Excelsior Introduces the Professional and Technical Writing Concentration

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

To help meet its goals for student career readiness, Excelsior College has approved a concentration in Professional and Technical Writing (PTW), within the Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts (BSL) major. Excelsior graduates with strong professional writing skills are poised for employment and advancement in areas including health care, technology, pharmaceutical, government, science, and the military.

 

The PTW concentration is designed for 1) students who want to enhance their writing skills for career advancement or career change; and 2) students who want to add a credential to their BSL. The PTW concentration is an attractive Liberal Arts option for students with applied course credits and with existing experience in technology, business, health sciences, medical, and the military.

 

The market for graduates with a professional and technical writing credential is well-documented. O*Net projects that technical writing jobs will grow faster in 2012-2022 than average (15% to 20%) with 50,000 employees and 22,600 job openings (2015).

 

Employers report that all employees need solid writing skills. For example, a January 2015 report by Hart Research Associates on behalf of the Association of American Colleges & Universities notes that “employers say that when hiring, they place the greatest value on demonstrated proficiency in skills and knowledge that cut across all majors. The learning outcomes they rate as most important include written and oral communication skills….” (p. 1). Further, “…employers nearly universally agree that to achieve success at their companies, a candidate’s demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems is more important than his or her undergraduate major” (p. 6).

 

As part of Northeastern University’s 2013 annual innovation poll, 60% of business hiring decision-makers indicated that softer skills such as oral and written communication are most important for recent college graduates. The National Association of Colleges and Employers 2015 Job Outlook survey showed 73.4% of respondents chose written communication skills as the third most asked-for attribute after leadership and ability to work on a team.

 

Students enrolled in the Professional and Technical Writing concentration will take an introductory course in business writing and five more additional writing courses—or their equivalent—at the advanced, upper level. Those courses could include a career planning course called Careers in Professional Writing, Professional Editing, and Scientific and Technical Writing.

 

For more information about the innovative Professional and Technical Writing concentration, contact the School of Liberal Arts.

New Courses in Leadership

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

“If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” This statement, made by Martin Luther King Jr., reflects the personal humility and social responsibility that is sometimes needed to be a transformative leader. Who are transformative leaders? What are their characteristics, ethics, and challenges? What other type of leaders are there and what motivates them? Who failed at leadership and why? Students explore these questions and more in COMM 423 Leadership and Team Building or MLS620 Philosophies of Leadership.

In COMM 423 Leadership and Team Building, students delve deeper into leadership theory and practice successful leadership models. Simultaneously, they build teamwork skills, which depend on working with different but complementary points of view to achieve challenging objectives to reach a common goal. This course may focus on leaders, but it provides anyone with more effective skills to succeed in life. Leadership and Team Building does not require pre-requisites, and uses interactive self-tests, free open educational resources, and case studies using Storyline Interactives.

In MLS 620 Philosophies of Leadership, students study the philosophies and practices of great thinkers and leaders from the ancient world to present day. They’ll also draw on past leaders’ ideas to develop their own, personalized leadership philosophy. In the process, students will consider questions like, “Do I have to be a good person to be a good leader?”, “Do great leaders make history or does history make great leaders?” and “What does it mean to act by not acting?” Philosophies of Leadership is designed for graduate and advanced graduate students who want to be leaders in any field, from business to government, the military to the non-profit sector.

You can find more information on these courses through the Course Search  on our website. Speak to your advisor to see if they will fit with your degree plan.

Statement by Excelsior College President James Baldwin on the Decision to End DACA

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Excelsior College President James Baldwin has issued a statement on the decision to end DACA.

I am saddened and troubled by the decision of the President of the United States to end DACA.

DACA, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, has provided some 800,000 recipients a pathway out of the shadows. These individuals were brought to the United States as minors and have grown up here. DACA represents a humanitarian effort to allow them the opportunity to live and work in the United States while deferring any government action that would result in their deportation. To qualify, the federal government subjected these individuals to background checks and required them to apply for renewal every two years.

DACA is about opportunity. The opportunity for undocumented immigrants to pursue a higher education and earn a degree. The opportunity to find meaningful work, contribute to the economic and social welfare of our communities and our country by paying taxes, and serving in the military.

DACA recipients may not be American citizens, but they embody the American spirit. They are law-abiding members of our communities. They grew up here. They were educated here. They are our neighbors. They are skilled workers. They are aspiring citizens. They are America’s “dreamers.”

Some of these dreamers may call Excelsior home. And we will continue to stand with them during this difficult time. Education is a transformative experience and we will never turn our backs on those who seek to improve their lives and take control of their future through hard work and a commitment to personal growth.

Immigrants built America. And they remain the backbone of this great nation.

As a community, we call on Congress to affirm our shared commitment to equality and opportunity by moving quickly and unconditionally to provide DACA recipients with protection and a pathway to citizenship.

How the National Science Foundation Grant Supports Workforce Readiness

Posted on by Dr. Michael Johnson

 

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Excelsior College $864,000 in grant funding to ensure workforce readiness in the manufacturing industry.  Tina Vasquez, Marketing Manager at Excelsior College, caught up with associate dean in the School of Undergraduate Studies, Dr. Michael Johnson, and asked what this grant means for the College, our students, and how will it help them in preparing for their future careers.

Vasquez: Excelsior College has received a large grant from the National Science Foundation. What is it and why has the College received it?

Johnson: The National Science Foundation (NSF) has awarded Excelsior College $864,000 in grant funding to ensure workforce readiness. Excelsior has partnered with Polk State College in Florida to prepare technicians for skilled positions in the energy and manufacturing industries. Excelsior and Polk State Colleges will develop simulations to teach and then assess key skills in power generation and advanced manufacturing to improve the pipeline of technicians into key economic sectors. When completed, these open education resources can be used by colleges throughout the nation.

Vasquez: This is an extremely large sum of money. How is Excelsior going to use the grant?

Johnson: The funding, which comes from the NSF’s Advanced Technological Education program, will enable Excelsior College to develop simulations to teach and assess key workplace skills among associate degree technology students in power generation and advanced manufacturing. Simulations permit learners to develop skill mastery through repeated practice and learn how to deal with hazardous procedures before hands-on implementation.

Vasquez: The receipt of this grant will allow the College to provide continued support, so what does this mean for our students?

Johnson: The simulations will be incorporated into three associate-level degree courses within the Nuclear/Power Plant, Electronic/Instrumentation, and Electromechanical concentrations. Incorporating simulation into new and existing courses will close current gaps in teaching and assessing safety, blueprint reading, and the use of tools and equipment – hands-on skills until now taught only in a laboratory setting.

Vasquez: How will this help our students in developing readiness for a career? 

Johnson: Students earning a B or better in the degree program have the potential to earn the Center for Energy Workforce Development certificate, Energy Industry Fundamentals. This innovative use of simulation technology is expanding the possibilities for students preparing for new careers in fully online programs.

The Benefits of a Mentor-Mentee Relationship

Posted on by Nursing Staff

By Bonny Kehm, PhD, RN Faculty Program Director, BS & MS Programs in Nursing

Tamara Coca, student in the MSN Education Tract, had a dilemma. She needed to complete her Practicum with a Mentor, but couldn’t find one. Tamara is currently living and working on the US Navy Base in Yokosuka, Japan and the Hospital Administration recently cancelled all future educational practicums due to personnel shortages.

She reached out to her department chair, Dr. Marcos Gayol at Aspen University, for help. Dr. Gayol contacted a colleague, Dr. Bonny Kehm, faculty program director in BS & MS Programs in Nursing at Excelsior College, who had experience mentoring graduate nursing students. Together with the help of the Capstone instructor, Dr. Nina Beaman, they came up with a possible solution of allowing Tamara to complete a Virtual Practicum with Dr. Kehm as her mentor. Dr. Gayol notified Tamara and said, “You are in luck! Dr. Kehm is a wonderful educator and tremendous mentor and will be a great asset to you for suggestions and ideas as you complete your practicum experience.”

To overcome the potential obstacle of a 15 hour time difference, Dr. Kehm and Tamara would skype Saturday mornings 7:00 a.m. Dr. Kehm’s time and 10:00 p.m. Tamara’s time to discuss her capstone project.

Tamara’s Capstone project, “Risks and Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes in Military Families,” was presented to community members at the Yokosuka Chapter of the American Red Cross and the Nurse Network of Yokosuka and Ikego, and at Yokosuka, Japan US Navy Base Health Fair. Tamara prepared a wellness topic presentation and developed a brochure about risks and prevention of Type 2 Diabetes in Military Families. Some of these risks include: limited access to affordable produce in overseas installations; easy access to fast food restaurants; no healthy restaurant options; and stress associated with frequent moves. Dr. Kehm worked with Tamara to develop an assessment and evaluation tool for the health fair.

“The ideal mentor-mentee relationship does not end when the practice experience is over. The ultimate goal of the relationship should be to encourage the mentee to grow both personally and professionally and to actively seek opportunities for this growth to occur,” says Dr. Kehm.

Dr. Kehm, who was accepted to be a presenter at The Annual Nursing Education Institute conference called “Lessons from the Field: Innovations in Veteran Education and Care” this past June in Latham, NY, knew Tamara’s needs assessment from her capstone project of veterans health needs/ health disparities while living overseas was an important and relevant topic. Dr. Kehm felt that others needed to hear about Tamara’s unique perspective on our Military and their family members living in poverty overseas.

Through the encouragement and guidance of Dr. Kehm, Tamara submitted an abstract to The Annual Nursing Education Institute conference in New York. After several weeks, Tamara was notified that her abstract, “Risks and Prevention of Type 2 Diabetes in Military Families,” was accepted as a podium presentation.  Dr. Kehm continued the mentor-mentee relationship by collaborating with Tamara on her presentation.

Tamara flew from Japan to New York on June 1st, and Dr. Kehm flew from St. Louis to New York, to attend the Educational Day and meet in-person for the first time.  Tamara gave her presentation to more than 80 nursing education professionals nationwide. She highlighted the contemporary topic of vets living in poverty, including young military families qualifying for WIC and Food Stamps. She also discussed the diabetes costs for the military (VA expense and cost to recruit and train a military person), and shared her brochure.

“Thank you Dr. Kehm! I’m grateful for your guidance and I feel you have made me a more scholarly writer and a better nurse,” says, Tamara.

5 Questions with Dwayn Hanford, A Well-Rounded Intelligence Pundit

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Dwayn Hanford

Dwayn Hanford is a “Jack-of-all-trades.”

Hanford retired from the U.S. Army as an all-source intelligence technician, and is a team chief and senior intelligence officer for the Department of the Army Civilian in the 1st Information Operations Command, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. He is also the president of the Excelsior College Alumni Association. Notably, Hanford is a graduate of Excelsior College, earning his Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 2005.

On September 8, Hanford will lead an online seminar discussion on “Pursuing a Career in Intelligence as a National Security Professional.”

Excelsior Life sat down with him to discuss his educational and professional journey.

 

Excelsior Life: Where did you first hear about Excelsior College?

Hanford: I first heard of Excelsior College when it was Regents College. I was in the Army stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland in the early 90s. One of the civilians I worked with had her degree from Regents. At that time, I was enrolled in Anne Arundel Community College attending face-to-face classes. The Internet did not exist and I was not aware that Regents offered a distance education program. Years, numerous colleges, and many courses later, I found myself facing a residency requirement at a new college upon arriving at a new duty station. My education counselor advised me to look into Excelsior based on the amount of credits I had already earned. After speaking with an Excelsior advisor, I only required a few courses, which motivated me to enroll and finally finish my bachelor’s degree in Liberal Arts in 2005.

Excelsior Life: As an active duty army warrant officer and analyst/technician, you have had more than twenty years of experience. What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learned from your military career?

Hanford: In both education and my career, the most valuable lesson I learned is team work.  Although I thrive in taking on a task by myself, I have found that working in teams can help me accomplish more than I can alone. These days I typically find myself as one of the oldest people on a team. It is a change from my “doer” to “manager” role, but I do enjoy helping younger people avoid the pitfalls that I fell into in my younger days. I have achieved more working with groups of people in my later years than most of my hard work trying to do everything by myself in my younger years.

Excelsior Life: Which courses are you currently teaching at Excelsior College?

Hanford: I am currently teaching BNS 307: Intelligence in National Security as a part of the Bachelor’s in National Security Program. I enjoy this course because I also had the privilege of designing this course.

Excelsior Life: How did you get into the career of national security?

Hanford: Many people do not stick with the career they chose when they were children, but I have. At the age of six I set a goal to join the Army and someday become President of the United States. After graduating high school, I accomplished goal one and joined the Army. I enlisted as an intelligence analyst in order to learn international relations and national policy to prepare for a career in politics. As the years progressed, I worked with many politicians and military decision makers discovering that I belong in the advisor to national policy role more so than being the elected leader. Politics may be in my future, but for now I am doing what I feel is the best way to serve my country.

Excelsior Life: What can attendees learn from your upcoming webinar?

Hanford: The webinar will discuss Excelsior’s National Security program. Attendees will learn what the college offers in this program. They will also hear some advice on getting a job in the Intelligence Community (IC). The advice will focus on where the jobs are, the fast-growing world of cyber, what not to do — especially online if you want to work in the IC—and some resume advice. I have hired more than 10 analysts into the IC in the last three years and I have experienced good analysts that have poor resumes or interview skills that unfortunately don’t make the cut in this highly competitive career field.

Join Dwayn Hanford as he introduces participants to career possibilities in the Intelligence field and how best to leverage their experience and education to move into or up in this dynamic field. Whether you are in the military or working in the Intelligence Community within the Federal Government or similar agency, participants will learn what factors must align for their success and what avenues to take when encountering pitfalls.

To sign up to attend Hanford’s webinar, register here.

How to Avoid Labeling Yourself—or Letting Others Label You—as a Victim

Posted on by Gary McClain

Gary McClain, PhD, is a faculty member in the School of Health Sciences and therapist who specializes in helping clients deal with the emotional impact of chronic and life-threatening illnesses.

Victim. We seem to hear that word a lot lately. “Victim” is often used to describe individuals who are living with challenges that are not of their own choosing, that came about randomly, or were perpetrated upon them by others. Furthermore, victim also implies that other people have to step in and take care of you, because you can’t take care of yourself.

“Victim” is also sometimes used as a derogatory term, to describe people who refuse to take responsibility for themselves and instead look to others to take care of them. We have a very complicated relationship with that word, for sure.

If you’re living with a chronic condition, I suspect that what you have read so far has already pushed a button or two, or brought up some unpleasant memories.

Health and victimhood

My clients often talk to me about their own perceptions of, and experiences with, the word “victim.” Here are a few examples:

“I didn’t ask to live with a chronic condition. It’s the last thing I would have chosen. So while I don’t want to be referred to as a victim, let’s face it, I kind of am.”

“I was just venting with a friend about some issues I was having lately with managing my chronic condition. She said to me, ‘Do you think it’s healthy for you to play the victim role?’ I was so angry and hurt. All I needed was for her to listen, not judge.”

“My wife worries about me, and I appreciate that. But sometimes she does things for me before I have a chance to do them for myself. I have tried to explain to her that when she does that, she makes me feel like I am some kind of victim. And I’m not!”

To me, these comments bring home the complicated feelings that individuals living with chronic conditions have in regard to the victim word.

When I hear the victim word applied directly to someone as a result of a health condition, it is generally referring to a diagnosis of a more catastrophic nature. I guess that’s why, for example, we often hear of someone described as a “cancer victim.”

To read more, click here.

Nursing Students Inducted into Sigma Theta Tau

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

“You are Sigma Theta Tau; we are Sigma Theta Tau.” With these words spoken by honor society president Jennifer Pettis, the nurses gathered in the Fort Orange Ballroom at The Desmond Hotel in Albany, New York, on July 13, 2017, were inducted into the Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society of Nursing.

Founded in 1922, Sigma Theta Tau International (STTI) has recognized excellence in scholarship, leadership, and service in nursing. Its diverse and global membership includes more than 500 chapters worldwide, with members ranging from nurse executives, clinicians, educators, researchers, policymakers, and many others. The couple dozen new members—and those not present—joined these ranks of more than 135,000 other honor society members in more than 90 countries around the world.

Guest speaker Lynda Dimitroff, Ph.D., opened the ceremony with discussions on the positives and negatives of nursing school, the importance of mindfulness, and several techniques to deal with the stressors nurses come across in the profession. She emphasized the art of humble inquiry (less telling, more asking) and introduced the idea that most nurses are human doings as opposed to human beings. She ended by reminding the honorees to take strength from what they value.

Chair of the Awards Committee Patricia Edwards introduced the recipient of the Excellence in Leadership Award, Karen Cox, Ph.D. The executive vice president and COO of Children’s Mercy-Kansas City, Cox showcased exemplary leadership qualities in her years with the hospital. Thanks to her leadership creating environments that enhance nursing care, Children’s Mercy-Kansas City was the first hospital in Missouri to receive magnet designation in 2003. Under her guidance, the hospital received magnet re-designation in 2007, 2012, and 2016.

Cox congratulated those inducted and reminded all in attendance of the special time for the honorees who are also part of the 2017 graduating class. “My Excelsior experience is what really set me on a path of really aspiring to have clinical excellence in the workplace and in academic excellence,” she said.

The moment everyone was waiting for finally arrived. In front of their friends and family, the honorees recited the pledge to be inducted into STTI, promising to uphold the values at the root of the nursing profession: love, courage, and honor.

Graduates Inducted into Liberal Arts Honor Society

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

 

Excelsior’s Chapter of Alpha Sigma Lambda, a national honor society recognizing adult students who achieved and maintained high scholastic standards while handling their life responsibilities, welcomed its largest group of inductees on July 13.

The 121 new members were recognized during an induction ceremony held at The Desmond Hotel in Albany, New York, the day before Commencement. Those in attendance included 14 student inductees and new honorary members Mary Berkery, faculty program director; V. Blue Lemay, faculty program director; Rachel Stolicky, senior academic advisor; and Jean Taylor, executive director of learning assessments.

Lemay, who oversees the humanities program, was also the guest speaker. In her remarks, she described critical thinking as inquiry, questioning, and analyzing. “And you wouldn’t think that critical thinking maintains our democracy and sustains our economy, but it does,” she said.

She told graduates that what remains constant in a changing economy are the methods you learn to approach problems. “In a changing economy, the ability to ask questions and to think critically is actually crucial,” said Lemay. She said the liberal arts graduate is prepared for the work situation in which a specific problem that hasn’t been seen before needs a solution. “You’ll have the flexible, analytical mind which can work with ambiguity and uncertainty in order to successfully solve it. So that’s the benefit of a liberal education.”

Alpha Sigma Lambda is the oldest and largest chapter-based honor society for full- and part-time students. Excelsior’s Sigma Zeta Chapter is one of more than 300 chartered chapters throughout the United States. Students are invited to participate in the honor society based on their earned grade point average of 3.2 or higher, completion of 24 Excelsior College credits, and representation in the 20th percentile of their class.

Excelsior Class of 2017: Lovepreet Cheema, Double Master-in-Training

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Lovepreet Cheema walked across the stage at Commencement as a cybersecurity master and immediately continued down the steps into her pursuit of becoming a criminal justice master-in-training. Cheema’s determination for earning not one, but two master’s degrees from Excelsior College stems from her thirst for knowledge.

An assistant registrar for SUNY Ulster, Cheema used the concepts she learned in her cybersecurity graduate program to think from a different perspective in the workplace. According to the graduate, her current degree program in homeland security and emergency management will also enhance her lens of the IT world, and how legalities and cybercrime can impact the lives of others. She explains, “Criminal justice is something I never touched before. It just seemed like the right time to explore.”

Cheema, who is originally from India, came to the United States when she was nine years old. “It was a culture shock,” Cheema admits. “But the educational and job opportunities for advancement were very important to my family.” Cheema currently lives with her family in Kingston, New York, one hour south of Excelsior’s main campus in Albany, New York.

Cheema is the first in her family to receive her master’s degree, graduating with a well-deserved 4.0 GPA. As a full-time employee and a “night person,” there were a lot of late nights of studying and doing homework on her agenda. But the support from her family, friends, and colleagues is just what she needed to excel in her program. “My parents have given me the freedom to pursue whatever I want in education and to pursue my goals,” said Cheema. “My best friend has pushed me to get out of my comfort zone to explore my potential, helping me accomplish more.” She also attributes her motivation to pursue her second master’s degree from a dear friend and fellow colleague of hers, Patricia Law-Ormandy.

“My experience with Excelsior College has been wonderful. Especially, with the ease of education, affordability, and great instructors,” Cheema explained. She completed her master’s degree program in just one year, noting that being able to maintain a full-time job and a personal life at the same time was “amazing to her.”

Cheema was joined by her entire family at the 2017 Excelsior College Commencement Ceremony as she celebrated her academic accomplishments.

Business & Technology Faculty Recognized for Exceptional Student Service

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Our amazing faculty are one of the reasons why our students get such a supportive and stimulating experience during their time with Excelsior College.  In this article, we look at the recipients of the Distinguished Faculty Awards 2017 from the School of Business and Technology.  The award is nominated by students and recognizes members of our faculty who have contributed to providing our students with an outstanding learning experience.  Faculty Program Director for Accounting, Dr. Santhosh Abraham, interviewed award recipient Dr. Dawn Wright, and Dr. Andrew Hurd, Faculty Program Director for Cybersecurity, interviewed Ken Desforges.

 

Dr. Santhosh Abraham interviews Dr. Dawn Wright

Abraham: Dr. Dawn Wright, please can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Wright: I am an Air Force veteran and graduate of the United States Air Force Academy. I attained the rank of Captain and was a Weapon Systems Operator/GIB flying F4E’s during the Vietnam War. After leaving the service, I earned a Masters’ in Civil Engineering from Auburn University and worked as a consulting engineer for 25 years and was a registered professional engineer in six states. After retiring, I returned to school and earned my Ph.D. at the University of South Alabama in Educational Technology/Instructional Design. I have taught for Excelsior since 2011. I currently live in Mobile, Alabama, my home for about 40 years, but I am relocating later this year to mid-Florida to get nearer my family and a bit warmer to boot.

Abraham: What is it that you enjoy most about teaching?

Wright: Teaching non-traditional students in an online environment is challenging but rewarding. I have enjoyed finding creative ways to connect with my students so they sense there is someone real who cares that they are learning and progressing in the course. Particularly for our military students, I enjoy finding ways to remove technology obstacles in their paths. I have found that my relatively crude instructional videos add something of value to my classes that my students cannot get from watching videos from people who are unknown to them.  I particularly enjoy helping struggling students who need a bit more time to complete a course. Our students typically are working fulltime with family obligations as well. The isolation exacerbates those stresses in an online environment. One particularly fond memory was of an Excelsior student who is my age. He was struggling and almost dropped, which would have caused him to miss graduation that year, but we persisted together and he finished. He sent me a photo of him receiving his Excelsior MBA on time.

Abraham: You are this year’s winner of the Distinguished Faculty Award, what does it mean to you to win this award?

Wright: I am very honored to receive this award in recognition of my teaching. Too often in higher education, faculty who focus on teaching are overshadowed by researchers who many times look at teaching as an afterthought. I am glad Excelsior supports faculty research but also visibly recognizes teaching as being important.

Abraham: You received your award at Commencement in July, what is the best piece of advice that you would give to the many students graduating as they take the next steps in their journey?

Wright: My advice to graduating students is to understand that a very important skill they are taking away from their time at Excelsior is knowing how to learn. Continuous learning will be needed by everyone who wants to ensure their future employment and career progression. Earning a degree in a remote, online environment is evidence of a higher level of self-discipline and focus that will be valuable tools in their tool box.

 

Dr. Andrew Hurd interviews Distinguished Faculty Award Recipient, Dr. Ken Desforges.

Hurd: Can you tell us a bit more about yourself and what you enjoy about teaching?

Desforges: I have served as a Director of IT/IS in both private and public sector enterprises for the past 18 years, and have led numerous technical teams performing IT/Cybersecuirty projects.  Currently I am the Director of Information Systems for the City of Diamond Bar, a city with a significant online presence and a population of 60,000. There I develop and direct comprehensive programs which deliver progressive information technology solutions to meet current and future needs; and I collaborate with all directors, managers, and staff to insure successfully integrated information technology initiatives. I have been Married to my beautiful wife for over 26 years.  We have 4 Children, 3 Boys and a 1 Girl (our Youngest) and we live in Sunny Southern California.  I have been an Information Technology (IT) & Cybersecurity (CYS) – Course Developer, Reviewer and Instructor since 5/2011, Teaching over 70 Course Sections to date.  In the IT & Cybersecurity program many of our students are active duty or former Military service members and I LOVE working with them, and helping them achieve THEIR Professional and Academic goals.

Hurd: What do you think is the most important part of the instructor’s role, particularly when dealing with online students?

Desforges: Treating them with respect, as adults; realizing that LIFE HAPPENS, and working with students within in reason and EC policy; being their course cheerleader – encouraging them to be their best and produce their best work.  Providing Clear Instructions and setting Expectations for QUALITY and demanding that, even when flexible on deadlines.

Hurd: You are one of this year’s winners of the Distinguished Faculty Award, so what does it mean to you to win this award?

Desforges: It is a wonderful acknowledgement of the efforts of MANY people, including administrators, staff, instructional designers, and current and former faculty who have been my instructors, mentors and now peers. I am very pleased to be recognized by students and the Excelsior College – School of Business and Technology, for carrying on the work of our visionary founders, leaders, and wonderful caring faculty who came before me.

Hurd: You received your award at Commencement in July, what is the best piece of advice that you would give to the many students graduating as they take the next steps in their journey?

Desforges: Commencement is amazing, you get an opportunity to meet your Excelsior College Faculty & Staff, make new friends/memories, and find out how to stay plugged in to your Alma Mater now and in the future.   I NEVER intended to Teach, I am receiving this award only because I came to commencement, and made some connections.  As you graduate, explore every opportunity, you never know what wonderful opportunities may be there. Go through every open door until you come upon a closed door, and then find the next open door. Never be afraid to take a risk, if you fall, get up and try again.  Ever Upward!!!

Dr. Estwick Moderating Webcast: Three-Prong Approach to Security

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

When:  July 27, 2017 @ 2:00 pm – 3:00 pm EST

The days of a fixed network edge are gone. Digital transformation, cloud computing, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) and the Internet of Things (IoT) have fragmented the traditional government network, making it nearly impossible to determine where an agency’s actual perimeter lies. Government systems have grown so complex that they have created an “everywhere perimeter,” including physical objects, cyber assets and network configurations, all of which must be properly secured.

Security is a constant battle for government organizations. Agencies need to safeguard critical applications and information, contain breaches and isolate hackers, as well as manage and secure IoT, while simultaneously meeting a myriad of compliance and regulatory obligations. So, how do agencies safeguard their “everywhere perimeter”?

Join us on July 27 for a live webcast on why a “Three-Prong Approach to Security” is necessary in today’s ever-changing technology landscape. You will learn how this approach seamlessly connects physical, network and cyber systems, and understand why each component plays a vital role in a comprehensive security strategy.

The link to the recorded webcast is:    http://www.govexec.com/sponsor-content/three-prong-approach-security/#watch-now

This webcast will discuss:

  • Challenges that agencies face when protecting multiple security vectors
  • Three components of an effective security strategy
  • How to secure physical systems to prevent backdoor attacks
  • Key areas of focus for countering cybersecurity attacks
  • Best practices to consider when combining physical, network and cyber security
  • And more…

………….

Various technology manufacturers as well as government employees will be in attendance. Our audience will be interested in hearing the panel’s thoughts and experiences regarding top of mind priorities, challenges, and best practices in an effort to better their cyber security initiatives within an agency.