Albany, N.Y. (May 25, 2011) – The Capital District of New York chapter (CD-NY) of the Association of the United States Army has partnered with Excelsior College to add higher education as a benefit to AUSA members and their spouses.

The new partnership between the CD-NY chapter and Excelsior College, a nonprofit, regionally accredited distance education college in Albany, will provide reduced tuition and fees for Capital District members and their spouses. AUSA’s membership includes Active Duty, National Guard, and Reserve members of the Army and also civilians, retirees, government civilians, and veterans. In addition, the education benefits extend to CD-NY members’ spouses who wish to begin or complete their college education.

Capital District of New York Chapter President LTC(Ret.) Nick Laiacona said he’s extremely pleased with the new education partnership with Excelsior.

Excelsior College serves 30,000 students around the country and the world. Approximately 10,000 of Excelsior’s students are active duty members of the military and veterans. Excelsior has established several regional and national partnerships with organizations serving veterans and servicemembers.

Excelsior College President Dr. John Ebersole, a Vietnam-era veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard, commended the Capital District of New York AUSA chapter for adding education as a benefit for members.

"Education has a powerful impact on improving the quality of life for military members, veterans, and their families,” said Ebersole. "By partnering with Excelsior, AUSA's Capital District Chapter will be able to extend that impact to active duty military members, civilian army employees, veterans, and their spouses."

In addition, Excelsior is particularly accessible to CD-NY members who may wish to visit the campus to discuss education benefits in person.

Excelsior College’s credentials include:

• Excelsior's course, “Success Strategies for Military and Veterans,” earned the 2010-2011 Innovation Award from the Center for Transforming Student Services (CENTSS). The course provides college orientation to veterans and military members and teaches transition strategies for those entering the civilian workforce after a military career.
• Excelsior’s military academic advising team includes veterans who are uniquely attuned to the unique needs of military students, veterans, and their spouses.
• Susan Dewan, executive director of Excelsior’s Center for Military Education is the recipient of the 2011 William E. Kennedy Award from the Council of College and Military Educators (CCME), which recognizes leadership in providing online higher education programs to personnel at U.S. military installations.
• Excelsior President Ebersole is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran who served in Vietnam and received the Secretary of the Army Public Service Award in 2010 for his leadership in contributing to the Army’s educational mission.
• Excelsior College received the designation "Best for Vets" from Military Times Edge magazine.

AUSA’s national Web site includes membership information, and local chapter information