It’s Personal: Lifang Shih Ensures Support for Technology Students

Posted on by Maria C. Sparks

Attention adult learners considering a career in technology. Lifang Shih, the dean of the School of Business & Technology, would like you to know it’s not too late.

She knows this first-hand since her own path to a technology career was not a traditional one.

As a child growing up in Taiwan, Shih was a good student in chemistry, physics, and math. However, when it came time to take the entrance exam to determine what high school she would attend, she did not earn the required grade to attend a high school specializing in math, science, and technology. Without attending such a high school, she had very little chance to attend a college that would prepare her for a career in STEM. She was then tracked for liberal arts, was an English major in college, and became an English teacher. However, her interest in technology did not wane.

“I liked to use technology and software to enhance my language learning in the classroom, says Shih, pointing out that it was innovative to do so at the time.

She ultimately decided to pursue a degree in instructional technology. To find the right academic program, she decided to study abroad. She moved from Taiwan to Albany, New York, with her husband and enrolled at the University of Albany. While pursuing a master’s in curriculum development and instructional technology from UAlbany, she had an internship at the university’s Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning. She became an instructional designer for the center after earning her degree. In this role, she developed, designed, and maintained the center’s website, and helped faculty to learn how to use the software programs and equipment, among other responsibilities. At the same time, she began pursuing a doctorate in curriculum and instruction from UAlbany.

Working in the educational technology field blended her passion for learning with her passion for how technology can enhance learning and disseminate information. In January 2005, she became the first director of online course management at Excelsior’s School of Business & Technology. This was when the College was beginning to build its online course offerings, and in this role, Shih designed the course template and programmed courses. She later became director of program development and assessment for the school and then associate dean followed by associate dean for technology. In July 2016, she was named interim dean and held that position until being named dean in January 2017.

As dean, she continues to value innovative thinking and seeks ways to use instructional technology. In the recent fall term, the School launched its first online nuclear simulator as part of the BS in Nuclear Engineering Technology program. There are also virtual labs in the information technology and cybersecurity programs.

“I know, I know the value of hands on skills, especially with the technology students,” stresses Shih. “And I understand their struggle, especially our students who are not from a traditional path, which is usually selective.”

The student experience is not just about the class experience, she says. It’s also about how students are prepared so they are ready to learn the curriculum. Drawing from her own experience, she knows not all students who are interested in a technology program will come to Excelsior with the foundational knowledge they need for success.

One way the School of Business & Technology helps support these students is through a math boot camp, a free self-paced course for students who need a refresher on high school math, including pre-calculus. The course is open to all business and technology students, and they can take it while enrolled in other courses.

“Because my door was shut, because of the limited options available while I was in the College, that’s why I’m very passionate about the mission of this school that makes the STEM field not selective,” says Shih. “We provide people who have the desire and inspiration to get into these selective fields the opportunity to really change to a [technology] field.”

There’s no time limit for making a career change to a technology field, or within a technology field. “It’s never too late if you want to work hard because we will meet you where you are,” she says.

At Excelsior, the door is open.

Are Algorithms the Answer? Vol 1

Posted on by Gretchen Schmidt, JD

Note: The following is an abridged article based on an Academy of Criminal Justices Sciences presentation

Pre-trial detention is both costly and often is disproportionately leveraged against minorities and those with lower socio-economical means. Courts nationwide are looking to algorithms to determine whether a defendant should be detained pending trial. The goal of using algorithms is twofold: reduce the population of pretrial detainees and help judges make better decisions regarding the need to detain a defendant.

Across the United States, criminal justice policymakers, practitioners, and advocates have raised concerns about the large number of people who are detained in local jails while waiting for resolution to their criminal charges. While some defendants are held because they are deemed likely to flee or commit additional crimes if released, many others do not pose a significant risk and are held because they cannot afford to pay the bail amount set by a judge. Incarcerating these relatively low-risk defendants is costly to taxpayers and disrupts the lives of defendants and their families, many of whom have low incomes and face other challenges. To address this situation, some jurisdictions are experimenting with new approaches to handling criminal cases pretrial, with the overarching goal of reducing unnecessary incarceration while maintaining public safety.

Currently, most jurisdictions in the United States work on a bail/bond system. The judge generally looks at the information in front of him/her in the defendant’s file and is forced to decide whether the defendant will be released on his/her own recognizance or if they will be given the opportunity to post bail pending trial. In many cases, there is a chart that is used to determine the amount of bail that is to be set based on the level of the offense and the defendant’s criminal record. Another factor considered is the defendant’s age and their ties to the community, i.e. family, job, housing. Research has proven that the bond system tends to be biased against those who are poor and often, minorities and the homeless. Intuition is also often biased against the same populations. Inserting a data-driven alternative is a good step toward reform and a more just system.

Simply put, those with money are more likely to be able to post whatever bail is set, avoid jail time, and afford a lawyer to help reduce the charges.  Those who are poor can’t afford the bail or time off the job to fight the charges; therefore, they are more likely to take a plea whether they are guilty or not, thus ending up with a lengthier criminal record. This, of course, sets them up to be ineligible the next time they get arrested whether for valid or invalid charges. It is a vicious cycle.

During the last few years, increased awareness of the economic and human toll of mass incarceration in the United States has launched a reform movement in sentencing and corrections (Lawrence, 2013). According to Arnold and Arnold, this remarkably bipartisan movement is shifting public discourse about criminal justice “away from the question of how best to punish, to how best to achieve long-term public safety.”

It seems from the collective research that for the algorithm to be successful, the tool not only needs to be valid but also properly implemented. This includes intensive training on the tool, its goals and limitations, and consistent use at every level—from the officer utilizing it and entering the data in the system to the judge who determines the appropriate pre-trial action.

Kentucky, which has been working on reform of pre-trial detention for over a decade, struggled until 2013 when it added the PSA tool and training for all parties involved. It has since seen great success. A balance needs to be realized between what the tool suggests and the judges’ intuition. But in any case, a proprietary bail system that grossly over houses the poor needs to be eliminated. Putting at-risk community members in touch with the appropriate resources to help them be contributing members of society is for the greater good. Research supports that this can be accomplished without creating harm to society and for defendants still appearing for court appearances as evidenced in Kentucky and New Jersey (NJ).

According to New Jersey’s state-reported data, between January 1 and July 31, 2017, the state of New Jersey has seen its pretrial jail fall by 15.8 percent. That is an impressive drop in under a year. That translates to 2,167 fewer people held in pretrial detention on July 31, 2017 then at the same time in 2016. That’s more than 2,000 people who have not been convicted of any wrongdoing, and who get to live at home with their families and carry on their normal lives rather than live in a jail cell. These same people also stand a better chance of keeping their jobs and their kids, and their lives aren’t unnecessarily disrupted while they are locked up before even being convicted. (NJSP.org, 2017). It is important to note that during this same time, New Jersey’s crime rate fell. Violent crime in January through August 2017 was 16.7 percent lower than during the same period of 2016. Murder fell by 28.6 percent, assault by 13.3 percent, robbery by 22 percent. By contrast, violent crime only fell 4.3 percent in 2016, and didn’t move in 2105. (NJSP.org, 2017).

It’s far too soon to say if bail reform contributed to the big year-to-year drop. But at the very least, bail reform hasn’t been accompanied with some dramatic increase in danger or crime. More people are free, and more people are safe (NJSP.org, 2017).

Kentucky’s courts have used the PSA-Court to help identify low-risk defendants who pose little threat to public safety and are therefore suitable for pretrial release. Since implementation of the PSA-Court, and as compared to the four years prior to July 1, 2013, the new criminal activity rate has dropped significantly. Kentucky is now detaining more high-risk and potentially violent defendants, while more low-risk defendants are being released. And crime is down.

We are only scratching the service on how algorithms, research, and data-driven decision making can help reform the pre-trial process. This is where academic partnerships and alliances with agencys in our community can make a difference.

Based on the research, considering people are going to make errors and no system is perfect, it seems like this approach is a good start at taking out some of the bias and making the system a bit fairer, particularly for poor, non-violent offenders. Furthermore, it may go a long way toward helping our communities; if we get people in touch with the resources they need rather than put them in a cage, they are more likely to productively contribute to society.

 

Degrees at Work: Nelson Torres

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

The halls of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History are quiet. Nelson Torres, a 1997 BS in Liberal Arts graduate, passes by the elephant standing impressive in the rotunda. He is behind the scenes, in the shadows, but he helps ensure all the Smithsonian museums are accessible and ready for the public.

Torres is the associate director of business operations within the Office of Facilities Management and Reliability at the Smithsonian Institution. He oversees the facilities budget and workforce, procurement process, and property management for the Smithsonian’s 19 museums, National Zoo, and a handful of research centers across the country—13 million square feet of space. “I really like business, I really like managing resources and programs, and seeing how those programs work and thrive,” says Torres of his position.

His team is responsible for providing the human, budgetary, and property resources to facilitate the cleanliness, appearance, and maintenance of the iconic Smithsonian Institution facilities. “It’s a lot of the back room, enterprise sort of thing that people don’t see and maybe take for granted that will always work,” he explains. He may work behind the exhibits, but he enjoys seeing the payoff every day. That’s what gets him up in the morning. Says Torres, “It just really is seeing that tangible result; that the visitor experience goes on uninterrupted, and that it’s a good experience here at the Smithsonian.”

He is dedicated but also credits his staff for making his job so enjoyable. “They are one of the reasons why I come to work. It’s a very pleasant, very collegial, very nurturing environment…I love that my work involves people and budgets and procurements, but it also involves working with the staff of different museums and different art galleries or the National Zoo or a research center and possibly finding a common theme that we all can work together toward.”

At the end of each day, Torres leaves feeling physically and mentally tired, but more than that, he says he often wonders, “Did I do enough? Did I do enough today to ensure that tomorrow is going to be a great day for not only our staff but for our visiting public?”

In his position, he often thinks about the next day; it’s important to think strategically about what’s next. In this respect, Torres’s job is never over. But that’s how he likes it. He says, “I love making magic, and I love making things happen.”

 

More advice from Nelson Torres:

How to Prepare for a Job in Business Management: “It is very helpful to have a degree. If you want to do HR or budget or contracting, there are degrees specific to that. I have a very broad business degree and it’s in management, and it’s what I enjoy doing. So, if you want to do what I do, management is probably the career path you want to go. You also want to have technical expertise in personnel, contracting, and that sort of thing. Business management allows you to be flexible and be able to do all those sorts of specific functions.”

Thoughts on Leadership: “I think part of being a good leader is knowing when to step in and when to stand back. So, I don’t always have to lead nor do I have to always manage everything…. I don’t want things to look like or sound like it’s all centered around me.”

Advice for people changing careers or going after new career: Sometimes you have to take risks. Torres never thought he would be working at Smithsonian, but he put himself out there and here he is. “Be open to new experiences and broad experiences. Bring different perspectives. Exercise a little bit of patience, though; some things take time,” he says.

Why He Chose Excelsior: Torres accumulated lots of credits from multiple schools over years and Excelsior took many of those credits.

 

Course Feature: Gangs in America

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Gangs seems to be a prevalent theme in our country, from television shows to music to the clothing industry. CJ 315: Gangs in America explores this issue, covering topics including why gangs form, why people join gangs, and society’s response to the problem. Students also discuss the various types of gangs (street gangs, prison gangs, criminal gangs, etc.), gender and age-based gangs, outlaw motorcycle gangs, military gangs, and transnational gangs.

Many students who take CJ 315 are those currently working or interested in working in law enforcement, says Dr. Michael Verro, senior faculty program director for criminal justice and homeland security studies. Other students are interested in taking the course as an elective. Whatever the case, students who successfully complete the course will be able to “demonstrate a working knowledge of gangs and gang membership; explain the concept of criminal enterprise and how it applies to organized crime and street gangs; discuss the importance of symbols, graffiti, recruitment, and tactics of street gangs and organized crime; and explain the methods used by law enforcement to combat and control these often-criminal groups,” says Verro.

Students have gleaned much from the course and its instructor, a former police officer and security director. “I really enjoyed learning from the instructor and he challenged the way I thought by requiring evidence to back up my statements,” remarked one student; another said, “[The instructor] asked hard questions in order to make me think about what I was doing, which enhanced my understanding of what I was learning.”

If you’d like to learn more about the fascinating topic of gangs in America, sign up for CJ 315 for the next trimester.

Quantum Leap: The Quantum Computing Revolution

Posted on by Ethan Prissler

Quantum computing is the term used to encompass the massive change underway in both computer hardware and digital computation. The basis for this revolution in computation is in the way in which information is processed by the hardware. While still in its infancy, quantum computing is poised to fundamentally change the way in which we interact with the digital world.

Currently, computers represent information in bits in a binary fashion, either as a one or a zero. A collection of bits, called a string, can be used to represent things like letters of the alphabet; using the American Standard Code for Information Interchange, {01000001} is the code for the letter A, for example. Using this binary system of bits, computations are done either serially (one after the other) or in parallel (multiple calculations are broken into multiple subtasks which are then worked through at the same time).

Quantum computing, on the other hand, deals with qubits, or quantum bits, instead of the traditional bit. Calculations involving qubits are worked through simultaneously, without breaking the computations into subtasks to be run in parallel processing models. In other words, using the current bit-based model, three bits together can be represented in eight possible combinations: 000, 001, 010, 011, 100, 101, 110, and 111. In the qubit-based model, all eight possible combinations of three qubits can be represented just by the qubits themselves, meaning that a three-qubit notation can encompass all the possible combinations of 1s and 0s.

In cases involving probabilistic computing (i.e. determining which combinations, out of all possible combinations of qubits, are the “correct” ones), the qubits allow for simultaneous computation without the need to break down each computation into a smaller subtask before computing each outcome, and then having to compare or identify the “correct” combination. This represents an enormous savings in computational time in many circumstances, once the number of bits or qubits in the calculation begin to increase. The greater the number of bits/qubits, the easier it is to see the time savings gained, computationally speaking, in many calculations. The progression of possible combinations using bits is expressed using the formula 2n: 2 bits = 4 combinations, 3 bits = 8 combinations, 4 bits = 16 combination, 5 bits = 32 combinations, and so on. While combinations can be worked through in parallel using bits, there is no need for the generation of subtasks when using quantum computing.

This means that for practical tasks, like encrypting and decrypting information, many possible passwords or character combinations can be checked in the fraction of the time it takes for current computers to work through them. Current encryption methods may no longer prove to be secure for long-term storage (think iCloud, GoogleDrive, DropBox, etc.). Current transaction-based encryption, like that used for online banking transactions, would still be relatively secure as the strength of the encryption is only necessary for as long as it takes for a transaction to be processed and the results recorded and posted.  However, information security, both as a practice and as an industry, will require a paradigm shift in order to retain the current level of users’ expectations of privacy. To learn more about computing and technology earn your BS in Information Technology.

 

Working Remotely 9 to 5: Promises and Pitfalls

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

What matters most to you in your job? Is it the satisfaction of work well-done? Recognition? Salary and title? Collaborating in teams? The ability to work from home to achieve more work/life balance?

If you answered, “work from home,” you are not alone. Recent statistics summarized by the Society for Human Resource Management indicate that between 30 percent and 45 percent of the labor force work remotely. In addition, 80percent to 90 percent of the U.S. workforce would like to work remotely at least part-time.

Are there benefits to employees who work remotely? Does remote work benefit employers? To answer these questions, the Chinese travel website, Ctrip, offered employees in the call center the opportunity to work remotely for nine months or to work on-site at the company. Survey results indicate that remote workers, in comparison to employees who came into the office, were happier, less likely to quit their job, had higher job satisfaction, and were more productive (i.e., completed more calls: 13.5 percent more calls, to be exact). Remote workers indicated they had more control over when and where they could conduct their work. The issue of control over one’s workday has been shown to avoid job stress and burnout. Furthermore, Ctrip reported it saved $1,900 per employee for the nine months.

Other studies also identify benefits of remote work to employees and employers alike, similar to the Ctrip research, including:  productivity increases, more time with family, and the ability to work in less stressful environments, which helps to increase productivity. Absenteeism decreases and retention increases.

Are the benefits to employees identified in this research important to increasing productivity? In 2009, IBM said yes. That year, 40 percent of 386 IBM employees in 173 countries worked remotely. IBM sold office buildings and regained approximately $2 billion. In 2017 however, IBM called all remote workers back to their offices. Why the change? IBM believes the most important predictor of increased productivity is “togetherness,” where employees can build trust through decoding and encoding coworkers’ verbal and nonverbal communication. Critics of this strategy indicate working collaboratively doesn’t necessarily promote high performing teams, nor does face time. IBM will have to build a new culture; employees won’t assimilate back to their previous jobs automatically.

Still, many companies are offering employees remote work. Before you decide to accept a remote job, you will need to ensure your organization provides you with a remote work policy, as there are legal implications for working remotely. A remote work policy must be tailored to the employee’s specific job description; it is an agreement to be signed by the employee and her/his supervisor identifying work expected to be accomplished, how to document work completed, rules on working overtime, use of company equipment, and attendance at training programs. Additional components of the policy include: on-the-job injuries, inventory and office property agreement, damage, and theft.

Do you think you are a good candidate for working remotely? Research suggests the following skills are necessary for success in a remote job: critical thinking, being computer savvy, being well-organized, self-motivation, ability to avoid distractions, comfortable with working without colleagues, and having excellent written and verbal communication skills. Being in touch with what you want from work will also allow you to better judge if working remotely is the right career path for you.

Predatory Journals

Posted on by Larry Purnell, PhD, RN, FAAN

At least weekly, I receive an e-mail from a journal that starts out with “Esteemed Professor” or some such appellation that makes one feel important. The journal is inviting me to submit an article or to update a previous publication in what appears to be a legitimate journal. One journal, the International Journal of Oncology Science seemed familiar and promised to publish my paper within a month.  The journal claimed to be an official journal of International Association Trust with a prime focus of publishing articles related to the current trends of oncology research (International Journal of Oncology Science, n.d.) If I were a new author eager to publish in the environment of “publish or perish in research intensive universities” and unfamiliar with standard publishing industry practices, I would most likely have submitted an article. Moreover, this journal is only one of over 10,000 predatory journals that have started in operation since 2010.

What is a Predatory Journal?

Students are expected to access only scholarly articles when writing formal papers. The following information will help ensure that you use information from respected academic publications. Predatory open access publishing is an exploitative form of academic publishing, in which publication fees are charged to the authors. Predatory publishers do a token peer review or none at all; the primary aim is profit. The article processing fees typically are not disclosed until after an article has been accepted and the author has signed a copyright agreement granting the publisher all rights. The article is published only upon payment of the processing fee: frequently $1,000 but can be as high as $3,000.

 How to Recognize Predatory Journals

No one sure way exists that a student can know how to recognize a predatory journal. However, some red flags exist. A journal you have never heard of with a generic name soliciting papers is a dead giveaway. Broken or poor English is also a red flag. Peer reviewed journals undergo a strict editing process before an article is published. To assure that you are not referencing articles from predatory journals, go to Stop Predatory Journals: List of Predatory Journals (n.d.). This site is regularly undated. When in doubt, check with the excellent librarians at Excelsior College.

References

Stop Predatory Journals. List of Predatory Journals.  (n.d.) Retrieved from https://predatoryjournals.com/journals/

Employability Skills: 8 Strengths to Master for Career Success

Posted on by Maribeth Gunner

Do You Have the Essentials Skills Hiring Officers are Looking For?

Whether you are a new graduate conducting a job search or an experienced professional pursuing a career change, there are important competencies and knowledge you’ll want to hone or acquire to rise above the competition. Hiring officers are seeking certain essential employability skills. Most of these coveted skills are often referred to as “transferable” skills because they can easily apply to any job or work setting.

As you advance in your career, it is important you have a strong command of all the elements employers seek: academic credentials, job content, employability skills, and career awareness. One area to pay particular attention to is your employability skills. Based upon consecutive multiyear surveys from the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), it is these types of skills that are reported as traits employers deem as high priority in the workplace.

KEY EMPLOYABILITY SKILLS

The concept of career readiness in the workforce has become an exceptionally important issue that has raised concern in both higher education and the labor market. Educators want to ensure students are learning the knowledge and skills necessary for sustaining a living in the 21st century. In conjunction with a task force of college career services personnel and human resource staffing professionals, and based upon extensive research, NACE identified eight competencies associated with career readiness that target the employability skills:

  • Critical Thinking/Problem Solving: Exercise sound reasoning to analyze issues, make decisions, and overcome problems.
  • Oral/Written Communications: Articulate thoughts and ideas clearly and effectively in written and oral forms to persons inside and outside of the organization.
  • Teamwork /Collaboration: Build collaborative relationships with colleagues and customers representing diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, religions, lifestyles, and viewpoints.
  • Digital Technology: Leverage existing digital technologies ethically and efficiently to solve problems, complete tasks, and accomplish goals.
  • Leadership: Leverage the strengths of others to achieve common goals, and use interpersonal skills to coach and develop others.
  • Professionalism/Work Ethic: Demonstrate personal accountability and effective work habits, e.g., punctuality, working productively with others, and time/workload management, and understand the impact of non-verbal communication on professional work image.
  • Career Management: Identify and articulate one’s skills, strengths, knowledge, and experiences relevant to the position desired and career goals, and identify areas necessary for professional growth.
  • Global/Intercultural Fluency: Value, respect, and learn from diverse cultures, races, ages, genders, sexual orientations, and religions.

ENHANCE YOUR CAREER READINESS

As you review the list of competencies, you may note some of the skills in which you are proficient, and others that you wish to develop further. Here are a few tips on how to get started:

  • Advance your education and training
  • Augment your knowledge and skills through additional coursework, degrees, or certifications in the subject areas where you believe you are deficient.
  • Seek additional opportunities to expand your mindset and your skillsets.
  • Adopt a growth mindset. With the right training, practice, and dedication, you can master new skills and increase your professional development.
  • Want to strengthen your leadership and/or teamwork skills? Seek out a mentor who has refined these skills, and solicit advice and assistance.
  • Read, or attend webinars or conferences, to gain more knowledge and strategies to improve your skillsets.
  • Inquire about career assessment and exploration tools that will expand your personal and professional knowledge and increase your job search techniques.

Taking these steps can positively impact your professional growth employability skills—those qualities and talents that will provide you with an edge in the job market and allow for greater potential. Once you have acquired and refined these skills, be ready to illustrate them on your resume and promote them in an interview.

For more information on the NACE competencies and other career-readiness information, visit the Excelsior Career Center.

Faculty Focus: Bonny Kehm

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

In October 2017, Bonny Kehm, PhD, RN, was appointed by the governor of Missouri and in January 2018, confirmed by the full state Senate, to the Missouri State Board of Nursing. “It is my intent to uphold the mission of the Missouri State Board of Nursing, which is to protect the public’s health and safety through regulation of nursing education, licensure, and practice,” says Kehm. Through her time spent with Excelsior, Kehm has already proven her dedication to the field of nursing.

Kehm is the faculty program director in the baccalaureate and Master of Science programs for the School of Nursing, where she does research and designs curriculum. She has been an instructional faculty member with Excelsior since January 2012 has been a faculty program director since March 2014.She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in nursing from Webster University, her doctorate in nursing education from Capella University, and her graduate certificate in Health Care Informatics from Excelsior College.

“I was inspired at a young age to become a nurse when I found a photograph in my mother’s photo box of a young girl in an iron lung,” says Kehm. She learned the girl was her Aunt Lilly at just 10 years old. The young girl had contracted polio and had become completely paralyzed, unable to breathe on her own. Lilly passed away two years later, a few months before the first polio vaccine came into use.

“My Aunt Lilly’s story inspired me to become a nurse and help others. I began my nursing journey as an LPN. I wanted to take care of people sick and healthy. I’ve witnessed how much people can overcome and accomplish through the power of caring relationships,” says Kehm. She adds that when she completed her PhD in nursing, her mother gave her a bouquet of lilies as a reminder of her journey.

“What I love most about being in the nursing field is the impact you can make globally as a global advocate for health and access to quality nursing care,” says Kehm. She is a strong advocate of strengthening the relationships between academic education and clinical practice, and serves as a capstone chair to students pursuing their doctoral degree in nursing practice. In one instance, she encouraged a student to explore the effect of RN undergraduate educational levels on perceived barriers to evidence-based practice using Chi-square testing. “This allowed the student to work with organizational leaders to develop interventions specific to ambulatory areas which addressed the barriers and supported nurses in their use of evidence-based practice,” she explains.

Most recently, Kehm volunteered as a virtual practicum mentor for an MSN student currently living and working on the U.S. Navy base in Yokosuka, Japan. She outlines the project: “I worked with the student to develop a needs assessment of veterans’ health needs and health disparities while living overseas. We were able to identity the risk factors for type 2 diabetes for the military and their family members living overseas.”

As one of the nine gubernatorially appointed members of the Missouri Board of Nursing, and the Board’s elected secretary, “I attend full board meetings and assist in the Board’s mission of protecting the public’s health and welfare by ensuring that competent and safe nursing care is provided by licensed nurses in the State of Missouri. Board members achieve this mission by outlining the standards for safe nursing care, regulating nursing education, and issuing licenses to practice nursing.” As a nurse educator, Kehm also serves on the Board’s Nursing Education Committee, which regulates and oversees nursing education programs. “I am proud of my professional achievements during the last 22 years as a nurse. I hope to bring my experiences and knowledge to the Board of Nursing,” says Kehm.

If she’s not teaching a course, Kehm is enjoying the outdoors with her family, or reading a good novel. Kehm says that in her 20+ years in nursing, she thinks the most important skill for a nursing student to succeed is time management. “Excelsior College offers tremendous learning opportunities and time management resources to groom the next generation of professional nurses. I am pleased to be a part of that success,” she says. And the best piece of advice she’s ever received is “You are never too busy or too important to be kind to people.” She adds that, “One thing I have learned now that I wished I’d known when I was younger is that you never truly lose. You win or you learn. Each challenge I’ve had serves as a valuable insight into myself.”

Degrees at Work: Stephanie Jump’s Path from Pre-Law to Entrepreneur and Mom

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

The scene should be familiar to many Excelsior College students: Stephanie Jump is feeding her baby boy with one hand, and completing her homework on her laptop with the other. It’s 1 a.m., and she’s exhausted, but her motivation is clear. “I wanted my son to see me graduate,” she says.

She completed many challenging assignments in the quiet overnight hours as her son slept. But after she graduated from Excelsior with her Bachelor of Science in psychology, Stephanie knew it was worth it.

“It was for him,” she says. “I wanted to be able to say to him some day, ‘You were at mommy’s graduation, and you can do it, too.’”

Stephanie’s journey to her Excelsior graduation, and her professional life, have been marked by unexpected, sometimes difficult circumstances.

After graduating from high school in 2007, Stephanie attended SUNY Broome, a community college in Binghamton, N.Y., to attain her associate degree in criminal justice, a field she’d always held a deep interest in. This drove her to Binghamton University in 2013, where she pursued a bachelor’s degree in pre-law.

But life had different plans. While studying at Binghamton, she became pregnant with her son, Braydon. Pursuing higher education became more difficult, but Stephanie knew remaining in school would help her provide the best life for herself and, most importantly, her son. She remembered her SUNY Broome academic advisor Terri Fadden mentioning Excelsior College and the convenience, accessibility, and affordability of its online curriculum.

She knew it was the right fit for her, and seamlessly continued her education without taking time off. After taking a few prerequisite classes at SUNY Broome, she enrolled in Excelsior’s online program for psychology.

“Excelsior is so great because of the flexibility it offers in your course work,” Stephanie says. “I was able to work around being a mom, which was incredibly important. You can’t really take a baby to class, but you can take him to the computer.”

With Braydon to care for, it was challenging. But she did it. After hard work, dedication, and many hours of late-night multitasking, Stephanie graduated from Excelsior College in 2016 with her Bachelor of Science in psychology.

“On graduation day, I felt relieved. I was finally done with my degree, and I did it with many obstacles in my path,” says Stephanie. “Becoming a new mom made it a struggle, but Excelsior made the challenge a little easier. When I got my degree, I saw my son and my son’s father cheering me on. It was the best moment of my life.”

Armed with her degree, Stephanie embarked on the job search. She wanted to use her psychology skills and training with children in the foster care system, a field she was drawn toward after having her son.

Even though Stephanie had her hands full raising Braydon and looking for a job, she also volunteered to photograph performances at the Endicott Performing Arts Center (EPAC), a local theatre organization where she also performed. Not one to do anything half-hearted, she taught herself the best practices and nuances of photography through YouTube videos and online articles — and would actually run between acting on stage and photographing the same performances.

Stephanie continued to search for jobs in foster care, but opportunities in the Binghamton area were scarce. However, as she continued to volunteer at EPAC, her photography evolved into much more than she could’ve thought.

“People at the theatre started asking me ‘Do you do this outside of here?’” she says. “I told them I did it as a hobby, and they started asking me to take pictures for them.”

So, rather unexpectedly, Stephanie began taking photos for the people she knew through EPAC. She photographed their children, families, weddings, birthday parties, and more. As word spread about the quality of her services, Stephanie grew a large enough client base to officially start her own business, Beyond the Stage Photography.

Though Beyond the Stage is still relatively new for Stephanie, its early success has been promising. As her business continues to grow, Stephanie plans to establish a physical location for a studio, hire a full-time assistant, and construct a brand that will help her reach an even wider audience.

Professional photography may not have been what she originally had in mind – and she’s continually learning about the craft and entrepreneurship – but Stephanie uses her Excelsior education every day to grow and strengthen her business.

“My psychology degree really taught me how to talk to different kinds of people,” she says. “Knowing how the human mind works helps me get people to feel comfortable when I’m taking their picture. Excelsior also prepared me to be a business owner. You have to be a self-starter and hold yourself accountable to be successful in online classes, and the same holds true as an entrepreneur.”

Stephanie had a much different plan coming out of high school, but now well-equipped with the education and support she received from her Excelsior instructional faculty members, she uses her psychology degree every day and she’s loving the flexibility of her life as a solopreneur and young mother.

Her journey, one of versatility, tenacity, and ingenuity, is well-summarized by her slogan for Beyond the Stage Photography: “Life’s a stage. Go beyond it.”

 

Professional Advice from Stephanie Jump:

On time management:

Don’t wait until the last minute to do things. I was the queen of that. Plan accordingly for your deadlines so you’re not rushing to finish everything right before it’s due.

On having thick skin:

Have a strong backbone. There will be some people who like your work, and some people who don’t. You have to learn not to take things personally. You also have to be willing to put in the work. Things don’t happen overnight. I spent hours photographing shows, editing pictures, and learning the trade. You have to be dedicated to find success.

On balance:

Take a day that you don’t do any schoolwork. You need a day for you, a brain break.

On entrepreneurship:

I had to Google everything. I had no idea what I was doing, especially at tax time. I can’t be afraid to ask questions. I know self-management from Excelsior, so that really has helped me run a business. I like to do my own thing and be in control of what I’m doing and how I make my money. I also prefer to make my own schedule, especially with a three-year-old.

On her psychology degree:

I know how to talk to people because I know how people’s brains work. I know how to talk to people with certain anxiety disorders or depression. I can get people to open up because I know how they’re feeling.

On improving as a photographer:

Learn how to utilize different camera setups for various situations. For example, learning how to use manual mode on your camera will help when you’re taking pictures in low-light situations. Being able to adjust your approach for different light hues and intensities is incredibly helpful. You should also familiarize yourself with where you’re shooting pictures, because many times that will dictate what photography techniques will be most effective. If you’re looking for a good place for photography tips, I learned most of what I know through YouTube videos.

On her Excelsior experience:

My Excelsior professors were always very encouraging. Any time I had an issue with an assignment, they were always very helpful and understanding. They truly make you feel good about yourself and the classwork you’re doing. My experience at Excelsior has helped me learn to manage myself and my business, and I would recommend it to anyone.

Stephanie Jump transferred all the credit she earned at SUNY Broome to Excelsior College as part of our 3+1 bachelor’s completion program.

Health Coaching- Empowering Change

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Carole Heaney, RN, Adjunct Faculty, School of Health Sciences

Health and public health officials have long been tackling the growing numbers of chronic health issues responsible for high numbers of preventable deaths. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention and World Health Organization, many deaths are related to non-communicable diseases, particularly chronic disease, and contribute to approximately 70 percent of deaths in the U.S. and worldwide. If we focus on lifestyle-related illnesses alone in the U.S., heart disease, cancer, chronic lung disease, and diabetes top the list. Behaviors such as smoking, lack of exercise, and unhealthy eating habits are common culprits in these illnesses.

Health education aims to positively shift these the behaviors to prevent these illnesses from becoming debilitating and life-threatening. But, the current paradigm of “I talk, you listen,” hasn’t been successful in changing behavior enough to encourage people to improve their health.

Enter, Health and Wellness . Health and wellness coaching is designed to elicit behavior change by identifying what motivates and empowers people to change, rather than a hierarchical educational approach.

Excelsior College’s School of Health Sciences recognized the importance of health and wellness coaching and, in 2017, premiered a new undergraduate course, Introduction to Health and Wellness Coaching. Creating and teaching this course has been a wonderful journey for me. As each week passed in teaching the course, I could feel students’ perceptions change from professionals needing to have all the answers to the clients already having the answers within.

Some student comments have included, “This course has further encouraged me to become a health coach. The tools acquired here, and the technique of Motivational Interviewing has added to my excitement about this field.” and “This course gave me a well-rounded basis of what the coach does and how different it is from other, similar health careers. It takes a bit from many disciplines and uses them to gain insight into the individual. I really enjoyed it and made me more interested in this career.”

Concepts such as mindfulness, attention to the whole person, active listening, and motivational interviewing deepened the students’ personal experiences of communicating more effectively with family, friends, and co-workers. It shifted their perspective on how to influence positive behavior change toward wellness. This course is about preparing people to embark on a journey with a client and empowering that person to create and sustain change from within.

 

Course Feature: SOC 247: Sports in American Society

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

In many ways sports are not just a metaphor for life, but are the very beating heart of the life of our society. Because sports are such an important part of U.S. society, we seldom reflect on how or why they became such a force, why we in engage them, and how, even if we dislike sports, they shape so much of what goes on around us every day. In SOC 247, students explore how sport in the U.S.A. is an institution that affects virtually all aspects of society, and examine sports from a variety of social science perspectives, including from historical, political, economic, and sociological viewpoints.

According to Ted Lehmann, faculty program director for the social sciences, students in Sports in American Society look at sports and American culture, including the topics: sports at the youth, collegiate, and professional levels (i.e. their role in the family, the community/society, the economy, etc.); sports icons (e.g., LeBron, Brady, etc.) and their role in popular culture; performance-enhancing drugs; sports as business, even at the college level; and American sports across the world and world sports inside America.

“Military students seeking lower-level social science/history credit, in particular, should be most interested in this course,” says Lehmann, “but, really any student interested in sports of any kind, and the role of sports in society, from the local level to the international one.” It’s especially meaningful for students who wish to gain a broader understanding of sports culture.

SOC 247: Sports in America helps students see the bigger picture, says Lehmann. “It is a very enjoyable course which opens the eyes of students to the importance of sport in American society, at all levels of our society, and across all key demographic groupings,” he adds.

Students agree it’s enjoyable. “Thank you for opening my eyes to everything that is more behind the scenes about sports. I understand now that it is more than just statistics of a player, but most importantly the global impact sports have,” says one student. Another adds, “Some of the topics concerning race inequality and also the economics behind sport were frustrating, but truthful nonetheless. I was glad to have an opportunity to open my eyes into the issues.” Furthermore, one student summed up the course well, saying, “The course is full of enticing knowledge that invites the student as a fan to think outside the box and realize that there is more to sports than food, beverages, and friends.”

Faculty member Jason Burns agrees. “The course is a fun and interactive walk through sports and its close relationship to American life and society, both past and present… Sports play such a large role in many of our everyday lives, and this course is a great way to show cultural and societal impacts in a format that is both fun and interactive.” Alfred DeFreece, another faculty member, also says, “Students demonstrate a greater appreciation of why sport issues cross over into political and economic and cultural and social concerns. Students get that at the pro level, sport is about entertainment, but it runs much deeper.”

If you’re interested in a deeper understanding of sports, considering signing up for SOC 247.

 

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