Sarah Stone of St. James, Missouri, earned a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology in 2024. She shares, “Upon completion of my degree, I accepted a position as the Missouri University of Science and Technology health physicist in the Environmental Health & Safety department.

Within two years of working in academia, I have become an active member within the Health Physics Society and volunteer in two groups: Public Information Committee and Women in Radiation Protection. I am also an atomic ambassador for Generation Atomic, where nuclear advocacy is a big focus. One of my advocacy avenues involves public postings on LinkedIn and Facebook. I have the nickname Your Friendly Neighborhood Health Physicist and am gaining followers each week.

I am still in the ‘early career’ phase, but I have many goals that I am chasing after, including certifications! Senior HP is a goal among many!”

Marc Sacco of Reading, Vermont, earned an Associate of Science in Nursing in 2008. Sacco is a nursing graduate, clinical nurse hypnotist, and recently published his latest book, A Man & A Machine: How a Human and an AI Built Two Films and Learned to Trust Each Other. After a 2023 bicycle accident left him with a traumatic brain injury disrupting the cognitive and language abilities that had defined both his nursing career and his earlier book, Verbal Medicine: The Language of Healing, Marc returned to creative writing through an unexpected six-week collaboration with Anthropic’s AI system, Claude. The result: two complete, WGA-registered feature screenplays, Gray Ops and The Corner of Fast and Easy, both of which are now competing nationally, as well as a book documenting the entire process. A Man & A Machine is available now on Amazon.

Rico Nelson of Columbus, Georgia, earned a Bachelor of Science in Business in 2022. He shares, “My story is a typical one, characterized by aspirations of selfless service. A value that has been a cornerstone of my life for as long as I can remember.

I firmly believe in having a purpose. Occasionally, that purpose is to selflessly give of oneself. My purpose was the well-being of my family and the defense of my country. After 20 years of service, I found it challenging to rediscover that purpose. Although retirement was well earned and relaxing, it wasn’t quite for me just yet.

After a brief hiatus of approximately four months, I revisited my Army tough box and retrieved my “I Love Me” book. I meticulously reviewed my documents to identify the most distinguished awards and citations with the intent to translate the military jargon into more comprehensible terms for future employment in the civilian sector.

Upon reviewing my documents and evaluations, I finalized my curriculum vitae (CV), which effectively conveyed high executive-level performance.

I successfully managed personnel, time, and government funds, all while minimizing equipment costs. I met all annual training requirements and managed resiliency programs. I maintained comprehensive company records, ensuring no accounts incurred delinquency. Furthermore, I cultivated a positive work environment devoid of discriminatory practices by implementing unique equal opportunity standards.

I utilized effective communication skills to narrow language barriers between foreign partners while serving abroad, which optimized workforce performance, resulting in shared goals being set and achieved. All of this during a career that spanned two decades, across three continents, and in some of the most austere living conditions.

This is the resume I submitted through USA Jobs. It took some time, but I was offered a position back in government service. Not on the front lines, or anything that required me to brandish a weapon. That skillset was not listed, and for good reason. Tinnitus has consistently hummed in my ear for several years now.

The interview with the agency went well. Once I accepted the job offer, I’ve received the best training from the best-qualified instructors, and this position kind of places me back on the front lines in a sense.

Upon successfully completing the requisite training and obtaining the necessary certifications, I was officially sworn in as a federal agent. I still find it to have been an honor to be sworn in as a federal officer, particularly considering the extensive time I dedicated on the enlisted side. I would often jest with my lieutenants about their age and lack of facial hair, remarking, ‘You cannot spell lost without the “L.T.”‘

I am not a United States Army officer; rather, I am an officer serving with the Transportation Security Administration.

As a Transportation Security Officer (TSO), I find myself in a unique position, dedicating myself to a cause that prioritizes the safety of the nation’s transportation system, passengers, and commerce.”

Marvin Williams of Pooler, Georgia, earned a Master of Science in Liberal Arts in 2005. He shares, “I completed my dissertation, “Do You See What I Hear?: The Effects of Musical Harmony on Cultural Perception and Recognition,” for my PhD from the Graduate School of Leadership and Change of Antioch University.

I currently serve as a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, the largest volunteer service and supplemental force to the Coast Guard. In my role as an auxiliarist, I have previously served as the flotilla and division diversity officer, attaining the National Commodore (NACO) 3-Star Award multiple times. For fun, I am also pursuing a civilian helicopter pilot license to further support the humanitarian objectives of the USCG. In addition, I am completing studies in law in pursuit of a Juris Doctor, with the goal to serve as an immigration, human rights, and tribal law advocate.

Whether as an author, lawyer, lecturer, or musician, to become as complete an advocate for the underrepresented and those who are struggling to find their place is the ultimate vision for my pursuits.”

Edward Samaro of Winter Haven, Florida, earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 1991. He shares, “I’m pleased to announce the publishing of my book, The Things I Teach My Patients. After graduating from Excelsior, I went on to complete a master’s degree in counseling psychology and have been practicing for 30 years in the state of Florida.”

Carolyn J. Mcdonald of Naples, Florida, earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 1989. She shares, “I really appreciate my degree. I had the courage to be a substitute teacher in Watertown, New York, when we lived there.”

Shreyas Bhatnagar of Houston, Texas, earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology in 2016 and was recently promoted to acting chief in the Office of Project Delivery at the Federal Railroad Administration.

Deljina Weber of New Milford, Connecticut, earned an Associates in Applied Science in Nursing in 2026. She shares, “My experience at Excelsior University was shaped by an extraordinary level of understanding and compassion. As a wife, a mom with young children, a working nurse, and a person navigating the realities of life and mental health, I felt genuinely seen, supported, and valued. Every instructor I encountered left a meaningful impact on me, and I will carry the lessons they taught into the world with pride and purpose. Excelsior’s flexibility allowed me to pursue my degree without sacrificing my family, and for that I am profoundly grateful. My two sons watched me grind, struggle, and refuse to give up, and this achievement has reshaped the future of our family in ways that will be felt for generations. I wholeheartedly recommend Excelsior University. If you are on the fence, just take the step — your future self will thank you.”