News & Events

For Immediate Release
March 17, 2011
Contact: Deanna Cohen— (518) 786-0855, ext. 1431
855 Central Avenue
Albany, NY 12206

MILDRED ELLEY PITTSFIELD CELEBRATES 20 YEAR ANNIVERSARY BY GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY

Mildred Elley Pittsfield donates $10,000 to Berkshire United Way

March 17, 2011 (Pittsfield, MA) – Mildred Elley Pittsfield commemorated its 20 year anniversary of educating students in the Berkshires by giving back to the local community in the form of a $10,000 contribution to Berkshire United Way.  The contribution was presented at a small gathering of faculty and staff at the Pittsfield campus on March 4.

In making the presentation, Faith Takes, President and CEO of Empire Education Corporation noted Mildred Elley’s 20 years in Pittsfield and commitment to the Berkshire community.  She added, “In celebration of that, I would like to honor the work of Berkshire United Way.  I admire their mission because we have similar philosophies when it comes to helping people change their lives. By investing in a variety of organizations that provide people the support and tools needed to increase self-sufficiency, Berkshire United Way is helping people improve their quality of life.”

“Mildred Elley Pittsfield helps to educate individuals who receive services from many of the same local organizations that Berkshire United Way helps fund, including Redfield House, Helen Berube Teen Parent Program, the Elizabeth Freeman Center; and the Gladys Allen Brigham Center,” explained Takes. “Mildred Elley is all about having a vision for the future and seeing the potential of what people can be if given the opportunity. We look forward to working with the United Way to change lives one person at a time.”

In accepting the contribution, Berkshire United Way President and CEO Kristine Hazzard thanked Takes and confirmed the similarities of the missions of the two organizations.  “Working with the community, Berkshire United Way has identified goals that focus on education and employment.  We’re working to develop solutions and invest in programs that attack root causes and deliver meaningful and measurable results – all to create sustainable change in Berkshire County.”

Mildred Elley Pittsfield opened its doors with 30 students. Today, enrollment has grown to over 230 students. The Pittsfield campus now offers nine certificate programs in six academic areas.

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Empire Education Corporation owns and operates Mildred Elley-Albany, NY, Mildred Elley-New York, NY, Mildred Elley-Pittsfield, MA, and Austin’s School of Spa Technology-Albany, NY. Mildred Elley has been educating the Capital District for over 90 years and Pittsfield, MA for over 20 years. Initially, Mildred Elley was an all-female school, but is now coeducational and teaching women and men the most highly desired career fields in business and technology, digital media arts, and health and wellness. Austin’s School of Spa Technology (formerly, Austin Beauty School) has been educating beauty professionals in the Capital District for over 80 years. Its programs include cosmetology, barbering, esthetics and nail technology.

For Immediate Release
February 17, 2011
Contact: Deanna Cohen— (518) 786-0855, ext. 1431
855 Central Avenue
Albany, NY 12206

MILDRED ELLEY HOSTS BOOKRAISING EVENT TO SUPPORT PROJECT: CAMERON’S STORY

Founder of Project: Cameron’s Story to Visit Mildred Elley’s Albany Campus

February 17, 2011 (Albany, NY) – Mildred Elley’s Albany campus has been hosting a bookraising event throughout the month of February to support Project: Cameron’s Story. The goal of Project: Cameron's Story is to support the bonding of parents with their premature babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU), through the use of children's literature and storytelling. Project: Cameron’s Story strives to empower parents to form unique and profound connections with their babies within an environment that is often uncertain and intimidating. Project: Cameron’s Story’s mission is to place a brand new, quality children's book in the hands of every parent of a premature baby upon admission to the NICU at Albany Medical Center, in Albany, New York.  Project: Cameron's Story is committed to providing information regarding the benefits of this type of bonding and continues to seek ways to encourage parents to utilize this as one important means to interact with their new little one.

Cameron’s Story:

On February 16th, 2009, Sara Blackman Quartiers gave birth to Cameron Jace Quartiers.  He was

16 weeks premature, weighed 530 grams (equivalent to just under 1 lb 3 oz.), and was just 10.2 inches long. Doctors said Cameron would probably not make it through the delivery, but he did. They said he probably would not survive his first 48 hours, but he did.  When he had heart surgery at less than 3 weeks of age, the surgeon told Cameron’s parents that he probably would not make it through the procedure, but he did. For months, Cameron struggled with severe Broncho-Pulmonary Dysplasia (BPD) and was also given a secondary diagnosis of Pulmonary Hypertension.  Doctors told Cameron’s family that they might never get to take him home but after 213 days in the NICU/PICU they did. After a short time at home, Cameron was readmitted to the PICU. Cameron passed away on October 20, 2009.

Cameron’s family has named their foundation, “Project: Cameron’s Story” for 2 reasons.

1. Reading and storytelling had a powerful impact in helping Cameron’s family bond with him and assisted with Cameron’s development.
2. Despite the fact that Cameron never spoke a single word, it became clear to his family that Cameron had a story to tell….a story of strength, hope, and love. His parents, his family, and his supporters are blessed with the responsibility of sharing his story.

Details about the collection:

Mildred Elley has been collecting books in the 2nd floor faculty lounge of the Albany campus since February 1. The bookraising drive will conclude on February 20. On February 17, from 3 to 5pm, faculty and staff members who donate books can have a free 15 minute chair massage in the faculty lounge.

For more information about Project: Cameron’s Story visit www.projectcameronsstory.com.

For Immediate Release
February 22, 2011
Contact: Deanna Cohen— (518) 786-0855, ext. 1431
855 Central Avenue
Albany, NY 12206

MILDRED ELLEY’S PITTSFIELD CAMPUS TURNS TWENTY

The Pittsfield campus has been educating students in the Berkshires since 1991

February 22, 2011 (Pittsfield, MA) – Mildred Elley’s Pittsfield campus is celebrating twenty years. The campus turned twenty on February 2 and will be honored by the Berkshire Chamber of Commerce at a breakfast on February 23. Mildred Elley Pittsfield has been educating students in the Berkshires since 1991.

“This is a wonderful milestone for Mildred Elley and the Empire Education Corporation family,” said Faith Takes, President and CEO of Empire Education Corporation. “In 1991 there was a great need in Pittsfield and the surrounding communities for retraining. I worked in conjunction with the Berkshire Training and Employment Program (now BerkshireWorks) to establish a Medical Assisting program for displaced workers. At the time we rented space in St. Mark’s School on Columbus Avenue.”

“In the early and mid 90’s Berkshire County saw the closing of many established businesses. This time of transition is what created the need for the retraining of workers, explained Ms. Takes. “Mildred Elley sought to meet the need and added clerical support/word processing and computerized accounting to its course offerings. Our campus has seen steady growth and today, we continue to work with members of the local business community to develop our cutting edge curriculum and provide advanced training for our students.”

Mildred Elley Pittsfield opened its doors with 30 students. Today, enrollment has grown to over 200 students. In 2005, Mildred Elley Pittsfield started offering credit-bearing certificate programs closely aligned with the programs offered at the Albany, New York campus. The Pittsfield campus has grown to offer 9 certificate programs in 6 academic areas. Our Cosmetology program is our newest programand we offer a full service student clinic. Students from the Pittsfield campus are also eligible to transfer to the Albany campus to earn their Associate’s degree.

Joe Moltzen, Empire Education Corporation’s Director of Special Projects, was the Director of Mildred Elley Pittsfield when the Pittsfield campus was founded. “One of my most memorable moments occurred when I received a post-card and letter from a Mildred Elley graduate,” noted Mr. Moltzen. “On the post card was a picture of the house she had just purchased. In the letter she mentioned how she would not have been able to purchase the house without the job she now had, and she would not have had the job she now had, if it had not been for her education from Mildred Elley.”

“Everyone in the Mildred Elley family would agree that the most exciting thing to witness on a daily basis is lives being changed,” said T.J. Elder, Director of Mildred Elley Pittsfield.  “Graduation is a very special time at our campus. It is pretty remarkable to see the students walk across the stage and take pride in their achievements. It is even more precious to see them employed in a job they love, pursuing the career they’ve always wanted.”

For Immediate Release
May 20, 2011
Contact: Deanna Cohen— (518) 786-0855, ext. 1431
855 Central Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

AUSTIN’S SCHOOL OF SPA TECHNOLOGY AND MIRROR IMAGES SPA & SALON LAUNCH ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY PRODUCT LINE FEATURED ON THE CELEBRITY APPRENTICE

Austin’s School of Spa Technology is now Upstate New York’s Elite CHI School

May 12, 2011 (Albany, NY) – Austin’s School of Spa Technology, and Mirror Images Spa & Salon, the school’s student clinic, have announced that the campus has become an elite CHI School and is now a partner in the CHI Environmental School Program. The CHI product line was featured in a recent episode of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice.

CHI, which is produced by Farouk Systems, Inc., offers a complete line of hair color, liquids, styling tools and appliances that are all environmentally advanced. The environmentally friendly products include 100 % ammonia free colors and safer, non-hazardous and low EMF electrical appliances.

“The decision to become a CHI Environmental School was a very logical one,” said Denise Winslow, Director of Austin’s School of Spa Technology. “CHI’s high quality product line is healthier for our students, faculty, staff and Mirror Images clients. The electrical appliances such as the blow dryers and flat irons are low EMF appliances providing for a safer learning, work, and spa environment. By using these green products we are being kinder to our environment and conserving energy. It is a win-win situation for everyone.”

Students will be trained using the CHI product line in the classroom as well as in Mirror Images Spa & Salon, the school’s student clinic. The CHI Environmental School Program will provide more educational opportunities to faculty, staff and students at Austin’s School of Spa Technology. CHI stylists will also visit the campus regularly to provide cutting edge, advanced training and teach them the most current techniques in the beauty industry giving Austin’s students a competitive edge in the workforce.

Austin’s School of Spa Technology is now Upstate New York’s elite CHI school and the only CHI school in the region.

Austin’s School of Spa Technology and Mirror Images Spa and Salon will host a “Go Green” Open House on Friday, June 10 from 2pm to 7pm to mark the official launch of the CHI line in the school and Mirror Images Spa & Salon. More details about the Open House will be released in the coming weeks.

For Immediate Release
May 31, 2011
Contact: Deanna Cohen— (518) 786-0855, ext. 1431
855 Central Avenue
Albany, NY 12206
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

AUSTIN’S SCHOOL OF SPA TECHNOLOGY AND MIRROR IMAGES SPA & SALON TO CELEBRATE CHI LAUNCH WITH “GO GREEN” MAKEOVERS

Austin’s School of Spa Technology is now Upstate New York’s Elite CHI School

May 31, 2011 (Albany, NY) – Austin’s School of Spa Technology and Mirror Images Spa & Salon, the school’s student clinic, will celebrate the launch of CHI and its designation as Upstate New York’s exclusive elite CHI school with an Open House featuring “Go Green” makeovers, a student fashion show, clinic demonstrations and tours.

CHI, which is produced by Farouk Systems, Inc., offers a complete line of hair color, liquids, styling tools and appliances that are all environmentally advanced. The environmentally friendly products include 100 % ammonia free colors and safer, non-hazardous and low EMF electrical appliances. Students will be trained using the CHI product line in the classroom as well as in Mirror Images Spa & Salon student clinic.

To showcase the environmentally friendly product line and mark the CHI launch, Austin’s School of Spa Technology and Mirror Images Spa and Salon will host a “Go Green” Open House on Friday, June 10 from 2pm to 7pm. The Open House will feature salon demonstrations using CHI products and styling tools. Students will perform “Go Green” makeovers and create outfits out of recycled materials. They will unveil their “Go Green” creations during a student fashion show and share other innovative ideas to support green initiatives. The event is open to the public.