Author: Emily Gautreaux

The Sales Program at Nicholls Receives Critical Acclaim

Once again the professional sales program at Nicholls State University has been named one of the best in the nation by a national sales publication, according to a press release from the school.

The critical acclaim comes from the Sales Education Foundation, a non-profit that has been offering support, information, and guidance to universities and prospective students alike since 2007. The 2021 edition of Sales Education Foundation Annual Magazine praised the professional sales education programs of several universities, and Nicholls was one of the five Louisiana institutions to top the list. The other schools were Southeastern Louisiana University, Louisiana State University, The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, and  Xavier University of Louisiana.

The publication praised Nicholls’ College of Business Administration for its specialization, sales lab, and job replacement rate of 80%. Specifically, SEF’s publication said of the school, “this program utilizes a professional, corporate-style training facility including five role-play rooms that enhance the sales and behavioral skills of students in the program. Nicholls also has a cross-disciplinary degree program with Finance to prepare students for a career in Financial Services Marketing.”

While students who are enrolled in the College of Business Administration can earn degrees in  Accounting, Business Administration, Computer Information Systems, Finance, Management, and Marketing, it’s the two latter programs that often attract students across the school’s various departments.

Laura Valenti, the assistant professor of marketing and a faculty sales advisor, told Nicholls press that the Marketing program often attracts students of various disciplines. The acclaimed program is known to attract more than marketing students with students earning degrees in human resources, mass communications, and music who have benefitted from the faculty, curriculum, and resources from the department over the years.

The College of Business Administration holds an accreditation from the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the world’s largest business education alliance and the gold standard in quality accreditations for all Colleges of Business. In fact, less than 5% of Colleges across the world hold this accreditation, and the College of Business Administration at Nicholls State University has held this respected distinction for over 30 years.

Valenti said of her department, “this program is unique because it embraces the diversity of the Nicholls student. Personal selling is a universal skill set and all are welcome to learn in the sales class. The outcome is a student who in three months can approach the real world with the ability to sell themselves as well as a product or service.”

Also praised by the SEF was the school’s Annual Bayou Sales Challenge, a regional, intercollegiate sales competition hosted by the College of Business each spring. The annual sales challenge is famous in the state for offering an opportunity for students who are interested in pursuing a sales career to showcase their professional selling skills through role-play. The 2021 competition saw competitors from Florida State University, Louisiana State University, Nicholls State University, Southeastern Louisiana University, and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.

The Bayou Sales Challenge began in 2003 after Nicholls’ state-of-the-art and interactive sales lab was built thanks to a generous donation from Northwestern Mutual. This past February marked the 17th year of competition as participating universities sent their top sales students to showcase their sales talent and knowledge in front of company representatives who served as judges of the competition.

For more education-related information, click here.

 

 

 

Instant Pot Pork Chop Recipe

A savory pork chop dinner is a reliable staple of any American dinner table, and thanks to this recipe from Food52  that prepares a mean pork chop meal with a sauce of mushrooms and Parmesan, it’s never been easier to cook an outstanding, traditional suppertime classic in an instant pot.

This recipe utilizes the invention that has truly revolutionized the kitchen industry and cooking landscape alike: the Instant Pot pressure cooker. As this appliance is able to sear, brown, sauté, and sear foods in practically no time at all thanks to its pressurized cooking system, you can cut half the guesswork out of cooking and focus on your ingredients, preparation, and playing instead.

Ingredients

2 lbs of two bone-in pork chops (approximately 1 ½ inch thick)

1 ½ teaspoons of kosher salt (divided)

¾ teaspoons of freshly ground black pepper (divided)

½ cup all-purpose flour

3 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil (divided)

8 ounces of cremini or baby Bella mushrooms (sliced)

2 cloves of garlic (minced)

½ cup of dry white wine

½ cup of low-sodium chicken stock

1 teaspoon of cornstarch

¼ cup of heavy cream

2 cups of baby spinach

¼ cup of freshly grated Parmesan cheese

1 teaspoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice

¼ teaspoon of red pepper flakes

Recipe:

  1. Begin preparing your pork chops by rubbing 1 tsp. kosher salt and ½ tsp black pepper onto the edges and both sides of each pork chop. Then, dredge (or thoroughly dip) each pork chop into your flour, ensuring that both sides are evenly coated. Afterward you may discard any unused flour.
  2. Turn on your Instant Pot’s Sauté setting, then set it to that and heat 1 tbsp of your vegetable oil in it. Once the oil is shimmering, be sure to add one pork chop at a time and cook it until it is golden brown on both sides. This should take approximately 3 minutes per side. Once cooked, transfer the seared pork chops to a plate, setting it aside.
  3. Add your remaining two tablespoons of olive oil to the Instant Pot, heating it before you add your mushrooms. You’ll want to cook the mushrooms until they are softened, which will take about 4 minutes. When this is achieved, add your garlic and cook the minced cloves until they are quite fragrant (about 30 seconds). Season the pot with your remaining ½ tsp kosher salt and ¼ teaspoon of black pepper. Add your white wine in order to deglaze the pot and use a wooden spoon to scrape up any browned bits found at the bottom of the pot. Stir in your chicken stock, thus combining all of your ingredients.
  4. If you’re using a newer model of Instant Pot such as an 8-quart capacity model, be sure to remove the inner pot at this stage and let it cool for 5 to 10 minutes prior to the pressure cooking step. This will help you to avoid potential burns during the cooking process.
  5. At this point you may return both pork chops and any accumulated juices to the Instant Pot. When placing your pork chops inside, position your two bones into the sauce in opposite directions so that they may each fit evenly inside.Lock your lid and set the pot to Manual (high pressure) for five minutes. After this time, open the valve completely to quickly release all remaining pressure.
  6. Remove your pork chops and place them on a serving platter. Create a slurry by combining your cornstarch and cream before adding it to the pot. Thicken the sauce by gently warming the Instant Pot’s contents as they cook on the Sauté setting. As your sauce warms, stir in your baby spinach, Parmesan, lemon juice, and red pepper flakes. Allow your spinach to wilt slightly and then spoon your sauce over your pork chops.
  7. Serve and enjoy!

For more delicious recipes, click here.

 

 

2021 Summer Travel Trends

In a normal year, it’s always beneficial to observe the latest travel trends at the start of the summer vacation, but this year it seems especially beneficial to observe summer travel trends and take note thanks to these analyzed travel trends from TravelPulse.

With travel restrictions being continually lifted across the United States (check the latest CDC travel advisories here), many new trends are starting to emerge that differ from previous patterns. Staff writers at Travel Pulse have analyzed travel data from a report released by the travel services company Amadeus. The trends that have emerged from the analysis report show new tendencies that are directly attributed to traversing in a post-quarantine landscape.

Workcations

One summer travel trend that has emerged is that more and more guests are booking vacations within a longer timeframe. While this statistical trend could indicate that more and more vacationers have come into more lucrative employment opportunities, it likely indicates that more vacationers are instead working remotely while on vacation. For instance, the travel services company cited “that the Caribbean is an appealing destination for travelers who are planning a workcation, with a 43 percent increase in the number of searches for 14-plus day stays compared to the same period in 2019.”

Amadaus’ research indicated that more travelers have searched for extended stay trips that include sleeping accommodations for greater than 8 days- as long as the resort also includes consistent wi-fi access. This upward trend of “workcations” is certainly expected since many private and public businesses have adapted a work-from-home business model in light of the pandemic, as it benefits both the worker and employer. So, if your job allows you to complete your work tasks remotely, only attend meetings that are absolutely essential, and respond to a portion of your emails during a designated “workcation” period, then more and more 2021 travelers might be booking an extended trip to the beach.

Revenge Travel

Simply stated, after a harrowing year of isolation, social distancing, and quarantine, many are using this newfound (but health-conscious) freedom as a chance to vacation both for 2021 and for the lost vacation of 2020; hence the term “revenge travel” has emerged. Seen as an answer to cabin fever or the restlessness that is felt when kept “cooped up inside” for days at a time, this summer travel trend has more and more vacationers booking trips in the world’s most popular vacation destinations. The interest in these locations indicates that travelers are more interested in the “better vacation spots” in order to atone of the lack of relaxation that occurred during the social distancing year.

Amadeus reported that “ people are booking these trips to top destinations such as Cancun, which the company found had skyrocketed from being outside the top 50 most searched destinations to now number four globally.”

Travel Bubbles

One trend that has been inspired by the pandemic but also the inclination to protect others is that of the “travel bubble.” This is known as the tendency for larger groups to book a stay together to a particular destination. Many times these destinations offer monetary or accommodational incentives if the group booking the trip can provide copies of a recent, negative COVID-19 test or vaccination card. Data from Amadeaus indicates that the company of travel insiders and analysts have “seen a 66 percent increase in searches from around the world for two-week trips to the Maldives compared to the same period in 2019.

Environmentally-Conscious Traveling

Lastly, the data acquired by Amadeaus seems to indicate that more and more vacationers are spending additional hours researching their destinations before booking a stay. “Its data suggests that people are researching their trips 27 percent earlier than they did in the same period in 2019.” The company attributes this increased time to wanting to vacation in a location that is both environmentally and socially conscious, but some may view that assumption as a bit of a stretch, given that the travelers could also be ensuring that their trip is health-conscious. No matter the meaning, the 27 percent increase in researching possible destinations is definitely a positive trend that should occur regardless.

For more travel-related news and information, click here.

 

Amtrak Releases 2035 Vision

More and more Americans may be choosing to travel across the country via train instead of car or plane, according to a TravelPulse article that details the vision set forth by Amtrak.

The expectation for more and more Americans to begin “riding the rails” comes from Amtrak, the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, who released their Amtrak Corridor Vision in May 2021. The thorough, 76-page document (which can be read here) promised to bring more trains, station routes, serviceable cities, and better service by the year 2035.

The total vision outlines a plan to not only introduce up to 39 new routes to those already offered by Amtrak but to also potentially enhance over two dozen existing routes and improve service in major cities that the company sees as underutilized and “underserved by rail.” These cities receiving the proposed improvement would include Houston, Texas; Atlanta, Georgia; and Cincinnati, Ohio.

Another goal proposed by the company is to “bring new intercity passenger rail service” to cities that have had either extremely limited or nonexistent train service before now. These cities receiving the rail service installation would be those like Wichita, Kansas; Phoenix, Arizona; Columbus, Ohio; Nashville, Tennessee; and Las Vegas, Nevada.

Operating under a rebranding over the past decade, Amtrak primarily operates under the moniker “Amtrak Connect US,” and its recently announced proposal, known as the “Amtrak Corridor Vision” is expected to produce an $8 billion annual benefit to the economy by 2035. This would be in addition to an additional $195 billion accumulated through capital investments made over the next 15 years, thus bringing a near $200 billion economic activity to the United States.

CEO of Amtrak Bill Flynn released a statement alongside the company’s Corridor Vision in which he outlined the impact of proper investment in the nation’s railroad systems by saying, “new and improved rail service has the ability to change how our country moves and provides cleaner air, less traffic, and a more connected country.”

Amtrak’s initiative has gained hefty online support from consumers participating in regular, routine travel; this is due to the fact that national support has begun to swing toward railway transportation as it’s often seen as a cheaper, safer, and less worrisome alternative to flying. When compared to traveling America by automobile or airplane, train-based travel doesn’t have the extra fees, gridlock traffic, or unpredictable weather delays that are all-too-common with road trips and air travel.

Apart from garnering support from individual consumers, Amtrak’s proposal also has attracted the attention of policymakers, legislators, and those in support of environmental conservation as the presented expansion of Amtrak’s services will reportedly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Traveling on Amtrak trains outside of its populated Northeast Corridor produces up to 55% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than driving and up to 30% fewer emissions than flying. Released by Amtrak last year in an effort to outline its efforts toward environmental sustainability in the future, the company stated in its FY2020 Sustainability Report that they had reduced their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 31 percent since 2010 and further planned to reduce that amount by an additional 9% by 2030.

Remarking on the vision he foresaw for the company’s environmental impact, Flynn stated, “by investing in innovative equipment and new technologies, protecting vital rail infrastructure from climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and expanding access to new communities, we can work together to create a future where intercity rail is operated on clean energy. Investment decisions made today position us to achieve these goals. These visions and our strong sustainability story continue to evolve and grow every year.”

In order to better prepare yourself for the likely changes coming cross-country traversal, consider traveling by train on your next vacation outing, and you’ll be railway-acclimated before you know it.

For more travel-related news and information, click here.

 

3 Packet Cooking Recipes that are Perfect for Camping and Meal Prepping

For those in search of simpler cooking methods, a new trend called “packet cooking” is becoming increasingly more popular, but thankfully it’s also become easier to navigate thanks to this recipe blog from The Washington Post.

For the uninitiated, “packet cooking” is essentially an individualized form of meal prep that has culinary participants cooking a meal and quickly wrapping portions inside of aluminum foil for consumption at a nearby, later date. Now, the placing of portioned meals inside of foil isn’t a completely new concept, and it may even be such an obvious venture that many would prefer to utilize the nearby premium Tupperware set. By quickly sealing your fresh ingredients inside a sheet of aluminum foil, you’re essentially guaranteeing that the dish will continue to cook through the incredibly effective kitchen practice of steaming.

The steaming of your portioned meals ensures that your more delicate proteins (like fish) are going to be cooked for an extended period of time, but the steaming process also traps moisture inside its metallic walls, thus ensuring no dry food dishes once you unwrap. The aluminum foil wrapping helps herbs, spices, and aromas blend together in a more significant way, and the cleanup processes are practically nonexistent as everything is self-contained. This is why “packet cooking” is becoming a hard-to-beat kitchen trend for those portioning out leftovers alongside dinner plates as well as those going on a camping trip. That being said, enjoy these packet-ready recipes from the culinary blog archives of The Washington Post.

Potato and Prosciutto Packets

This powerful, simple recipe takes proper advantage of the aluminum foil packaging by essentially steaming Yukon Gold Potatoes with the flavor and aroma of creamy goat cheese and You’ll begin by oiling the potatoes with extra-virgin olive oil and tossing them with salt, pepper, and rosemary before cooking them beneath the thick slices of prosciutto and hefty goat cheese dollops. Next, you’ll essentially pack up each potato for approximately 35 minutes on a grill, only to remove it when each piece can be easily pierced with a fork. You then have a decision to make; you can immediately eat the potatoes, let them continue to cook in the foil for consumption later in the day, or save the packets in the refrigerator for later in the week.

Mixed Grill Packets with Sausages, Vegetables, and Corn

Just in time for summer is this simple and tasty dish that can be used as a standalone dish or a great filling for some sausage and vegetable quesadillas. This recipe has cooks using around two pounds of their preferred turkey or pork sausage and cooking it alongside zucchini, corn, bell peppers, and onion. When cooking, you’ll add the herbal taste and aroma from freshly minced thyme and freshly grated garlic; both ingredients will only continue to infuse with your sausage and vegetables once you portion your ingredients in aluminum foil or parchment paper for a powerful protein kick on your next hike!

Seafood and Summer Corn Packet Ragout

Instead of packeting this dish in aluminum foil, this recipe has you cook your seafood in parchment paper, and the packets can be assembled and refrigerated up to six hours in advance. These packets are made with approximately 15 inches of parchment paper on which you’ll place a corn mixture topped with a butter square, an herbal medley, and the seafood trio of shrimp, mussels, and sea scallops. The corn mixture (made up of shucked corn, tomatoes, onion, jalapeño, oil, hot sauce, salt, pepper, and lemon juice) stands as a perfect base for the seafood and herbs while also absorbing all of the juices produced by the latter during the cooking process. For an added, delicious taste, be sure to save some of the herbal blend for a garnish that can be sprinkled atop once these packeted “ragouts” are brought tableside.

For more delicious recipes, click here.

Louisiana’s SmartPort Initiative Receives U.S. Dept. of Commerce Award

Governor John Bel Edwards recently announced that SmartPort, the initiative to rejuvenate the state’s Mississippi River ports with the latest in maritime technology, received a $1.6 million grant from the United States Economic Development Administration.

State and port partners matched the $1.6 million federal award for a total of $3 million that will directly contribute to the SmartPort Initiative and thus streamline port operations significantly as well as improve safety practices. Supporting the project alongside Louisiana Economic Development (LED) are the Port of New Orleans, the Port of South Louisiana, the Port of Greater Baton Rouge, and a multitude of other ports and warehouses along the lower Mississippi River.

The SmartPort Initiative was originally announced in July 2020, but this latest influx of $3 million in grant and award funds will inject massive momentum into a project that has the potential to revolutionize one of the state’s most valuable resources, the ports along the Mississippi River.

In addition to those ports previously mentioned as leading stakeholders in the SmartPort initiative, the recently announced grant will also be able to support the launch of the program at the Port of Vidalia, Madison Parish Port, St. Bernard Port, Lake Providence Port, and Plaquemine Port.

Justin Ehrenwerth, president and CEO of The Water Institute, an independent, non-profit Baton Rouge research institution that partnered with the state on the initiative, commented that they were “honored to partner with the State of Louisiana, our world-class network of Mississippi River ports and the Economic Development Administration on SmartPort. Together, we will create innovative new tools while leveraging decades of knowledge and investment to manage the Mississippi River for navigation, flood risk reduction, and coastal restoration purposes. We look forward to sharing this knowledge with our state and federal partners as we collectively bring a holistic perspective to the river.”

One essential aim of the initiative is to improve safety measures and practices through the use of real-time data that is shared by port administrators, shippers, tenants, and cargo, ground, and warehouse transportation providers. With the up-to-the-minute data being shared among the most important port stakeholders, productivity will increase significantly, thus ensuring a safer working environment. Further contributing to safety, the program will also support efforts for the proposed river diversion project as well as comprehensively evaluate risk factors along the Mississippi river such as coastal issues, flood risks, and navigation.

One tool that will be added to the Louisiana port arsenal thanks to the SmartPort program will be a decision support tool that is able to forecast waves and shoaling at port facilities along the Mississippi River; this will vastly aid efforts in both port navigation and operations. The tool, known as the Real-Time Shoaling Forecast Tool, will be part of a larger suite of weather, river, and road traffic analytic resources that aim to improve port efficiency and support the ports from threatening natural disasters and/or economic uncertainties. The Shoaling Forecast Tool was originally instituted by the Port of New Orleans, and the SmartPort program’s recent multi-million dollar infusion will only build upon that indispensable work.

Governor Edwards said of the historic initiative, “with the SmartPort initiative, Louisiana is taking a major leading role in bringing technological efficiencies to maritime commerce,” said Gov. Edwards. “Louisianans are keenly aware of the vital role the Mississippi River plays in our history, our economic successes, and our future. This grant from the U.S. Economic Development Administration is an affirmation that they, too, understand the role that safe, efficient river-based transportation plays in the broader U.S. economy. With the support of ports along the river, the SmartPort program will help us set a new standard for safety and emergency management.”

For more Louisiana-related articles, click here.