Posts made in February 2020

New Purdue Pharmacy Programs

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Purdue pharmacy programs take innovative approach to saving lives

Programs designed to provide much-needed health care services to rural families in Kenya are leading to a new generation of medical professionals and innovators – who are helping save the lives of those facing financial and mobility constraints.

Purdue University’s College of Pharmacymhas a strong presence in Kenya, with multiple programs supporting the health care needs of families. Purdue is one of a handful of schools involved in the Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) program, which promotes and fosters a comprehensive approach to address the multifaceted needs of the western Kenyan population AMPATH serves.

This program has helped to permanently change the trajectory of the millions of citizens it serves. One such example is Benson Kiragu, who was one of the first Kenyans the AMPATH program reached. Benson’s experience with AMPATH serves as a microcosm of the impact AMPATH and consortium partners like Purdue can have in unlocking the potential of vulnerable populations.

When Kiragu first met AMPATH staff, he was one of many street youth with an extensive list of health issues that impeded his desire to break the poverty cycle. He suffered from eye conditions, which could have easily led to permanent blindness, and life-threatening asthma that has nearly taken his life on several occasions.

However, through the support of a team of faculty from Purdue and Indiana University, Kiragu has been able emerge from his humble beginnings to become the leader of several initiatives that now prevent other Kenyans from being trapped in the same poverty cycle he once found himself in.

Now, Kiragu is leading programs focused on providing education to street kids and treating cardiovascular and other diseases in the clinic and in homes.

“I know from my own experiences that working together as teams has helped to dramatically improve health care in Kenya,” Kiragu said. “Western Kenya now has some of the best access to health care in sub-Saharan Africa and this infrastructure is being used to help people of all ages and incomes.”

Through Kiragu’s training as a pharmacist, he has been able to become a part of the transformation in the roles that pharmacists play in Kenya through the support of the Purdue’s College of Pharmacy, Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, and Moi University School of Medicine.

“Pharmacists are now seen as experts in providing health care support to patients,” Kiragu said. “We know how certain medications will likely impact patients and which ones are the most likely to improve their lives with minimal side effects.”

Kiragu said he was inspired by the work of Julie Everett, an associate professor of pharmacy practice from Purdue who was based full time in Kenya. Everett had suffered an unexpected health emergency and passed away in 2006 but was able to inspire individuals like Kiragu to follow in her footsteps and address the needs of the Kenyan population.

“Kiragu was determined to become a pharmacist and carry on the great work Julie had started with the people of Kenya,” said Sonak Pastakia, who was hired in 2007 to lead Purdue’s presence in Kenya. “I continue to be thankful that programs like AMPATH and people like Julie have been able to inspire vulnerable youth like Benson to become the change agents the country needs to prevent additional generations of Kenyans from succumbing to treatable illnesses or being trapped in the poverty cycle.

“It is because of AMPATH’s years of collaborative efforts that I have the good fortune of working alongside people like Benson who have a deep firsthand knowledge of the challenges Kenyans face and then work tirelessly to overcome them.”

Pastakia and his team in Kenya have worked with the Purdue Research Foundation Office of Technology Commercialization to patent some of their technologies and approaches. They are looking for additional partners as they work to take their proven approaches and expertise to other parts of the world. For more information on licensing a Purdue innovation, contact the Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization at otcip@prf.org

About Purdue Research Foundation

The Purdue Research Foundation is a private, nonprofit foundation created to advance the mission of Purdue University. Established in 1930, the foundation accepts gifts; administers trusts; funds scholarships and grants; acquires property; protects Purdue’s intellectual property; and promotes entrepreneurial activities on behalf of Purdue. The foundation manages the Purdue Foundry, Purdue Office of Technology Commercialization, Purdue Research Park and Purdue Technology Centers. The foundation received the 2019 Innovation and Economic Prosperity Universities Award for Place from the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities.

10 of our Favorite Business Credit Card Options in 2020

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A good business credit card is an invaluable tool for a business owner. But with so many options on the market, you might find yourself completely overwhelmed in deciding which card could possibly serve all your specific needs. After all, every year brings a new potential crop of products out there vying for your business.

That’s why we’re here to present a detailed rundown of the 2020 best business credit cards. Before you make any decisions regarding which is the best fit for your company, be sure to consult with your executive team as well as the banks in question. With that disclaimer out of the way, here are 10 of the best business credit cards out there.

American Express Blue Business Cash Card

Cardholders of this American Express product will earn 2 percent cash back on up to $50,000 of all eligible purchases per calendar year. The Blue Business Cash Card also carries “Expanded Buying Power,” allowing you to strategically go over your credit limit.

That amount actually adjusts with your card use, transaction history and financial records. Plus, you receive 0.0 percent APR on purchases and balance transfers for 12 months and no annual fee.

American Express Blue Business Plus Credit Card

This second American Express card has some of the same basic features as the above. However, it also provides double the membership rewards points for eligible business purchases. Likewise, it still has Expanded Buying Power, providing much greater opportunity to rack up points.

Bank of America Business Advantage Cash Rewards Mastercard

With this Bank of America card — the only one to make our list — you’ll get $300 in statement credit when you spend at least $3,000 during your first 90 days.

You can also earn 3 percent cash back in a category of your choice, as well as 2 percent cash back on dining and unlimited 1 percent cash back on other purchases. Moreover, you’ll face no annual fee, and perhaps best of all, your cash rewards never expire.

Capital One Spark Cash for Business

When you sign up for the Spark Cash for Business card, you earn a $500 cash bonus as long as you spend $5,000 in your first three months. Plus, you’ll receive $1,500 when you spend $50,000 within your account’s first six months.

As for cash back incentives, cardholders get unlimited 2 percent cash back on every purchase without any restrictions whatsoever. You also won’t have to deal with foreign transaction fees or an annual fee for the first year.

Capital One Spark Miles for Business

If you’re the type of professional who does a lot of traveling, then this Capital One card might be for you. If you spend $5,000 in your first three months, you’ll receive 50,000 bonus miles. Or if you spend $50,000 in six months, you’ll get a staggering 150,000 bonus miles.

You’ll also receive unlimited double miles per dollar for unlimited, unrestricted purchases or five times the miles on any hotel and rental car bookings. And, yes, there’s no annual fee in the first year.

Capital One Spark Cash Select for Business

The last Capital One card to make our list has a lot to offer. First, cardholders get an unlimited 1.5 percent cash back incentive on unrestricted business purchases.

You’ll also get a one-time $200 cash bonus if you spend $3,000 in the first three months of your account’s life. Moreover, you receive 0 percent intro APR for 12 months, no annual fee and no foreign transaction fees.

Chase Ink Business Unlimited Credit Card

For the detail-oriented business owner, Chase has several notable business credit cards on the market. This one offers $500 bonus cash back after a $3,000 expense in the first three months.

But it also features unlimited 1.5 percent cash back on every business purchase you make. If you need something a little more robust, stay tuned. But the Business Unlimited card has all the basics covered.

Chase Ink Business Cash Credit Card

With the Business Cash card, Chase account holders get the same $500 bonus cash back as the Business Unlimited card. But they also have access to 5 percent cash back on the first $25,000 spent at office supply stores and on telecommunications services.

Moreover, you earn 2 percent cash back on the first $25,000 in expenses on gas stations and restaurants each year. For the business owner with a higher budget, this card is the perfect option.

Chase Ink Business Preferred Credit Card

Cardholders with this Chase card earn 80,000 in bonus points once they spend $5,000 on any purchases in the first three months of their account.

The Business Preferred card also offers 3 points for every dollar of the first $150,000 spent on travel and select business purchases. For all other purchases, there is an even point match for every dollar spent.

Discover It Business Card

New customers with this credit card receive an unlimited cash back match for every dollar spent in the account’s first year.

In addition, you earn 1.5 percent cash back on every dollar you put toward any purchases. Plus, there’s no annual fee, accessible customer service and a free credit score just for being a customer.

Choosing the Best Business Credit Card for You

So there you have it: our 2020 best business credit cards. Choosing the best one for you is going to depend on your unique business needs, from your overall budget to how often you travel and whether or not you’ll be making foreign transactions. For comparison’s sake, take a look at Incfile’s Top Credit Cards of 2019. With so much to consider, selecting a business credit card is not an easy decision. Hopefully, this glimpse at what’s out on the market has inspired you to find the perfect one for your business needs. Make 2020 the best year yet for your business!

This article was originally published on the Incfile Blog.

Dustin Ray leads business development and growth initiatives at Incfile, a national incorporation service company specializing in business formation and small business services. Founded in 2004, Incfile makes it possible to start a business with a $0 formation + state fee and has assisted in the formation of more than 250,000 corporations and LLCs.

Can you trust what you see?

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Deepfakes videos bring a new, misleading factor into 2020 elections

A video on social media shows a high-ranking U.S. legislator declaring his support for an overwhelming tax increase. You react accordingly because the video looks like him and sounds like him, so certainly it has to be him.

Not necessarily.

The term “fake news” continues to take a much more literal turn as new technology is making it easier to manipulate the faces and audio in videos. The videos, called deepfakes, can then be posted online with little indication they are not the real thing.

Edward Delp, director of the Video and Imaging Processing Laboratory at Purdue University, says deepfakes are a growing danger with the next presidential election fast approaching.

“It’s possible that people are going to use fake videos to make fake news and insert these into a political election,” said Delp, the Charles William Harrison Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “There’s been some evidence of that in other elections throughout the world already.

He expects people will be creating deepfakes throughout this current election year, causing problems with what voters can believe was said by candidates.

He said deepfakes can be found wherever a user can post content online. That said, action by industry leaders like Facebook and Google speaks volumes about the severity of the issue at hand.

“One interesting trend is both Facebook and Google recently have announced they are both working on the deepfakes problem now and Google even has released a toolkit for manipulated images,” Delp said.

Delp and a doctoral student have previously worked for three years on video tampering as part of a larger research into media forensics. They’ve worked with sophisticated machine-learning techniques based on artificial intelligence and machine learning to create an algorithm that detects deepfakes.

Delp and his team’s algorithm has previously won a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contest. DARPA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Defense.

“By analyzing the video, the algorithm can see whether the face is consistent with the rest of the information in the video,” Delp said. “If it’s inconsistent, we detect these subtle inconsistencies. It can be as small as a few pixels; it can be coloring inconsistencies; it can be different types of distortion.”

Systems developed by Delp and his team are data driven and look for any anomalies, ranging from lack of blinking by the person to varying illumination within the deepfakes videos. Systems will continue to get better at detecting deepfakes as more examples to learn from emerge.

Deepfakes also can be used to fake pornography video and images, using the faces of celebrities or even children.

Delp said early deepfakes were easier to spot. The techniques couldn’t recreate eye movement well, resulting in videos of a person that didn’t blink. But advances have made the technology better and more available to people.

News organizations and social media sites have concerns about the future of deepfakes. Delp foresees both having tools like his algorithm in the future to determine what video footage is real and what is a deepfake.

“It’s an arms race,” he said. “Their technology is getting better and better, but I like to think that we’ll be able to keep up.”

Writer: Brian Huchel, 765-494-2084, bhuchel@purdue.edu

Source: Edward Delp, 765-494-1740, ace@ecn.purdue.edu

FS DOWNTOWN × FORBES

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Forbes Travel Guide, the world-renowned and only global rating system for luxury hotels, restaurants and spas, today announced its annual Star Rating list, presenting The Spa at Four Season Hotel New York Downtown with a new Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Spa award.

Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, which first received the Forbes Five Star Award in 2018, is once again being celebrated for outstanding service in New York City. Recognised by Forbes Travel Guide for going beyond the Five Star Award, and achieving a total of ten stars across The Spa and the Hotel, Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown is now one of onlythreehotels in New York City that holds this enviable ranking.

Located in the heart of Tribeca, The Spa has been the ultimate urban sanctuary of wellness and pampering since first opening its doors in September 2016. Led by Senior Spa Director Tara Cruz, the Health & Wellness floor features seven treatment rooms, eucalyptus steam room, outdoor terrace, purpose-built Fitness Center and 75 foot (23 metre) indoor heated lap pool. Adored by locals and revered by Hotel guests, The Spa has reached far beyond tradition and has reinvented itself as a renowned healing temple in the bustling city that never sleeps.

“We are absolutely thrilled to be joining such an exclusive group of Five Star Spas in New York City. We have worked extremely hard to curate and cultivate experiences that go far beyond traditional spa treatments, so that we can create an environment that allows our guests to reach new heights of health, wellness and spiritual healing. Much like the colourful city we reside in, we unite influential cultures and remedies from around the world to create a haven of beauty and wellness. The Spa offers an unparalleled level of luxury and pampering in Manhattan and we’re overjoyed that our local community, Hotel guests and residents are embracing it. This award is a testament to our incredible team who work tirelessly to create memorable moments and experiences for our guests,” says Cruz.

From its inception, The Spa has been at the forefront of innovative offerings and elevated treatments. In 2018, Cruz introduced the Resident Healers Program featuring three dynamic women–Deganit Nuur, Rashia Bell and Snow Shimazu–all internationally recognized leaders in their field. In celebration of International Women’s Day in 2019, Michelle Pirret, International Sonic Alchemist joined the program; with the latest addition, Mama Medicine (Deborah Hanekamp), specialising in a unique health and wellness offering known as Medicine Readings.

In addition to the Resident Healers Program and under the leadership of Tara Cruz, The Spa recently launched Next-Gen Wellness Workshops to cater to the next generation of wellness advocates; a dedicated Aromatherapy Blend Bar and Bespoke Aromatherapy Experience in partnership with leading organic skin-care line Soveral; the Sleep Well, Live Well Experience to aid in achieving the best night’s sleep; an in-room Soak Service Menu offering a multitude of heavenly bath experiences, a partnership with HATCH Mama as the ultimate pre-natal experience for expectant mothers; and the Haute Couture Treatment by Dr Burgener.

In addition to a variety of experiential treatments, The Spa also boasts proud and exclusive partnerships with iconic global skin-care brands including Soveral, Omorovicza and Dr Burgener.

Forbes Travel Guide is recognised for creating the original concept of Five-Star service, and The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown is the latest addition to its illustrious annual Star Rating list.

“We have been committed to championing genuine Five-Star service for more than 60 years, and this year’s winners, as always, exemplify the very highest standards in hospitality,” said Filip Boyen, CEO of Forbes Travel Guide. “It is difficult to earn a Forbes Travel Guide rating, and all our Star-Rated winners have shown how incredibly deserving they are of their accolades by demonstrating sheer dedication in their passion for service. We congratulate them all.”

Known as the iconic luxury lifestyle hotel in Lower Manhattan, Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown announces the launch of The Streets Are A Gallery, the ultimate downtown street art and graffiti tour for guests of the hotel.

Hosted by renowned New York City photographer Joe Thomas, this three-hour walking tour of Lower Manhattan covers some of the best street art in the city. Explore some of the most dynamic neighborhoods in the New York, from the Lower East Side to Little Italy and Nolita, and learn about the many world-famous artists who have created murals in these areas. Guests will also be introduced to areas not regularly seen by tourists and pass by some of New York’s most iconic establishments including Katz Delicatessen, Russ & Daughters, and Prince Street Pizza.

Joe Thomas is a travel and architecture photographer based in New York City. With a passion for exploration, curiosity has led Joe to create work across all seven continents for some of the world’s leading brands. Joe’s work is marked by his ability to capture details that show new perspectives of both lesser known and iconic locations. His work has been recognized in publications such as Condé Nast Traveler, Travel + Leisure, The Washington Post, and Boston Globe.

This once-in-a-lifetime experience includes:

Three-hour walking tour hosted by Joe Thomas, renowned New York City photographer
Professional tips on lighting, composition, camera settings, lenses and more
Sony A7III mirrorless camera can be loaned upon request (optional)
SD card to capture all images so guests can take them home after the tour
Autographed print by Joe Thomas as a special take-home memento

The Streets Are A Gallery is only available to guests of the Hotel and is available for $1,995 USD with a maximum of five people per tour.

More Experiences at Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown

The Streets Are A Gallery is just the latest experiential offering from the iconic luxury lifestyle Hotel.

The Life + Longevity Experience

Earlier this year, Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown announced the launch of a wellness experience with the Princeton Longevity Center, the world-renowned leader in preventive medicine and longevity. Representing the ultimate peace of mind, this experience has been designed for discerning individuals who wish to focus proactively on their health while immersing themselves in luxury.

The Life + Longevity Experience includes a Comprehensive Exam at the Princeton Longevity Center, the newly opened next-generation medical facility at One World Trade Center in Lower Manhattan. Combining the latest technology with leading preventive medicine experts, the Princeton Longevity Center’s approach to illness and premature ageing helps its clients create a personalized program to improve overall health and maintain an active lifestyle.

In addition to the Comprehensive Exam, the wellness package also includes three nights’ accommodation in an Oculus Suite at Four Seasons Hotel New York Downtown, daily In-Room Dining breakfast and a variety of on-premise wellness experiences, including a Soveral Signature Treatment (60 minutes); Therapeutic Awakening Massage (60 minutes); and Re-mineralizing Crystal Detox (60 minutes). Daily fitness, yoga, and meditation are also included.

The Life + Longevity Experience is available for bookings throughout the year, with rates starting at $7,700 USD for one person and $13,200 USD for two people.

The Empire Suite Experience

Previously, the Hotel launched the Empire Suite Experience, the ultimate New York City lifestyle experience, available from January 1 this year. Situated on the 24th floor of the Hotel, the Empire Suite offers sweeping 180-degree panoramic views over Downtown and towards Midtown. Heralded as the ultimate residential experience in Lower Manhattan, it is the perfect backdrop to the city that never sleeps and has become an urban sanctuary for musicians, fashion designers, celebrities and royal families.

The Empire Suite Experience includes a host of VIP inclusions and experiences to make the most of a night in New York City including:

Roundtrip helicopter transfers from all three major airports (JFK, La Guardia and Newark) for two
Limousine transfers from Wall Street Heliport (or airport if preferred) for two
Daily In-Room Dining breakfast for two
Personal Spa Retreat for two including a couple’s massage, soak service and choice of Resident Healer experience
Choice of personalized silk pajamas by Olivia Von Halle Pajamas and/or personalized Duke + Dexter loafers for two

The Empire Suite Experience is available for bookings throughout the year from $25,000 USD per night.

Reservations for each Hotel Experience and Package are essential and can be made by calling the Reservations team on 646-880-1985 or by emailing res.newyorkdowntown@fourseasons.com

COLLEGE STUDENTS × HOMELESSNESS

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For the fifth year in row, the #RealCollege survey has documented a crisis affecting American higher education. Researchers conclude that more than 6 million students are affected by food and/or housing insecurity.

The #RealCollege survey is led by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice at Temple University. In 2019, the survey was completed by more than 167,000 students at 227 community colleges and four-year colleges and universities located in 44 states and the District of Columbia.

A remarkable 17% of students who answered the survey were homeless at some point in the last year, almost 40% were food insecure, and almost half faced housing insecurity. The results are consistent with the prior #RealCollege surveys and those led by other researchers around the nation.

“It is clear that college is now about serious financial struggles, not partying. Money weighs heavily on students’ minds, and without a safe place to sleep and enough to eat they cannot concentrate on learning,” said Dr. Sara Goldrick-Rab, founding director of the Hope Center and the leading expert on basic needs insecurity among college students. “This is a waste of talent and it undermines our economy. To become student-ready, colleges need to move beyond food pantries and take preventative measures, and policymakers must support them. There are six pieces of federal legislation to address these issues pending in Congress now—it is time to act!”

Among the 167,000 respondents in this year’s survey:

· 39% were food insecure in the last 30 days;

· 46% were housing insecure in the previous year;

· 17% were homeless in the previous year; and

· Some groups of students were more at risk than others: community college students, racial/ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ students were all more likely than others to face one or more of these challenges

This year’s response rate of 167,000 students represents about 8% of the total number of students contacted for the survey, according to the Hope Center. “We think these are conservative estimates of the true extent of the problem, since students without funds rarely have time to do surveys or access to the necessary technology for e-surveys like this one,” said Christine Baker-Smith, Managing Director of the Hope Center. “We don’t advertise the survey as focused on food or housing, and do not offer any help.” The Hope Center’s research team estimates that that the figures extrapolate to at least 6 million affected students.

There are many interconnected reasons college students are facing basic needs insecurity today, according to the report. Some of these are:

· Tuition is up, but more importantly, financial aid to students has not kept up with the cost of living although college loans are still available;

· Students are being asked to pay for books and tuition but lack the financial support the system demands—many students today are themselves parents or are supporting other family members;

· Employers are less likely to want to hire students since they may have complicated schedules, and for the students who can find flexible work, the minimum wage has not kept up with cost of living increases;

· Th social safety net is not what it used to be—today, many college students are excluded from programs such as SNAP, for example; and

· College themselves are struggling with insufficient money to help students in need. For example, in public higher education, budgets have been cut 25% on a per-student basis over the last 30 years.

Because the problem stems from many different avenues, the solutions are multi-pronged as well. The first step, according to the report, is for colleges and universities to admit there is a problem. The Hope Center is offering to support any institution that wants to address these problems; they can sign up here. Among the programs the report describes that have helped at campuses across the U.S.:

· Meal vouchers or swipes;

· Access to public benefits, such as SNAP, or transportation/housing assistance;

· Emergency aid that students can access quickly, for unforeseen expenses like car repairs or groceries;

· Case management, so the students have a contact on campus who can help them navigate the help available to them.

In 2020, the Hope Center plans to release the following reports that focus on different college student populations and aspects of student life:

· March 24: Student Athletes

· April TBA: Staff and Faculty

· April 8: Parenting Students

· April 13^:Philadelphia

· May 13: Transportation

· May TBA: Mental Health

The full #RealCollege National Survey 2020 can be found online at this link: http://hope4college.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/2019_RealCollege_Survey_Report.pdf

The colleges and universities that took part in this year’s #RealCollege Survey are:

Two-Year Colleges

Aims Community College (CO)

Alexandria Technical & Community College (MN)

Amarillo College (TX)

Anoka Technical College (MN)

Anoka-Ramsey Community College (MN)

Arapahoe Community College (CO)

Atlantic Cape Community College (NJ)

Austin Community College District (TX)

Bay de Noc Community College (MI)

Bellevue College (WA)

Bergen Community College (NJ)

Blackhawk Technical College (WI)

Blue Mountain Community College (OR)

Bristol Community College (MA)

Brookdale Community College (NJ)

Brookhaven College (TX)

Bucks County Community College (PA)

Bunker Hill Community College (MA)

Camden County College (NJ)

Cayuga Community College (NY)

Cedar Valley College (TX)

Central Lakes College Brainerd (MN)

Central Lakes College Staples (MN)

Central Oregon Community College (OR)

Centralia College (WA)Cerritos College (CA)

Chaffey College (CA)

Clackamas Community College (OR)

Clark College (WA)

Clatsop Community College (OR)

Clover Park Technical College (WA)

Columbia Basin College (WA)

Columbia Gorge Community College (OR)

Community College of Allegheny County (PA)

Community College of Baltimore County (MD)

Community College of Philadelphia (PA)

Community College of Rhode Island (RI)

Compton College (CA)

County College of Morris (NJ)

Cuyamaca College (CA)

Dabney S. Lancaster Community College (VA)

Delaware County Community College (PA)

Durham Technical Community College (NC)

Dutchess Community College (NY)

Eastfield College (TX)

Edmonds Community College (WA)

El Centro College (TX)

Essex County College (NJ)

Everett Community College (WA)

Finger Lakes Community College (NY)

Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College (MN)

Galveston College (TX)

Glendale Community College (CA)

Grayson College (TX)

Green River College (WA)

Greenville Technical College (SC)

Grossmont College (CA)

Hibbing Community College (MN)

Highline College (WA)

Holyoke Community College (MA)

Hudson County Community College (NJ)

Hudson Valley Community College (NY)

Itasca Community College (MN)

Ivy Tech Community College (IN)

Jamestown Community College (NY)

Jefferson State Community College (AL)

Lac Courte Oreilles Ojibwa Community College (WI)

Lake Washington Institute of Technology (WA)

Leeward Community College (HI)

Linn-Benton Community College (OR)

Lone Star College (TX)

Lower Columbia College (WA)

Massasoit Community College (MA)

Mesabi Range College (MN)

Middlesex Community College (MA)

Middlesex County College (NJ)

Minneapolis Community and Technical College (MN)

Minnesota State College Southeast (MN)

Minnesota State Community and Technical College (MN)

Mohawk Valley Community College (NY)

Monroe Community College (NY)

Montgomery College (MD)

Mountain View College (TX)

Mt. Hood Community College (OR)

Napa Valley College (CA)

Nassau Community College (NY)

North Central Texas College (TX)

North Lake College (TX)

North Seattle College (WA)

Northern Essex Community College (MA)

Northern Virginia Community College (VA)

Northland Community and Technical College (MN)

Northwest Technical College (MN)

Ocean County College (NJ)

Olympic College (WA)

Onondaga Community College (NY)

Oregon Coast Community College (OR)

Orleans Technical College (PA)

Ozarks Technical Community College (MO)

Passaic County Community College (NJ)

Patrick Henry Community College (VA)

Pellissippi State Community College (TN)

Pierce College-Fort Steilacoom (WA)

Pierce College-Puyallup (WA)

Portland Community College (OR)

Rainy River Community College (MN)

Raritan Valley Community College (NJ)

Red Rocks Community College (CO)

Reedley College (CA)

Renton Technical College (WA)

Richland College (TX)

Ridgewater College (MN)

Riverland Community College (MN)

Riverside City College (CA)

Rochester Community and Technical College (MN)

Rogue Community College (OR)

Rowan College at Burlington County (NJ)

Rowan College of South Jersey (NJ)

SUNY Adirondack (NY)

SUNY Corning Community College (NY)

SUNY Erie Community College (NY)

SUNY Morrisville (NY)

SUNY Orange (NY)

Saint Paul College (MN)

Salish Kootenai College (MT)

San Diego City College (CA)

San Diego Continuing Education (CA)

San Diego Mesa College (CA)

San Diego Miramar College (CA)

San Jose City College (CA)

Santa Rosa Junior College (CA)

Santiago Canyon College (CA)

Seattle Central College (WA)

Shoreline Community College (WA)

Skagit Valley College (WA)

South Puget Sound Community College (WA)

South Seattle College (WA)

Southwestern Oregon Community College (OR)

Spokane Community College (WA)

Spokane Falls Community College (WA)

St. Cloud Technical and Community College (MN)

St. Philip’s College (TX)

Sussex County Community College (NJ)

Tacoma Community College (WA)

Tallahassee Community College (FL)

Texas Southmost College (TX)

Tillamook Bay Community College (OR)

Treasure Valley Community College (OR)

Trinity Valley Community College (TX)

Umpqua Community College (OR)

Union County College (NJ)

Wake Technical Community College (NC)

Walla Walla Community College (WA)

Wallace State Community College Hanceville (AL)

Warren County Community College (NJ)

Wenatchee Valley College (WA)

Westchester Community College (NY)

Western Technical College (WI)

Whatcom Community College (WA)

White Earth Tribal and Community College (MN)

Yakima Valley College (WA)

Four-Year Colleges and Universities

Alfred State College (NY)*

Bridgewater State University (MA)

Cedar Crest College (PA)

Colorado School of Mines (CO)

Colorado State University—Fort Collins (CO)

Colorado State University— Global (CO)

Daytona State College (FL)*

Diné College (AZ)*

Drexel University (PA)

Emporia State University (KS)

Fashion Institute of Technology (NY)*

Fitchburg State University (MA)

Florida State College at Jacksonville (FL)*

Fort Lewis College (CO)

Framingham State University (MA)

George Fox University (OR)

Grand Valley State University (MI)

La Salle University (PA)

Lehigh University (PA)

Maryville College (TN)

Massachusetts College of Art and Design (MA)

Mercy College of Ohio (OH)*

Metropolitan State University (MN)

Metropolitan State University of Denver (CO)

Miami Dade College (FL)*

Minnesota State University Moorhead (MN)

Muhlenberg College (PA)

Northern Vermont University Johnson (VT)

Oglala Lakota College (SD)

Rhode Island College (RI)

SUNY Cobleskill (NY)

SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry (NY)

SUNY College Old Westbury (NY)

SUNY Cortland (NY)

SUNY Delhi (NY)*

SUNY Empire State College (NY)

SUNY Fredonia (NY)

SUNY Maritime College (NY)

SUNY Morrisville (NY)*

SUNY New Paltz (NY)

SUNY Oneonta (NY)

SUNY Oswego (NY)

SUNY Polytechnic institute (NY)

SUNY Potsdam (NY)

SUNY Upstate Medical University (NY)

Salem Community College (NJ)

Southwest Minnesota State University (MN)

St. John’s University (NY)

St. Norbert College (WI)

Stony Brook University (NY)

Temple University (PA)

The College at Brockport (NY)

The University of Montana (MT)

United Tribes Technical College (ND)*

University of Alaska Fairbanks (AK)

University of Central Missouri (MO)

University of Colorado Denver (CO)

University of Kansas (KS)

University of Massachusetts Boston (MA)

University of Massachusetts Lowell (MA)

University of Memphis (TN)

University of Missouri St. Louis (MO)

University of Northern Colorado (CO)

West Virginia University (WV)

Western Washington University (WA)

Westfield State University (MA)

York College of Pennsylvania (PA)

* Institution primarily offer credentials other than a Bachelor’s degree and was included in two-year rates.

HVD GIFT GUIDE

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Champion’s new offerings show ❤ with exclusive Reverse Weave hoodies as well as a limited-edition Oversized Wrap Logo perfect for couples and/or BFFs who like to match! #TWINNING

Reverse weave hoodie is comfortable, durable and extremely stylish. Definitely for the grown and sexy. (model: Armon Hayes)

Amtrak wants to show customers how much they love them by offering a Valentine’s Day Buy One Get One Free Sale. Thursday, February 13, through Monday, February 17, customers can buy one coach ticket and get the second free for nationwide travel between March 9 and August 30, 2020, with no blackout dates. Customers can receive discounted tickets by using the code V214 at checkout or at amtrack.com/valentines-day-sale.

To support the campaign, Oakley released a new eyewear collection, Origins, capturing the brand’s iconic heritage and progressive approach to innovative design reimagined in present day style. Led by Sutro Eyeshade, a sport performance piece inspired by the iconic Eyeshade originally introduced in 1984, this new collection pays homage to Oakley’s journey rooted in a love of sport and passion for optics.

In addition, Oakley will be launching City of Origins, a branded, immersive retail space in Los Angeles on Fairfax Avenue that celebrates the new collection and Love of Sport. Opening February 21st, the pop-up retail space will feature intimate conversations, workshops, exhibitions and more, including the first ever photography exhibition by Evan Mock, surfer, skateboarder and model, a one-on-one talk with Team Oakley athlete and pro-surfer, Sage Erickson, and more.

The Sky Dreamer, available on PUMA.com and at Foot Locker in the U.S., is equipped with PUMA Hoops technology, including the brand’s signature ProFoam cushioning and high-abrasion grip for peak stability. It also features forefoot webbing for stabilization and lockdown. The Sky Dreamer will retail for $130.

The pack also features a robust and playful collection of unisex apparel for kids and adults, including a Reebok x Tom & Jerry padded woven jacket ($140), short-sleeve t-shirts ($28), a hooded dress ($60), crew neck sweaters ($55), and hoodies ($60). Each piece is inspired by Tom & Jerry cartoon colorways and the collection’s matching footwear styles.

The Reebok x Tom & Jerry collection is available at Reebok.com and in-store at select retailers worldwide beginning February 15th.

This Valentine’s Day, Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club in New York City (NYC) is offering an exclusive deal for single guys. Anyone who is single this Friday, February 14th can stop by Primal Cut – the upscale restaurant inside Sapphire Gentlemen’s Club on 60th Street in NYC – and enjoy a romantic dinner with a Sapphire girl. The meal for the female entertainer will be paid for by Sapphire.

The Future of Sleep and How to Embrace it

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Without a doubt, there are still plenty of people who advocate for the ’hustle’ way of life – a life fueled by caffeine and a couple of hours sleep each night, where you aim to do as much as you possibly can in as little time imaginable. But fortunately, there are also voices (getting louder by the week) who have begun to shift the focus towards rest and getting an actual good night’s sleep.

Sleep is one of the most underrated factors of health. It does wonders for the human body: it helps prevent illness by boosting the immune system and by keeping our hearts healthier, it keeps our brains working better, and it provides us with that much-needed energy and focus.

And as we are beginning to realize just how important (not to mention enjoyable) it is, the consumer-focused and technology-driven modern society has begun to make some significant advancements in the way we sleep.

Let’s explore where the future of sleep is heading, and how you can embrace it to your own benefit.

The sleep market is expanding

Three years ago, the sleep market in the US was estimated to be worth around $28.6 billion. It is also expected to grow another 5% each year in the next three years.

That fact alone is enough to tell you that sleep has a very bright future ahead. More and more companies are investing their time and resources into coming up with innovative and creative products, while customers embrace sleep as the next trend.

There is more choice available

While previously, you didn’t really think much about what you slept on and what kind of pillow you had – as long as it was comfortable enough – today you have practically unlimited choice.

Different companies focus on providing all kinds of different options that will fit into any lifestyle and preference: firmer mattresses, softer mattresses, mattresses made of different materials, and so on.

Finding the best mattress for your sleeping specific needs might take a bit of time, but with so many options at your disposal, it is certainly no longer mission impossible.

Make sure you test a couple of different models out before you make your final choice. After all, who knows what you actually like if you have only ever slept on one model.

Quality sleep is no longer out of reach

When shopping for a mattress a couple of decades ago, you had to go to your local department store and make your decision there. Today, you can order one from anywhere in the world and have it delivered straight to your bed.

This means that you are practically no longer limited by any means. True, shipping costs may be a factor to consider, but chances are you will be able to find a company that may not have a store near you, but that does home deliveries at a reasonable price.

It’s no longer just about the bed

Sleeping is about more than just the bed you sleep on and the pillow you nest under your head every night.

You can now buy a sleep machine that not only emits different sounds (and lights), but that can also be hooked up to an app that tracks your sleep cycle and that will wake you up at the most opportune moment. There are aromatherapy products that will help you fall asleep more easily. There are meditation and sleep apps that will soothe you into a lull.

Not to mention, there are the temperature regulators, the innovative alarm clocks, the auto blinds that will wake you up with natural sunlight, and so on. The choices really are starting to look limitless.

Tailored to your needs

Finally, the future of sleep is all about personal choice and individual preferences. There is no longer just one option and one make available – of anything.

You can customize your pillows and mattresses and duvets and blankets in terms of fabric, size, color, pattern, and everything in between.

If you have a non-standard sized bed, you can more easily than ever before find the sleep paraphernalia to go with it. If you are looking for a specific combination of colors (which previously meant you have to buy several sets of pillowcases), now you can buy them individually or in a set of your own design.

You can literally make your sleeping experience into anything you want it to be – and more.

Final thoughts

Sleep, one of the most important pillars of a healthy and happy life, finally seems to be getting the attention it deserves. With that attention comes the ability to customize, tailor, and shape your sleep experience whichever way you want to. Now, all that’s left to do is convince everyone else that sleep is not for the weak, or the wicked.

Pornhub x Valentines Day

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Pornhub Celebrates Valentine’s Day with Free Premium, Launch of Personalized Love Message Video Generator and Popup Shop in NYC

In Honor of the Romantic Holiday, Leading Adult Platform Will Host Popup Shop Selling Specially Branded Gifts in New York City and Allow People to Send Personalized Messages to Loved Ones from Pornstars

Pornhub, the premiere online destination for adult entertainment, today announced the debut of its Valentine’s Day video generator that allows users to send personalizedvideo messages to their loved ones from adult entertainment stars Asa Akira and Rod Jackson, as well as Ryan Creamer, the man behind Pornhub’s most wholesome videos. The site has a long standing tradition of offering Pornhub Premium, the company’s high-definition, on-demand premium subscription service, free of charge to its fan base to honor the romantic holiday, which continues this year. Last year, over 3 million accounts utilized free Premium.

“We’re about getting people in the mood – it’s something we do for 120 million site visitors every day. What gets people in the mood more than Pornhub?” said Corey Price, Vice President, Pornhub. “That’s why we’re making Pornhub Premium free for anyone and everyone to access for the holiday. Whether you are spending the holiday with a significant other or loving yourself solo, we want to lend a helping hand to ensure everyone is feeling the love this Valentine’s Day. ”

Concurrent to the debut of the video message generator, Pornhub will be opening its first Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Shop in New York City’s Lower East Side from Feb. 13 to 14. Available for purchase will be specially branded gifts including chocolates, flowers, mugs, apparel, and teddy bears, among other items. All purchases will include a gift card valid for a one month membership to Pornhub Premium, The shop will have guest appearances from Pornhub Brand Ambassador and industry legend Asa Akira, alongside several models from Pornhub’s Model Program.

Like past Valentine’s Days, in addition, Pornhub Premium will be free for all users who visit the site on Valentine’s Day.

For additional information about how to get free Pornhub Premium on Valentine’s Day, to generate your own personalized video message, or to check out our Valentine’s Day Pop-Up Shop in NYC, please visit: www.pornhub.com/valentines

Pop-Up Shop Hours and Location:
91 Allen Street, New York, NY 10002
Store Hours: February 13-14, 2020
9 AM – 11 PM EST

About Pornhub:
Founded in 2007, Pornhub is the leading free, ad-supported adult video streaming website, offering viewers the opportunity to upload and share their own videos. With over 5 million videos and over 120 million visitors a day, Pornhub truly is the best adult site in the world. Pornhub has built the largest dedicated membership base in the adult community, with over 10 million engaged and loyal members, offering viewers a fun and sophisticated social experience directly in site, complete with messaging, photos, achievement badges and much more.

NEW ERA CAP x NBA

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NEW ERA CELEBRATES CHICAGO’S CULTURE ICONS FOR 2020 NBA ALL-STAR GAME COLLECTIONS

The New Era NBA All-Star Game Collections are available on-site at NBA Crossover in Chicago

Today, New Era Cap Co., Inc., which is the Authentic Cap of the NBA, is celebrating the 2020 NBA All-Star Game with the release of three new collections, all designed in partnership with brands at the epicenter of Chicago’s cultural scene, including streetwear designer Don C.; visual artist Louis De Guzman; and distinguished streetwear retailer Leaders 1354.

The New Era x Just Don Collection features two 59FIFTY® fitteds emblazoned with an all-over embroidery of custom logos, and a premium, 100% real suede 9FIFTY® featuring a brown leather back strap and tab.

Chicago-based visual artist and designer, Louis De Guzman, creates artwork merging his past and present. The New Era x Louis De Guzman All-Star Collection brings his signature geometric abstraction style to his favorite hometown-childhood team. The collaboration is available in a red or black 9FIFTY® and a black 59FIFTY® fitted.

Leaders 1354 has been at the forefront of Chicago culture since 2002. Leaders 1345 strives for creativity and individuality, and the New Era x Leaders NBA All-Star Collection is no different. Featuring various 59FIFTY®, 9FIFTY® and knit styles that each make a statement, the collection speaks to iconic imagery representing the city and the Bulls.

New Era x Just Don Collection and New Era x Louis De Guzman All-Star Collection will be available on-site at NBA Crossover and online at www.neweracap.com with retail prices of $44.99-$199.99 USD. The New Era x Leaders NBA All-Star Collection will be available at the Leaders Store with retail prices of $44.99-$199.99 USD. The New Era NBA Authentics: NBA All-Star Collection will be sold online at www.neweracap.com in-arena and at multiple retailers with retail prices ranging from $29.99 – $49.99.

ABOUT NEW ERA CAP:
In 2020, New Era Cap Co., Inc. celebrates its centennial as the most iconic headwear company in the world. The brand’s 100-year legacy is steeped in sports heritage and pop culture through partnerships and collections with some of the top leagues, athletes, designers, artists, and icons around the globe. The brand continues to innovate and keep pace with trends to deliver headwear, apparel, and accessories as unique and inspiring as the individuals who wear them. New Era Cap encourages people to truly express their personal style and individuality through its products. The fourth generation, family-owned company is headquartered in Buffalo, NY and is marketed and distributed in over 125 countries through its affiliate offices in London, Tokyo, Paris, Hong Kong, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, Cologne, Shanghai, Barcelona, Seoul, Melbourne, Toronto and Bologna. For more information, visit www.neweracap.com

Spring Mountain Welcomes the 8th Generation Corvette

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Spring Mountain Motor Resort & Country Club and the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School will continue their long-standing partnership with Chevrolet as the “Official High-Performance Driving School” for the 8th generation Corvette Stingray!

Set to begin this April, the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School will be offering enhanced two-day programs featuring the all-new mid-engine Corvette. The iconic sports car marques all-new 495 horsepower mid-engine masterpiece has already been named 2020 MotorTrend Car of the Year and 2020 North American Car of the Year.

“We are thrilled to be able to continue our relationship with Chevrolet and Ron Fellows here at our world-class facility. There has been an incredible buzz around the 8th generation Corvette, and what better way to kick off 2020 and our twelfth year of the school, with the all-new mid-engine Corvette,” said John Morris, CEO, and co-owner of Spring Mountain.

The new two-day program is designed to provide drivers of all experience levels with the skills and techniques to truly challenge yourself and the all-new mid-engine Corvette Stingray. Through our precision detailed curriculum, you will become more knowledgeable and confident in the incredible capabilities of the 8th generation Corvette.

“Our entire team here at Spring Mountain are incredibly excited about the 8th generation Corvette and cannot wait to get the new Owners School program started. I know that everyone responsible for the day-to-day operations of our school are really looking forward to providing our outstanding service and a great overall experience showcasing the next-level engineering of the new mid-engine Corvette,” said Ron Fellows, a charter member of Corvette Racing and co-founder of his school at Spring Mountain.

The 8th generation Corvette Owners School is an exclusive program subsidized by Chevrolet, providing first owners of a new and unused 2020 Corvette with a two-day school for only $1,000. Tuition includes a one-night stay in one of Spring Mountain’s luxury condominiums and clubhouse access along with breakfast and lunch prepared by Spring Mountain’s onsite chef. It’s an experience you won’t want to miss! Call 800 391-6891 or view online at http://CorvetteOwnersSchool.com.

ABOUT SPRING MOUNTAIN MOTORRESORT & COUNTRY CLUB

Founded in 2004 by partners John Morris and Brad Rambo, Spring Mountain Motor Resort & Country Club is an 866-acre motorsports country club located just 55 miles west of downtown Las Vegas. With over 6 miles of challenging racetrack and an array of resort-style amenities, including a clubhouse, luxury condominiums, SM Estates, and a freshwater lake, Spring Mountain boasts not only the longest road course in North America but also delivers a world-class motorsports experience to driving enthusiasts of all levels.

Home to the renowned Ron Fellows Performance Driving School, Cadillac V-Performance Academy, and Spring Mountain Racing, the resort offers a variety of services, including performance driving instruction, track rentals, team building activities, performance vehicle sales, and more.

SPRING MOUNTAIN MOTOR RESORT & COUNTRY CLUB is an independently owned and operated Nevada LLC, privately funded and headquartered in Pahrump, Nevada. For more information, call toll free (800) 391-6891 or (775) 727-6363, and visit our website at http://racespringmountain.com.

ABOUT RON FELLOWS
Canadian-born Ron Fellows is recognized as one of North America’s most versatile and successful road racing drivers, winning races and championships from NASCAR to long-distance sports car events. With Corvette Racing, Fellows is a multi-time champion and was part of historic first victories at the Rolex 24 at Daytona, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and 12 Hours of Sebring.

In NASCAR competition, Fellows became the first non-American to win races in both the Gander Outdoors and RV Truck Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Fellows has a 26-year relationship with General Motors’ racing division, and although retired from professional racing, Fellows continues as an ambassador/advisor to Corvette and Chevrolet Racing.

In October of 2008, Fellows partnered with Spring Mountain forming the Ron Fellows Performance Driving School along with corporate partners Chevrolet and Michelin.

In 2011, Fellows was inducted into the Corvette Hall of Fame in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and in 2013 he was inducted into the Canadian Motorsports Hall of Fame. In 2020, Fellows was appointed as Member of the Order of Canada, one of the highest honors in the country, recognizing outstanding achievement and service to the nation.