Bestselling Book Embraced by Millions as an Antidote to Toxic Positivity

“Have a panic attack. You’ve earned it.” 

When writer Dave Tarnowski shared these words over a serene nature photo on Instagram, he knew the meme would strike a chord with people who felt alienated by the relentless positivity memes inundating social media denying what he knew to be true: “It’s OK to not be OK.” 

In a little over a year, Tarnowski’s Disappointing Affirmations Instagram account grew to 2.3 million engaged followers, and inspired a national bestselling book, Disappointing Affirmations: Unfollow Your Dreams! published by Chronicle Books this year, resonant as a funny-because-it’s-true, sneaky self-help book for anyone who isn’t happy all the time.

“After a long sleepless night of catastrophizing and rehearsing my inadequacies, I take strange comfort in Dave Tarnowski’s new book, Disappointing Affirmations.”―The Washington Post

Fans of Disappointing Affirmations have praised it not only for Dave’s humorous approach to hitting back at negative self-talk and our harshest inner critics, but also as a resource that has helped them feel less alone in times of struggle.

“That’s why I started making and sharing these Disappointing Affirmations,” says Tarnowski. “By making light of the negative thoughts we all have, I’m shining a light into the darkness where these scary things live and trying to show that they’re not so scary after all, nor are they unfamiliar. I’m inviting people who suffer in silence to feel seen, to look at a Disappointing Affirmation and say, ‘That’s me.’”

In addition to a nationwide bestselling book, the Disappointing Affirmations publishing partnership with Chronicle Books includes both a shareable 30-Postcard set ($12.95), and a Pencil gift set ($15.95) bearing Tarnowski’s witty and astute observations.

With the arrival of fall, its waning sunlight, and the approach of the holidays, Dave Tarnowski knows that some readers might feel seasonal loneliness creeping in. To that Tarnowski says, “It took me years to see. I was just one of many (many, many, many) who felt the same exact things. It took most of my life, but I finally learned how to feel less alone…” And eventually it brought him to one of his most popular memes, “Accept yourself for the hot mess that you are.”

Perfect for college grads, those entering the workforce, anyone facing burnout and fatigue, as well as fans of satire and sarcastic humor, Disappointing Affirmations: Unfollow Your Dreams! is available everywhere books are sold.

About the book

Disappointing Affirmations: Unfollow Your Dreams!
By Dave Tarnowski
ISBN:  9781797226668
96 pages, Price: $14.95

Publicity Contact
April Whitney
Chronicle Books
April_whitney@chroniclebooks.com
415.537.4253

About Chronicle Books 

Founded in 1967 in San Francisco, Chronicle Books is one of the world’s most admired publishers and distributors of illustrated books, gifts, and games for all ages. Its highly acclaimed list spans art, photography, food, lifestyle, pop culture, humor, self-help, wellness, children’s books, and stationery, among other categories. Chronicle is the home of numerous award-winning authors, bestselling series, and trend-setting titles. Chronicle Books is committed to partnering with artists and writers who represent the diversity of our world and to maintaining an inclusive and equitable working environment for its employees and business partners. For more information visit www.chroniclebooks.com

TV personality and podcast host Gabby Windey and Chester Cheetah® are giving away limited-edition “Burner Phones” and “Hall Passes” to help heat seekers hook up with Flamin’ Hot® “sidechips”

PLANO, TX, September 17, 2024 – As college students begin a new semester and cuffing season looms, Flamin’ Hot® is asking fans to keep their options open – snacking options, that is – and “Cheat on Flamin’ Hot® Cheetos®” with every Flamin’ Hot snack they see on campus. Chester Cheetah® himself is offering lucky spice lovers a “Hall Pass” to give one (or more) of the 25 different snacks from the Flamin’ Hot portfolio a chance.

Starting today until November 30, fans can join Gabby Windey, TV Personality & Podcast Host, via Instagram or FlaminHotUniversity.com to find opportunities to win a “Flamin’ Hot Burner Phone” – a flip phone with a one-of-a-kind Flamin’ Hot design, a free year of cell service, and one special someone on speed dial, Chester Cheetah. When called from the “Burner Phone,” Chester will make good on his “Hall Pass” offer by delivering a spicy selection of Flamin’ Hot sidechips to winners’ doors. The delivery also comes with a promise that Cheetos Flamin’ Hot will always be there if you and your new sidechip ever want to snack.

“I love Cheetos Flamin’ Hot, but take it from me – you can’t reach your spiciest potential without trying different flavors and exploring your options,” says Gabby Windey. “There is no reason to settle for just one flame when Chester is cool with you having hotties like Fritos® Flamin’ Hot® and Funyuns® Flamin’ Hot® in your rotation.”

Those who are unsure which tempting hot snack they want to try first can find their perfect match by taking the Sidechip Quiz on FlaminHotUniversity.com. If you’d like to add even more sidechips into your rotation, Flamin’ Hot has created dating profiles for its spicy line-up so that fans can swipe right on tempting new snacks.

“While we love how many of our fans are in a committed relationship with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, the Flamin’ Hot portfolio is overflowing with spicy snacks,” said Tina Mahal, vice president of marketing at PepsiCo Foods North America. “By offering numerous fiery options, Flamin’ Hot hopes to inspire its fans to be bold and explore every way possible to turn up the heat.”

Asking heat seekers to keep their options open and “Cheat on Cheetos” is the newest way Flamin’ Hot University is looking to help fans reach their spiciest potential. The brand introduced Flamin’ Hot University in 2023 with an online curriculum to help fans embrace their unique heat and a fiery hot merch line that fueled scholarships aimed at reducing the burden of student loans.

Visit FlaminHotUniversity.com to take the quiz, view full sweepstakes rules and to learn more about the Flamin’ Hot portfolio, you can go online or find Flamin’ Hot on TikTok and Instagram. For those who want to “Cheat on Flamin’ Hot Cheetos,” the Flamin’ Hot portfolio is available for purchase in retailers nationwide and on Snacks.com.

The Flamin’ Hot portfolio features a roster of hotties from Frito-Lay fan favorite brands including: Cheetos® Flamin’ Hot® (12 varieties), Doritos® Flamin’ Hot® (5 varieties), Ruffles® Flamin’ Hot® (3 varieties),  Lay’s® Flamin’ Hot® (2 varieties), Munchies® Flamin’ Hot®, Smartfood® Flamin’ Hot®, Funyuns® Flamin’ Hot®, & Fritos® Flamin’ Hot®.

About Frito-Lay North America

Frito-Lay North America is the $25 billion net sales convenient foods division of PepsiCo, Inc. (NASDAQ: PEP). For decades, Frito-Lay’s portfolio of beloved products has brought smiles to millions of families across the world, including Fritos® corn chips, Lay’s® and Ruffles® potato chips, Doritos® and Tostitos® tortilla chips and branded dips, Cheetos® snacks, Stacy’s® pita chips, PopCorners® air popped snacks and SunChips® multigrain snacks. The company operates more than 40 manufacturing facilities across the U.S. and Canada, along with a vast distribution network that services over 315,000 retail customers weekly through its direct-store-delivery model. Through pep+ (PepsiCo Positive), Frito-Lay is committed to creating positive change for the planet and people. Learn more about Frito-Lay at FritoLay.com, on X (@FritoLay), on Instagram (@FritoLay) and on Facebook (FritoLay).

About PepsiCo

PepsiCo products are enjoyed by consumers more than one billion times a day in more than 200 countries and territories around the world. PepsiCo generated more than $86 billion in net revenue in 2022, driven by a complementary beverage and convenient foods portfolio that includes Lay’s^®, Doritos^®, Cheetos^®, Gatorade^®, Pepsi-Cola^®, Mountain Dew^®, Quaker^®, and SodaStream^®. PepsiCo’s product portfolio includes a wide range of enjoyable foods and beverages, including many iconic brands that generate more than $1 billion each in estimated annual retail sales.

Guiding PepsiCo is our vision to Be the Global Leader in Beverages and Convenient Foods by Winning with pep+ (PepsiCo Positive). pep+ is our strategic end-to-end transformation that puts sustainability and human capital at the center of how we will create value and growth by operating within planetary boundaries and inspiring positive change for planet and people. For more information, visit www.pepsico.com, and follow on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn @PepsiCo.

Contact

Jayme Mizzoni
jayme.mizzoni@pepsico.com

–Festival Kicks Off Wed., Sept. 25 in 150 AMC locations with the 15th Anniversary Screening of Paranormal Activity, the Film’s First One-Night Only National Re-Release–

James Wan’s Atomic Monster Disrupts Fest on October 2 with Screening of Lights Out

BlumFest 2024 Logo and Film Stills Available HERE

Los Angeles, Calif. – Sept. 17, 2024 – Blumhouse, the driving force in horror, and AMC Theatres (NYSE: AMC) are celebrating Halloween starting in September and running through the end of October with AMC’s BlumFest. Every Wednesday starting September 25, Blumhouse fans can attend special screenings, score one-time-only giveaways, be the first to see exclusive sneak peeks, and more. AMC’s BlumFest marks the first time that BlumFest, the annual October celebration of all things Blumhouse, has included a national screening program.

The six-week festival kicks off Wednesday, Sept. 25 in 54 cities and 150 AMC Theatres across the U.S., and features six different repertory films – anchored by the 15th anniversary of Paranormal Activity September 25.

Festival-goers can catch their favorite Blumhouse films on the big screen, with screenings each Wednesday night at 7pm and 9pm local time, and tickets priced at a discounted rate. Plus, all attendees will receive a special poster giveaway commemorating this year’s lineup, plus see exclusive sneak peeks and exclusive recorded messages from directors and talent from the films. Tickets are on sale today, Tuesday, September 17 at on AMCTheatres.com and within the AMC Mobile App for the following films:

• Wednesday, September 25, 2024 – Paranormal Activity – written and directed by Oren Peli
• Wednesday, October 2, 2024 – Lights Out – written by Eric Heisserer and David F. Sandberg and directed by David F. Sandberg
• Wednesday, October 9, 2024 – Insidious: Chapter 2 – written by James Wan and Leigh Whannell and directed by James Wan
• Wednesday, October 16, 2024 – Happy Death Day – written by Scott Lobdell and directed by Christopher Landon
• Wednesday, October 23, 2024 – The Black Phone – written by Joe Hill, Scott Derrickson and C. Robert Cargill, and directed by Scott Derrickson
• Wednesday, October 30, 2024 – Five Nights At Freddy’s – written by Scott Cawthon, Seth Cuddeback and Emma Tammi and directed by Emma Tammi

“This whole month is a love letter to Halloween and our fans, and we’re grateful to our partners at AMC for joining us for BlumFest, our annual October celebration of all things Blumhouse. I can’t believe we’re already celebrating the 15th anniversary of Paranormal Activity, because it feels like we’re just getting started,” said Jason Blum, Founder and CEO of Blumhouse.

“Though AMC entertains Blumhouse film fans year-round, the Halloween season makes horror movies even more fun,” said Elizabeth Frank, EVP of Worldwide Programming and Chief Content Officer at AMC Theatres. “We’re excited to bring the BlumFest celebration to the big screen with fan favorite movies and unique extra content.”

The full list of cities includes: Atlanta (GA), Austin (TX), Baltimore (MD), Boston (MA), Charlotte (NC), Chattanooga (TN), Chicago (IL), Cincinnati (OH), Columbus (GA), Columbus (OH), Dallas (TX), Denver (CO), Detroit (MI), El Paso (TX), Grand Rapids (MI), Harlingen (TX), Hartford (CT), Houston (TX), Huntsville (AL), Indianapolis (IN), Jacksonville (FL), Kansas City (MO), Las Vegas (NV), Los Angeles (CA), Madison (WI), Miami (FL), Milwaukee (WI), Minneapolis (MN), Mobile (AL), Nashville (TN), New Haven (CT), New Orleans (LA), New York (NY), Norfolk (VA), Oklahoma City (OK), Orlando (FL), Peoria (IL), Philadelphia (PA), Phoenix (AZ), Pittsburgh (PA), Portland (OR), Raleigh (NC), Rockford (IL), Sacramento (CA), San Diego (CA), San Francisco (CA), Seattle (WA), Spokane (WA), St. Louis (MO), Tallahassee (FL), Tampa (FL), Tucson (AZ), Tulsa (OK), Washington, D.C.

Learn more about AMC’s BlumFest here: http://amctheatres.com/events/blum-fest-2024

About Blumhouse

Blumhouse is the driving force in horror, producing over 200 movies and television series with theatrical grosses of almost $6 billion in global box office. Blumhouse is home to the highest number of ongoing franchises of any studio, including Halloween, The Purge, The Black Phone, Paranormal Activity, The Exorcist, Insidious, M3GAN, and Five Nights at Freddy’s, along with iconic films from cinematic visionaries including Jordan Peele’s Get Out, Damien Chazelle’s Whiplash and Spike Lee’s BlacKkKlansman. In January 2024, Blumhouse merged with James Wan’s Atomic Monster, which has produced its own successful film franchises including The Conjuring, Aquaman, Annabelle, The Nun and Saw.

In addition to film, Blumhouse produces provocative scripted and unscripted television series and documentaries, including the upcoming original series The Sticky, produced by Jamie Lee Curtis for Prime Video; The Bondsman, starring Kevin Bacon and from creator Grainger David and showrunner Erik Oleson, also for Prime Video; Worst Roommate Ever, and Worst Ex Ever for Netflix, which established Blumhouse Television’s first franchise, and The Jinx for HBO. The company also recently launched a games division.

Blumhouse was honored by Fast Company as one of its Most Innovative Companies in 2024 and one of its Brands That Matter in 2023. In addition, Jason Blum was named to the Annenberg Initiative’s first-ever Inclusion List as one of the Top Inclusive Producers from 2019-2022, with three films appearing on the list of Top 100 Most Inclusive Films. The company is investing in its brand development and connection with audiences through its consistent presence at Universal Studios’ annual Halloween Horror Nights, its first Halfway to Halloween Film Festival with AMC and its upcoming transformation of an exhibit space at the iconic Stanley Hotel from The Shining.

About AMC Entertainment Holdings, Inc.

AMC is the largest movie exhibition company in the United States, the largest in Europe and the largest throughout the world with approximately 900 theatres and 10,000 screens across the globe. AMC has propelled innovation in the exhibition industry by: deploying its Signature power-recliner seats; delivering enhanced food and beverage choices; generating greater guest engagement through its loyalty and subscription programs, website and mobile apps; offering premium large format experiences and playing a wide variety of content including the latest Hollywood releases and independent programming. In addition, in 2023 AMC launched AMC Theatres Distribution with the highly successful releases of TAYLOR SWIFT ⎸The Eras Tour and RENAISSANCE: A FILM BY BEYONCÉ. AMC Theatres Distribution expects to release more concert films with the world’s leading musical artists in the years ahead. For more information, visit www.amctheatres.com.

# # #

Media Contact

Cynthia Arntzen
cynthia.arntzen@blumhouse.com

NEW YORK, September 16, 2024 – As students return to campus, upskilling and opportunities to futureproof their careers are top of mind, including training on AI and automation. A study from CFA Institute, the global association of investment professionals, found that 62 percent of American students and recent graduates ranked practical skills as the number-one attribute to gain an edge in today’s job market. The 2024 Global Graduate Outlook Survey gleans insights from students and recent graduates to inform current students as they embark on the 2024-25 academic year.

Students and new graduates also agreed that a competitive edge on their resume is required in today’s job market. The majority (82 percent) of American graduates found that pursuing post-graduate certifications and qualifications will help them land higher earnings. Further, 94 percent say upskilling or acquiring certifications are important, and 69 percent say certifications will have a large impact on their earnings prospects, job fulfillment, and opportunities.

As today’s students prepare for their careers, they are eager to embrace the power of AI. The data revealed that nearly half of American graduates (45 percent) believe that AI and automation will be important to career success, and 86 percent said that knowing how to use these tools will benefit their career prospects.

For those pursuing careers in finance, which graduates around the globe ranked as the industry with the best career prospects in today’s economic climate, emerging technologies are especially top of mind. The survey found that of those who studied finance, 76 percent say that AI and automation are important to the success of their careers, and the vast majority (97 percent) agree that knowing how to use these tools will benefit them.

“As graduates today seek professions that not only promise stability but also resonate with their desires to make a tangible difference, finance emerges as an industry of opportunity. Our research shows that careers in finance offer the assurance of stability and provide a platform for graduates to contemplate a more impactful future,” said Margaret Franklin, CFA, President and CEO, CFA Institute. “With a new focus on sustainable investment strategies, and the possibilities for AI to enhance investment workflows, graduates have an opportunity to help shape a more innovative industry through a career in finance.”

Within the financial industry, the future looks bright with opportunities in investing-related roles, accounting, risk, client management, and more. Recent and new innovations such as AI, machine learning, and blockchain development have increased the need for a broader range of roles, such as data experts and programming. To explore the wide range of career paths and credentialing programs for finance, visit: https://www.cfainstitute.org/en/programs/cfa/charterholder-careers.

Notes to Editors:

The 2024 CFA Institute Graduate Outlook Survey was fielded via an online survey from March 19-April 8, 2024, by Dynata with a sample of 9,916 respondents studying for a bachelor’s degree or higher, or who have graduated with a bachelor’s degree or higher within the last three years aged 18-25. Respondents were from the UK, US, Canada, India, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong SAR, UAE, Germany, Spain, France, Brazil, Mexico, and China.

About CFA Institute

As the global association of investment professionals, CFA Institute sets the standard for professional excellence and credentials. We champion ethical behavior in investment markets and serve as the leading source of learning and research for the investment industry. We believe in fostering an environment where investors’ interests come first, markets function at their best, and economies grow. With more than 200,000 charterholders worldwide across 160 markets, CFA Institute has 10 offices and 160 local societies. Find us at www.cfainstitute.org or follow us on LinkedIn and X at @CFAInstitute.

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For further information please contact pr@cfainstitute.org

September 10, 2024 — The U.S. Department of State recognizes 19 Historically Blacks Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders for their notable engagement with the Fulbright Program during the 2023-2024 academic year. The Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders initiative celebrates Fulbright’s partnership with HBCUs and encourages administrators, faculty and students to participate in the Fulbright Program.  It also highlights HBCUs as a destination for international students and scholars.

The 19 HBCU Institutional Leaders are:

Alcorn State University (Mississippi)
Bennett College (North Carolina)
Fayetteville State University (North Carolina)
Florida A&M University (Florida)
Howard University (District of Columbia)
Huston-Tillotson University (Texas)
Jackson State University (Mississippi)
Jarvis Christian University (Texas)
LeMoyne-Owen College (Tennessee)
Lincoln University (Pennsylvania)
Mississippi Valley State University (Mississippi)
Morgan State University (Maryland)
North Carolina A&T State University (North Carolina)
North Carolina Central University (North Carolina)
Prairie View A&M University (Texas)
Spelman College (Georgia)
Tennessee State University (Tennessee)
Virginia State University (Virginia)
Xavier University of Louisiana (Louisiana)

The announcement of the 2024 Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leaders was made on September 10, 2024 in advance of the 2024 Annual National HBCU Week Conference hosted by the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity through Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken congratulated each Fulbright HBCU Institutional Leader, saying this designation “is a testament to your institution’s dedication to promoting global engagement and international understanding.”

“The U.S. Department of State and the Fulbright Program are committed to reflecting the full diversity of the United States,” said Scott Weinhold, Senior Bureau Official for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State.  He emphasized that HBCU engagement with the Fulbright Program “builds meaningful relationships between communities and people around the world.”

Howard University president Dr. Ben Vinson III shared, “Our Fulbrighters return to the Howard community with fresh insights, a deepened cultural understanding, and a broadened worldview, laying the foundation for their personal and professional growth. Their work has an enduring and positive impact on communities and institutions, at home and abroad.”

As the U.S. government’s flagship international academic exchange program, the Fulbright Program implements a wide range of initiatives to ensure that its participants reflect the diversity of U.S. society and societies abroad.  In addition to its partnerships with HBCUs, the Fulbright Program works with Diversity Abroad, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), the National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange, UNCF, and the White House Initiative on HBCUs, among others.

Learn more about the Fulbright Program at https://fulbrightprogram.org.

Contact: Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, eca-press@state.gov

Insomnia Rewards members can indulge in the late-night bakery’s most delicious deals of the year on September 17

September 10, 2024 – Insomnia Cookies, the beloved cult brand known for serving warm, delicious cookies all day and late into the night, is officially introducing National PJ Party Night, which will take place on the third Tuesday in September each calendar year, in celebration of its sixth annual PJ Party.

On Tuesday, September 17, Insomniacs living near each of Insomnia’s 300+ bakeries across the U.S. and Canada are invited to their local store dressed in their favorite PJs for the most unforgettable PJ Party yet. The late-night bakery hosts the PJ Party at each store every year in the fall as a way to connect with customers worldwide. This year, its most loyal Insomniacs can celebrate late into the night with free cookies, giveaways, and temporary tattoos that will offer attendees an exclusive promo code.

To celebrate the epic event, the late-night bakery is offering its most loyal Insomniacs, Insomnia Rewards members, the following delicious deals:

• 1 FREE Classic cookie for rewards members wearing their PJs that scan their Insomnia Rewards barcode in-store (no purchase necessary)
• $10 Classic 6-Pack for rewards members in-store
• $18 Classic 12-Pack for rewards members in-store• Best of all, the first 25 customers in line will get an official PJ Party t-shirt and Insomnia Cookies promo code temporary tattoo* (while supplies last)

• *Insomniacs visibly wearing the temporary PJ Party 2024 tattoo on their skin in-store from 9/18-9/30 will receive 1 FREE Classic cookie with any in-store purchase. Limit 1 use per customer per day during the promotional period.

Each Insomnia Cookies bakery will offer giveaways, exclusive swag, and other sweet surprises. To make the night even sweeter, Insomnia Cookies will be surprising PJ Party attendees with $100 gift cards on social media throughout the night. Cookie lovers who post on Instagram or TikTok from PJ Party and tag @insomniacookies will be entered for a chance to be one of ten randomly selected $100 gift card winners who will be notified throughout the evening via Direct Message.

Founded on a university campus, Insomnia Cookies is known for serving its signature treats late into the night—with most stores open for pick-up and delivery until 1 a.m. or later—making it the ultimate late-night hot spot. Whether Insomniacs are studying late, retiring from a night out, or simply craving something sweet, Insomnia is always there for them with a warm, delicious cookie. Find your closest Insomnia Cookies location here, and check out Insomnia’s global social channels in Canada and the UK to find the latest deal information.

About Insomnia Cookies

Insomnia Cookies is a rapidly expanding late-night bakery concept headquartered in Philadelphia, PA. Founded at the University of Pennsylvania by then-student Seth Berkowitz, Insomnia Cookies has been feeding the insatiable hunger of loyal Insomniacs since 2003. Today, with more than 300 locations nationwide, Insomnia Cookies offers a wide variety of delicious cookies, ice cream, and other sweet treats in-store, for local delivery, and nationwide shipping. Details about Insomnia’s menu, delivery, and nationwide shipping options can be found here (late-night delivery until 1 a.m. or later). To place an order or learn more about Insomnia Cookies, visit www.InsomniaCookies.com. Keep up-to-date on the latest cookie news and grand opening deals by following Insomnia Cookies on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok.

Media Contact: 

Kathleen Dwyre
Kathleen.dwyre@clynch.com

Morehouse College joins Bowie State University and Delaware State University this fall semester, as FICO launches its second annual analytics challenge to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in data science

BOZEMAN, Mont. – September 9, 2024 – FICO (NYSE: FICO)

Highlights:

• The FICO® Educational Analytics Challenge expands to include students from Morehouse College, Bowie State University, and Delaware State University, with more HBCUs to participate in the spring semester.
• For the 2024-25 school year, the real-world analytics challenge will focus on financial fraud detection, helping students identify anomalies and fraud features leveraged in a real-time fraud detection model.
• Students will learn how responsible AI techniques are crucial to protect and safely advance analytic practices.

Global analytics software leader, FICO announced today the second year of its FICO® Educational Analytics Challenge program created for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The semester-long program features remote mentoring from FICO’s leading data scientists and in-person lectures by FICO’s Chief Analytics Officer, Dr. Scott Zoldi. This year, FICO is bringing the program to students at Morehouse College and continuing its work with Bowie State University and Delaware State University. Additional HBCU schools will participate in the spring semester starting in January 2025 as the program expands from its pilot phase.

“Diverse viewpoints and voices are necessary to develop any AI that is unbiased. FICO is doing something to address that need and working directly with students at HBCUs to encourage a more diverse future of data scientists. The Educational Analytics Challenge program not only empowers students to get a real-world experience with data analytics, but also to learn the fundamentals of building responsible, auditable, and ethical AI models to protect and safely advance AI practices for future generations,” said Dr. Scott Zoldi, Chief Analytics Officer at FICO.

Following the successful 2023-24 FICO Educational Analytics Challenge program year, students at Morehouse College, Bowie State University, and Delaware State University will turn their attention to a new set of challenges focused on AI, analytics, and financial fraud detection.

As part of this year’s program, students will be tasked with joining the fight against transaction fraud. Criminals today often commit financial fraud by mimicking legitimate banking behavior to secure billions in customer funds, and banks need to leverage real-time behavioral analytics and machine learning models to identify and prevent fraud. The Educational Analytics Challenge participants will use transactional behavior analytics to design and build their own real-time fraud detection models to identify anomalies and suspicious banking activity. Their models should be capable of being operationalized in the fight against fraud.

“Our partnership with FICO will give rising Morehouse Men the opportunity to sharpen their analytical skills and use their creativity and intellect to address a real-world problem in banking — transaction fraud,” said Alfred Watkins, Ph.D., Chair of the Computer Science Department at Morehouse College. “It is my hope that this fraud detection design competition will fuel a passion for data science in our students that inspires them to seek careers in the growing field of analytics, which is in dire need of their diverse backgrounds, experiences, and insights.”

“FICO’s work with the HBCU Partnership Challenge over the last year is an exceptional example of how public-private partnerships can work to provide mutual benefits while strengthening HBCU institutions,” said Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D., representing North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District. “FICO is impacting the lives of students, helping to build a strong representation of diversity across the data science community and to better prepare them to meet the changing needs of the workforce for generations to come,” concluded Congresswoman Adams.

In addition to hosting the competition, the FICO Educational Analytics Challenge also provides participating HBCUs with financial support to enhance analytics instruction and career resources so that students will learn more about opportunities available to them after graduation. For more information about how HBCUs can get involved in the FICO Educational Analytics Challenge, please contact Seyi Mclelland at SeyiMclelland@fico.com.

To learn more about the Educational Analytics Challenge:

• Scott Zoldi for Forbes Tech Council — Developing The Next Generation Of Data Scientists
• Scott Zoldi for FICO Blog — Using AI and Data Science to Fight Bias and Drive Opportunities
• HBCU Partnership Challenge — Congresswoman Alma Adams Celebrates FICO and Echo360 Joining HBCU Partnership Challenge

About FICO

FICO (NYSE: FICO) powers decisions that help people and businesses around the world prosper. Founded in 1956, the company is a pioneer in the use of predictive analytics and data science to improve operational decisions. FICO holds more than 200 US and foreign patents on technologies that increase profitability, customer satisfaction and growth for businesses in financial services, insurance, telecommunications, health care, retail and many other industries. Using FICO solutions, businesses in more than 100 countries do everything from protecting 4 billion payment cards from fraud, to improving financial inclusion, to increasing supply chain resiliency. The FICO® Score, used by 90% of top US lenders, is the standard measure of consumer credit risk in the US and has been made available in over 40 other countries, improving risk management, credit access and transparency.

Learn more at https://www.fico.com/en.
Join the conversation at https://x.com/FICO_corp & https://www.fico.com/blogs/
For FICO news and media resources, visit https://www.fico.com/en/newsroom.
FICO is a registered trademark of Fair Isaac Corporation in the U.S. and other countries.

Contact

Jessica Butalla
press@fico.com

Free legal helpline has gained pro bono support from 40+ law firms, 250+ individual practitioners since launching in November 2023

September 3, 2024 – Hillel International, ADL (the Anti-Defamation League), the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP today announced that the Campus Antisemitism Legal Line (CALL) has received more than 650 requests for assistance from university students across the country who experienced antisemitic harassment, violence or discrimination in the first nine months of the program.

Through CALL, lawyers from leading firms provide free assistance to students reporting antisemitic discrimination and hate by conducting in-depth information-gathering interviews and offering pro bono representation in cases of violations of students’ civil rights under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act. Since CALL’s launch, nearly 100 attorneys from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP and 40 other law firms fielded students’ requests for help. More than 250 individual practitioners also volunteered their time to support Jewish students.

Examples of CALL’s work on behalf of students include:

• Providing legal support to a Jewish student at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst who was verbally harassed and physically assaulted because he was supportive of Israel and the hostages taken in the Hamas attack on Oct. 7.
• After Jewish students attending The Ohio State University were assaulted, CALL worked with Jewish partner organizations to file a Title VI complaint.
• As a result of a CALL intake, ADL and the Brandeis Center filed a Title VI complaint alleging the Pomona College administration failed to protect Jewish students as anti-Israel organizations held on-campus protests in violation of college regulations that resulted in physical violence, intimidation, and occupation of campus buildings.
• CALL drafted a letter to Princeton University leadership condemning the use of no-contact orders to silence a Jewish student journalist trying to report on anti-Israel protests. This led Princeton to change its policy so that these no-contact orders could no longer be issued under such circumstances and affirmed that the student would not face consequences for her journalism.

“As antisemitism on campus skyrockets, CALL is making a difference in the lives of Jewish students every day by providing outstanding legal support to fight harassment and  bigotry,” said Jonathan Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director. “CALL empowers students to take action and push back against those who perpetrate and enable hate on their campus.”

So far, CALL has received a wide variety of antisemitic incident reports including physical assaults; in-person and online harassment; exclusion from student organizations and other educational opportunities on campus; harassment, discrimination, and improper political indoctrination from professors in the classroom;  protestors who confront and harass Jewish and Israeli students on campus; vandalism and unauthorized removal of hostage and pro-Israel posters on campus; disruptions of regular classroom instruction and events sponsored by Jewish and pro-Israel organizations; and retaliatory bad faith complaints filed against Jewish students through universities’ internal grievance processes.

“We know that addressing the scourge of antisemitism requires a multifaceted approach, and I am proud of the critical role that the Campus Antisemitism Legal Line has played during the past year,” said Adam Lehman, president and CEO of Hillel International. “As a complement to our broader work supporting Jewish life on campus and addressing antisemitism, CALL offers an essential tool for Jewish students to get the help they need from leading legal experts to protect their civil rights.”

Recognizing the mounting concerns about the upcoming school year, the CALL helpline remains ready to assist and support Jewish students who face antisemitic incidents on campus. Students, family members, faculty, or staff members can go to the CALL website or text “CALLhelp” to 51555 to report incidents of antisemitic discrimination, intimidation, harassment, vandalism, or violence that may necessitate legal action.

“The law is a powerful motivator and an essential tool in the effort to combat antisemitism and protect Jewish students from harassment and discrimination on campus,” said Alyza D. Lewin, president of the Brandeis Center. “Through CALL, we have educated students on their legal rights, demanded universities meet their legal obligations, and perhaps most importantly, come together as a community in strength to empower and protect our students. They know that if they have the courage and confidence to wear their Jewish identity proudly, and they come under attack for that, we will have their back.”

During the 2023-2024 academic year, colleges and universities saw more than 1,400 antisemitic incidents on campuses – by far the highest number of antisemitic incidents in a single school year ever on record according to ADL and Hillel International tracking. Following the Oct. 7 attack, a survey by Hillel and ADL found that 73 percent of Jewish college students and 44 percent of non-Jewish students experienced or witnessed antisemitism on their campuses last fall.”We’re grateful to be part of this important effort to help victims of campus antisemitism. Gibson Dunn is committed to combating antisemitism and all forms of hate and intolerance,” said Barbara Becker, Gibson Dunn Chair and Managing Partner.

CALL’s supporting organizations include Alpha Epsilon Phi, Alpha Epsilon Pi, the American Jewish Committee, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the Jewish Agency for Israel, Jewish on Campus, the Jewish Federations of North America, JGO: The Jewish Grad Organization (formerly JGSI), the Israel on Campus Coalition, the Israeli-American Council, Masa, Olami, the OU Jewish Learning Initiative on Campus, Sigma Alpha Mu, Sigma Delta Tau, and Zeta Beta Tau.

A separate legal helpline providing pro bono legal assistance to parents whose children are experiencing antisemitism in California’s K-12 schools is run by the Brandeis Center, ADL, and StandWithUs, along with four leading law firms. Parents and other interested adults in California can report incidents of antisemitic discrimination, intimidation, harassment, vandalism or violence occurring in K-12 schools to the Legal Protection K-12 Helpline.

About ADL

ADL is the leading anti-hate organization in the world. Founded in 1913, its timeless mission is “to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all.” Today, ADL continues to fight all forms of antisemitism and bias, using innovation and partnerships to drive impact. A global leader in combating antisemitism, countering extremism and battling bigotry wherever and whenever it happens, ADL works to protect democracy and ensure a just and inclusive society for all. More at www.adl.org.

About Hillel International

Founded in 1923, Hillel has been impacting the lives of Jewish college students for 100 years. Today, Hillel International is a global organization that welcomes students of all backgrounds and fosters an enduring commitment to Jewish life, learning, and Israel. As the largest Jewish student organization in the world, Hillel builds connections with students at more than 850 colleges and universities. During their formative college years, students are inspired to explore, experience, and create vibrant Jewish lives.

About the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law
The Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law is an independent, unaffiliated, nonprofit corporation established to advance the civil and human rights of the Jewish people and promote justice for all. LDB engages in research, education, and legal advocacy to combat the resurgence of anti-Semitism on college and university campuses, in the workplace, and elsewhere. It empowers students by training them to understand their legal rights and educates administrators and employers on best practices to combat racism and anti-Semitism. The Brandeis Center is not affiliated with the Massachusetts university, the Kentucky law school, or any of the other institutions that share the name and honor the memory of the late U.S. Supreme Court justice. More at www.brandeiscenter.com.

About Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher LLP is a leading international law firm.  Consistently ranking among the world’s top law firms in industry surveys and major publications, Gibson Dunn is distinctively positioned in today’s global marketplace with more than 1,800 lawyers and 20 offices, including Abu Dhabi, Beijing, Brussels, Century City, Dallas, Denver, Dubai, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Munich, New York, Orange County, Palo Alto, Paris, San Francisco, Singapore, and Washington, D.C.  For more information on Gibson Dunn, please visit our website.

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Contact: ADLMedia@adl.org

New AI-Powered 2024-25 Academic Calendar Directory Includes Calendars from Over 100 Colleges, Including Stanford, Harvard, and NYU, Ready for Immediate Use

San Francisco, CA – (September 3, 2024) – A new academic year is beginning, and with it comes the daunting task that students, parents, and faculty know all too well: manually entering every important academic date into personal calendars. Whether it’s adding class schedules, breaks, deadlines, or add/drop dates, the process is time-consuming, frustrating, and all too familiar. This tedious task is more than just a nuisance—it’s an annual ritual of lost time.

But there’s good news this year. Agenda Hero, known for simplifying calendars, is changing the game with the launch of its AI-powered 2024-25 Academic Calendar Directory. Using its Magic AI tool, Agenda Hero has converted academic calendars from over 100 colleges—including Stanford, Harvard, NYU, and UC Berkeley—into formats that can be instantly added to Google, Outlook, and Apple Calendars.

“Agenda Hero lets me add all important dates to my calendar with one click,” says Amy Chang, a rising senior at Stanford University. “It’s not just a calendar tool—Agenda Hero addresses the invisible labor of planning and tracking. I love the ethos behind it.”

Imagine the time saved: A university with 50,000 students, each spending just a minute per event to enter a 30-event calendar into their personal calendar. That’s 25,000 hours of work. To put it in perspective, that’s over 1,041 days—nearly three years of continuous, round-the-clock effort—wasted on a task that Agenda Hero now solves. And that’s just one university.

“College is a time to live life fully and explore new paths. If we can give students more time to do that, Agenda Hero has done its job,” says Caren Cioffi, CEO of Agenda Hero.

The benefits don’t stop at academic calendars. Agenda Hero Magic will convert emails, flyers, images, and text into calendar events, ensuring no important date is missed throughout the school year.

“As a busy student who leads clubs, manages Greek Life activities, attends campus events, and more, I love Agenda Hero,” explains Imgard Bonheur, a rising Senior at Stanford University. “It lets me take a photo of any event flyer and automatically add it to my calendar, making it easy to stay involved in all that college offers.”

The days of manually creating calendar events are over. Explore the 2024-25 College Calendars Directory at https://agendahero.com/2024-2025-us-college-calendars. To add your college calendar to the growing list, reach out to support@agendahero.com.

About Agenda Hero:
Agenda Hero helps people spend less time managing calendars and more time enjoying what’s in them. Using AI, Agenda Hero converts text, PDFs, images, flyers, and emails into calendar events. For more information, visit https://agendahero.com.

For Media Inquiries:
media@agendahero.com

Philip Phillips, Ph.D., professor of English and associate dean of the university honors college at Middle Tennessee State University, was recently elected to serve as president-elect for The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi—the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines.

The election took place immediately following the 2024 Phi Kappa Phi Biennial Convention, held virtually Aug.1-2.

During his 2024-2026 term as president-elect, Phillips will serve on the Society’s 12-person board of directors. His election represents a six-year commitment to the Society including successive terms as president and past president.

“I am fully committed, both personally and professionally, to the mission of The Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi,” Phillips said during his remarks to delegates at the Society’s convention. “I know firsthand the value of recognizing and promoting academic excellence, and especially supporting the scholarship, creative activity, study abroad opportunities, and community service projects of our students who represent the full range of disciplines,” he said.

Initiated into Phi Kappa Phi as a faculty member at MTSU in 2011, Phillips has been an active leader of Phi Kappa Phi at the local and national levels. He served on the Phi Kappa Phi board of directors from 2018-2020 and again from 2022-2024. He has been a member of the bylaws committee, finance and budget committee, fellowship committee, and the strategic planning taskforce.

“I am thankful for the presence of our president-elect, Philip Phillips, whose dedication and new ideas continue to invigorate our national board,” said Society President Sharhonda Rush. “Phi Kappa Phi’s governance structure thrives on the close collaboration among the president, past president, and president-elect. This teamwork ensures seamless and resilient leadership that continues to propel Phi Kappa Phi forward.”

Phillips holds both master’s and doctoral degrees in English from Vanderbilt University, and a B.A., also in English, from Belmont University. At MTSU, he has served as graduate admissions director for the English department and chair of the academic master plan committee for the university. He serves as immediate past president of his chapter. Outside the university, he has been a member of both the diversity and research committees of the National Collegiate Honors Council, a member of the editorial board of The Edgar Allan Poe Review, and founder and director of the Great Books in Middle Tennessee Prisons program.

About Phi Kappa Phi
Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest and most selective collegiate honor society for all academic disciplines. Phi Kappa Phi inducts approximately 20,000 students, faculty, professional staff, and alumni annually. The Society has chapters on more than 300 select colleges and universities in the United States, its territories, and the Philippines. Membership is by invitation only to the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students and 7.5 percent of juniors. In special cases, students with an exceptional GPA, and faculty, professional staff, and alumni who achieve scholarly distinction may also qualify. The Society’s mission is to “cultivate a community that celebrates and advances the love of learning.”  For more information, visit www.PhiKappaPhi.org.

Media Contact
Hope Lemoine
Marketing Coordinator
hlemoine@phikappaphi.org
225-923-7781