Clifton, NJ – Calling it “a day which shows the true spirit of Fox Institute and the American Institute Family of Schools,” Randy S. Proto, CEO of American Institute applauded the efforts of the faculty, staff and students from the Fox Institute, New Jersey Campus for their efforts on behalf of Veronica Montenegro – a fellow classmate.

On Saturday, April 24, 2010, Fox Institute of Business, an American Institute school, and the massage therapy students held a special fundraiser in an effort to raise money for a surviving family of the Union City fire which took place this past Sunday, April 18th.  Veronica Montenegro is a student at Fox Institute and was about to graduate this week. She and her family lost everything in the fire.

“The Massage Therapy Program Director Selene Del Valle sees Veronica as an exemplary student,” added Proto.  “She is the type of student that inspired her classmates and instructors all along, but in light of this recent event they felt compelled to do something to help her and her family.  Of course when the administration was approached by Ms. Delvalle everyone thought a fundraiser would be an excellent idea.  We are glad that Veronica and her family are safe, and we are proud of our students, staff and faculty for all they have done to help.”

Selene Del Valle, Massage Therapy Program Director of Fox Institute, NJ said, “From 9am to 4pm, the massage clinic being run by students offered a variety of massage styles to include Swedish, Sports, Therapeutic, Shiatsu and Chair.  Our efforts were able to raise $1,285 to help Veronica and her family.  Other items that we collected at the event were clothing and household goods.  I was very proud of my students.”

Chris Coutts, Chief Operating Officer of Fox Institute stated, “Our schools always feel like a family.  Our students, staff and faculty are always there for one another, but today was a special day.  Watching them all come together on behalf of one of their classmates is really what education is all about.  None of it would have been possible without the support and vision of Selene Del Valle, the Program Director of the Massage Therapy Program.  She really deserves the credit for such a great event and supporting these students as they tried to help Veronica.”

Hilda Diaz, Campus President of Fox Institute commented, “We were also able to give Veronica everything she needs to be able to go out and work.  The school through the approval of Mr. Proto and Mr. Coutts donated a massage table, linens and everything else that Veronica needed to get right to work – that is just the type of school this is.  When something is wrong we work as a team to fix it.  When we knew that Veronica lost everything we had to do something so she could get to work.  We were happy to help and we are very glad that she and her family are safe.”

Fox Institute will continue to take donations of clothes and household goods if people are interested.
 

 

AISHC – Students Reach Out to Help Haiti Earthquake Victims

2010-05-01

The students of American Institute School of Health Careers hosted a benefit party February 13th to raise funds for the benefit of Haiti earthquake victims, and sold concessions and tickets in addition to raffle tickets for 3 prizes (digital camera, karaoke machine, and iPod ShuffleTM)

AISHC is currently partnering with the City of Lauderdale Lakes as a community partner in the City’s relief effort. Lauderdale Lakes has the 5^th largest population of  residents of Haitian ancestry in the country (Source Wikepedia). With South Florida, in general, being a primary site of Haitian immigration, and the student population as well as staff and faculty including a significant percentage of Haitians and Haitian-Americans it was clear that they needed to capitalize on our prior community involvement as a means by which to facilitate community initiated relief efforts.

 

AISHC is currently listed as an official Haitian Earthquake Relief Donation Drop off site in the City of Lauderdale Lakes. All donations received at this institution will be picked up on a weekly basis by Food for the Poor an organization that has a long and strong commitment of humanitarian aid with the country of Haiti.

 

AI – Committed to Upgrading Technology and Equipment

2010-04-30

In order for a school to construct and deliver a well-rounded academic program, students and staff need tools that will allow them to work and learn effectively. The  Margate campus recently had many new upgrades when they moved to their new campus location.   

The Cosmetology program has purchased 20 customized hair-styling stations complete with chairs, 9 new cultured marble shampoo bowls for practical’s in the classroom and salon, and new pedicure spa stations with massage chairs, just to name a few items. For its massage therapy program, many massage tables have been added as have a micro-dermabrasion machine along with new skin care tables for the skin care program. 

Not only will these programs benefit from these new upgrades, but the new campus location will integrate Wi-Fi throughout the campus and multi-zone audio equipment.