Career Spotlight: Receptionist

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

At the front of any office is someone who greets customers and manages a variety of communication duties. This person is a receptionist, and they are responsible for interacting with people who visit the business and for completing various administrative tasks, including answering calls, organizing files, managing records, and scheduling appointments. You can find receptionists in almost every industry, from health care to law enforcement. They work in hospitals, doctors’ offices, hotels, law offices, schools, real estate companies, banks, and many other locations.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, as of 2023, receptionists earned a median salary of $35,840 per year, with the highest 10% of earners making more than $47,000 annually. About 137,800 receptionist positions are expected to open up each year through 2033.

Entry Level Job with an Associate Degree in Business

If you’re interested in becoming a receptionist, you can do so with only a high school diploma; however, an associate degree will get you higher pay and help you stand out on your resume. Read on to explore more about this career.

Kick-start your career with Excelsior's AAS in Administrative and Management Studies.

What Do Receptionists Do?

Receptionists are responsible for a variety of tasks and responsibilities, from answering telephones to scheduling meetings. They typically do the following:

  • Answer, screen, and forward telephone calls
  • Greet customers and other visitors
  • Copy, file, and maintain records
  • Receive, sort, distribute, and prepare mail
  • Ensure the reception area is neat and tidy
  • Provide information about the business
  • Follow safety procedures and control access via the reception desk
  • Order office supplies
  • Update calendars and schedule meetings
  • Arrange travel and accommodations and prepare vouchers
  • Maintain the general office filing system
  • Coordinate internal and external events
  • Manage the availability of meeting and conference rooms
  • Supervise office services such as cleaners and maintenance staff

How to Become a Receptionist

Most entry-level receptionist positions usually require a high school diploma. Other employers may prefer you have a higher degree, like an associate degree in business or a related field. It’s important to check with your potential employer to make sure you have the right level of education.

It may also be a good idea to receive training in various entry-level jobs, including as a restaurant host, a bank clerk, or a volunteer in a community nonprofit. When you’re hired, you may also receive on-the-job training specific to the company so you know how to use its equipment and understand the inner workings of the office.

Additionally, though not required, a certificate may help you stand out from other job candidates and add to your knowledge. The Certified Front Desk Representative certificate and the Certificate in Reception and Office Support are two of the many available certification courses that can prepare you to perform a receptionist’s tasks efficiently and accurately.

Receptionist Educational Requirements

As mentioned, many receptionists usually have at least a high school diploma. An associate or bachelor’s degree in administrative services, business, communications, office management, or a related field will give you an edge over your competition.

Excelsior’s Associate in Applied Science in Administrative and Management Studies prepares you to be a receptionist as well as other business supporting roles like secretary, administrative assistant, inventory manager, customer service representative, facilities supervisor, personnel associate, and resource coordinator. Training includes common software like Microsoft Office Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. You’ll learn about  strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis and gain knowledge on human resource management, recruitment and hiring, and how to approach various legal and ethical workplace issues.

How to Become a Good Receptionist

In addition to the appropriate education and on-the-job training, there are certain qualities that can make you stand out as a good receptionist. Successful receptionists lean on the following traits and skills:

  • Communication
  • Problem-solving
  • Emotional strength
  • Typing skills
  • Technical skills
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Customer service
  • Organization
  • Empathy

If becoming a receptionist sounds like a good fit for you, contact an Excelsior University admissions counselor about earning the business degree that will help you achieve your career goals.

Career Spotlight: Network Architect

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

What Is a Network Architect?

Network architects are key employees to any organization. They design and implement computer networks, often installing routers, modems, and other hardware and software that are essential for communication networks to work correctly. They produce plans for the detailed layout of cables and other requirements of a network and work to resolve any issues that may arise.

Although it might seem like one size fits all, there are several types of network architects, each specializing in a particular field. Let’s look at some of them:

  • Wireless network architect. These architects specialize in designing wireless networks, including Wi-Fi, cellular, and satellite.
  • Data center network architect. These architects design and manage networks of data centers.
  • Cloud network architect. These architects have knowledge in cloud-based platforms and design networks for all cloud-based applications and services.
  • Network security architect. These architects design and maintain network security systems that protect against cyberthreats.
  • Enterprise network architect. These architects manage the networks of large corporations and organizations.
Jump-start your career in network architecture with Excelsior’s BS in Information Technology.

What Is Network Architecture?

Network architecture is how network services and devices are connected to serve the needs of the end users. Network architecture can be efficient, reliable, and automated.

What Does a Network Architect Do?

Although there are several types of network architects, generally, there are certain responsibilities they all share:

  • Designing the network architecture
  • Overseeing customer network documentation
  • Setting schedules and budgets
  • Selecting the appropriate hardware, software, and protocols to be used
  • Performing maintenance and repairs on the network
  • Ensuring clear coordination and communication
  • Coordinating data management
  • Protecting the network from security threats
  • Researching new network technologies to stay up to date
  • Designing and implementing a disaster recovery plan
  • Managing a team of network engineers and administrators
  • Providing incident support for customers

What Is a Typical Network Architect Career Path?

Network architects have a strong technical background, particularly in operating systems and network security. Most professionals have at least a bachelor’s degree, but many have a master’s degree in an IT-related field.

Before landing their coveted role, network architects usually have up to 10 years’ experience working in a related IT field, typically as a computer systems administrator, a database administrator, or a computer systems analyst.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, computer network architects made a median annual salary of $129,840 in May 2023, and employment in the field was projected to grow by 13% from 2023 to 2033. Landing this role is a fantastic opportunity, and it can also put you on the pathway to becoming a computer and information systems manager or other executive-level position.

Where Do Computer Network Architects Work?

Network architects work in almost every sector, from finance to medicine. You can find them in large corporations, government agencies, educational institutions, law offices, hospitals, and more. Quite often, network architects work outside normal business hours because they may need to perform maintenance and upgrades to networks. Sometimes they may travel to satellite offices and data centers to do remote work.

How to Become a Network Architect

Are you interested in becoming a network architect? The first step is to obtain the proper education. Usually, this means a bachelor’s degree in an information technology-related field. It’s also important to gain experience in the field, either through internships or apprenticeships. Note, also, that to be a network architect, it’s important to have several years of related experience.

You may also consider earning professional certifications that show your expertise and willingness to keep learning. Gaining specific skills and staying up to date in the latest technology allows you to focus on a particular network architecture area and stand out from your peers.

Skills Needed to Become a Network Architect

We know network architects need to have a strong background in computer technology to be successful, but what else do they need? Here are some other qualities that may help you become a network architect:

  • Analytical thinking
  • Attention to detail
  • Organizational skills
  • Good interpersonal communication
  • Good leadership abilities

Education for Network Architect

As mentioned, to be a network architect, it’s important to have at least a bachelor’s degree in a computer science– or information technology-related field. Excelsior University’s Bachelor of Science in Information Technology program provides you with the knowledge, skills, applications, and practices you need to make an immediate impact in the IT field.

Accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET, the online BS in IT program develops expertise in subjects including software and development, computer systems, database management, network communication, cybersecurity, system administration, human-computer interaction, and project management. Choose between two technical concentrations—Cybersecurity Technology or Network Operations—that prepare you for positions in high-demand job areas within the information technology industry, or pursue the general option for the opportunity to design a study plan that aligns with your career goals.

Network Architect Certifications

Pursuing certifications as a network architect can set you above your peers and make you stand out to potential employers. Some of the various certifications that you can pursue are CompTIA Network+ Certification, Certified Information Systems Security Professional Certification, and others. Excelsior University has partnered with ed2go to offer several certifications that can help you grow your skills.

If you’d like to start on your path toward becoming a network architect, reach out to an Excelsior admissions counselor today.

Tips for Going to an Online College

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

How to Succeed in an Online College Environment

You’ve taken the plunge and decided to return to school to further your education. What’s more, you’ve decided to attend school online because it fits your busy lifestyle better. You’ve got the start date circled on your calendar, financial aid is all set, you’ve signed up for your courses…but can you be sure you’re going to do well?

Don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with plenty of tips for going to an online college. We asked Excelsior University academic advisors what they’d tell students about going to school online. Check out what they said so you’re ready to succeed in your online education journey.

10 Tips for Attending an Online College from Excelsior Advisors

Our advisors have spent years supporting students through their online coursework. These recommendations will set you up for academic success.

Tip 1: Check Out the Orientation

You may want to jump right in when beginning your online education. But first, you’ll want to get familiar with the school and your courses. At Excelsior, advisors recommend checking out the orientation hub in MyExcelsior for what it’s like to be a student at Excelsior.

They also suggest reviewing the academic integrity tutorial that students have access to each time they register for a course. CCS 101 is a free resource to help students understand and adhere to Excelsior’s academic integrity policy. It can be completed at any time and will remain available on your Canvas dashboard for reference.

Start your online education journey with Excelsior University.

Tip 2: Understand Your Degree Program

Your academic success depends largely on doing well in the degree program you choose to pursue. Make sure you speak with your academic advisor if you’re unsure about your program. If you have any doubts, talk it out! Excelsior has more than 35 degree programs across six areas of study: business, health sciences, liberal arts, nursing, public service, and technology. Our academic advisors and faculty members will help you work toward achieving your goals.

Tip 3: Get Familiar with Tech Support

Since you’ll be doing your learning online, it’s important to have a relationship with your institution’s IT department in case you run into any issues that need their expertise. Similarly, Excelsior advisors recommend you check your school’s requirements for operating systems, hardware requirements, internet connections, and more before you log on. Excelsior’s tech support is available to help with an array of issues and is usually available 24/7.

Tip 4: Use All Resources

Even though learning online can feel like a solitary endeavor, you’re never alone. Your institution will have many resources available to help you in your education journey. For academic support at Excelsior University, our advisors suggest that you utilize free tutoring through Brainfuse, request writing assistance in the Online Writing Lab (OWL), and communicate directly with your instructors for additional support. For goal setting and career planning, consider a one-on-one meeting with our Career Readiness Center to help you consider all your postgraduation options or polish up your resume as you prepare to enter the job market.

Tip 5: Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

If you’re ever in doubt, reach out for help! Excelsior advisors urge you to keep asking questions. If you aren’t sure who to ask, call your advisor, and they’ll help you find the best office for each question.

Tip 6: Be Aware of Your Schedule and Commitments

Starting a new degree program, especially online, is a big commitment. Excelsior advisors say that it can sometimes be easy to lose track of time and find yourself scrambling to get all your work done. They have a great tip for you: Sit down during the first few days of your course and map out your schedule. Include your work shifts and standing commitments (family activities, religious services, etc.) and then identify where you have pockets of free time. Reserve at least 18–20 hours each week per course to dedicate to your schoolwork.

Make sure you stick to your schedule—when it’s time to hit the books, don’t cheat yourself and push the work off until the end of the week. That will only leave you more stressed, and your quality of work will almost certainly suffer for it. Between readings, discussion postings, writing assignments, online lab components, individual and/or group projects, and quizzes and exams, you’ll want to make sure you have plenty of time to put your best foot forward.

Tip 7: Communicate with Your Instructors

Just because you’re learning online doesn’t mean you won’t be able to contact your instructor with questions. In fact, Excelsior advisors recommend making a note of your instructors’ contact information. The easiest way to contact your instructors is through the in-course email system accessed through your Canvas inbox. Keep in touch with your instructor if you have questions or issues throughout the term. Life happens—if you have extenuating circumstances like a medical or family emergency (hopefully not!), Excelsior instructors and the school both do their best to work with you.

Tip 8: Check Your Email Regularly

When attending online college, it’s important to stay in touch with advisors, instructors, and classmates. Email is a big mode of communication, so it’s important to always check your inbox for any new messages. Advisors recommend checking your MyExcelsior Student Portal, which contains resources, apps, and information that will help you on your student journey.

Tip 9: Proofread Everything You Submit

Unlike traditional brick-and-mortar institutions, when you attend an online college, most of your communication will be written. That means correct grammar and punctuation are a must. Be sure to double-check all your papers, assignments, and even day-to-day communication for clarity. Excelsior advisors suggest turning to the Excelsior OWL for help with your writing.

Tip 10: Remember Self-Care

Remember, online college is a big commitment, and working toward a degree is hard. You might make many sacrifices in other areas of your life. Excelsior advisors agree that it’s okay to take time for yourself along this journey. In fact, it’s a must! Be sure to schedule time to relax and enjoy your family and friends.

Our advisors point to the additional resources available to Excelsior University students. If you’re feeling overwhelmed, Excelsior supports students with free access to ComPsych, which can help students access local supports and services to assist them with a variety of needs, including legal guidance, finding child care, hiring movers, emotional challenges, and more.

Making the decision to earn your degree by attending online college can be a big choice, but it doesn’t have to be a scary one. And with these tips for online college, you’ll not only succeed but also thrive!

Why an MBA Is Great for Military Veterans

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

An MBA (Master of Business Administration) equips people with the skills and knowledge they need to advance in their careers, take on higher roles, or start a business. An MBA for veterans is a fantastic opportunity because it allows veterans to gain new skills, build on their current skills, network with business professionals, broaden their careers, gain leadership opportunities, increase their earning potential, and become entrepreneurs. Let’s break down what skills a veteran might need to pursue an MBA and how they can benefit from earning one.

What Skills Are Right for an MBA?

Veterans have many military skills that can transfer to an MBA program. Some of these transferable skills include:

  • Discipline. The military imparts a strong sense of discipline in service members, an important skill that can help students in a rigorous MBA program.
  • Problem-solving. The ability to identify and solve problems involves creativity and analytical thinking and sometimes can be necessary in high-stress situations. Veterans bring this experience when studying in an MBA program.
  • Flexibility and organization. Working well under pressure, paying attention to detail, and being organized are critical skills in the military. It’s also important in the ever-evolving business world.
  • Teamwork. Military service encourages collaboration and working effectively in diverse teams. This is a crucial military skill veterans can bring to business school group projects and in corporate environments.
  • Leadership. Military service members often must lead teams, make critical decisions, and manage complex operations. This skill can transfer into leadership roles in business, not to mention when organizing and leading teams in school group settings.

Just as veterans can bring knowledge into an MBA program, they can also learn skills they can transfer into civilian life. Some of these skills may piggyback on the knowledge they already learned but can also provide new concepts and information to help veterans in their civilian lives.

Enhance your business career with an MBA from Excelsior University.

Military Transition to Civilian Life

Veterans can use many skills they learned in their MBA program, as well as during their service, to help them not only in the business world but also with the military transition to civilian life in general. A sampling of these skills include:

  • Effective communication. Workplaces are a diverse mix of personalities that require the right communication. Just as communicating effectively and respectfully is a military skill veterans can transfer into an MBA program, it’s also a skill they can bring to the civilian world. In any work environment, communicating effectively ensures respectful cooperation, understanding, and good problem-solving.
  • Discipline. Military service involves rigorous training and strict rules. This is a skill that others will enjoy because it proves you can persevere through adversity and remain dedicated to whatever problem or job lies in front of you.
  • Performing under pressure. Veterans are used to performing under tight deadlines, having made critical decisions in demanding situations while in the military. Leading a team in a stressful situation at home or work can be easier for veterans in civilian life.
  • Leadership. The military requires someone to lead teams to success. Veterans tend to have good teamwork skills, which can help you resolve personnel conflicts, delegate important tasks, and make important decisions in high-pressure situations—all important in the business environment.
  • Dedication. Veterans know how important it is to serve, for their country and for themselves. Employers, family, and friends appreciate and value this attribute because it proves you’re willing to remain loyal to and strive for bigger goals with the rest of your team.

How to Advance Your Business Career After Earning Your MBA

Equipped with their military skills and an MBA, veterans can pursue a new career in business. If you want to advance or improve your business career, there are several steps you can take:

  • Research. Understanding your industry is critical. Studying industry trends, insider news, new technologies and advances, and basic knowledge can give you the important background you need when taking the next step in your business career.
  • Identify your fit. Many people enter a certain business field or start up a business because there’s a specific niche that needs to be filled. (For instance, a business might pop up because someone discovers people desire a certain product.) With the knowledge you gained from studying the industry, look at what expertise you can add to the business market.
  • Network. Networking is an important part of getting a job in the business world. Networking with industry colleagues can support you in job searches, business advice, and learning about conferences and trade shows.
  • Build yourself up. If you’re on the track to start your own business, developing your business plan is a crucial step. Use the strategies and knowledge you learned in your MBA program to develop a budget and business plan that outlines how you’re going to accomplish your goals. If you’re looking to enter the corporate workforce, padding your resume with internships, consulting practices, and continuous learning like certifications can make you stand out from other candidates.

An MBA can lead people to higher-level positions, better earning potential, and expanded professional networks. An MBA for veterans can be especially beneficial because it builds on skills they have mastered during their service and may lead to a smoother military transition to civilian life.

The Benefits of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

“Wellness” looks different for everyone. Staying active, eating well, feeling calm, and building meaningful connections are all ways of living your best, and they all begin with your brain. While the journey toward wellness starts in our minds, it can get stuck there, too. Intrusive thoughts, anxiety, and stress can derail your physical and mental health, but cognitive behavioral therapy can help.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy that focuses on the idea that what we think, feel, and do are interconnected. By examining the cause and effect of our thoughts on our feelings and behaviors, CBT can empower us with strategies to cope with challenges, regulate emotions, and manage stress.

What Is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?

Pioneered by American psychiatrist Dr. Aaron T. Beck in the 1960s, cognitive behavioral therapy was developed as a more collaborative, pragmatic form of therapy in which the practitioner and the patient work together to find solutions that make an immediate impact on symptoms. Working with a trained therapist, CBT involves learning to identify and challenge harmful thought patterns before they turn into destructive feelings and behaviors.

CBT is a structured, goal-oriented talk therapy that can be a beneficial tool on its own or combined with medication as part of a person’s holistic mental health treatment plan. In contrast to other forms of psychotherapy, like more traditional Freudian psychoanalysis, CBT is focused on problem-solving for a patient’s present and future. Although it doesn’t totally disregard how a person’s past may have shaped them, you won’t necessarily be delving into your childhood or relationship with your mother.

During your session, your therapist will get to know you and your goals for your treatment. It’s not uncommon for therapists to give their patients “homework” in the form of journals and worksheets for them to keep track of their thoughts and feelings between sessions.

Help others live, work, and feel their best with a BS in Psychology from Excelsior University.

What Are Cognitive Distortions, and How Can CBT Help?

CBT therapist helping patient with emotional regulation and stress management

 

Many people get trapped in a spiral of endless, toxic thinking. It’s easy to start building out a single anxiety into an entire world of worry. Maybe your friend didn’t text you back, and you start thinking they must be mad at you. Maybe you didn’t get the feedback you expected at work, and you start believing you’re bad at your job. These are cognitive distortions: inaccurate or warped ways of thinking that affect our lives and the way we interact with the world.

Even though cognitive distortions start out as mere thoughts, if left unchecked, they have compounding effects on your physical and mental health and can lead to withdrawing from social situations, missing out on opportunities, or self-harm. Cognitive behavioral therapy can help by first teaching you to recognize when cognitive distortions are happening, what specific events trigger them, and how they make you feel. Then, together with a therapist, you’ll work on developing the skills to dismantle those distortions and rebuild positive patterns. Psych Central refers to this as “cognitive restructuring.”

What Can CBT Improve in Your Life?

Since the first major clinical trial in 1977, cognitive behavioral therapy has proven itself as or more effective than pharmaceutical treatment alone for patients with mild to moderate depression. CBT has also been shown to improve emotional regulation, as well as treat stress management, and the Mayo Clinic lists phobias, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and eating disorders as just a few of the other mental health disorders that may improve with CBT treatment.

Most of all, cognitive behavioral therapy empowers you to understand and regulate your state of mind more effectively. CBT helps you develop individualized strategies to manage stress, anger, sadness, and other emotions in a constructive way—so you can start feeling better today and respond with resilience when faced with adversity tomorrow.

If you’re interested in learning more about how the human mind works and the ways you can help it work better, you can start with a psychology degree. After all, education can be a form of self-care!

Balancing AI Innovation with Human Connection

Posted on by David Schejbal

In an interview with Presidents Forum, Excelsior University president David Schejbal discussed AI’s role in higher education, emphasizing the careful consideration that institutions must take to integrate new technology while preserving the essential human elements of education. President Schejbal speaks on the benefits and challenges of AI in the classroom, ethical considerations, and ways AI can enhance important interpersonal interactions in education.

Watch the interview here.

Machine Learning in Computer Science

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Machine learning is transforming the field of computer science. Machines that learn from data can identify patterns, make predictions, and automate decision-making, all at tremendously fast speeds. A career in this field puts you at the heart of technologies that are shaping the future of intelligent systems.

What Is Machine Learning?

Machine learning (ML) is a type of artificial intelligence that encompasses systems that can analyze and learn from data without being programmed. Instead, they “study” data and detect patterns, a process called training. Through this training, machines learn and can make predictions and decisions. ML is accomplished through both supervised learning and unsupervised learning techniques:

  • Supervised learning trains machines with labeled data that is paired with a known output. You might train a machine with data about the size and location of a house paired with prices. When presented with data about a property, the machine, having learned the patterns of how size and location affect price, can then predict what the real estate will be listed at.
  • Unsupervised learning trains a machine without labeling the data inputs or predefining outputs. Instead, the machine explores data to find relationships, clusters, and even anomalies. This kind of training is good for finding hidden insights. Machines with this kind of training can detect fraud by analyzing transaction data or segment customers by examining their purchase habits.

What Is the Difference Between AI and Machine Learning?

Many people use the terms “machine learning” and “artificial intelligence” interchangeably. While related, the concepts are different.

Artificial intelligence, or AI, is the umbrella term for a range of technologies that simulate the way humans think, including observing, deducing, reasoning, solving problems, understanding language, predicting, and making decisions.

Subfields of AI include robotics, expert systems, virtual assistants, natural language processing, and machine learning. AI is a technology concerned with the what of achieving intelligence, whereas ML is concerned with the how of learning from data. ML is a subset of AI, with a narrower focus on data-driven learning.

You can also have subsets of subsets of AI. Neural networks, a subset technology of machine learning, mimic how the human mind functions, working like a network of neurons to recognize patterns in large, complex data.

Explore a career in machine learning with a computer science degree from Excelsior University.

What Are Some Common Techniques?

Common machine learning techniques achieve different purposes.

Clustering

This unsupervised learning technique trains machines to classify data points into groups based on similar attributes. For example, social media sites look at your behavior to suggest content and friend recommendations. Retailers analyze customer activities to learn that dads who buy diapers often also buy beer on the same shopping trip.

Decision Trees

This supervised learning technique trains machines to make decisions based on attributes that branch into outcomes. If machine learning detects symptoms one, two, and three, it can then classify a person as having a specific disease. ML can look at historical sales data, combined with economic statistics, and forecast product sales. It can look at customer attributes and behaviors and provide a credit score and risk assessment.

Regression

Regression is another supervised learning technique used to predict outcomes. ML that predicts the price of a house based on its location and size is an example of regression. You might use regression to model a patient’s risk of developing heart disease. Another type might look at your goals and time horizon, combined with market and economic data, to recommend an investment to you.

What Are Some Uses of Machine Learning?

With a career in machine learning, one of many career paths open to you with a degree in computer science, you’ll have the opportunity to work on a dizzying array of industry applications, including:

  • Recommendation systems that suggest the next video to watch on YouTube or related product to buy on Amazon
  • Virtual assistants like ChatGPT or Siri
  • Predicting sales levels, inventory needs, credit risks, or stock market movements
  • Health care enhancements, such as assessing risks of contracting a disease, diagnosing conditions, and even identifying promising drugs
  • Image and video analysis through neural networks to identify intruders, flag misused copyrighted material, and even help autonomous vehicles spot landmarks and hazards
  • Natural language processing, used for everything from translating languages to analyzing social media posts for sentiments to converting spoken words to written transcripts
  • Detecting crimes like bank fraud, network break-ins, and other threats, which you’ll learn about if you pursue a cybersecurity degree
  • Optimizing to supply chains, routes and schedules, prices for flights and rides, and even how building systems work

This list scratches the surface of how ML is used today. With the field exploding, new applications are coming fast. Demand for people who can work across diverse applications is high. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are fast becoming essential to many industries, suggesting job security, diverse opportunities—with highly competitive salaries—and the chance to make a significant impact.

The right education is a first step on your path to a rewarding career in machine learning. We invite you to explore Excelsior University’s computer science program to learn more.

Excelsior University Launches Scholarship Fund in Memory of Lt. Gen. Arthur Gregg

Posted on by Jason Bonafide

ALBANY, N.Y. – Excelsior University today announced a new scholarship fund established in the memory of Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg, a distinguished military leader and one of Excelsior’s founding trustees. Excelsior will honor Gregg’s legacy by supporting military students with scholarships granted through the Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg Fund for the Advancement of Military and Veteran Education.  

“The life of Lt. Gen. Arthur Gregg was an inspiration to all who knew him, and his courage, leadership, and generosity enriched the lives of thousands of students and service members,” said Excelsior University president David Schejbal. “General Gregg dedicated his life to serving his country and community, and we are proud to carry on his commitment to the power of service through the Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg Fund for the Advancement of Military and Veteran Education.” 

Growing up in the segregated South, Gregg overcame discrimination to reach the upper echelons of the military. During his remarkable 35-year career with the U.S. Army, Gregg served as quartermaster general for Europe and deputy chief of staff for logistics for the Army. In 1966, he commanded one of the largest battalions in Vietnam, earning a Meritorious Unit Citation. His success in Vietnam pushed him to further advance his career by attending the U.S. Army War College. In 1977, Gregg became the first Black service member to achieve the rank of lieutenant general. The Army created the Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg Sustainment Leadership Award in 2016 and honored its namesake as the first award recipient.  

His accomplished military career was recognized in 2023, when Fort Lee in Virginia was officially renamed Fort Gregg-Adams in honor of Gregg and Lt. Col. Charity Adams Earley. At the time, Gregg was the only living service member with a United States military installation named in his honor.  

Gregg was a strong supporter of Excelsior University for more than 30 years, beginning under the institution’s early identity as a program of the New York State Board of Regents. Gregg began serving on the Regents College Board of Overseers in 1993, and was one of the five founding trustees of Regents College when it first received its charter to operate as the independent institution  now known as Excelsior University. Gregg served as chair of the board of trustees from 1998 to 2004, was awarded chair emeritus in 2007, received an honorary degree in 2012, and continued to actively support the institution for many years.  

One outstanding Excelsior graduate actively serving in the military receives the Arthur J. Gregg Award each year at the University’s commencement ceremony. Gregg always made it a point to personally call to congratulate each graduate award recipient.  

Learn more about the Lt. Gen. Arthur J. Gregg Fund for the Advancement of Military and Veteran Education and make a contribution to support the scholarship at https://www.excelsior.edu/giving/in-memory-of-arthur-gregg.  

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Media Contact Excelsior University:
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446
  

ABOUT EXCELSIOR UNIVERSITY 
Excelsior University is an accredited, not-for-profit online institution focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.   

Career Spotlight: Health Care Financial Manager

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Financial management is critical to any thriving business. You may not readily think so, but health care organizations must also consider their financial health to make sure they remain successful. Health care financial management involves making sure team members have all the tools they need to plan, control, and manage finances so the organization can continue to provide quality patient care.

If you’re interested in finances and the health sciences, a career as a health care financial manager might be right for you.

What Does a Health Care Financial Manager Do?

As you might have guessed, a health care financial manager handles the complexities of a health care facility’s finances. They perform numerous tasks, including:

  • Analyzing, collecting, reporting, forecasting, and presenting financial data
  • Developing and managing budgets
  • Working with other staff members to develop financial strategies that align with the organization’s goals
  • Overseeing revenue generation, billing, and collecting
  • Locating cost-saving measures and implementing strategies to control expenses
  • Ensuring compliance with financial standards
  • Managing financial teams
  • Supervising insurance claims
  • Monitoring and analyzing the finances of each department in the organization
Help manage health care organizations with a health sciences degree from Excelsior.

How Much Does a Health Care Financial Manager Make?

If you’re interested in becoming a health care financial manager, you have the option of working in a variety of settings, including hospitals, medical clinics, outpatient centers, long-term care facilities, insurance companies, government health care agencies, and nonprofit organizations. There’s an ongoing demand for financial expertise within the health care field, so the job outlook in this field is generally positive.

According to Lightcast, as of October 2024, the median annual advertised salary of health care financial analysts was $90,880, with a range of $60,416 to $133,888.

How Do You Become a Health Care Financial Manager?

To obtain this role, you typically need at least a bachelor’s degree, but you might also consider pursuing an advanced degree like a master’s in health care administration. Furthermore, while not always required, some employers might prefer candidates who hold certifications. Certifications can expand your job opportunities and help you stand out from other candidates. Some popular financial certifications include Certified Public Accountant, Certified Specialist Accounting and Finance, Certified Specialist Business Intelligence, and Certified Treasury Professional.

Some of the above certifications are offered by the Healthcare Financial Management Association (HFMA).

What Is the HFMA?

The HFMA is an organization that provides tools, education, and guidance to individuals and organizations within the U.S. health care system. The association comprises more than 126,000 members and provides education and professional development opportunities, offers solutions to challenges that face the health care industry, educates decision-makers about maintaining healthy organizations, and works with stakeholders to improve best practices and standards.

The HFMA can be a vital resource for those aspiring to become a health care financial manager. If you’re looking to pursue this career, consider joining the HFMA. One of your first goals, however, should be to pursue your bachelor’s degree. A bachelor’s in health sciences or health care management can start you on the right path to entering this rewarding field.

Redefining Higher Education – Innovation, Adaptation, and the Future of PCO

Posted on by David Schejbal

Excelsior University president David Schejbal was recently interviewed for the EdUp PCO podcast. In the interview, President Schejbal speaks about how Professional, Continuing, and Online Ed (PCO) programs and units can drive transformation in higher education, ways that Excelsior is pursuing partnerships and innovative programs, and key skills and approaches for PCO leadership.

Listen to the podcast episode here.

 

Disparities, Inequities, and Injustices in Populations With Pain

Posted on by Brian Pervis

Brian Pervis, Excelsior University School of Nursing department chair, co-authored the article “Disparities, Inequities, and Injustices in Populations With Pain” for Pain Management Nursing. The article explores significant disparities in pain care that marginalized populations experience due to systemic factors like implicit bias, socioeconomic barriers, and limited access to equitable health care. The authors advocate for justice-informed approaches to pain management, aligning closely with Excelsior’s justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) goals in health care education. The piece underscores the importance of integrating JEDI principles at multiple levels—individual patient care, community engagement, and policy advocacy—to ensure fair and high-quality pain management for all patients.

Read the article here.

The Importance of Soft Skills in Nursing

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

Health care doesn’t stop at a patient’s chart. Quality care is as much about emotional experiences as physical procedures, and having a positive experience starts with personal connection.

Patients remember the great nurse who comforted their sick child, took extra time to explain complicated medical information, or helped them articulate their symptoms to a doctor. Other health care professionals remember the helpful colleague who always had a positive attitude, looked for solutions instead of problems, and kept them in the loop at work. The difference is “soft skills,” and understanding their importance in nursing can make a huge difference in patient care and in your career.

What Are Soft Skills?

What elevates a good nurse to a great nurse? It’s all about having the right skills. If you are a nurse, you probably learned many of them during your associate degree or bachelor’s degree program. There are the nursing clinical skills needed to pass the NCLEX-RN and start your first nursing job, and then there are the skills that only experience can teach. These are soft skills. Although they’re often difficult to quantify and measure, these nontechnical behaviors and interpersonal abilities are the key to smoothing interactions, building relationships, and cultivating a positive workplace. The following are examples of soft skills important for nurses:

  • Confidence
  • Communication
  • Creativity
  • Cultural competence
  • Empathy
  • Patience

In comparison, hard skills are specific, testable abilities and knowledge that can be taught and measured. Nursing clinical skills such as medication administration, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and anatomy are a few of the basic hard skills most nurses learn during their training.

Hard skills and soft skills shouldn’t be thought of as opposites, but rather equally valuable tools every professional nurse needs to be their most successful.

Boost your skills and your career with an AAS in Nursing.

How Can Soft Skills Impact Patient Care?

Any nurse can take a record of a patient’s symptoms, treat an injury, or assist with a medical procedure, but a nurse’s soft skills can make the difference between a patient following through with their treatment plan and a patient whose health suffers because of their poor experience.

Soft skills like communication, emotional intelligence, and patience help nurses more empathically understand and respond to a patient’s needs. When patients feel heard and cared for as individuals instead of just symptoms, or problems, to be solved, they can build the trusting, positive relationships with their health care providers that result in better care.

How Can Soft Skills Create a Positive Work Environment?

Health care is a stressful job, but nurses with strong soft skills have the resources to handle anything that comes their way. A nurse’s soft skills not only increase patient comfort but also benefit everyone they work with, from doctors to support staff.

For example, nurses with good communication instincts reduce misunderstandings and frustration when they effectively convey information between patients, families, and health care team members. Flexibility helps nurses find creative solutions and improve work processes, and collaboration skills can help nurses work smoothly with colleagues from diverse backgrounds, leading to better treatment coordination.

By growing your soft skills, you’re also growing your ability to care more fully for your patients, your co-workers, and your career, too.

Are you looking for other ways to advance your nursing career? Excelsior University has the information you need on nursing jobs and nursing degrees at every level.