Leroy Green II shares, “My degree was more of a personal statement, a personal sense of achievement.” Since leaving federal employment in 2010, Greene has been self-employed. A two-time graduate of Excelsior University (then Excelsior College), he earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 2006 and a Master of Science in Management in 2022. He believes that his master’s degree will be helpful as he moves back to the western United States.
Timothy Leaks, BS in Liberal Arts, 2019; MS in Criminal Justice, 2022
Timothy Leaks earned a Master of Science in Criminal Justice from Excelsior University (then Excelsior College) in January 2022. He joined the Excelsior University Alumni Leadership Council in July 2022 and, that same month, attended his first Commencement as part of the council. Leaks serves in the military and is looking to continue to serve his community by becoming a law enforcement officer, probation agent, or parole agent in the Military District of Washington area. Previously, Leaks earned a BS in Liberal Arts from Excelsior.
Kathryn Komdat, BS in Criminal Justice, 2019
Kathryn Komdat earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a concentration in investigative forensics from Excelsior University (then Excelsior College) in 2019. She is a full-time forensic autopsy technician and is actively pursuing a Master of Science in Criminal Justice at Excelsior University.
Career Boost
For some servicemembers, earning a degree can be difficult but thinking ahead to a career after the military can be even more daunting. There are many questions to answer: What will I do? How will I get a job? How far will my education take me? For Albert Samano, of Round Rock, Texas, those questions found answers when he came across Excelsior University, and his experience with the online institution helped set him on a path for success in his civilian career.
At 17 years old, Samano entered the Navy’s nuclear power program to become a nuclear reactor operator with the intention of obtaining military and educational training. “I was always big on education and have always loved learning about all sorts of topics,” he says, and indicates his interest in learning drove him to select the nuclear power program.
While in the Navy, Samano completed many different service schools and training courses, but it wasn’t until he was nearing the end of his service in the early 1980s that he wanted to find a way to earn his degree. He took courses at Idaho State University and earned an associate degree, which he says, “really lit a fire under me to get my bachelor’s.” However, the brick-and-mortar way of earning a degree wasn’t right for him. That’s when he found Excelsior, then known as Regents College.
“I quickly realized that Regents was very much attuned to the life of the veteran, the experiences of the veteran, the training, etc. And so, it became very clear to me that the best possible way for me to take advantage of the training that I had received in the Navy was to convert that into an undergraduate degree through Regents,” Samano remembers. So, as he neared the end of his time in the Navy, he took CLEP and DANTES exams at every opportunity, with the specific intent of amassing credits toward a bachelor’s degree.
When he left the Navy in 1984, Samano put earning his degree on hold, due to the work demands of being a manager at a commercial nuclear power plant, as well as subsequently founding his first consulting firm, Samanco Inc. It wasn’t until 2000 that he was able to take a bit of time off and add a few classes from Santa Fe Community College and Excelsior exams to his roster of credits. Excelsior’s credit acceptance policy and ability to aggregate credit from various sources made a difference for Samano. “It is truly the best, how you can just take all your training and education experiences and put it all together at Excelsior. And it’s just, it’s perfect,” he says. Samano earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in July 2000 and is grateful for the support he found at Excelsior. “I’m very, very grateful that Regents and Excelsior existed,” says Samano. “Without Excelsior, I would not have my degree today.” With his new degree, Samano started a new company called Fortress Incorporated, a security and emergency preparedness consulting firm based in Austin, Texas, and Boston, Massachusetts.
Earning his degree and having experience in the nuclear field has demonstrated to clients that Samano is well-versed in solving challenges in the nuclear, transportation, and public health fields. “My degree provided some of the other skills that that I didn’t get in the Navy, such as critical thinking and writing. I took several writing courses—technical writing courses—that I needed for developing plans, protocols, procedures, as well as reports and things of that nature. So, my degree helped to complete and round out the technical training that I had received in the military,” says Samano.
Samano is confident that Excelsior provided an opportunity to complete his degree and helped his career and future; so much so that he encourages others to consider attending the school. As a consultant, he sits on the emergency management council at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy (MMA) and has taught classes to the cadets at MMA. He says, “You know, a lot of kids come out of the Navy and they don’t know that they can easily convert their training into credit hours, and convert those credit hours into an associate degree or a bachelor’s degree… If they were only aware of the programs available at Excelsior, they would have the means to accomplish their educational goals. And so, and I’ve said this to many people…go to Excelsior, they are the best distance learning institution to help you achieve your educational goals.”
Career Spotlight: Executive Recruiter
Companies in highly competitive markets rely on outstanding talent to help move their organization forward. How do they fill their needs of hiring the best staff?
This is where executive recruiters come in.
Companies use executive recruiters to find the right people for high-level executive roles. There are many benefits to this kind of outsourcing. For one thing, you’re relying on the recruiter’s expertise to find you the best candidate for your C-level job. Executive recruiters also may have many more resources they can use to locate appropriate candidates than you might have available to you.
Let’s explore more about executive recruiters.
What Is an Executive Recruiter?
As you may have guessed, executive recruiting is a specialized area of human resources management that involves the locating and recruiting of high-level executives to fill open roles. Those who carry out this job are called executive recruiters. Sometimes they’re even called executive headhunters.
Organizations usually hire these HR professionals when they don’t have the time, resources, or expertise to do it themselves. Executive recruiters are detailed and precise when searching for and vetting potential candidates because these potential employees need to fit the company’s open position perfectly.
What Does an Executive Recruiter Do?
In general, an executive recruiter manages job openings, verifies candidates, and encourages these candidates to apply to a company’s open positions. Recruiters also have a variety of other job duties, including:
How to Become an Executive Recruiter
You might think that to become an executive recruiter, you can just jump right in the field. However, there are certain steps you must take for success. First, you must acquire the right education. Usually, a degree in human resources management is suitable, although a degree in a business field may also be a good choice. In addition, you could choose to earn your MBA to bolster your employment prospects.
If you’re just starting out, it would be beneficial to obtain a position at a recruiting firm rather than try to establish your own firm. Getting on-the-job experience is your best bet for breaking into this field.
Third, don’t forget to network! Expanding your social and professional networks will help you meet potential clients and it shows other recruiters that you are someone with whom they can work.
Skills Needed to Be an Executive Recruiter
To be a productive executive recruiter, you need to have the right education, experience, and skill set. Here are some of the most important skills that a recruiter should possess:
Education Needed to Be an Executive Recruiter
As mentioned, it’s good to have a degree in human resources management if you want to enter the field of executive recruitment. Excelsior University’s Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) in Business and Management program includes coursework in accounting, financial management, marketing, project management, employee relations, leadership, management practice, business communication, and global commerce.
The Master of Science in Management program covers subjects that managers must master to successfully guide direct reports and develop employees, build effective teams, oversee projects, create budgets, handle corporate finances, manage organizational change, solve business problems, and communicate clearly with people at all levels of an organization.
Further, the Master of Business Administration program is especially designed for executive managers driven to grow their careers in strategy, global development, operations, human resources, and digital transformation.
Check out any of these programs if you plan to become an executive recruiter.
Executive Recruitment Types
When entering the world of executive recruitment, it’s important to note that there are two different forms: contingent search vs. retained search. In a contingent search, recruiters focus on easily accessible and readily available talent, while in a retained search, recruiters focus on finding the highly specific, absolute best people for a company’s open position. Let’s explore these a little more.
Contingent executive search.In a contingent executive search, payment works a little like some lawyers and their clients in that “if we don’t win, you don’t pay us.” In other words, the executive recruiter and/or recruitment firm only gets paid if a candidate is successfully placed in an open position for a company. This type of search is not exclusive; many recruiters and firms often compete with each other to find candidates for the same company.
According to Salary.com, the salary range of an executive recruiter falls between $79,468 and $117,902. Salaries vary widely depending on education, skills, experience level, and more.
If you would like to enter this lucrative field, speak to an admission’s counselor today and get started on your path into executive recruitment.
Career Spotlight: Business Consultant
What Is a Business Consultant?
Do you enjoy offering people advice? As a business consultant, you work with business professionals on projects to help them succeed. Business consultants analyze organizational practices, identify weaknesses, and recommend solutions. Learn how to become a business consultant and what area to specialize in.
What Do Business Consultants Do?
Business consultants are professional advisors who help companies achieve certain goals. Most consultants work with leadership teams to do the following:
Responsibilities vary depending on the industry you are working in and the goals of the company. Most of the time, business consultants are hired when something isn’t going as planned. As a business leader, if your company isn’t producing enough products or making enough money, or morale is extremely low and causing high turnover among employees, it may be time to hire a consultant.
What Types of Business Consultants Are There?
Business consultants often specialize in specific areas such as marketing, human resources, management, engineering, or finance, and provide expert advice on that topic. Furthermore, business consultants tend to work with similar businesses. Whether you consider yourself an expert in small business consulting, human resources consulting, or IT consulting, the main goal is to improve the overall business. Furthermore, most business consultants previously worked in the field that they now consult in.
Small Business Consultants
Small business consultants usually give new or experienced business owners advice on problem solving, strategy, and developing skills. Since many small business owners tend to be experts in the product they sell, rather than in running a business, it is common to work with a business consultant. Some responsibilities can include:
Ultimately, business owners hire business consultants who are experts in a field they need the most help with.
Operations Consultants
Operations consultants are hired to improve a company’s internal operations. Operations consultants support implementation of a company’s target operating model, management systems, functional business processes, and culture throughout the life cycle of a business’s products.
HR Consultants
Human resource consultants offer a variety of services, including professional consulting, education, training, and human resource advice. Most companies hire a HR consultant when they aren’t satisfied with its current employees or their management. An HR consultant observes employees and upper leadership to seek out weaknesses. They then develop plans that will benefit the client. In some cases, HR consultants will assist with the hiring of new employees or firing of current ones.
Risk Management Consultants
A risk management consultant assesses the various risks faced by a particular organization. This can include cyber risk assessments, governance, risk and compliance, incident response planning, and IT. Most organizations hire a risk management consultant when things might not be going as planned within the organization, or the industry is changing. The goal of hiring a risk management consultant is to get ahead of big challenges. They help forecast the future of the organization and industry so upper leadership can better prepare.
IT Consultants
IT consultants manage just what the title suggests: technological issues. Most of the time, organizations hire IT consultants when there are issues with their current system or network or when they implement a new system or network. IT consultants handle anything from computer repairs to management and maintenance of large networks, depending on the client’s needs.
How to Become a Business Consultant
There is no direct path to becoming a business consultant. Many begin with a bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing, management, leadership, or a related field. A good consultant has work experience in the field they wish to consult in. That can be anything from an internship for a few months, to working in the field for years, and becoming a consultant later in life.
Skills Needed to Become a Business Consultant
In addition to a bachelor’s degree and work experience, successful business consultants have these skills:
Lastly, successful business consultants must have strategic consulting skills. You must be able to identify problems, find solutions, create long-term plans that companies can realistically execute, and always be listening and observing. A certificate in leadership from Excelsior University will help you strengthen your skills and set you up to be a successful business consultant.
Career Spotlight: Computer Hardware Engineer
Do you like computers, programming, and engineering? Why not combine them and become a computer hardware engineer? These professionals help advance the world of computer technology by creating new hardware systems.
Let’s take a closer look at this job and see if it fits in with your career goals.
What Is a Computer Hardware Engineer?
Simply put, computer hardware engineers research, design, and build computer systems. They combine their expertise and knowledge in information technology, electronics, and engineering to design and test the various components of computer structures. They develop computer equipment like routers, processors, and circuit boards.
What Do Computer Hardware Engineers Do?
As mentioned, a computer hardware engineer is responsible for developing parts of a computer system. They may work independently or as part of a team of other technology professionals. They identify problems and come up with ways to solve them, as well as develop technology improvements. Some typical job duties include:
- Designing new computer equipment and hardware
- Making models of new hardware and testing those models
- Analyzing test results
- Upgrading computer equipment to increase compatibility with new software
- Working with software engineers
- Overseeing the manufacturing process
Where Do Computer Hardware Engineers Work?
Many computer hardware engineers work in research laboratories and for computer companies and design firms. They work in fields such as computer and electronic product manufacturing, computer system design, and scientific research and development. The majority of these professionals work in urban areas.
How to Become a Computer Hardware Engineer
To become a computer hardware engineer, you need the appropriate education, experience, and credentials. Most employers require applicants to have at least a bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited program in hardware engineering, computer science, electrical engineering, or a related field. Since working in this field means working with both hardware and software, it’s beneficial for students to take courses in computer science so they have working knowledge of computer programming. A master’s degree is encouraged to provide even more knowledge and experience.
It’s also important to gain hands-on experience by taking internships. Some schools offer robotics and computer competitions where students can practice what they know and build their portfolios. Of course, it’s also good to reach out to experts in the field to make professional connections and learn directly from those with significant experience.
Depending on where you work, you may benefit from earning certain other credentials. There are a variety of certifications that you can pursue to further your education and boost your resume. These certifications are: Engineer in Training Certification, Software Engineering Management Associate Engineer, Certified LabVIEW Developer, and Software Engineering Master Certification.
Skills a Computer Hardware Engineer Needs
There are certain skills and qualities that make for a good computer hardware engineer. These include:
- Using problem-solving skills
- Being creative to come up with designs
- Being effective at oral and written communication
- Possessing a working knowledge of computer programming and software development
- Being able to think analytically
- Being prepared to work long hours
What Degree Is Needed to Be a Computer Hardware Engineer?
As mentioned, to become a computer hardware engineer, you need to have at least a bachelor’s degree from an ABET-accredited program. Excelsior’s Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology program prepares students for electrical and allied engineering technology positions in technology-related industries such as electronics, electrical power, semiconductors and computers, and nanotechnology. Accredited by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET, the program is designed specifically to advance job skills by ensuring a breadth of knowledge in technology concepts as well as a depth of understanding and skills in one of two technical concentrations—electronics or power systems. Either is an appropriate choice for anyone wishing to enter the field of computer engineering.
How Much Do Computer Hardware Engineers Make in a Year?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), as of 2021, the average median pay for a computer hardware engineer is $128,170. The BLS reports this occupation will grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031, with about 5,300 jobs opening each year. So, overall, this is a perfect time to enter this growing field. Contact an Excelsior admissions counselor today to get started on your path to becoming a computer hardware engineer.
Career Spotlight: Leadership Coach
Businesses across all industries require an effective leader who can lead people to achieve the organization’s goals. People looking to earn high-level leadership roles such as vice president, CEO, COO, director, or president of an organization should invest in a leadership coach. Leadership coaches help individuals achieve personal and professional growth.
What Is a Leadership Coach?
A leadership coach guides clients to achieve personal and professional growth. Depending on the organization you work for, as a leadership coach you may work with people who are new to their leadership roles, or you may provide continued support for established leaders who are looking to do better. Typically, leadership coaches have a variety of responsibilities, which can include:
In addition, leadership coaches mentor senior leaders on ways to improve their ability to manage effectively.
Job Outlook of a Leadership Coach
A position as a leadership coach is highly desirable. While we haven’t seen a huge amount of positions available for leadership coaches, they are growing. It is expected for more leadership coaching positions to appear as small companies, organizations, and startups launch. It is also typical to find leadership coaches who work part-time or for themselves, rather than for a large organization. This creates a flexible work environment and allows you to decide who your clients are. It is more risky than a typical job since you are not guaranteed payment unless you have clients.
According to Zip Recruiter, leadership coaches make around $62k on average, per year. Many salaries depend on how many clients a leadership coach has, what level the client is in within the organization, and whether leadership coaches work for themselves or an organization.
Skills Needed to Be a Leadership Coach
Leadership coaches can act as counselors or mentors to their clients depending on the organization or situation in which they are working. To be a successful leadership coach, the following skills are needed:
Additionally, a leadership coach must be a strong leader. This probably sounds obvious, but it is worth pointing out. People who are leadership coaches usually have a background in leadership positions.
Education Needed to Be a Leadership Coach
A career as a leadership coach is highly rewarding. While there is no clear path to becoming a leadership coach, there are ideal qualities and requirements when it comes to looking for leadership coaches. In addition to the skills above, leadership coaches typically have:
If you are looking for an advanced degree in leadership but are not sure a master’s degree is necessary, a graduate certificate in leadership from Excelsior University may be the right choice for you!
What Is the Role of a Mentor?
Engaging with a mentor can help increase a student’s confidence, align their expectations with the realities of life and work, and further their growth and development. Mentors help unlock the potential in their mentee’s personal, academic, and professional growth. They listen to their mentee’s needs, help clarify goals, and offer advice and wisdom based on hard-earned experience.
The Role of a Mentor in Your Professional Career
What Is a Mentor?
Mentors offer career guidance and advice, share perspectives and challenges, and offer potential connections. Being a mentor is a great opportunity to be a resource and give back. Mentors offer advice on everything from academics and financing your education to tips for career success. Mentors often act as life counselors, taking advantage of experiences in their own lives to share secrets for success and life tips. Those mentored often value the mentor’s expertise and find having a mentor useful as they look toward the future and building their professional careers. The role mentors play is simple and natural, yet important and memorable, as the mentee grows personally and professionally. The mentor and mentee find common ground and learn more about each other as the relationship progresses. As industry-specific issues come up, these developments make great topics for discussion.
What Does a Mentor Do?
Many people say the heart of mentoring and getting the most out of life isn’t about how much you keep for yourself, but how much you pour into others. In the academic setting, building relationships between students and alumni is every bit as valuable as any course taught. Mentoring is a great tool to assist students to learn networking skills early in their careers. Students who have mentors can gain insight into their career field and obtain advice about decisions for their future and choices they make. As a mentor, it is a rewarding feeling to assist a student and give back, knowing you made an impact. This helps build your own experience as a professional.
Ways a Mentor Can Help You
Mentoring programs enhance a student’s college experience. They give students and alumni or other professionals the opportunity to work together to reach a goal. It is through this kind of connection that alumni and students can create an engaged and rewarding culture. Also, these programs ensure that students receive the kind of support they need to excel as students now and professionals in the future. And, aside from making a student’s college life more purposeful, mentoring may also help students transition from being unemployed to becoming fully employed.
Roles of a Mentor in Your Life
Mentors help students build their network, connections, and credibility. Mentors assist students in developing socially as well as give them the experience of one-on-one meetings with professionals in the field. Mentors serve as role models and confidence boosters. They listen, give feedback, and answer questions. Through sharing ideas, knowledge, and experiences, they can share tools and resources that help a student to clarify their educational and professional goals. Students often gain valuable experiences and learn things from mentors that they do not find in a classroom setting.
Role of a Mentor in Education
No student should go without the critical support and connection to opportunities that a mentor provides. In fact, you may consider having multiple mentors. A mentor doesn’t have to have all the answers, they just must be willing to listen and share what they know. Engaging with a mentor helps unlock potential in a mentee’s personal, academic, and professional growth. Career goals are evolutionary, and good mentors assist students with their professional evolution. Research shows that students who experience good mentoring have a greater chance of securing career goals and potential advancement.
Students often go to college to earn a degree so that they may be well-equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in their chosen field. While hard work and determination are keys to success, getting the necessary help through human connections is equally beneficial. Are you, as the student, following the right career pathway? Do you want to increase your chances of meeting your professional goals? Do you have the right connections and access to a network for a successful job search? Finding a mentor in your field of interest can help.
At Excelsior University, we know that meaningful mentoring relationships develop organically over time. Career mentoring provides opportunities for further growth, development, collaboration, and connection. Key tips are to let relationships be on your terms, in your own time. It may be short-term, long-term, or as needed and agreed upon between you and your mentor. Mentors offer guidance, advice, and share perspectives. As a mentor, it’s a great chance to give back, share, and help identify opportunities for a mentee. Whether you can help one or many, our Excelsior mentees are eager to connect and learn from a mentor’s work and life experiences.
Role of a Mentor in the Workplace
Mentees explore the world of work by engaging and gaining knowledge and experience from a professional’s perspective and applying what they’ve learned to real-life situations. Throughout a mentorship, mentees become familiar with corporate protocol and add resources and tools to assist in identifying long-term development needs. Meaningful professional relationships develop organically over time. A mentor acts as someone to bounce questions and ideas off of who has experience in the field. They have the unique opportunity to encourage and advise by sharing their own experiences and knowledge.
Finding the Right Mentor for You
To find the right mentor, review commonalities, think about mutual interests, and ask the right questions. Consider how you find a date—it is similar, if not the same. It sounds silly but when you think about all the algorithms that match you to someone, it is the same concept.
At Excelsior, interested students and alumni answer key questions to develop a profile that a mentorship tool uses to form matches. Mentees and mentors are matched based on algorithms built on mutual areas of interest, including career and program areas, and other preferences sourced from their profiles. We offer students and alumni the platform, network, outline, and suggested guides. When they make a match, they make the mentoring relationship their own.
Holocaust Remembrance Day
What is Holocaust Remembrance Day?
The United Nations General Assembly designated January 27, the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, as the International Day of Commemoration in memory of the six million victims of the Holocaust under Nazi persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.
Why we commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD)?
During this time, we seek to learn lessons of the past. Genocide began with discrimination, racism, and hatred that were left unchecked. “The Holocaust threatened the fabric of civilization, and genocide must still be resisted every day. Our world often feels fragile and vulnerable, and we cannot be complacent.”
Thousands of people come together on Holocaust Memorial Day each year to learn more about the past and take action to create a safer future. A goal of Holocaust Memorial Day is to bear witness for those who endured genocide and honor the survivors and all lives that were impacted.
Resources to Learn More about Holocaust Remembrance Day?
To learn more about Holocaust Memorial Day:
https://www.ushmm.org/remember/international-holocaust-remembrance-day
https://www.hmd.org.uk/what-is-holocaust-memorial-day/
Teaching a New Generation of Medical Assistants
Thanks to Excelsior University’s partnership with the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA), Wendy Craven, of Winston Salem, North Carolina, earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, an accomplishment that enables her to continue her medical assisting career. With this degree, she is also able to give back to the next generation of medical assistants as they come through the doors of the community college where she works.
Craven’s original interest was in teaching, but she was dissuaded by the economy of the early 1980s from pursuing that career. A presentation on medical assisting soon gave her a new career to consider. “I knew that I did not want to work in a hospital setting…the presentation explained that career [medical assisting] as a physician office-based career, and administrative parts of it, as well as the clinical and laboratory, appealed to me,” she says. Craven earned an associate degree in medical assisting from Wingate College in the 1980s.
Craven has worked in medical assisting for several decades. The best thing about being a medical assistant, she says, is that you build a rapport with your patients in an office setting that you wouldn’t normally have in a hospital. “In the physician practice, you’re seeing somebody coming in for regular follow-ups over a number of years. If you work in pediatrics, you get the opportunity to watch that child grow. If you work in obstetrics and gynecology, you get to observe that pregnancy through from beginning until the end of term,” she says. The world of medical assisting also involves administrative work, including checking patients in and out from their visits, following up on insurance claims, and billing, among other tasks. Craven describes it as a “360-degree” career.
In 2015, Craven had the opportunity to incorporate her interest in teaching into her career. She became an adjunct instructor at Forsyth Technical Community College in Winston Salem, teaching future medical assistants. She was able to transition into a full-time position in 2019, and part of that agreement was to complete her bachelor’s degree. Luckily, she heard about Excelsior University (then College). Transferring credit and earning her bachelor’s from the school could not have been smoother. “The transition was so easy, not only accepting my very aged credits from Wingate, circa 1983, but also giving some credit for the credential that I have through AAMA—my CMA AAMA credential,” says Craven. “And then the adviser that I worked with helped me to pick out courses and kind of move the process along.” She earned her degree in November 2021.
Now Craven advises students as they enter the medical assisting program at Forsyth in a role called faculty mentoring. “I always feel like it’s my obligation and my privilege to help guide them to where they really want to be,” she says. She adds that it is her college’s model to give students the appropriate advice for where they need to be. Craven and others help move the students along a pathway that is right for them. She also recommends that students who don’t know where to begin try skills assessment tests to see what they might be best at and most capable of. It might not tell them exactly what to do, but it’s a good place to start, she says.
Craven has used many examples from her courses at Excelsior in her teachings at Forsyth. She shares her experiences at Excelsior and incorporates some lessons learned from health equity, cultural diversity, and health care courses into her teachings. The most important thing, she says, is she tries to instill the idea of lifelong learning. “I try to give students information…that your education does not have to end here with your diploma or your associate degree,” says Craven. “There are a lot of avenues.”
A Walk to Remember
His plans were all set, but William “Bill” Klee, of Lusby, Maryland, almost didn’t walk the stage at Excelsior University’s 51st Annual Commencement in July 2022. He had earned a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Technology Management, and he had excelled in (and enjoyed) his courses—he even tripled up in several of his trimesters! The problem came in late June of 2022 when he received a horrifying call saying his daughter had been in a terrible motorcycle accident. Forget about attending Commencement, was she even alright?
Klee and his daughter had often ridden together as EMTs. She was a full-time EMT and he, too, has his certification, but mainly just drove the ambulance. It was a time he cherished. So, when he learned of her accident that occurred, he was devastated. Any thoughts he had about traveling out of state to attend Commencement took a back seat to supporting his daughter’s recovery.
As she overcame her injuries, she and Klee’s wife encouraged him to keep his plans to go to Commencement. It was to be his first time hearing his name called and walking across a stage to celebrate an educational milestone.
Klee had finished high school in the middle of the school year and when it was graduation time, he didn’t have a chance to walk the stage to get his diploma because he was in the middle of Boot Camp for the U.S. Navy. He became an electronic technician, working in calibration labs and special communications facilities. As an electronic technician, he used technical systems to assist with detection and tracking of subsurface threats and enable secure communications with U.S. Naval submarines to maintain fleet combat readiness. “You’re following your procedures, you’re testing equipment out, and then if it doesn’t pass, you have to figure out why it didn’t pass and fix what is wrong with the items and get it back to where it belongs,” stated Klee, explaining his job. He noted that the Navy’s electronic standards had to meet and trace back to the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s (NIST) guidelines and standards.
Klee’s job future changed due to one single mistake. While checking an item that needed to be calibrated, Klee noticed a problem. He brought the discrepancy to his superior, who disregarded the issue. As a result, the situation ended up causing damage to the equipment and electronic standard for which Klee was blamed. “But because of that incident, I was given an opportunity that I probably never would have had,” he says. He was moved from the Calibration Lab to the Planning Group on the naval base in Groton, Connecticut. “I just absolutely fell in love with planning. I swore if I ever got the opportunity again to do planning like that, that I was going to take it.”
Klee got his wish. When he separated from the Navy after 12 years of service, he began working at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in the Instrument and Controls Shop. When the opportunity arose in 2001 for him to move to Planning, he jumped at the chance. In 2010 he made the move into Projects. If it wasn’t for that one incident in the Navy, he feels he probably wouldn’t have gotten that opportunity. “I wouldn’t have had that taste and desire for working in Planning, which then led me to Projects, which ultimately led me to Corporate IT Projects. So yeah, it was definitely one of those happy mistakes…,” says Klee, “I try to tell people, ‘Don’t be afraid to make a mistake, because you never know where it’s going to take you.’”
Now Klee is an IT project manager, a position he obtained after earning his bachelor’s degree from Excelsior University (then Excelsior College). Michael Johnson, then the associate dean in the School of Undergraduate Studies and a retired Navy veteran, directed Klee to Excelsior, and Klee was able to apply credits from Richland Community College and his time in the Navy toward his degree. The educational partnership between Excelsior and his employer was beneficial, too, and the admissions process was easy. “It was a very simple process…I was able to take the background information [training and courses] that I had done between the Navy and my other classes and submit that for review. I was able to approach my training department at Calvert Cliffs and they were able to just send me a letter that verified what training I had already been through and submit that to Excelsior as part of our partnership.”
Klee worked hard to complete his studies, even going so far as to take a 15-week course and two 8-week courses in the same trimester for several trimesters. Thankfully, he had the support of his family to help him get through the process and he earned his bachelor’s degree in October 2020.
And the best part? On Commencement Day in July 2022, Klee’s wife and daughter were hundreds of miles away, just returning from one of his daughter’s many doctor’s appointments, when they began to watch the live-streamed ceremony on their phone while stopped at a red traffic light. It just so happened they were watching at the exact moment Klee crossed the stage. It was a moment the family will never forget.
More from William Klee
What makes a good leader?
“I try to work with my people a lot more. I don’t want to be a boss, I want to be somebody that they would look at as more of a mentor, a leader, rather than just somebody there to say, ‘No, you need to do this or that.’”
What’s one piece of advice you could give people?
“I would say, ‘Don’t be afraid to try because you never know where it will take you.’ The time that you will ultimately fail is when you don’t try….’ I’ve seen people on LinkedIn that were saying that they were just starting back to school, and I would try to encourage them. It took me over 30 years to complete my degree. I can tell you without a doubt, I’m glad I did. You have to take that first step; you have to start trying. Don’t give up. Keep going and then finally you can say, ‘I did it.’”
In His Own Words
Hear William share his story in his own words in this clip:
