Excelsior Course, Success Strategies for Military and Veterans, Receives 2010-2011 Innovation Award from CENTSS, a National Student Service Organization

Albany, N.Y. (Jan. 4, 2011) -- An Excelsior College course designed to guide veterans and military students in college and career planning has earned a 2010-2011 first-place Innovation Award from the Center for Transforming Student Services (CENTSS).

Excelsior's Success Strategies for Military and Veterans won the award in the category of “personal services suite,” which emphasizes orientation, career counseling, financial planning and placement services. This course was developed through the collaborative efforts of the Excelsior College Center for Military Education, Office of Online Education and Learning Services, and the School of Liberal Arts.

“Excelsior College is honored to receive recognition for a course we consider to be the front door for military students and veterans who are simultaneously making life transitions and pursuing higher education,” said Excelsior Provost Dana Offerman. “We know that this course has made a big difference in the lives of many of our students.”

The course provides college orientation to veterans and military members, and teaches strategies for making successful career transitions from the military environment to the civilian workforce. The course includes a review of students’ military education and training, self-assessment activities, career research on job outlooks and employment trends, job search strategies and development of corresponding education and career action plans.

Nearly one-third of Excelsior’s nearly 29,000 students are active duty members of the military and veterans.

CENTSS is a nonprofit organization established in 2005 to provide assessment of online student services. The organization’s Student Service Audit serves as a strategic planning tool to institutions in improving online services. 

In December 2010, for the fourth year in a row, Military Advanced Education announced that Excelsior is again a top military-friendly college. In October  2010, Military Times Edge magazine also ranked Excelsior College as a “Best for Vets” College.  Excelsior College was the highest-ranked fully online college.

The Center for Transforming Student Services (CENTSS) provides educational institutions with the tools and training they need to develop and deliver high-quality student services online. Effectively implemented student services are a critical component of student retention, engagement, and satisfaction. Through CENTSS, institutions are able to blend the power of technology with the personal attention of traditional support services. 

Media Contact:
Ellen G. Lahr
Director of Communications
elahr@excelsior.edu