Instructors Around the World Will Get and Maintain Their AFAA Group Fitness Instructor Certification Faster, More Easily, and at a Low Monthly Price 

April 19, 2021 (Miami, FL): ZumbaⓇ, the largest branded fitness company in the world, announced today it will be partnering with the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), one of the top fitness certifying organizations in the US, to allow its global community of instructors (Zumba® Instructor Network // ZIN™) to easily get and maintain their Group Fitness Instructor Certification at a low monthly subscription rate. This is the first time AFAA has ever offered a program like this, which covers certification and recertification content for one low price, making it easier than ever for ZINs to access the accredited certification program and tools. AFAA has also built the offering so that the training takes 25% less time, because it gives ZINs credit for what they already learned in their Zumba Instructor Training (Basic 1).  

“Our main goal at Zumba is to support our instructors to be the best fitness professionals they can be, which empowers them to lead classes more successfully,” said Zumba CEO Alberto Perlman. “Partnering with AFAA means we are able to deliver on this, and we’re proud they have collaborated with us to create this exclusive offering that will cost our instructors less money and take them less time to complete; truly a win-win!”  

 The first-of-its kind package includes:  

•  AFAA Group Fitness Instructor Certification (AFAA-GFI) Course and Certification
• 5 bi-monthly online courses per year to complete recertification credit requirements
• Recertification Renewal Fee Covered
• 1 additional online AFAA/NASM fitness or wellness course per year to further development

“Zumba revolutionized the fitness industry by blending super-charged aerobics with a dance-infused, pulse-pounding Latin beat,” said Laurie McCartney, President of the Fitness & Wellness segment for Ascend Learning. McCartney oversees AFAA and the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), providing industry-leading certifications and specializations for fitness professionals. “By working together, we’ve made it faster, more convenient and more affordable for ZINs to get and maintain their accredited Group Fitness Instructor Certification through AFAA, which will help expand their career opportunities and better empower them to transform more lives around the world!” 

Only ZIN™ Members qualify for this offer. To become a Zumba Instructor visit: https://www.zumba.com/trainings  

About Zumba Fitness, LLC: 

Founded in 2001, Zumba® is the largest branded fitness company in the world – reporting more than 15 million weekly participants, in 200,000 locations, across 186 countries. Zumba blends contagious world rhythms with easy-to-follow choreography for an effective workout that empowers participants to become their best selves – mind, body and soul.  In addition to its original Zumba program, the company offers 10 Zumba specialty classes – from aquatic-based to those specifically designed for active older adults and children. In 2016, Zumba launched its first non-dance, HIIT workout STRONG Nation™, where music acts as the main motivator. The Zumba lifestyle is rounded out by the company’s many consumer product offerings, including video games, original music, activewear and footwear, and interactive Fitness-Concert™ events. For more information about Zumba’s programs and products, or to find a live or virtual class, visitzumba.com. Follow us onFacebook andInstagram. 

About AFAA: 

The Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) has led the way in certifying group fitness and personal trainers for over 35 years. AFAA pioneered the first nationally standardized guidelines for fitness professionals and has prepared over 350,000 instructors and trainers in 73 countries. AFAA’s Group Fitness Instructor Program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Learn more at www.afaa.com. 

Jones & Bartlett Learning Public Safety Group Continues to Help Transform EMS Training for Millions

BURLINGTON, MASS. (PRWEB) APRIL 01, 2021

Jones & Bartlett Learning Public Safety Group, a division of Ascend Learning, announced the release of the 12th edition of Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, 50 years after the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) published the first edition in 1971. Since that time, the textbook has helped transform how EMS education is delivered throughout the world and helped train millions of world-class EMS providers.

In 1997, the AAOS partnered with Jones & Bartlett Publishers (now Jones & Bartlett Learning) to release Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, Sixth Edition. Since the publication of that edition, these organizations have worked together to create teaching and learning systems that combine superior medical content with market leading technology solutions and online courseware to transform all levels of EMS training. The 12th edition features the most comprehensive suite of instructional materials yet to ensure complete coverage of standards and science and provide needed information on career readiness, critical thinking, and mental health.

“On behalf of the Jones & Bartlett Learning Public Safety Group and Ascend Learning, we’re honored to help celebrate 50 years of excellence from our valued partner—the AAOS,” said Tim McClinton, President of Professional Education, Ascend Learning. “Day in and day out, this textbook helps improve the quality of emergency medical care in the United States and abroad; it’s inspiring to think of how many lives have been impacted over the years.”

“It’s an honor to publish a text that is so well-respected that it has become the gold standard in its field,” said Anna Salt Troise, chief commercial officer, AAOS. “In today’s multi-disciplinary approach to healthcare, influential texts like Emergency Care and Transportation of the Sick and Injured, are essential for EMS providers of all levels.”

Far more than just a textbook, the 12th edition is supported by an array of innovative and flexible course delivery tools, from foundational resources that prepare students for certification, to comprehensive education solutions that facilitate student engagement and virtual learning. Learn more about these tools and the 12th edition textbook at http://go.psglearning.com/emt12.

About the Jones & Bartlett Learning Public Safety Group (http://www.psglearning.com)
Jones & Bartlett Learning Public Safety Group has become the world’s most innovative and trusted source for educational materials and solutions for EMS and fire students, educators, and professionals by leveraging the collective value of our people, products, and partners. From initial training to recertification to retirement, we strive to be a lifelong learning partner to those who serve our communities tirelessly and ensure our safety and well-being.

About Ascend Learning (http://www.ascendlearning.com)
Ascend Learning is a leading provider of online educational content, simulation, software and analytics serving students, educational institutions and employers. With products that span the learning continuum, Ascend Learning focuses on high-growth careers in a range of industries, with a special focus on healthcare and other high-growth, licensure-driven professions. Ascend Learning products, from testing to certification, are used by frontline healthcare workers, physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, certified personal trainers, group fitness instructors, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers. Learn more at http://www.ascendlearning.com.

About the AAOS (http://www.aaos.org)
With more than 39,000 members, the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons is the world’s largest medical association of musculoskeletal specialists. The AAOS is the trusted leader in advancing musculoskeletal health. It provides the highest quality, most comprehensive education to help orthopaedic surgeons and allied health professionals at every career level best treat patients in their daily practices. The AAOS is the source for information on bone and joint conditions, treatments and related musculoskeletal health care issues, and it leads the health care discussion on advancing quality.

Jones & Bartlett Learning, an Ascend Learning company, has become Global Certified Accessible™ by Benetech, a nonprofit organization that transforms how people with disabilities read and learn through software for social good.

BURLINGTON, MASS. (PRWEB) FEBRUARY 25, 2021

Jones & Bartlett Learning, an Ascend Learning company, has become Global Certified Accessible™ by Benetech, a nonprofit organization that transforms how people with disabilities read and learn through software for social good.

Benetech established the Global Certified Accessible program to become the industry’s gold standard in accessibility certification. It is the first ever, third-party EPUB certification program to verify ebook accessibility. Jones & Bartlett Learning is only the sixth publisher worldwide to earn this highly regarded designation.

“Jones & Bartlett Learning has been committed to providing accessible content to all learners,” said Tim McClinton, President of Professional Education at Ascend Learning. “The Global Certified Accessible designation from Benetech allows us to continue to work towards supporting all students and educators and elevate our level of service to those with reading barriers. We applaud Benetech for their devotion to pursue equity in education and improve the learning experience for the many students that we serve.”

Throughout the certification process, Benetech evaluated the digital content to determine if it was designed to be accessible for students with reading barriers like dyslexia, blindness, low vision, or physical disabilities, while also evaluating the workflow for creating accessible content and reviewing samples of content across the disciplines in which Jones & Bartlett Learning publishes.

“Accessible ebooks unlock greater learning experiences for all students,” said Brad Turner, Vice President and General Manager Global Education and Literacy at Benetech. “Students who use Jones & Bartlett Global Certified Accessible materials will be empowered to choose from multiple modes of engagement to learn the material in the ways that work best for them.” Jones & Bartlett Learning’s Benetech certified materials may be requested through the Accessibility link on their website (http://www.jblearning.com) or through a partnership with VitalSource, a Benetech retail partner.

About Jones & Bartlett Learning
Jones & Bartlett Learning is a world-leading provider of instructional, assessment, and learning-performance management solutions for the secondary education, post-secondary education, and professional markets. Jones & Bartlett Learning develops educational programs and services that improve learning outcomes and enhance student achievement by combining authoritative content written by respected authors with innovative, proven, and engaging technology applications that meet the diverse needs of today’s instructors, students, and professionals. Learn more at http://www.jblearning.com

About Ascend Learning
Ascend Learning is a leading provider of online educational content, simulation, software and analytics serving students, educational institutions and employers. With products that span the learning continuum, Ascend Learning focuses on high-growth careers in a range of industries, with a special focus on healthcare and other high-growth, licensure-driven professions. Ascend Learning products, from testing to certification, are used by frontline healthcare workers, physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, certified personal trainers, group fitness instructors, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers. Learn more at http://www.ascendlearning.com.

About Benetech
Benetech is a nonprofit that empowers communities with software for social good. Benetech’s work transforms how people with disabilities read and learn, enables human rights defenders and civilians to pursue truth and justice, and connects people to the services they need to live and prosper. Benetech is constantly pursuing the next big social impact. To learn more visit https://benetech.org/

Ascend Learning CEO Greg Sebasky was recently interviewed on the Osmosis Raise the Line podcast, speaking about how Ascend is an accelerator for knowledge.

Podcast Summary: Accelerating knowledge, reducing obstacles for students in reaching graduation and helping faculty be more effective. This is the mission of Ascend Learning, a leading learning technology company that helps people in healthcare and other professions attain their career goals through education, training, and certification. Ascend CEO Greg Sebasky has worked for over 30 years in the medical device, healthcare services, and education services markets at leading firms such as Hewlett Packard and Phillips. In this episode of Raise the Line, he joins host Shiv Gaglani to discuss Ascend’s business model, the impact of COVID-19, and the lasting changes he predicts on the healthcare system as a result of the pandemic. “It’s all about treating patients well,” he says, “showing empathy, but at the same time having the right skills to deliver care in a cost-effective way.” Listen in to discover what Sebasky thinks will reduce friction when it comes to people accessing care, hear his take on empathy and the economics of healthcare, and more.

Listen to today’s episode of Raise the Line here: https://www.osmosis.org/raisethelinepodcast/accelerating-knowledge-with-greg-sebasky-ceo-of-ascend-learning

GILBERT, Ariz.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the world leader in fitness education has developed a 100% online program that prepares Personal Trainers to begin their careers in fitness with confidence.

“The NASM-CPT course has increased my confidence in my ability to provide excellent service to clients as well as approach potential employers with belief in myself”Tweet this

“With over 30 years as the gold standard in fitness education, we are thrilled to introduce this revolutionary new program that will transform the industry with a smart, science-based approach that is affordable, efficient and highly-effective for any trainer to hit the ground running with a successful career,” said Laurie McCartney, President of NASM.

From exam preparation to practical application, the NASM Certified Personal Training program empowers today’s fitness professionals with an evidence-based roadmap to assess clients and guide them to healthier and happier lives.

The seventh edition of NASM-CPT features:

• Seamless Access: The state-of-the-art technology allows you to study on any preferred device, whether it be a desktop, laptop, tablet or phone. If someone switches from one device to another, they can seamlessly pick up where they left off.
• Learning Made Easy: Students can highlight important content, take notes, create bookmarks, use ready-made flashcards, and more.
• Multimedia Content: Hundreds of videos bring the course lectures and related exercises to life, providing a valuable resource before and beyond certification.
• Updated OPT™ model: Using the latest research, this proven and proprietary training model incorporates popular training modalities to allow fitness professionals to create personalized programs for any client goal.
• Career-Boosting Tools: The course was designed with a holistic approach to personal training, including nutrition and supplementation content, behavioral coaching, and business and professional development resources.
• Flexible Payment Plans: Choose between 4 or 12 easy monthly payments. All options are interest-free.
• Job Guarantee: With the All-Inclusive program, NASM guarantees you will be employed as a trainer within 90 days or the cost of the job guarantee will be refunded.

“The NASM-CPT course has increased my confidence in my ability to provide excellent service to clients as well as approach potential employers with belief in myself,” said Ryan R., an NASM-CPT from Shrewsbury, MA. “I am qualified to meet and exceed their requirements.”

NASM’s Personal Training course is NCCA-accredited, which is the industry leader for ensuring a certification program is designed to meet rigorous standards for all the required knowledge, skills and abilities.

For more details and to access NASM’s Certified Personal Training program, visit NASM.org/become-a-personal-trainer.

About NASM: Now in its 33rd year, the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) has remained the international standard in fitness education due to the high quality of fitness professionals they produce and their programs’ scientific rigor. NASM offers a best in class Certified Personal Training program along with major bundles including, NASM Elite, Career Kickstarter, Online Health Coach and more. For more information, visit www.nasm.org.

Connection. It’s what binds your people, your work and your values together, moving us towards your shared corporate purpose. And while we live in the most technologically connected era, for some, the prolonged shift to remote work has led to feelings of isolation and exclusion. Often hidden and rarely discussed, isolation and exclusion can afflict remote teams.

A 2020 “State of Remote Work” study, found that the second biggest drawback to remote work was loneliness[1]. What’s more, isolation and social exclusion most often happen in unintentional micro-moments that over time, can compound in the minds of your team members. While these scenarios may be inadvertent and perhaps even unmemorable for you as remote leaders, they can have profound physiological impacts on your team.

In fact, a study from the UBC Sauder School of Business revealed that the feeling of being ignored at work is actually worse for physical and mental well-being than workplace bullying[2]. Thus, while remote work is in many ways a collective experience, it is also a deeply individual one.

So, what do your people need from you to remain happy, productive and feeling successful in a remote context? The simple answer is: to feel connected and included in your organization, while also being confident about their place in it. To address these needs, your leaders can foster an inclusive environment by mindfully making inclusion and connection a daily practice on their teams.

3 Ways to Foster Inclusion Daily

1. Mind the Micro-behaviors: Exclusion breeds in the subtleties. Seemingly minor acts, such as ignoring a team member’s morning greeting message, noticeably reading a chat message while on a 1:1 video conference or consistently showing up to a call ‘in a mood,’ can have observable negative impacts on your people. In a remote context, minor actions become amplified by the lack of informal interactions to offset these exclusionary behaviors. Combat these micro-behaviors by being:
   • Conscious of how you are being experienced by your employees.
   • Intentional about inclusively inviting team members to meetings, focusing your attention on the discussion and quieting distractions.
   • Mindful that the best leaders manage how they show up in the small moments, not just the big ones.
     
2. Out of Sight, Top of Mind: Technology has created the ultimate illusion – that 24/7 reachability equates to increased human-to-human connectivity. Just because you have the ability to reach out, doesn’t mean you actually are – the ‘out of sight, out of mind’ syndrome is very much a real thing. And corporate relationships in particular put a lot of emphasis on the visible and impromptu connection points. As leaders though, you must make extra effort to be cognizant of your own exclusionary contributions to your team – no matter how unintentional they are. Here are some ways to keep your people top of mind:
   • Take 5: Take 5 minutes in your schedule every Friday to video call a team member not on your calendar this week. Think you don’t have time? Tie this habit to another habit, such as while waiting for your coffee to brew or before checking the mail.
   • Connect: Setup your high-potential employee(s) with an informal mentor or thought partner across the business. While you might not have time to connect with your hi-po regularly, someone else might be able to.
   • Amplify: Pay attention to who is quiet on your team calls and actively bring them into the dialogue. Return the conversation to someone who has been talked over or interrupted.
     
3. Intentionally Inclusify: Strengthen resolve and connection by proactively ‘inclusifying’ your management practices. Inclusive leaders know that a culture of inclusion is the outcome of the consistent actions you do to create connection and a sense of belonging. Not sure where to start? Try one of these techniques:
   • Ensure Fairness Through Equity: Reorganize your schedule if your calendar or call logs consistently show the same people each week. Ensure you give team members equal time to connect with you and share their progress. Police team meetings to equalize the talking time of your quieter team members.
   • Be Aware of Halos and Horns: Challenge your natural tendency to see certain individuals as being able to ‘do no wrong,’ while other team members can ‘do nothing right.’ If you are always putting a ‘halo’ around your star performer and giving that person all of your attention – you are actively excluding everyone else from your purview. Remember to catch everyone in the act of doing something good and recognize their work.

Author: Carolyn Vasquez

Carolyn Vasquez is a talent development manager at Ascend Learning. She is responsible for the design, management and implementation of ongoing and new leadership and development initiatives across the Ascend organization. Carolyn holds a Master’s degree in Organizational Psychology from the Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology, a Bachelor of Arts in Classical Studies from the University of Pennsylvania, and is a certified Brain-Based professional coach.

Burlington, MA, January 8^th, 2021 – Jones & Bartlett Learning, a division of Ascend Learning, today announced that several products in its nursing portfolio have been cited to receive the prestigious American Journal of Nursing (AJN) Awards. Each year the AJN conducts a peer-reviewed process of newly published textbooks and digital resources across nursing and healthcare selecting three best-in-class products per category. Since 1969, this annual awards competition has been highly regarded by professionals, faculty and librarians in both healthcare and academia.

“The AJN Book of the Year Award is the hallmark of excellence in nursing publishing. I am thrilled that our authors and publishing team’s commitment to scholarship and quality are being recognized in this way. Congratulations to our authors and all award recipients!” said Matt Kane, Director of Product Management, Jones & Bartlett Learning.

Jones & Bartlett Learning has been a frequent recipient of these awards and is honored to accept a first-place award in the Digital Products category for their Navigate Premier Access product featuring simulations powered by sister company, Kognito. Navigate enhances the teaching and learning experience by combining authoritative content with a wealth of online resources for faculty and students in a learning management system (LMS) environment. They also received a second-place award in the Informatics category as well as a third-place award in the Maternal-Child Health/Prenatal Nursing/Childbirth category.

“We’re extremely excited that our Navigate Premier product was awarded first place in the digital products category as it demonstrates our proficiency in delivering exceptional online learning resources to faculty and students.” said Tim McClinton, President of Professional Education, Ascend Learning.

Awarded first place in the 2020 AJN Book of the Year Award in the Digital Products category: Navigate 2 Premier Access for Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning Featuring Kognito Simulations, Fourth Editionby Jacqueline Rhoads and Sandra Wiggins Petersen.

Awarded second place in the 2020 AJN Book of the Year Award in the Informatics category: Introduction to Computers for Healthcare Professionals, Seventh Editionby Irene Joos, Ramona Nelson, and Debra Wolf.

Awarded third place in the 2020 AJN Book of the Year Award in the Maternal-Child Health/Prenatal Nursing/Childbirth category: Breastfeeding and Human Lactation, Sixth Editionby Karen Wambach and Becky Spencer.

About Jones & Bartlett Learning
Jones & Bartlett Learning is a world-leading provider of instructional, assessment, and learning-performance management solutions for the secondary education, post-secondary education, and professional markets. Jones & Bartlett Learning develops educational programs and services that improve learning outcomes and enhance student achievement by combining authoritative content written by respected authors with innovative, proven, and engaging technology applications that meet the diverse needs of today’s instructors, students, and professionals. www.jblearning.com

Leawood, Kansas – National Healthcareer Association (NHA) is now partnering with CEimpact to offer pharmacy technicians an ACPE-accredited immunization training option, helping them qualify to administer vaccinations according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ (HHS) Public Readiness and Emergency Preparedness (PREP) Act.

CEimpact, a leader in pharmacy training and education, will provide both immunization training and technician-specific continuing education courses to NHA’s educational and employer partners, along with pharmacy technicians. The immunization training is open to all state- licensed pharmacy technicians, regardless of whether they are nationally certified.

“With the arrival of flu season plus the recent availability of COVID-19 vaccines, the timing couldn’t be better,” says Jessica Langley-Loep, NHA’s Executive Director of Education and Advocacy. “NHA has long been active in advocating for expanded roles for pharmacy technicians, and we are excited to play a role in public health by enabling technicians to administer immunizations.”

“NHA accompanies the pharmacy technician along every step of their professional journey, giving them access to resources that go beyond just certification,” adds Lyndsey McDonald, NHA’s Director of Pharmacy Partnerships. “We offer learning solutions at every stage of their career – from foundational learning, through ExCPT (CPhT) certification, through career advancement. The advanced skills training and continuing education component of this partnership aligns perfectly with our efforts to promote the advancement of pharmacy technicians in improving patient care.”

The HHS PREP Act expands on previous rights accorded to qualified pharmacy technicians and state-authorized pharmacy interns, authorizing those who meet HHS requirements to administer childhood vaccines, COVID-19 tests, and COVID-19 vaccines (upon availability). The recent announcement comes as pharmacies nationwide prepare for an onslaught of immunization requests, with major retail pharmacies hiring thousands of additional employees to help meet the demand.

For more information on NHA and the ACPE-accredited immunization training for pharmacy technicians through CEimpact, visit https://info.nhanow.com/onepartner.

About National Healthcareer Association®
Since 1989, NHA has been partnering with allied health education programs, organizations and employers across the nation to award more than one million allied health certifications. The organization offers eight nationally accredited exams, certification preparation and study materials, learning resources, industry-leading outcomes-based data analytics, as well as ongoing professional development and continuing education for its certification holders. For more information, visit www.nhanow.com.

NHA is a division of Assessment Technologies Institute, LLC, a leader in providing technology based educational, assessment, testing and certification solutions for healthcare and other vocational fields.

Media Contact: Lyndsey McDonald, National Healthcareer Association (913) 661-6529 or [email protected]

December 22, 2020

GILBERT, Ariz.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Ascend Learning, the parent company of three Phoenix-based fitness and wellness brands, today announced it was named one of the top 10 best places to work among midsize companies by the Phoenix Business Journal. The award recognizes best workplaces based on company culture and employee reviews. The announcement was made during a virtual event recognizing the top Valley-area businesses that scored the highest on a confidential employee engagement survey conducted by an independent research firm.

The Ascend Learning office in Gilbert includes the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and ClubConnect, LLC. The employees at NASM, AFAA and ClubConnect produce and support the world’s most respected certifications and continuing education programs for health clubs and fitness professionals.

“Having our teams recognized for their hard work and dedication to building a culture that celebrates collaboration, inclusivity and innovation, is a great honor for us and we are excited to be among these great organizations striving to make a difference,” said Laurie McCartney, President of Global Fitness & Wellness for Ascend Learning. “We continually look for ways to improve and transform lives through health and fitness, and we believe an engaged and productive work environment is the backbone that supports all our efforts.”

Early in 2020 Ascend Learning moved into a new office space in Gilbert that includes more areas to facilitate group interactions and a state-of-the-art gym. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all employees transitioned to working remotely in March.

“To support the transition to working from home, we added more daily check-ins with our staff to keep our teams up to speed on important projects. We also included dedicated time for fun activities including things like daily meditations and workouts to keep everyone connected and motivated,” said McCartney. “Our ability to pivot at every level of the business has also helped us accelerate the development of a new Virtual Coaching Specialization, which we are proud to provide to our customers. That course is now empowering personal trainers all around the world to stay connected with their clients, even in a lockdown.”

A complete list of the Best Places to Work 2020, along with more details on the winning companies, is available through Phoenix Business Journal.

About Ascend Learning:Ascend Learning is a leading provider of online educational content, simulation, software and analytics serving students, educational institutions and employers. With products that span the learning continuum, Ascend Learning focuses on high-growth careers in a range of industries, with a special focus on healthcare and other high-growth, licensure-driven professions. Ascend Learning products, from testing to certification, are used by frontline healthcare workers, physicians, emergency medical professionals, nurses, certified personal trainers, group fitness instructors, financial advisors, skilled trades professionals and insurance brokers. Learn more at www.ascendlearning.com.

About NASM: Now in its 33rd year, the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) has remained the gold standard in fitness education due to the high quality of fitness professionals they produce and the scientific rigor of their programs. NASM offers a best in class Certified Personal Training (CPT) program accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the leading accreditor of certificate courses in the fitness industry, along with major specializations in Nutrition Coaching (CNC), Sports Performance (PES), and Corrective Exercise (CES). Learn more at www.nasm.org.

About AFAA: The Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) has led the way in certifying group fitness and personal trainers for over 35 years. AFAA pioneered the first nationally standardized guidelines for fitness professionals and has educated over 350,000 instructors and trainers in 73 countries. AFAA’s Group Fitness Instructor Program is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA). Learn more at www.afaa.com.

About ClubConnect: With products and services supporting over 8,000 health clubs and gyms across the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the Middle East. ClubConnect is the market leader in health club software, supporting gym employee onboarding, educational development, and credential verification. Learn more at http://www.clubconnect.com/

As a director of product management working with Ascend’s professional education businesses, Laura Pagluica works with the Computer Science, Public Health, and CDX Product Managers to assess market needs and problems and create innovative strategies to bring products to market. This involves everything from visiting with instructors and students, to profit and loss analysis, to creating new growth strategies. Her favorite thing about working with the team is that she loves the collaborative environment of her department. Whether it’s sharing innovative ideas and best practices, or brainstorming together to solve a problem, she enjoys working with such thoughtful and creative individuals.

Q. What’s your favorite Ascend value and why?

A. Embrace Change. I’ve been lucky to work in a variety of different roles at Jones & Bartlett Learning, including editorial assistant, sales rep, and product manager. Through these roles, I have been able to learn new markets, forge relationships with different teams and colleagues, and apply a variety of different skills. Change always brings opportunity and a chance to learn.

Q. What’s the greatest piece of advice a mentor has given you?

A. A mentor once told me that I should strive to learn something new every day. Whether it’s my personal life or my career, there are always new things to learn, areas for improvement, and a chance to learn from others.

Q. What are three (or more) things that are on your desk right now and why are they there?

A. My desk looks a bit different now that I am working remotely during the pandemic. At my home office, I always try to have fresh flowers- they never fail to bring color and cheer to my day.  I also have a wedding photo of me and my husband- we just got married a few weeks ago- and a bag of treats for my new shih tzu puppy, Rosie.  In the Burlington office, my desk is filled with mementos from my travels, photos of family, and a snow globe- a gift from a colleague that always brings a smile to my face.

Q. What is one goal that you plan to accomplish during your adult lifetime?

A. I would love to hone my photography skills! I have an amateur interest in photography and love to take photos during my travels. I’ve taken a few photography tours when visiting other countries, which is a great way to see the country through a local photographer’s eyes.

Q. Outside of work, what hobbies or activities do you enjoy?

A. I love to travel. I have been to 28 countries, and have so many great memories, from camping in the Sahara desert in Morocco, to hiking a glacier in Argentina, to taking a motorbike ride along the Vietnamese coast. I love experiencing different cultures, tasting different foods, and all of the other adventures that travel brings!