Chris Ferrara
New York,United States
Summary
Innovative education product design strategist focused on modular program design, business development, strategic partnerships, international markets, contract writing, UX writing, copywriting, marketing/sales, and client retention.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Academic Programs and Outreach (Non-Credit)
Pratt Institute
New York, United States
01.2023 - Current
- Increased non-credit portfolio revenue by over thirty percent during 2023/2024 fiscal year
- Designed 'dynamic grid' to schedule non-credit certificate courses in compliance with Pratt's academic calendar, while increasing opportunities for students to enroll in non-credit certificate programs during the calendar year from 3X to 7X, also equally increasing teaching opportunities for non-credit instructors
- Created ELL Portfolio Certificate program, re-visioning Pratt's former ESL program offerings for new audiences: in its first year, the program drew over 120 visiting students from France to Pratt's Brooklyn and Manhattan campuses to advance their English fluency
- Developed and negotiated key strategic, exclusive partnership from pilot to contract, yielding new AI Design Certificate and corporate training opportunities (clients, to date, include The Coca Cola Company)
- Delivered blueprint and RFP (RFP yielded over 30 course proposals) for IP initiative that taps Pratt's highly esteemed full-time faculty, who have historically been too busy to teach non-credit:
- -Not competitive with existing non-credit products (new channel)
- -Builds IP for Pratt, drawing top faculty talent with low impact to their teaching schedules
- -Modular: IP can be leveraged for corporate sales and subscriptions
- -Channel perfectly suited for marketing initiatives: teasers and soft entry into ecosystem
- -Scalable, asynchronous course model with rolling sales
- -Potential to reach new markets: vastly more accessible and affordable than existing Pratt products
- Rewrote programs of study and descriptions of non-credit certificates in furniture design and sustainable design to match style and join ecosystem of non-credit certificate products
- Defined role of Program Manager position to pivot on communications and advisement
- Developed role and mentored employee.
Director of Strategic Initiatives and Programs
Pratt Institute
New York, United States
07.2019 - 01.2023
- Expanded Pratt Institute's non-credit program reach through strategic partnerships in France, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea, and China
- Delivered non-credit programs globally, including Lagos City, Nigeria.
Program Director
Pratt Institute
New York, United States
03.2010 - 07.2019
- Drove seven-figure annual sales for non-credit certificate products, moving revenue from red to black
- Created 'Custom Programs' category for Pratt (rebranded 'Corporate Learning' in 2024)
- Grew international student programs from one to three, achieving significant revenue growth and financial viability
- Copy-edited non-credit catalog (course and program descriptions) to active, plain English to create cohesive style proven to drive sales.
Academic Advisor
School of Visual Arts
01.2006 - 12.2006
- Advised undergraduate film majors on degree requirements to foster retention and student success.
Academic Advisor
Queens College
01.2003 - 01.2006
- Advised undergraduate and adult student populations on degree requirements across all majors and minors, including pre-med and pre-law tracks.
English Teacher
Murry Bergtraum High School
09.2002 - 06.2003
- Taught AP English and composition.
Copyeditor
The College Board
03.2002 - 06.2002
- Short-term contract to proofread and edit annual publication.
Education
Bachelor's Degree - English Literature, Creative Writing
The City College of New York
12.1999
UX Design, Performance Studies, Media Studies
Pratt Institute
Non-fiction Writing
The City University of New York
Skills
- Education Product Design
- Business Development
- Strategic Partnerships
- Marketing and Sales Strategy
- Contract Writing
- UX Writing
- Copywriting
- Client Retention
Personal Information
Title: Director of Academic Programs and Outreach (Non-Credit)
Affiliations
- NON-CREDIT COURSEWORK: Diversity: Inclusion in the Modern Workplace Certificate of Completion; Accommodating Disabilities Certificate; Preventing Harassment & Discrimination
Certification
Diversity: Inclusion in the Modern Workplace Certificate of Completion; Accommodating Disabilities Certificate; Preventing Harassment & Discrimination Course
Timeline
Director of Academic Programs and Outreach (Non-Credit)
Pratt Institute
01.2023 - Current
Director of Strategic Initiatives and Programs
Pratt Institute
07.2019 - 01.2023
Program Director
Pratt Institute
03.2010 - 07.2019
Academic Advisor
School of Visual Arts
01.2006 - 12.2006
Academic Advisor
Queens College
01.2003 - 01.2006
English Teacher
Murry Bergtraum High School
09.2002 - 06.2003
Copyeditor
The College Board
03.2002 - 06.2002
Bachelor's Degree - English Literature, Creative Writing
The City College of New York
UX Design, Performance Studies, Media Studies
Pratt Institute
Non-fiction Writing
The City University of New York
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