EPA’s Move to Reduce Lead Paint Exposure

Posted on by Lynda Holt

In December 2017, a federal appeals court, in an unusual move, ordered the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise within one year a nearly 17-year-old standard for dangerous levels of lead. The federal government banned the use of lead paint 40 years ago, but lead paint and its dangers to the brains of growing children remains a persistent problem.

The ruling mentioned that the EPA has acknowledged that lead paint poisoning was the No. 1 environmental health threat for kids under six and that the current safety standards were insufficient. The EPA’s Renovation, Repair and Painting Program requires that companies performing renovation and repair services that could disturb lead paint in homes, child care facilities, and pre-schools built before 1978 be certified by the EPA, or use certified renovators. According to Michelle DeGarmo of Flatley-Read LLC, a New York state-based compliance management company, “The EPA Renovation, Remodeling, & Painting (RRP) Rule has done a lot to address lead safety outside of HUD programs, and has had the additional benefit of dispelling the persistent myth that only inner-city poor kids get lead poisoning by eating paint chips. While it has its flaws, the RRP rule has increased awareness of lead hazards in the non-HUD consumer population”

Lead is a developmental neurotoxin, and children are the most vulnerable to lead poisoning. Children can be exposed to lead from lead paint in homes or from lead dust, and can contract it from toys and other household sources. There is no post-exposure treatment that can mitigate the long-term neurological effects of lead, so preventing exposure is critical. Unlike other toxins that dissipate, lead has immediate and permanent effects on the brain. Exposure to lead as a child can affect behavior years later, and a recent study published on National Public Radio’s website suggests a link between childhood lead exposure and lowered cognitive ability and socioeconomic status later in life. Aaron Reuben of Duke University studied New Zealand children when they were 11 and determined their IQ scores and cognitive abilities. When the participants turned 38 they were retested; the participants who had higher lead exposure as children, “saw their intellectual abilities decline from their baseline starting point,” as they aged. In addition, the same population experienced a downward trend in social mobility, meaning they were more likely to have jobs that required less education and brought in less income than their parents did. The study found that every 5 microgram increase in lead concentration at age 11 lead to a drop of 1.6 IQ points at age 38.

In the United States., no lead exposure is considered safe, and 5 micrograms per deciliter is considered high exposure. The lingering threat of lead paint is still highly present in the lives of young children, especially in low-income areas and in the Northeast. Lead exposure in the United States has generally decreased, but some communities still have rates of exposure of about five times the national average. The National Center for Health Housing reports children from poor families or those from African-American families are at an increased risk than children from white or Hispanic families. The Harvard Environmental Law Review published a report indicating children from poor communities have the highest prevalence of lead exposure, with non-Hispanic African-American children being three times more likely to have elevated lead levels than their white peers. DeGarmo explains, “Malnutrition is an important factor in childhood lead poisoning prevention. In the absence of necessary minerals, such as iron, our bodies will substitute lead if we are exposed. This is why the poor-kid-myth persists; higher income children are less likely to suffer long-term health effects of lead poisoning because they are typically not malnourished. Lower-income kids are also more likely to live in homes with deteriorated paint, where exposure is consistent over a longer period. Any lead exposure is dangerous, though, and it seems to be only recently that higher-income homeowners have become concerned about lead paint.”

The Harvard Environmental Law Review estimates 23 million homes in the United States contain a lead hazard in some form, and 38 million have lead-based paint somewhere in the home. Under most state and federal laws, the burden of uncovering lead contamination lies with the children, who must be tested before the lead hazard is contained or removed from their environment.

DeGarmo states, “In states that are EPA states, meaning there are no state-specific lead regulations, there is little to no enforcement of the RRP rules, unless federal funding is involved. Rural areas, in particular, have low levels of compliance with the rules. Revised federal standards are particularly important for New York State residents and other EPA states.”

Based on the recent research on the dangers of lead exposure and the lack of clinical treatment options for those who have sustained damage from lead exposure, the move to force the EPA to update its standards is a positive one. Delaying the standards puts even more kids at unnecessary risk.

If you are interested in learning more about how you can impact your community and its health care system, consider a degree in the health sciences from Excelsior College.

 

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Excelsior College, its trustees, officers, or employees.

Tips for Enjoying Your Summer Outdoors

Posted on by Grace Jama-Adan

What does the image of being outdoors conjure to you? Are you planning to head to the beach, the hiking trails, or perhaps your neighborhood park with your loved ones? Physical activity and social bonding are limitless when we have a chance to decompress in the warmer months. To enjoy each day to the fullest, keep these tips in mind for a safe summer!

  1. Sunscreen 101: It’s okay if you get 15 minutes in the sun without protection. This allows your skin to absorb natural Vitamin D. Prolonged exposure to the sun, however, has consequences to the layers of your skin. Be sure to apply SPF 15 or greater at least every two hours. If you will be splashing in a pool or at the beach, reapply after you exit your swim.

 

  1. Hydrate: Just because you don’t feel thirsty doesn’t necessarily mean your body is properly hydrated. In addition to water and drinks, don’t forget to incorporate veggies like celery and cucumber into your diet. Fruits like melons are also great ways to rehydrate—they are more than 90 percent water. Our furry friends who accompany us on summer trips also need regular hydration. Inexpensive collapsible water bowls are available at most big box stores and at any pet shop.

 

  1. Cover up: Remember a wide-brimmed hat is your friend for maximum protection from the sun. Baseball caps also give our eyes some reprieve from harmful rays. When hiking for an hour or more, you might consider a hat with moisture-wicking properties.

 

  1. Repel insects: Tick-borne diseases and mosquito-associated illnesses are both serious public health threats. Make sure you protect yourself and your loved ones with insect repellant. Some sunscreens have repellants in them, but studies are inconclusive about the effectiveness of combined products. Since sunscreen needs to be reapplied more often, the risk with combined products is that you may neglect regular sun protection refreshers throughout the day. Also, make sure your pets are on active flea and tick treatment.

 

  1. Life jackets: If you are going out on a boat, whether a kayak or a motor boat, life jackets are a must-have for anyone (our dogs need them too). The U.S. Coast-Guard has recommendations for approved life jackets <link http://www.uscgboating.org/recreational-boaters/life-jacket-wear-wearing-your-life-jacket.php> if you plan on boating this summer.

 

 

What if you happen to find a tick on your skin or an animal’s fur? Here are some helpful tips:

  • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends you pack small, fine-tipped forceps or a pair of tweezers before you head out, so that if you find a tick, you can quickly remove it.
  • Try to remove the tick in a controlled manner so that the it does not break into pieces, making it possible for it to still infect you.
  • Clean your skin with isopropyl alcohol or soap and discard the tick immediately.
  • If you live in a part of the country that has known clusters of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, you may want to save the tick by placing it in a sealed bag or container for further testing by your local health department.

 

Here are some helpful resources to ensure you and your family can enjoy the great outdoors in comfort and safety:

 

 

Course Feature: PBH 346/MIL 346: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Gathering Storm

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Exposure to life-threatening events and violence is all too common in today’s world. PBH 346/MIL 346: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Gathering Storm introduces students to the effects of trauma on human health and relationships; specifically focusing on the effects of PTSD on individuals, families, communities, and global society. Students explore the history and prevalence of PTSD, root causes, physical and psychological symptoms, and the influences of culture and resilience.

In this cross-listed course, students study of the many types of trauma, how trauma can evolve into PTSD, the common physical and psychological symptoms of PTSD, how people cope with the disorder, treatments, and how people can recover. Faculty Program Director Anna Zendell says, “We focus on some of the common triggers for PTSD, such as natural and human-made disasters, combat-related trauma, personal and interpersonal traumas such as accidents and assaults, and more. Themes of cultural sensitivity, resilience, and hope are woven throughout this course.”

Zendell notes the majority of students taking this course are active military, veterans, or military/veteran family members, and nearly all of the students in the course have been exposed to PTSD. “Students affected by catastrophic events and those working in health and first responder fields are particularly drawn to this course,” says Zendell. Students learn how to engage with someone who has PTSD as well as strategies for coping during the aftermath of a traumatic event. An important takeaway students learn is that PTSD is not inevitable but if someone does develop the disease, the road to healing is passable. Zendell adds that the course is not necessarily meant to provide healing for those living with PTSD; instead, it provides information students may find helpful in work and life.

Students have benefited from the course and have had many positive reactions. Comments include: “This is a great course… should become a requirement for all degrees…. Everyone knows or has been involved in some form of traumatic event during their lives. Being able to recognize symptoms of PTSD can be key to getting those affected the help they need,” “This course has made me aware that PTSD may affect a much broader portion of society than the military,” and “It helped me understand better about my own struggles with PTSD and also what is available for treatment.”

Instructors have also enjoyed teaching the course, noting its importance in the lives of students. Instructional faculty member Craig Owens says, “One of the things I love is reading student feedback during the final module of the course and hearing how much this class has touched them, both personally and professionally. One of the comments I hear consistently from students is that they enrolled in this course expecting to learn about PTSD and the military and instead they are surprised and amazed to find they learn about that but so much more…The vast majority of students who complete this course say their expectations were exceeded and they feel much better prepared to support friends, family, or fellow soldiers who are at risk of developing PTSD or already struggling with it.”

Instructional faculty member Judith Robbins adds, “It’s wonderful to be teaching a course that has such a positive academic and personal impact on so many students, whether military or civilian. There are also misconceptions about PTSD in the public arena and, in this course, we can ‘set the record straight.’”

If you are interested in learning more about and interacting with someone with PTSD, register for PBH 346/MIL 346: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder: A Gathering Storm next semester.

Retrial in the American Justice System

Posted on by Gretchen Schmidt, JD

A hot topic in criminal justice right is a retrial. Between the now infamous Adnan Syed of the podcast “Serial” or Bill Cosby’s sexual assault trial, the news is filled with retrial. It would seem from recent news coverage that retrials happen all the time; however, the reality is that most cases do not make it to trial let alone a retrial.

Black’s Law Dictionary defines a retrial as “a new trial that is conducted when an issue has been disputed and decided by court but is being re-examined due to an unfair or improper result.”  Generally, after a defendant is found guilty, they file a motion for a new trial; the judge typically denies said motion, and the defendant then appeals to a higher court to overrule the judge and be granted a new trial. To win an appeal, there must be an error at law, such as attorney misconduct or a prejudicial error which was unfair and potentially swayed the trial, such as juror misconduct. Since we are l waiting for the Adnan Syed retrial to become a reality as it is still in the motion stage, I wanted to address another retrial case that has been of interest to me. Do you remember the Texas woman who drowned all five of her children? This case immediately caught my attention, as a researcher and as a mother.   The conviction was eventually overturned and a retrial was granted. This brief article focuses on one way a defendant can have a conviction overturned and get a retrial.

The Court Process

Andrea Pia Yates was found guilty by a jury of her peers on March 12, 2002, for drowning her five children: 7-year-old Noah, 5-year-old John, 3-year-old Paul, 2-year-old Luke, and 6-month-old Mary. During the trial, the prosecution’s expert witness, psychiatrist Park Dietz, testified that Yates got the idea to drown her children from an episode of “Law & Order.” In April 2004, Yates’s attorney filed an appeal based on learning that Dietz’s testimony was erroneous and that the episode he referenced in her trial had never aired. In January 2005, the Texas Court of Appeals reversed Yates’s capital murder charge, opining that Dietz’s testimony may have prejudiced the jury. The following January, in her first court appearance since 2002, Yates plead not guilty by reason of insanity. In July 2006, in her second jury trial, Yates was acquitted of capital murder for the deaths of her children. The jury found she was insane before, during, and after the drowning of her children. Yates was committed to a mental institution where she will probably remain for the rest of her life.

The Story

On June 20, 2001, Yates called each of her children individually from the kitchen where they were eating their cereal to the bathtub in their home and drowned them based on her belief that she was saving them from the devil. It took the Texas jury less than four hours to find Yates, a former nurse, high school valedictorian, and loving mother, guilty of murder.

After the birth of Yates’s fourth child, she entered a severe, psychotic form of postpartum depression. In 1999, she was hospitalized twice after failed suicide attempts. In her book, “Are You There Alone?”, journalist Suzanne O’Malley reported Yates was diagnosed with “major depressive disorder, single episode, severe.” Four months after the birth of Yates’s fifth child, she was hospitalized for a third time, diagnosed with “Postpartum depression. Major depression, recurrent. Rule out psychotic features.” A couple days later, her psychiatrist petitioned to have Yates court-ordered committed. She was diagnosed this time with “Major depression with psychotic features.”  In May 2001, during Yates’s fourth hospitalization, she was diagnosed with “Postpartum depression and Major depression recurrent severe (postpartum).”  O’Malley cites that Yates had her last appointment with her psychiatrist less than 48 hours before she drowned her children.

The trial also uncovered that Yates had heard voices telling her to get a knife and kill people. In the Cardozo Women’s Law Journal, Marie Galanti reported Yates had told her husband and doctors she was afraid she would hurt someone.  During one of her suicide attempts, her husband found her in front of a mirror with a knife at her throat. Despite her extensive mental history, in her first trial, the jury rejected Andrea Yates’s insanity plea and found her guilty of capital murder for drowning her children.

Andrea Yates is clearly insane. She is also clearly responsible for her reprehensible crime. However, the two facts are not always reconcilable in our judicial system. One jury rejected her plea of insanity and found her guilty of capital murder. The question is, would the jury have rejected her plea had she been diagnosed bi-polar? It was recently discovered Andrea Yates was misdiagnosed and consequently mistreated. She did not have postpartum, but rather bi-polar disorder. The symptomology of the two illnesses in extreme cases are very similar.

 

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Excelsior College, its trustees, officers, or employees.

Excelsior Awarded $245K Grant by U.S. Department of Energy for Advanced Nuclear Simulator Project

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Excelsior College has been chosen over some stiff competition and was awarded a $245K grant from the U.S. Department of Energy for the development of an advanced web-based nuclear reactor simulator, as part of the Nuclear Energy University Program. The U.S. Department of Energy is awarding approximately $5 million to 18 colleges and universities to support research into reactor infrastructure and general scientific infrastructure improvements. These awards strengthen U.S. competitiveness in nuclear R&D and ensure that American universities have the best equipment and tools available to educate the next generation of industry leaders.

Excelsior’s grant money will be used to fund the purchase of a Generic Pressurized Water Reactor (GPWR) simulator to incorporate lessons into five required courses in the online ABET-accredited Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology program. The simulator will enhance student learning and improve student preparation for the nuclear workforce.

“This is an incredible success story for Excelsior College and a powerful endorsement for the quality of our nuclear programs,” says Michael Johnson, associate dean in Excelsior’s School of Undergraduate Studies. “To be included among a list of world-leading institutions, like MIT, Penn State, and the University of Florida, is indicative of the unrivaled reputation that Excelsior has achieved for its ABET-accredited programs. With faculty that have extensive industry experience and now the opportunity to build a world-class online simulator, this puts Excelsior College in the front rank of global centers of excellence in nuclear technology. This is an awesome achievement of which the whole of Excelsior College, both the faculty and students, should be immensely proud.”

Further details of the grant can be found on the U.S. Department of Energy website.

Ten Important Accounting Terms

Posted on by Santhosh Abraham, PhD

Accounting, known as the language of business, is a system of information intended to reflect the economic activities within an organization.  It is concerned with the methods of recording transactions, keeping financial records, performing internal audits, analyzing financial information, and advising taxation matters. Accounting as a profession provides relevant and reliable financial information used in decision making. It can be a difficult profession to understand, so we have compiled the following list of frequently used terms that can help grow your accounting knowledge.

Accrual Accounting: The system in accounting in which transactions are recorded when they occur and in the period in which they relate to rather than when cash is received or paid.

Balance Sheet (or Statement of Financial Position): A balance sheet provides a summary of the total assets owned by an organization and the total amount of debt and equity used to finance the assets at a specific point in time. The total sum of assets is always equal to the sum of debt and equity; hence, the term balance sheet. Like an income statement, a balance sheet is also prepared using the accrual method.

Budget: A detailed plan with information on income and expenses prepared in anticipation of future activities. A budget is usually prepared with agreed objectives and in line with the overall strategy of the organization.

Cash Flow Statement: The cash flow statement provides a summary of the total cash inflow and outflow over a particular time. The cash flow statement is divided into three sections: operating cash flow, investing cash flow, and financing cash flow representing the cash inflow and outflow as a result of each of these activities.

GAAP: GAAP stands for generally accepted accounting principles. These are sets of standards and principles used as the basis for measurement, recognition, and disclosure of financial accounting information. In the United States, the Financial Accounting Standards Board is responsible for setting accounting standards for public companies. The International Accounting Standards Board is responsible for setting International Financial Reporting Standards.

General Ledgers: The general ledger is a central location where all the accounts in a company are listed. Journal entries are posted in a journal which are then transferred (posted) to a general ledger that holds information on all the accounts.

Income Statement: The income statement provides a summary of the income and expenses incurred by an organization over a specified time. The three main parts to the income statement are the income section (sales), the expense section (generally consisting of operating, financial, and tax), and the net profit. The net profit is the difference between the income and expenses. If the expenses exceed income, a net loss is incurred. The income statement is prepared using the accrual method.

Journal Entries: A system of recording accounting transactions. Every accounting transaction has a debit and credit entry (double entry). A debit is an entry that either increases an asset account or decreases a liability or owners’ equity account. A debit entry is shown on the left side of the journal entry. A credit is an entry that either decreases assets or increases liabilities and owners’ equity and is shown on the right side of the journal entry.

Investors: There are generally two kinds of investors: equity and credit investors. Equity investors are investors who invest financial resources in a company in return for an ownership stake. Equity investors receive a share of the profits the company generates and also benefit from appreciation of the value of the organization. Credit investors lend financial resources to an organization for a set period of time. They expect to get a fixed payment (interest) on a regular basis until their investment is paid back.

Total Fixed Costs and Total Variable Costs: Fixed costs are costs within an organization that remain the same even when the volume of activity changes. Variable costs, on the other hand, will fluctuate proportional to the volume of activity.

 

 

Your MBA: The Way to Career Opportunities

Posted on by Maribeth Gunner

By Michele Paludi and Maribeth Gunner Pulliam

Where do you see yourself professionally in five years? Do you picture yourself applying your leadership skills to direct an organization’s vision? Are you someone who enjoys applying data analytics to solve organizational problems? Do you want a career in consulting to improve organizations’ performance and business systems? If you answered “yes” to any of these statements, pursuing a Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the career path for you.

An MBA is essential for pursuing several management-and leadership-related careers, including: human resources vice president, supply chain manager, management consultant, social media consultant, project manager, accountant, marketer, and security risk analyst. Employees with MBAs work in health care, nonprofits, hospitality, government, education, military, sports, manufacturing, and international development. The MBA is designed to provide a quality education to facilitate career advancement, especially for those who work in middle management positions in business, the private sector, the public sector, and in nonprofits.

An MBA positions individuals for success; this degree provides the skills and competitive edge needed to accomplish ones’ career goals.  Employees with MBAs are high in demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that employment of management-related occupations will grow 6 percent from 2014–2024, resulting in approximately 506,000 new jobs. In addition, organizations planning to hire MBA graduates are up: four out of five organizations want to hire MBAs!

MBAs also command higher salaries. The Graduate Management Admission Council noted in its 2015 research that the median starting salary for new MBA graduates in the United States was $100,000. The Council also reported this figure was an increase of 5.3 percent over the previous year and double the salary of graduates with only a bachelor’s degree. Furthermore, MBA students are promoted earlier than peers, have the skills to become an entrepreneur and/or consultant, and have skills to transition to several fields.

What courses are typically covered in an MBA curriculum? All the different functions and activities within an organization, e.g.: accounting, finance, operations management, marketing, leadership, organizational behavior, human resources management, entrepreneurship, ethics, managerial economics, quantitative analyses, and global business. The curriculum offers the requisite theories, research, decision-making skills and ethics to fit into the business community. MBA students learn how to critically analyze case studies, solve complex business problems, and deal with ambiguity. There are also opportunities to have a concentration within the MBA in an area of interest, e.g., human resources, leadership, and accounting.  Concentrating within a specialized area shows prospective employers mastery in one or more aspects of business.

MBA graduates have a large skill set, including effective communication and teamwork, that are highly desirable by employers across industries. These versatile skills make them effective in addressing organizational needs with a thorough understanding of ways their unique role impacts the entire organization. Furthermore, MBA students think strategically and globally in all aspects of business.  An added benefit students receive from MBA programs is the development of a business network that will assist them with skill enhancement, as well as exposure to different cultures and business practices.

With an MBA, students are able to communicate and perform ethically and professionally in business situations, and can integrate various roles of accounting, marketing, finance, management, and economics into strategic business analysis. Students can investigate real-world business problems and generate recommendations for action. If your interests and abilities are focused in advancing in the field of business, and you want a career trajectory that allows for continued growth, opportunity, and success, consider an MBA.

Keith Sloan Brings Military Expertise to National Security Program

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

College courses can thrive with faculty proficient in an eclectic mix of environments. In the case of Keith Sloan, an adjunct instructor who teaches in the Bachelor of Science in National Security program, students have the benefit of learning from a military professional expertly versed in his material—and with experience above and below sea level.

During his 20-year career with the United States Navy as a submarine warfare officer, Sloan handled such job responsibilities as intelligence focused on Russian submarine operations, advising on nuclear strikes from U.S. Strategic Command, and nuclear arms inspection under the Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. Since his retirement from the Navy in 2010, he’s worked as a federal civilian with the U.S. Army, informing weapons of mass destruction (WMD) policy at the Pentagon from 2010 to 2017; and now working as a nuclear target integrator with the Nuclear Operations Division of the U.S. Army Nuclear and Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction Agency (USANCA).

The aptitude and attention necessary to manage these responsibilities would be enough for most national security professionals. But for Sloan, the need to educate intermingled with the duty to protect. A year before retiring from the Navy, the graduate of the University of San Diego (BA, Political Science), Creighton University (MA, International Relations), and American Military University (MA, Homeland Security and Terrorism Studies) began teaching graduate-level National Security Studies courses at Trinity Washington University, and continued to do so until his host program was discontinued in 2017.

Thankfully, a former colleague from Trinity recommended Sloan to Excelsior College that same year. Now, he’s brought his decades of experience to students enrolled in Excelsior’s Introduction to Security Studies and National Security Ethics and Diversity courses, and their ongoing engagement is now one the most rewarding experiences of his career.

“It’s always the students. Always,” says Sloan, who now resides in Alexandria, Virginia. “They make it interesting and worthwhile. Excelsior has been great in that the students tend to be professional, and often military folks. I understand them, what they do, and why they do it. They always have great stories to tell.”

Now, these students are giving Sloan stories to tell, thanks to the subject matter exchanged through Excelsior’s convenient online courses. According to the longtime military strategist, his web-based classrooms are full of learners trying to maintain personal and professional lives in the busiest of conditions. “I’ve had students on the front lines of Syria and Iraq running around [South] Korea, and who knows where else,” he says. “Excelsior makes it possible for them to have full lives and still get a good education.”

Amid these challenging situations, there’s Sloan, helping to conceive careers or enhance professional interests.

“I just had a student tell me that the discussions in my Ethics class helped steer him in his choice for his next career,” says Sloan. “That sort of impact is a bit humbling.”

 

More from Keith Sloan:

Job-hunting tips

Get smart on your area of expertise; network; and, as hard as it is to swallow, realize you will likely have to do your time and work your way up in your field. As Sloan notes, “No one starts as CEO.”

Time management tips

Be disciplined. Don’t procrastinate. Think of your time and budget it like you do money. “In the end,” says Sloan, “it’s far more valuable.” 

Best field-related advice he’s ever received

Don’t be complacent. Keep learning, keep growing, and don’t get stagnant or lazy. “If you do,” says Sloan, “you risk becoming irrelevant.”

Best field-relevant book, podcast, or e-related pub

The Defense News Early Bird Brief. Professor Sloan receives the email every workday, and it provides a long list of links to articles on security issues.

One thing learned as a faculty member he wishes he’d known as a college student

Don’t sweat grades. “Learn for learning’s sake and try to always improve on your work and yourself,” says Sloan. “The diploma may be a means to an end, but the education is an end.”

 One piece of advice for future Excelsior students

Take advantage of the learning opportunities. Don’t just focus on the degree—focus on the learning. “As a professor, I learn things every time I teach a class,” says Sloan. “It would not be much fun if I didn’t.”

 

IQ and EQ in the Nuclear Industry

Posted on by Kelly Robinson

High cognitive intelligence (one’s IQ) is important in today’s technological workforce. The nuclear industry is one field where leaders must possess high IQs to understand the technology and interpret information to make risk-informed decisions.

Is high IQ sufficient to achieve optimum leadership results? In today’s nuclear environment, a leader must perform in a relational environment where everyone is expected to collaborate in reaching conclusions and implementing decisions to ensure safe operations. Emotional intelligence (EQ) helps leaders know themselves and workers in order to motivate them to be actively engaged and achieve higher levels of performance. Studies show that leaders with a high EQ and average IQ outperform leaders that have a high IQ and low EQ. While IQ is relatively unchangeable, a leader can choose to develop EQ.

Leadership development programs are a vital component of talent management strategies used by nuclear utilities. Despite current research on the effectiveness of EQ on leader performance and employee engagement, not all utility development programs include emotional intelligence. The utility that I work for has included EQ development in the leadership development program for more than 13 years and started formally assessing leaders’ EQ seven years ago. The program conveys the idea that leaders who focus on improving their EQ would see improvement in their overall leadership performance as well as more employee engagement and higher levels of performance. During training, there are some individuals who have an “aha” moment, but the majority do not, and so there is little-sustained change. After training more than 2,000 leaders on EQ, the company’s performance should be best in the industry. Why isn’t it?

It seems that the importance of EQ is not recognized or valued despite studies and literature that demonstrate how valuable EQ is for leader performance. For example, during a leadership intervention involving more than 400 middle-level executives, each leader completed a 360-degree leadership assessment and an EQ-i 2.0 assessment prior to attending the course. During the course, each leader received their assessment results and spent time creating an individual development plan to help them improve their management competency. Facilitators discovered that participants focused almost solely on their leadership skills and gave little thought to EQ despite having been presented content on the importance of EQ and its role in supporting leadership competencies. Like in many management development programs, new skills are quickly forgotten. If EQ concepts are not reinforced in the workplace, they don’t get implemented.

The outlook is not completely bleak. When EQ leader assessments in the first line supervisor development program began, the scores averaged approximately five points below the assessment tool norms. As time progresses and younger supervisors come through the program, we should see an improved trend in EQ competency. This gives me hope that as these younger leaders move up in their companies, EQ will be more valued and supported, aiding in the industry’s drive for continuous improvement. Organizational development personnel must also continue to advocate for EQ development content in talent management programs.

 

Kelly Robinson, Ph.D. (ABD), is a certified emotional intelligence coach.

 

Disclaimer: The views expressed here are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Excelsior College, its trustees, officers, or employees.

Business Basics: Using a SWOT Analysis

Posted on by William Trevor

Amazon uses its strength in e-commerce and cloud computing to dominate online sales of books and other products; Google identified an opportunity in online advertising and now generates billions of dollars in ad revenue every year; and Apple and Samsung counter the threat from each other’s businesses as they fight a daily battle for global smartphone sales. In each of these businesses a SWOT analysis would have been used to shape the strategy of the organization and to reach an informed decision about what direction the company should take.

Why Is the SWOT Analysis Important?

The SWOT analysis is a vital component of every business course, both at the bachelor’s and MBA levels, that any student or manager needs to know. At its simplest, the SWOT analysis allows the manager to understand the strengths of the organization and match them to the opportunities in the wider business environment. It also helps the manager identify weaknesses that need to be addressed and/or threats to future growth. The SWOT analysis looks at the wider environment in which the organization operates to help a business focus upon priorities and identify a way forward.

But despite the simplicity of the SWOT—whether the business is considering new opportunities or trying to understand the threats to its future growth—it is also one of the most powerful decision-making tools available to the modern manager. There is also a tool called the TOWS matrix, which is just a variant of the SWOT analysis and uses the same components.

What Role Does a SWOT Analysis Play in Developing a Business Strategy?

A SWOT analysis plays an important role in developing a business strategy. First, the organization scans its macro-environment (the broader business environment) comprising the political, economic, social, and technological factors that impact the organization and representing the external factors over which they have little influence. A change of government, for example, might mean the loss of jobs from the cancellation of a defense contract. Second, the organization gathers information from its micro-environment, or the specific context in which the business operates: competitors, customers, suppliers, and other key stakeholders.

How Can Data Be Organized Using SWOT Analysis?

Data resulting from macro- and micro-environmental scanning, can then be analyzed using the SWOT analysis to categorize and then prioritize the organization’s options. Strengths are internal to the organization. They are the internal capabilities of the business and represent the core skills of the organization. For example, with Apple, it is design; with Google, it is online search. Weaknesses are the internal limitations of the organization. Perhaps the organization lacks the IT infrastructure to develop a new app, or the absence of the right expertize prevents the company from expanding overseas. Opportunities are the things in the external environment that the organization can take advantage of, such as a different market for an existing product, or an innovative new business model. Threats are from the external environment, perhaps a competitor moving in on a best-selling product or new legislation that requires a change to the way we do business.

What Does an Organization do with Information from a SWOT Analysis?

Having identified the relevant SWOT elements, the organization will engage in either a “matching” or “converting” strategy to utilize the results of the analysis. A matching strategy is where a business

matches its strengths to a corresponding market opportunity. For example, Amazon realized that its strengths in online retail allowed it to gain a competitive advantage in other products beyond books. Alternatively, a converting strategy allows the business to convert threats into opportunities and weaknesses into strengths. A business that lacks an overseas sales presence, for example, might buy a local company and gain a team of experts in a market that was previously underserved.

How Will a SWOT Analysis Help Me as a Future Manager?

Ultimately, a SWOT analysis remains one of the simplest and most powerful aids among the many strategic business tools available. Successful businesses need to make priorities and make decisions based upon the available data, and that is exactly what the SWOT analysis allows the organization to do. The temptation for students and inexperienced managers is to list as many factors under each heading as they can think of, but to be effective it is important to identify the top three or five factors and then place them in ranked order. It is in identifying the most important opportunity, or the most pressing threat, that makes the SWOT so indispensable.

Top companies develop competitive advantage from understanding the opportunities and threats in the marketplace and from identifying where their strengths and weaknesses are. The ability to develop and analyze a SWOT analysis and make informed decisions based upon the results allows you to develop a strategic perspective that will benefit you in a range of different organizations and help you in whatever career path you choose.

Course Feature: MAT 101: Math for Everyday Life

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

The Math for Everyday Life Course Helps Students Learn Important Skills

Math is everywhere—be it calculating your mortgage, balancing your checkbook, or figuring out the area dimensions for your home’s new carpeting—but when it comes to taking a math course, some people worry their skills won’t add up. MAT 101: Math for Everyday Life is a comprehensive course that emphasizes the critical thinking involved in understanding common uses of math—a focus perfect for the average adult learner.

Program Director Margie Dunn led the creation of the innovative mathematics course in 2012. It covers a variety of topics that can be applied to adult life. Many topics are presented and applied in a manner that requires college-level critical thinking and problem solving. “Some of the topics,” says Dunn, “provide the adult learner with new perspectives, such as the mathematical beauty that can be found in music, art, and nature, or the remarkable speed of exponential growth.” Current topics include: unit conversions; percents and earning interest; compound interest in savings plan and investments; compound interest in loans, credit cards, and mortgages; mathematics in arts and nature; statistical reasoning; and inaccuracies in medical testing.

Math is Not Scary

MAT 101 is specifically designed for the non-STEM student (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math). Most students, unless they are pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics, are not likely to take another math course after completing their core requirements. Course instructor Chris Arney notes that many students delay taking MAT 101 until the end of their college experience because of the “dreaded” and “scary” mentality surrounding traditional math courses. The course addresses this perspective by making students aware of math in their world. He says, “They often reflect at the beginning of the course that math has nothing to do with their lives, but for some arcane reason the system is making them take this terrible subject as some kind of punishment. That attitude quickly changes, and by the end of the course, they are singing the praises of the utility of math in their lives.”

In addition to recognizing the role of math in our lives, a great takeaway from the course is the realization that a mathematics problem can be solved in a variety of ways. “There is no best way. The best way is the way you understand it,” says Dunn, explaining students may come to learn faster or easier ways as they compare solutions with their peers. This variety can also be used to check correctness, she says. “There’s no solution manual in real life—how can you be confident that your answer is correct?  Solve it a different way—or have someone else solve it in whatever way they choose —and see if you get the same results.”

Instructor Helps Students With Real-Life Math

Arney says the course gives students confidence to use mathematical thinking and quantitative problem solving in their everyday lives. One student remarked, “I would absolutely recommend this course to other students. The practical, real-life approach to mathematics in this course will be more useful in day-to-day life than that of many other mathematics courses.” Another noted, “Great course with interesting information. Good for an adult learner returning to college to achieve their math requirements while learning some very useful and interesting skills and information.” Another student commented on the learning techniques, saying, “I would recommend this course because being in a group with others learning the same information is better than learning on your own. I was amazed how three of my classmates worked the same problem differently but came up with the same answer…”

Dunn agrees with this perspective, saying, “Learning to communicate when group members are attacking a problem from different perspectives —whether the problem is a numeric problem or another type of problem —regardless, that communication is an important life skill.”

Interested? Consider registering for MAT 101: Math for Everyday Life for next semester.

 

 

 

The 2018 Nuclear Posture Review: Continuity and Change

Posted on by Keith Sloan

“The Secretary shall initiate a new Nuclear Posture Review to ensure that the United States nuclear deterrent is modern, robust, flexible, resilient, ready and appropriately tailored to deter 21st-century threats and reassure our allies.” President Donald Trump, January 2017

One of President Donald Trump’s first national security orders directed the Department of Defense (DoD) to conduct a comprehensive review of the U.S. nuclear arsenal and its role in U.S. national security. On February 2, 2018, the Nuclear Posture Review (NPR) was approved by both Defense Secretary James Mattis and President Trump. Compared to the 2010 NPR conducted by President Barack Obama’s administration, there is significant continuity—but also significant changes—envisioned for the role of nuclear weapons.

The 2018 NPR begins with a review of the deteriorating security environment, focusing on the return of great power competition, especially with Russia and China, which have both shown a willingness to use force and threats of force to challenge the post-Cold War international order and long-recognized norms of behavior. Additionally, although the U.S. continued to reduce the numbers and salience of nuclear weapons, other states did not follow and, indeed, moved in the opposite direction. New nuclear threats have emerged since the 2010 NPR, most notably North Korea. Although currently contained by the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), Iran retains the ability to develop a nuclear weapon in as little as a year should they so choose.

The 2010 NPR postulated that the greatest threat from nuclear weapons was the possibility of a terrorist organization acquiring and using such a weapon. The 2018 NPR, on the other hand, considers the most likely use of a nuclear weapon would be during a regional conventional conflict in which a nuclear-armed state employed a nuclear weapon in order to achieve an otherwise unobtainable victory. Russia, for instance, has maintained a policy of “escalate to de-escalate” for over a decade, believing that a limited use of nuclear weapons might achieve results that its conventional forces alone could not. To this end, Russia has modernized and expanded its arsenal of non-strategic nuclear weapons (NSNW), which are unconstrained by any treaty and to which the U.S. largely lacks comparable capabilities.

As in 2010, the 2018 NPR’s primary purpose is deterring the use of nuclear weapons by a potential adversary. Also consistent between administrations is the requirement to hedge against future uncertainty, whether technological or geopolitical; the need to assure allies that they do not need to develop their own nuclear weapons; and the explicit statement that nuclear weapons would only be used in extreme circumstances. President Trump diverges at this point from his predecessor in more broadly defining “extreme circumstances” to include “non-nuclear strategic attack,” which includes (but is not limited to) attacks that cause strategic effects against U.S and/or allied civilian populations or infrastructure; U.S. nuclear forces; the ability to command and control nuclear forces; or the ability to detect and assess attacks against the U.S. and allies. The 2018 NPR is careful to not narrowly define specifics of what constitutes a non-nuclear strategic attack, but obvious possibilities include severe cyber or biological attacks. The 2018 NPR does retain President Obama’s Negative Security Assurance that states that the U.S. will not use nuclear weapons against a non-nuclear weapons state in compliance with the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. The apparent contradiction between these statements is not resolved in the document and may be its most significant flaw.

President Obama made it clear that his ultimate goal was the total elimination of nuclear weapons. While the 2018 NPR also addresses this goal, it views nuclear weapons as likely an enduring element of the security environment. The NPR recognizes that there is no “one-size-fits-all” means to deter potential nuclear adversaries. Therefore, it calls for a tailored and flexible approach to deter nuclear use, laying out specifics for the four countries of greatest concern (Russia, China, North Korea, and Iran).

The U.S. nuclear enterprise has been neglected since the end of the Cold War in 1991. Most every element of the nuclear enterprise was deployed in the 1980s or even earlier. The NPR calls for an across-the-board revitalization of the nuclear enterprise, with new weapons and delivery systems for each leg of the nuclear triad (air, sea, and land-based systems). Additionally, it recognizes the need to enhance and strengthen the ability to command and control those forces in any potential conflict, including new and emerging threats in such areas as cyber and space. Two specific directives have generated the most concern: a low-yield warhead for submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs) and a new sea-launched cruise missile (SLCM) for attack submarines. Both are seen as required to at least partially fill the gap between robust Russian and lackluster U.S. NSNW capabilities.

Perhaps surprisingly, the DoD currently spends only about 3 percent of its budget on the nuclear enterprise; the extensive modernization and revitalization the NPR envisions will increase this to about 6 percent of the budget for several decades. This is, of course, a significant amount of money, but Secretary of Defense Mattis has stated that “we can afford survival.”

The 2018 NPR lays a reasonable and ultimately affordable way ahead for the nuclear enterprise, given degrading conditions in the security environment and decades of neglect. It implements the initial work to modernize the enterprise begun by the Obama administration. At the end of the day, nuclear weapons have prevented great power conflict since 1945 and ensured the ultimate security of the United States. It does not shut the door to future arms control initiatives. It soberly assesses the expansion of nuclear arsenals in potential adversary countries and seeks to make it clear that the costs of using nuclear weapons will always exceed any potential benefit. Implementing the recommendations and direction of the 2018 NPR will ensure U.S. security for decades to come.

For a more in depth look at the Nuclear Posture Review, watch our previously recorded webinar with Keith Sloan.

For more information on the Bachelor of Science in National Security Program, click here.