Excelsior University President David Schejbal spoke with Presidents Forum about Excelsior’s hybrid educational model that blends online learning with in-person labs and clinical experiences. President Schejbal details how Excelsior’s new site in St. Petersburg, Florida, expands nursing, cybersecurity, and electrical engineering programs while meeting workforce and military learner needs.
How To Stay on Mission During Organizational Stress
Scott Dolan, executive dean of Excelsior University’s College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, contributed to a Forbes Nonprofit Council article titled “How to Stay on Mission During Organizational Stress.” Dolan discusses leadership strategies and the importance of focused communication in times of change.
The Past, Present, and Future of Nuclear Technology
Nuclear technology has always felt futuristic—even in 1789 when Martin Klaproth discovered uranium. The German chemist named the brand-new element after Uranus, which just eight years prior had captivated the scientific community as the first planet to be discovered by telescope. While scientists of that era understood uranium had special properties, knowledge hadn’t advanced enough to harness its power. It wasn’t until the late 19th century that the world saw the genesis of nuclear technology as we know it today with the advent of X-rays and Marie and Pierre Curie’s work on the phenomenon they named radioactivity.
By 1938, the process of nuclear fission had been discovered, and less than a decade later, the United States was fully in the Atomic Age, a period of rapid nuclear innovation following World War II. Advancements in energy and the increasing visibility of nuclear weapons development captured the public’s imagination with interpretations of isotopes and atoms appearing in everything from fashion to architecture, becoming a lasting part of the country’s midcentury visual vocabulary.
Nuclear technology and its uses haven’t stopped evolving since, and today, nuclear scientists and engineers are still looking toward the future and developing newer, safer ways to harness nuclear power and shape our world.
Brief History and Current State of Nuclear Technology
The history of nuclear technology spans from the late-19th-century discovery of radioactivity to the development of nuclear weapons in the mid-20th century to its more peaceful present-day use in sustainable energy generation. Explore a timeline of nuclear milestones to learn more.
1895: Wilhelm Conrad Röntgen uses electromagnetic radiation to create the first known X-ray image—his wife’s hand.
1911: Marie Curie wins the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for her work isolating the element radium.
1938: Otto Hahn and Fritz Strassmann discover the process of nuclear fission using uranium.
1942: Enrico Fermi achieves the first controlled nuclear chain reaction.
1945: As part of the Manhattan project, the first atomic device is tested at Alamogordo, New Mexico. Not long after, the U.S. drops atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan.
1951: The first nuclear reactor to produce electricity designed and operated by Argonne National Laboratory goes live. It powers four light bulbs.
1954: The U.S. Navy launches the first nuclear-powered submarine, the USS Nautilus.
1979: The Three Mile Island nuclear power plant partially melts down near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.
1986: A reactor explodes at the nuclear power plant at Chernobyl, Ukraine, causing a fire and lasting damage—and intensifying distrust of nuclear power.
1992: The United States conducts its last underground nuclear weapons test, and a temporary moratorium is imposed on future weapons testing.
1994: The Nuclear Regulatory Commission issues final design approval for the first two of four advanced nuclear power plant designs.
2001: The U.S National Energy Plan includes a significant role for nuclear power in meeting energy demand and reducing air pollution.
2024: U.S. utilities operated 94 nuclear reactors with a total net generating capacity of nearly 97 gigawatts. Nuclear power accounts for approximately 19% of U.S. electricity generation.
The Future of Nuclear Energy and Tech
The future of nuclear energy is rife with opportunities for nuclear technologies that are cleaner and more efficient. Here are three new advancements worth looking forward to.
Nuclear Power and AI
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the latest innovation dominating daily life as well as existential conversations about ethics, humanity, and the future of work. However, a hidden cost of AI technology is the environment. The computer servers that power large-scale AI models need massive amounts of energy to run the processing speeds required. Today, the majority of that energy comes from burning fossil fuels, but nuclear power has quickly risen as a feasible solution to make AI more sustainable. MIT Technology Review posits that this new alliance between nuclear and AI would be mutually beneficial if the stakeholders can make the timing work. Big Tech power players like Google and Microsoft need a long-term source of reliable energy, and nuclear companies need the infusion of capital to fuel reactor upkeep and innovation.
Smaller and Faster Reactors
In the future, nuclear power will look different. Small modular reactors (SMRs) are designed to be simpler than traditional reactors and typically don’t feature the large, curved towers historically associated with nuclear reactors. Though small in size, the benefits of SMRs are numerous. These next-generation reactors are less expensive to build, safer because their smaller parts aren’t subject to the same pressures of larger reactors, and more flexible because their modular constructions allow them to be moved.
Nuclear Fusion?
Currently, all nuclear energy is produced by fission, a process that splits large atoms to generate heat. Nuclear fusion, by contrast, is where two lighter atomic nuclei combine to form a single, heavier nucleus, releasing a massive amount of energy. This is the same reaction that powers the heat generated by the sun and other stars. Nuclear fusion holds immense promise as a safer, endlessly renewable energy source, and fusion waste is primarily helium and minimally radioactive neutrons instead of the more toxic radioactive by-products that nuclear fission produces.
Fusion energy has long been the white whale of the nuclear scientific community. We’ve understood how the fusion process works since the 1930s, but while the sun naturally has the gravity for these nuclear collisions to occur, on Earth we need to artificially engineer an environment that is hot enough and pressurized enough to create the same reaction. This is why sustainable nuclear fusion has been so hard to achieve.
Is nuclear fusion our energy future? The International Energy Forum estimates viable commercial use could still be decades away, but science is getting closer each year as our engineering capacity advances.
Shape the Future of Nuclear Technology with Excelsior
Does nuclear technology have you feeling energized? If you want to get more hands-on in the nuclear industry, Excelsior University’s BS in Nuclear Engineering Technology program prepares you with the practical training, experienced faculty, and industry connections you need. Our 100% online program is accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET and features cutting-edge training simulators so you can be ready for the next generation of clean-energy careers.
Learn what you can do with an NET degree from Excelsior University and start powering your own future in nuclear technology. For even more industry info, read Excelsior’s other nuclear blog posts to debunk some common myths about nuclear energy and discover how nuclear energy is going carbon neutral.
Dwayne Johns, Grado Asociado en Ciencias Humanas, 2020, Licenciatura en Ciencias Empresariales, 2023
Dwayne Johns of Fort Lauderdale, Florida, earned a Bachelor of Science in Business in 2023. He shares, “I began my academic journey pursuing an associate degree in science, which I completed in Noviembre 2020. At that time, balancing Navy responsibilities with school was a constant challenge. Unpredictable schedules, extended hours, and operational commitments meant that studying often took place late at night or during limited downtime. That success motivated me to continue my education. I went on to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Business, which I earned in Septiembre 2023, again while serving on active duty. The business curriculum aligned closely with leadership and management responsibilities in the Navy, reinforcing concepts such as strategic planning, organizational behavior, and decision making.”
Matt Simmons, Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, 1989
Matt Simmons of Palmetto, Florida, earned his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in 1989, and he has continued to build on that foundation throughout his career. He recently published his second book, Elite Sales Pro Advantage, a co‑authored self‑improvement guide for sales professionals. The book has already earned high praise from industry leaders, including executives from multi‑billion‑dollar Fortune 500 companies and the CEO of a rapidly growing $25‑million sales organization. This latest work is a collaboration between Simmons and his longtime friend and colleague, Gary Adams.
Simmons remains busy and has nearly completed his third book, a compelling novel of struggle and redemption for a fictional baseball Hall of Famer. Simmons amplifies how his ability to complete his business degree with Excelsior University (then Excelsior College), while stationed in Japan in the U.S. Navy, was life-changing.
He shares, “I am very grateful to Excelsior for providing me with the opportunity to pursue my degree while overseas and changing locations, which otherwise would not have been available to me. I encourage anyone working and considering higher education to explore Excelsior University and the options they offer that allow individuals to pursue their degree while they provide for themselves and their families. A new level of success is possible in life with Excelsior.”
La Universidad Excelsior da la bienvenida a Tony Spearman-Leach, GPC, CNE, al Consejo de Administración
ALBANY, N.Y. — The Excelsior University Board of Trustees has named Tony Spearman-Leach, GPC, CNE, senior director of institutional advancement at the National Academy of Public Administration and a resident of Montgomery County, Maryland, among its six new trustees. The University’s governing body, the Board of Trustees includes leaders from across the country in business, education, and government. An Excelsior alumnus, Spearman-Leach recently concluded his term as president of the Excelsior University Alumni Association and its Alumni Leadership Council.
In his role at the U.S. Congressionally chartered National Academy of Public Administration, Spearman-Leach is dedicated to advancing the mission of good government, excellence in governance, and public service. A transformational fundraising leader, Spearman-Leach transcends traditional development work by building enduring cultures of philanthropy, launching visionary campaigns, and aligning donor investment with long-term mission impact.
“Expanding educational access is my legacy and avocational purpose. As the great-grandson, grandson, and son of educators who empowered many marginalized citizens through the power of sharing knowledge, I personally continue this ongoing effort through Excelsior University. Wherever I have lived—Robeson County, North Carolina; Detroit, Michigan; Baltimore, Maryland; or metropolitan Washington, D.C.—I have witnessed and paid forward the truly transformative power of attaining higher education, engaging in mentorship, and lifelong learning. I am truly proud to serve the Excelsior University community, and serving as a member of Excelsior’s Board of Trustees is a humbling honor,” said Spearman-Leach. “I look forward to joining this remarkable group of leaders at an exciting time in the University’s growth, as we expand our reach and extend educational access and opportunity to learners around the world.”
At the National Academy of Public Administration, Spearman-Leach spearheaded multiyear philanthropic initiatives, including the Academy’s Center for Intergovernmental Partnerships and its Extreme Weather Resilience Hub, and launched the Academy’s Diamond Anniversary Endowment Comprehensive Campaign during a period of significant federal funding disruption. He has collaborated closely with the Academy’s CEO and board to develop an entrepreneurial business model that positions the organization for sustained success, and he leads the Academy’s Celebration of the American Public Servant, aligning donor investment with America’s 250th anniversary.
Spearman-Leach has raised and stewarded resources from leading philanthropists, corporations, and foundations, combining technical expertise in grant writing and donor relations with an authentic, visionary leadership style. His global impact includes training hundreds of nonprofit and NGO leaders from more than 100 countries through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program at the Meridian International Center.
A passionate advocate for community leadership, Spearman-Leach serves as treasurer of the Mid-Atlantic Federal Credit Union, chair of the Montgomery College Pinkney Innovation Complex for Science and Technology (PIC MC) Foundation, governance chair of Leadership Montgomery, advisory board chair of the Josiah Henson Park & Museum, and a federally appointed board member of the U.S. Selective Service System. He served as president of the Excelsior University Alumni Association from 2023–2025.
An Emmy and Telly Award–winning communicator and a recognized leader in advancing inclusiveness in philanthropy, Spearman-Leach is widely regarded as a strategist, storyteller, mentor, and fundraiser whose work strengthens institutions and communities in the United States and around the world.
Kent A.D. Clark, president and chairman of the board for the Clark Advisory Group LLC and CAG Federal, was appointed chair of the Excelsior University Board of Trustees. Other trustees appointed to the board include Diane Adams, chief learning officer of Mount Sinai Health System; Todd Greene, vice president of Work, Education, and Labor Division and executive director of WorkRise Urban Institute; Jessica Hinkle, senior vice president of Strada; Ruth Lown Turman, senior sales operations manager at Optum Serve of UnitedHealth Group; and Jeff Metzler, partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP.
For more information on the Excelsior University Board of Trustees and full biographies of each member, visit excelsior.edu/about/leadership/trustees.
Media contact Excelsior University:
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446
Acerca de la Universidad Excelsior
Excelsior University is an accredited, not-for-profit higher education institution focused on helping learners complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971 in Albany, New York, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.
Excelsior is a not-for-profit university with a main campus in Albany, New York, and an educational site in St. Petersburg, Florida. Excelsior University’s academic programs are registered by the New York State Education Department, with additional licensing for Florida-based programs.
Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education (License No. 12928). Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 323099-0400, toll-free number: (888)-224-6684.
La Universidad Excelsior da la bienvenida a Jessica Hinkle al Consejo de Administración
ALBANY, N.Y. — The Excelsior University Board of Trustees has named Jessica Hinkle, senior vice president of strategic investments for Strada Education Foundation and a resident of Hermosa Beach, California, among its six new trustees. The University’s governing body, the board consists of individuals from across the country who are leaders in the fields of business, education, and government.
As the senior vice president of strategic investments at Strada Education Foundation, Jessica evaluates potential mission-aligned investments and manages Strada’s portfolio of direct minority investments and early-stage fund investments.
“I am thrilled to join the board of trustees for Excelsior University, an institution that provides crucial educational opportunities for learners around the globe,” she said. “As Excelsior continues to expand its programming and reach, it is truly an exciting time to join this remarkable group of trustees.”
Previously, Jessica advised and supported Strada’s mission-aligned affiliates, leading product strategy and innovation for Strada’s commercial and products division. Jessica joined Strada in Marzo 2018.
Prior to joining Strada, Jessica was a principal with Silverstrand Strategy + Innovation, providing strategic advisory services. She also held a variety of roles with Laureate Education Inc., including as chief product officer for Walden University, for which she led the team of product managers at Laureate’s flagship online university. She also co-led an innovation team that incubated a new model for competency-based education.
Jessica began at Laureate in 2002 as senior market analyst in the research and analysis department, and progressed to her other roles: vice president, product management; and co-head, emerging strategies and products group. She began her career in investment banking at Morgan Stanley and WR Hambrecht + Co.
Kent A.D. Clark, president and chairman of the board for the Clark Advisory Group LLC and CAG Federal, was appointed chair of the Excelsior University Board of Trustees. Other trustees appointed to the board include Diane Adams, chief learning officer of Mount Sinai Health System; Todd Greene, vice president of Work, Education, and Labor Division and executive director of WorkRise Urban Institute; Ruth Lown Turman, senior sales operations manager at Optum Serve of UnitedHealth Group; Jeff Metzler, partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP; and Tony Spearman-Leach, director of development and philanthropy at the National Academy of Public Administration.
For more information on the Excelsior University Board of Trustees and full biographies of each member, visit excelsior.edu/about/leadership/trustees.
Media contact Excelsior University:
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446
About Excelsior University
Excelsior University is an accredited, not-for-profit higher education institution focused on helping learners complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971 in Albany, New York, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.
Excelsior is a not-for-profit university with a main campus in Albany, New York, and an educational site in St. Petersburg, Florida. Excelsior University’s academic programs are registered by the New York State Education Department, with additional licensing for Florida-based programs.
Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education (License No. 12928). Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 323099-0400, toll-free number: (888)-224-6684.
La Universidad Excelsior da la bienvenida al abogado especializado en educación Jeffrey Metzler a su consejo de administración
ALBANY, N.Y. — The Excelsior University Board of Trustees has appointed Jeffrey Metzler, a partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP in New York City, as one of six new trustees. The University’s governing board includes leaders from across the country with deep experience in business, education, government, and public service.
Metzler is a litigation partner at Pillsbury and a co-leader of the firm’s Education practice. He is nationally ranked by Chambers for Higher Education law and has spent more than three decades working at the intersection of education, governance, and public policy. He currently serves as co-chair of the New York City Bar Association’s Education and the Law Committee and as a leader of the Association’s Task Force on Higher Education. He was recently nominated to serve on the Board of Directors of The Legal Aid Society of New York City.
“As someone who has spent much of my career supporting educational institutions and expanding access to opportunity, I am honored to join the Excelsior University Board of Trustees,” said Metzler. “Excelsior’s mission, its focus on adult learners, and its commitment to quality and integrity resonate deeply with me. I look forward to contributing to the Board’s strategic work as the University continues to grow its reach and impact.”
In his professional work, Metzler advises colleges, universities, and other institutional clients on governance, civil rights matters, investigations, and complex litigation. He regularly counsels boards and senior leadership on risk oversight, institutional policy, and navigating evolving legal and regulatory environments. He brings extensive experience in government investigations and appellate advocacy, having handled numerous federal and state matters.
Before joining Pillsbury, Metzler served in a variety of non-profit and government roles, including Associate General Counsel at New York University, Assistant Solicitor General for New York State, Acting General Counsel for the New York City Council, and Vice President for Economic Empowerment at Empire State Development.
Metzler has also served as an adjunct professor at NYU’s Robert F. Wagner Graduate School of Public Service, taught in New York City public schools, and is a frequent speaker on higher education law and governance.
Kent A.D. Clark, president and chairman of the board of the Clark Advisory Group LLC and CAG Federal, was appointed chair of the Excelsior University Board of Trustees. Other newly appointed trustees include Diane Adams, chief learning officer of Mount Sinai Health System; Todd Greene, vice president of the Work, Education, and Labor Division and executive director of WorkRise at the Urban Institute; Jessica Hinkle, senior vice president of Strada; Ruth Lown Turman, senior sales operations manager at Optum Serve of UnitedHealth Group; and Tony Spearman-Leach, director of development and philanthropy at the National Academy of Public Administration.
For more information on the Excelsior University Board of Trustees and full biographies of each member, visit: excelsior.edu/about/leadership/trustees.
Media contact Excelsior University:
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446
Acerca de la Universidad Excelsior
Excelsior University is an accredited, not-for-profit higher education institution focused on helping learners complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971 in Albany, New York, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.
Excelsior is a not-for-profit university with a main campus in Albany, New York, and an educational site in St. Petersburg, Florida. Excelsior University’s academic programs are registered by the New York State Education Department, with additional licensing for Florida-based programs.
Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education (License No. 12928). Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 323099-0400, toll-free number: (888)-224-6684.
La Universidad Excelsior da la bienvenida a Todd Greene al Consejo de Administración
ALBANY, N.Y. — The Excelsior University Board of Trustees has named Atlanta resident Todd Greene, vice president of the Work, Education, and Labor Division (WELD) at the Urban Institute and executive director of WorkRise, among its six new trustees. The University’s governing body, the board consists of individuals from across the country who are leaders in the fields of business, education, and government.
In his role as a vice president of WELD at the Urban Institute, Greene leads a team of K–12, higher education, workforce development, apprenticeship, and labor market experts who shape education and training. He helps support a labor market that delivers economic security, dignity, and voice. He also serves as the executive director of WorkRise, a research-to-action network focused on jobs, workers, and mobility hosted by the Urban Institute.
WorkRise financia investigaciones sobre prácticas, políticas y programas prometedores, y lleva a cabo investigaciones fundamentales sobre las tendencias del mercado laboral con el fin de fortalecer a los empleadores, informar la formulación de políticas y prácticas, y proporcionar una movilidad y seguridad económicas genuinas a los trabajadores.
“I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute to Excelsior’s important mission and to support the life-changing work the University does for working adults and others,” said Greene. “Helping more learners earn meaningful credentials that open doors to opportunity is deeply aligned with my own professional values.”
Antes de incorporarse al Urban Institute, Greene fue director ejecutivo del Atlanta University Center Consortium. Reportando directamente a los cuatro presidentes miembros (Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Morehouse School of Medicine y Spelman College), Greene dirigió un equipo centrado en mejorar los programas académicos, fomentar la investigación interdisciplinaria y catalizar una amplia agenda de desarrollo económico.
Durante más de 10 años, Greene fue vicepresidente del departamento de investigación del Banco de la Reserva Federal de Atlanta, donde dirigió iniciativas de investigación, políticas y divulgación para promover el crecimiento económico inclusivo. Greene fundó y dirigió el grupo de trabajo sobre desarrollo del capital humano y la fuerza laboral del Sistema de la Reserva Federal y puso en marcha el Centro de la Reserva Federal para la Fuerza Laboral y las Oportunidades Económicas.
Ha sido presidente del consejo de administración del Consejo Internacional de Desarrollo Económico, preside el consejo asesor nacional del Centro Heldrich para el Desarrollo de la Fuerza Laboral de la Universidad de Rutgers, forma parte de los consejos de administración de la Corporación para una Fuerza Laboral Cualificada y del Fondo Nacional para Soluciones Laborales, y es miembro del Consejo Asesor del Instituto de Finanzas Sociales.
Greene, desarrollador económico certificado (CEcD), ha publicado numerosos artículos y coeditado dos libros: «Transforming U.S. Workforce Development Policies for the 21st Century» (Transformar las políticas de desarrollo de la fuerza laboral estadounidense para el siglo XXI) e «Investing in America’s Workforce: Improving Outcomes for Workers and Employers» (Invertir en la fuerza laboral estadounidense: mejorar los resultados para los trabajadores y los empleadores).
Kent A.D. Clark, president and chairman of the board for the Clark Advisory Group LLC and CAG Federal, was appointed chair of the Excelsior University Board of Trustees. Other trustees appointed to the board include Diane Adams, chief learning officer of Mount Sinai Health System; Jessica Hinkle, senior vice president of Strada; Ruth Lown Turman, senior sales operations manager at Optum Serve of UnitedHealth Group; Jeff Metzler, partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP; and Tony Spearman-Leach, director of development and philanthropy at the National Academy of Public Administration.
For more information on the Excelsior University Board of Trustees and full biographies of each member, visit excelsior.edu/about/leadership/trustees.
Media contact Excelsior University:
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446
Acerca de la Universidad Excelsior
Excelsior University is an accredited, not-for-profit higher education institution focused on helping learners complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971 in Albany, New York, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.
Excelsior is a not-for-profit university with a main campus in Albany, New York, and an educational site in St. Petersburg, Florida. Excelsior University’s academic programs are registered by the New York State Education Department, with additional licensing for Florida-based programs.
Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education (License No. 12928). Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 323099-0400, toll-free number: (888)-224-6684.
La Universidad Excelsior da la bienvenida a Diane Adams al Consejo de Administración
ALBANY, N.Y. —The Excelsior University Board of Trustees has named Diane Adams, chief learning officer of the Mount Sinai Health System and a resident of Closter, New Jersey, among its six new members. The University’s governing body, the board consists of individuals from across the country who are leaders in the fields of health care, business, education, and government.
For the past ten years, Diane Adams has served a workforce of 50,000 people at the Mount Sinai Health System as chief learning officer. In this role, Adams creates and drives the organizational learning strategy, leading a team of talent development professionals implementing programs focused on areas such as leadership development, workforce capacity building, engagement, and patient experience.
“I am thrilled to join the board of trustees for Excelsior University, an institution that provides crucial educational opportunities to the next generation of health care leaders,” said Adams. “As Excelsior continues to expand its programming and reach, it is truly an exciting time to join this remarkable group of trustees.”
Adams began her career in health care as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker providing individual, couples, family, and group psychotherapy, creating programs for adolescents, and helping patients navigate complex health challenges. Leveraging these experiences to teach graduate and medical students in the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Diane discovered her passion for empowering others through learning and development, a field she has been dedicated to for the past twenty years.
Adams continues to maintain her Clinical License in Social Work; she is certified in numerous training modalities and holds certifications in both Organizational Coaching and Change Management. Although Diane has held a variety of roles throughout her career, the constant has been her commitment to serving others and creating meaningful impact.
Adams holds a BA from Clark University and an MS from Columbia University.
Kent A.D. Clark, president and chairman of the board for the Clark Advisory Group LLC and CAG Federal, was appointed chair of the Excelsior University Board of Trustees. Other trustees appointed to the board include Todd Greene, vice president of Work, Education, and Labor Division and executive director of WorkRise Urban Institute; Jessica Hinkle, senior vice president of Strada; Ruth Lown Turman, senior sales operations manager at Optum Serve of UnitedHealth Group; Jeff Metzler, partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP; and Tony Spearman-Leach, director of development and philanthropy at the National Academy of Public Administration.
For more information on the Excelsior University Board of Trustees and full biographies of each member, visit excelsior.edu/about/leadership/trustees.
Media contact Excelsior University:
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446
Acerca de la Universidad Excelsior
Excelsior University is an accredited, not-for-profit higher education institution focused on helping learners complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971 in Albany, New York, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.
Excelsior is a not-for-profit university with a main campus in Albany, New York, and an educational site in St. Petersburg, Florida. Excelsior University’s academic programs are registered by the New York State Education Department, with additional licensing for Florida-based programs.
Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education (License No. 12928). Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 323099-0400, toll-free number: (888)-224-6684.
Ahron Goldberg Finds His Path in Public Accounting
El camino de Ahron Goldberg hacia un puesto de contable público estuvo marcado por años de formación, su pasión por los números y un contacto oportuno que estableció a través de un seminario web sobre carreras profesionales organizado por el equipo de preparación profesional de la Universidad Excelsior.
Goldberg obtuvo su licenciatura en Ciencias Empresariales en diciembre de 2024 y, tras graduarse, siguió en contacto con Excelsior y prestó mucha atención a los recursos profesionales disponibles para los antiguos alumnos. Cuando empezó a plantearse seriamente dedicarse a la contabilidad, no sabía por dónde empezar. Con tantos caminos posibles, el proceso le resultaba abrumador, hasta que en agosto de 2025 recibió un correo electrónico de Excelsior sobre un Career Café que se iba a celebrar próximamente y que le llamó la atención.
Los Career Cafés son seminarios web interactivos en directo que ponen en contacto a estudiantes y antiguos alumnos con empleadores y expertos en orientación profesional, al tiempo que muestran los recursos disponibles a través del equipo de preparación profesional. En este Career Café en concreto participó un reclutador de Pease Bell CPAs. Goldberg decidió asistir. «Me pareció una gran oportunidad para aprender más y conectar con posibles empleadores», afirma. Esa decisión lo puso todo en marcha.
Durante el seminario web, Goldberg se puso en contacto con el reclutador, lo que rápidamente condujo a una entrevista la semana siguiente. Luego vino una segunda entrevista. Poco después, le ofrecieron un puesto a tiempo completo y comenzó su nuevo trabajo en noviembre de 2025. «Todo encajó a la perfección», afirma.
Construyendo una base
Antes de dedicarse a la contabilidad, Goldberg, de Lakewood, Nueva Jersey, pasó sus primeros veinte años inmerso en la educación. Asistió a una escuela judía durante gran parte de su vida académica adulta y continuó trabajando en la escuela incluso después de dejarla, dando clases particulares a alumnos que necesitaban apoyo adicional. Ayudar a los demás le proporcionó una base sólida en comunicación y organización, habilidades que más tarde resultarían importantes en un campo basado en las matemáticas.
Cuando Goldberg empezó a pensar más seriamente en sus objetivos profesionales, la contabilidad destacó por encima del resto. «Siempre me han gustado los números», afirma. «Cuando los números tienen sentido y encajan, todo lo demás también lo tiene. Es muy lógico». Explica que, en contabilidad, las reglas tienen sentido y «todo encaja». Desde niño, una de sus fortalezas había sido su gran habilidad para las matemáticas, por lo que la estructura y la naturaleza problemática de la contabilidad le parecieron un encaje natural.
Encontrar la universidad adecuada fue el siguiente paso para Goldberg. Le recomendaron la Universidad Excelsior a través de Testing and Training International, una organización que colabora con la universidad para ayudar a los estudiantes judíos ortodoxos a transferir créditos y completar sus títulos. Excelsior destacó por su disposición a evaluar los conocimientos previos y ayudarle a aplicar un número significativo de créditos a su título.
«[Excelsior] me guió a través de los pasos y me mostró lo que se aceptaría y lo que no», recuerda Goldberg. «Y cada título específico tiene un número diferente de créditos que usted transferir... Así que [Excelsior] me ayudó con eso, pero pude transferir una buena parte de los créditos».
En Excelsior, Goldberg completó cursos que combinaban conocimientos técnicos de contabilidad y una comprensión más amplia del funcionamiento de las empresas. Su proyecto final, que consistía en gestionar una tienda de bicicletas simulada, requirió la colaboración con otros estudiantes, pensamiento estratégico y resolución de problemas del mundo real. «El aspecto comunicativo es fundamental; se convierte en parte de su día a día y luego usted lo traslada a su vida cotidiana», afirma Goldberg. «Luego, obviamente, está el aspecto técnico, los conocimientos empresariales reales que usted , los conocimientos contables que usted ... El simple hecho de tener esos conocimientos generales hace que todo encaje».
Prosperar en una empresa
Ahora trabaja en contabilidad pública y disfruta tanto del trabajo como del entorno. «La cultura de la empresa es excepcional, ya que fomenta un entorno propicio que favorece el crecimiento profesional», afirma. «Se aseguran de que usted y comprenda todo a medida que usted en su puesto».
En su trabajo diario, Goldberg organiza la información financiera de los clientes, se comunica directamente con ellos y prepara las declaraciones de impuestos, combinando los conocimientos técnicos que adquirió en Excelsior con las habilidades comunicativas que desarrolló al principio de su carrera. Para él, la satisfacción llega cuando los números encajan y todo encaja en su sitio. Sin embargo, afirma que la temporada alta está a la vuelta de la esquina y está emocionado por lo que está por venir.
De cara al futuro, Goldberg se ha propuesto aprobar el examen de CPA en el plazo de un año y medio, además de compaginar su trabajo, sus estudios y su vida personal. Es un objetivo ambicioso, pero se siente bien preparado.
Al reflexionar sobre su trayectoria, Goldberg agradece a Excelsior no solo la educación que recibió, sino también el apoyo que le brindaron más allá de la graduación. El seminario web Career Café no fue solo una sesión informativa, sino un puente entre su título y su carrera profesional. Para los estudiantes que se preguntan cómo dar el siguiente paso después de graduarse, la experiencia de Goldberg les ofrece este mensaje: manténganse conectados y estén preparados cuando se presente la oportunidad.
La Universidad Excelsior da la bienvenida a Ruth Lown Turman al Consejo de Administración
ALBANY, N.Y. —The Excelsior University Board of Trustees has named Ruth Lown Turman, senior sales operations manager at Optum Serve (UnitedHealth Group) and a resident of Columbia, South Carolina, among its six new trustees. The University’s governing body, the board consists of individuals from across the country who are leaders in the fields of business, education, and government. An Excelsior alumna, Turman was recently appointed president of the Excelsior Alumni Leadership Council and will serve as an ex officio member of the board of trustees.
In her role as senior sales operations manager at Optum Serve, part of UnitedHealth Group, Turman specializes in executive-level reporting, process optimization, and strategic business development initiatives. Her background spans the banking, technology, and health insurance sectors, and she has experience in systems analysis and design, product delivery, business process consulting, and proposal management.
“As an Excelsior alumna, it’s deeply meaningful to return in service to an institution that expanded access and opportunity at a pivotal point in my educational journey,” said Turman. “I’m honored to join the board of trustees and to support Excelsior’s continued evolution as a university that meets learners where they are. I look forward to contributing to the stewardship and long-term impact of this remarkable institution.”
A Fellow of the Association of Proposal Management Professionals (APMP), Turman also holds professional credentials in health care management and project management.
Su amplia trayectoria profesional y de servicio a la comunidad incluye un mandato en la junta directiva internacional de la APMP y el reconocimiento como Melvin Jones Fellow de Lions Clubs International. Ha sido galardonada por su liderazgo, tutoría y servicio a la organización a lo largo de su carrera y sigue dedicada a promover la excelencia, la equidad y el compromiso en todas las organizaciones en las que trabaja.
Turman se unió al Consejo de Liderazgo de Antiguos Alumnos de Excelsior en 2023, fue elegida vicepresidenta primera en 2024 y se convirtió en presidenta de la Asociación de Antiguos Alumnos de la Universidad Excelsior y de su Consejo de Liderazgo de Antiguos Alumnos en enero de 2026. En estos cargos, ha defendido la colaboración, la administración y el desarrollo profesional en toda la comunidad global de antiguos alumnos de Excelsior. La dedicación de Turman a Excelsior va más allá del servicio de liderazgo e incluye la filantropía como miembro tanto del Círculo del Presidente como de la Sociedad Púrpura y Dorada.
Kent A.D. Clark, president and chairman of the board for the Clark Advisory Group LLC and CAG Federal, was appointed chair of the Excelsior University Board of Trustees. Other trustees appointed to the board include Diane Adams, chief learning officer of Mount Sinai Health System; Todd Greene, vice president of Work, Education, and Labor Division and executive director of WorkRise Urban Institute; Jessica Hinkle, senior vice president of Strada; Jeff Metzler, partner at Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP; and Tony Spearman-Leach, director of development and philanthropy at the National Academy of Public Administration.
For more information on the Excelsior University Board of Trustees and full biographies of each member, visit excelsior.edu/about/leadership/trustees.
Media contact Excelsior University:
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446
Acerca de la Universidad Excelsior
Excelsior University is an accredited, not-for-profit higher education institution focused on helping learners complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971 in Albany, New York, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.
Excelsior is a not-for-profit university with a main campus in Albany, New York, and an educational site in St. Petersburg, Florida. Excelsior University’s academic programs are registered by the New York State Education Department, with additional licensing for Florida-based programs.
Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education (License No. 12928). Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 323099-0400, toll-free number: (888)-224-6684.
