Your First Year as an MBA Student at Excelsior University

Posted on by Leah Sciabarrasi

Choosing to start the Excelsior University Master of Business Administration program is an exciting step toward advancing your education, expanding your professional opportunities, and preparing for future leadership roles. Whether you’re looking to move into management, strengthen your business expertise, change careers, or increase your earning potential, an MBA can provide the knowledge and credentials to help you achieve your goals.

For many students, however, excitement comes with a few questions: What will the workload be like? How much time will I need to dedicate each week? Can I balance business school with work and family responsibilities? These questions are especially common among students who have been away from the classroom for several years.

The good news is that Excelsior’s online MBA program is designed with working professionals in mind, offering the flexibility to fit graduate education into a busy schedule. Although many students complete the program in about two years, motivated students who carefully plan their course schedules may be able to finish in as little as one year. So, what can you expect during your first year? Here’s a closer look at the MBA student experience at Excelsior.

Your First Year in an MBA Program at Excelsior vs. Other Business Schools

One of the appealing aspects of the Excelsior University MBA program is its flexibility. Because the program is delivered primarily online and designed for working professionals, no two students follow exactly the same path. Some students take a single course at a time to balance their studies with work, family, and other commitments. Others choose a more accelerated pace, taking two courses each term and potentially completing the program in as little as one year.

Excelsior also operates on a trimester-based academic calendar, with six terms offered throughout the year. This structure differs from the traditional two-semester model used by many colleges and universities and allows students to begin and progress through the program more frequently. As a result, what your “first year” looks like will depend on your starting term, course load, and individual goals.

Despite these differences, MBA students in most programs share a similar journey during their first year. They begin by building a foundation in key business disciplines, developing graduate-level communication skills, and learning how to apply business concepts to real-world organizational challenges. Along the way, students collaborate with classmates, engage with faculty who bring industry experience to the classroom, and gain new perspectives that can be immediately applied in their workplaces.

At Excelsior University, the first few terms of the MBA program are a time of core coursework, selecting a concentration, and then weaving in specialized courses so students can tailor their degrees to their goals.

First-Year MBA Courses

Most MBA students spend their first year building expertise across the major functional areas of business while developing the leadership skills needed to guide organizations through change and uncertainty. The curriculum is intentionally designed to help students understand how successful organizations operate from multiple perspectives rather than through a single business discipline.

Excelsior students typically begin with Resilient Leadership and Organizational Behavior, where they examine leadership styles, team dynamics, organizational culture, and strategies for leading effectively in complex environments. From there, coursework expands into other areas with courses like Operations and Project Management, Corporate Finance and Accounting, and Ethical Risk Management and Compliance, helping students understand how organizations manage resources, make financial decisions, and navigate risk.

As students progress through Excelsior’s MBA program, they explore the growing role of technology and innovation through Information Technology and learn how organizations create value for customers through Strategic Brand Marketing. Throughout the program, students are challenged to apply concepts to real-world business situations, analyze case studies, participate in mock experiences, evaluate organizational challenges, and develop practical solutions.

Concentrations and Specialization in Excelsior’s MBA Program

All MBA students complete the same core curriculum in Excelsior’s program, but they also have the opportunity to tailor their degree through a concentration. Concentration courses are intentionally integrated into the program so that students begin developing specialized expertise while continuing to build their business foundation.

Excelsior students can choose from a variety of concentrations, including Leadership, Human Resource Management, Marketing, Finance and Accounting, Data Analytics, Health Care Management, Strategic Sustainability, Cannabis Control, Distributed Workforce Management, Nutrition, Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Public Health Equity, and Organizational Leadership. A student may also create a more personalized pathway that more closely aligns with their career goals.

This structure creates a shared MBA experience while allowing students to pursue their individual career goals. For example, a student concentrating in Data Analytics may explore how organizations use data to inform strategic decisions, whereas a student in Human Resource Management may focus on talent development and employment practices. Both students continue studying the same core business concepts, but each develops expertise in a field that aligns with their respective professional interests.

By the end of the first year, many MBA students have completed a combination of core and concentration coursework, giving them both a broad understanding of business management and a deeper appreciation for the challenges and opportunities within their chosen area of specialization.

How to Choose an MBA Concentration at Excelsior

For some Excelsior MBA students, choosing a concentration is straightforward. They may already work in a specific field and want to deepen their expertise. An allied health professional, for example, may choose Healthcare Management, whereas someone working in HR may pursue Human Resource Management to strengthen their skills.

Other students use their concentration to prepare for where they want to go rather than where they are today. Someone interested in moving into a leadership position may select Leadership or Organizational Leadership. A professional looking to transition into a more analytical role might choose Data Analytics. And someone interested in strengthening their understanding of financial decision-making could pursue Finance and Accounting.

Many Excelsior students also choose a concentration to complement their existing experience with a new skill set. For example, an experienced manager may add expertise with Human Resource Management, Data Analytics, or Marketing to broaden their perspective and increase their value to employers.

If you find yourself drawn to multiple concentrations, start by considering your long-term career goals. Ask yourself where you would like to be in three to five years and which concentration will provide the knowledge and skills most relevant to that future role.

5 Tips for First-Year MBA Students

The students who thrive in their first year are the ones who build strong habits, stay organized, and remain committed to their goals. Here are five more tips for your first year in an MBA program.

1. Make time before you need time.

Nothing new can fit into your schedule unless you intentionally make room for it. Decide when you’ll complete your coursework—before work, during lunch breaks, in the evening—and make it part of your daily routine.

2. Plan the entire term in advance.

Use the course syllabus and assignment schedule to build a calendar at the beginning of each term. Add major due dates, project milestones, and dedicated study time so you can stay ahead rather than simply reacting to deadlines.

3. Build your professional network.

Your business school classmates are current and future leaders across a wide range of industries. Connect with them and your faculty on LinkedIn, engage in discussions, and build relationships that may benefit you long after graduation.

4. Apply your learning immediately.

Look for opportunities to connect course concepts to your current role. Many students find that the Master of Business Administration becomes more valuable when they can immediately apply what they are learning at work.

5. Ask questions and use available resources.

Successful MBA students don’t try to figure everything out on their own. Reach out to faculty, advisors, and support services whenever you need guidance or clarification.

Chart Your Path to the C-Suite at Excelsior

Whether your goal is to move into management, advance into executive leadership, change careers, or develop specialized expertise, an MBA can help you take the next step with confidence. Excelsior University’s IACBE-accredited MBA program is designed for working professionals who need a graduate education that fits their lives without sacrificing academic quality.

With flexible online coursework, opportunities to engage with faculty and classmates, and multiple start dates throughout the year, students can begin their MBA journey when the time is right for them. The program’s flexible pacing allows students to adjust their course load to match their professional and personal commitments, whether they prefer a steady pace or an accelerated path to graduation.

Excelsior also recognizes the value of prior learning and graduate-level coursework, providing transfer credit opportunities for eligible students. Combined with six academic terms each year, this flexibility allows many students to begin making progress toward their degree sooner than they might expect.

Your first year as an MBA student doesn’t have to begin in the fall semester. In fact, your first term could be just weeks away. Ready to take the next step? Learn more about Excelsior University’s MBA program and discover how an advanced business degree can help you achieve your professional goals.

A Summer Media List on Technology, Society, and the Futures We’re Building

Posted on by Carrie Prior

Each summer, reading lists circulate across schools, universities, and publications like The New York Times. These lists serve many purposes: They preserve literacy over a school break, set the stage for an incoming class, offer relaxation at the beach, or encourage space to think differently.

In the spirit of such lists, the faculty in Excelsior’s School of Technology have curated a selection of books, graphic novels, films, and TV shows that have spoken to us and stayed with us over time.

The books and films on this list have shaped us as instructors, technologists, and humans—at the same time haunting and inspiring us. While not exhaustive, the selections represent stories that challenge us to think more deeply about technology, society, and the futures we are actively shaping.

I reflect on 1984 when I think about the information I consume, and Ender’s Game when it comes to alternative perspective-taking and allowing the machine to do the work for me. Wall-E reminds me to stop scrolling and have a cup of coffee with a friend and to plant a garden. I hear echoes of themes in Ghost in the Shell when our faculty come together for lively discussions about articles related to the intersection of artificial intelligence and humanity.

I admit that at first glance, when I consider the list we’ve put forth, it comes across as a bit dystopian. Yet I also consider the themes and messages embedded in these works as hopeful guides to how we can pause to consider our actions, choose to live meaningful lives, and value and protect the gifts humanity has been given.

Part of our mission at the School of Technology is to center our teaching around providing students with a multidisciplinary education that blends technical expertise with practical wisdom and ethical insight. Our belief is that we mustn’t operate in a vacuum. The code we write, the levers we pull, the projects we oversee, and the systems we create do not exist in isolation. It is our responsibility to consider how our actions affect others, anticipate the future impact of what we create, and examine our personal responsibility in our role as technologists.

As emerging technologies—from artificial intelligence to advanced energy systems—reshape the world around us, these stories invite us to ask not only what we can build but also what we should build. So, pull up a chair, sit beneath a beach umbrella, or grab some popcorn and dive into this list. I’ll be in my garden reading The Difference Engine, by William Gibson and Bruce Sterling.

What’s on your list?

Special thanks to my colleagues for cocreating the following list of works: Jim Tippey, Anveeksh Koneru, Richard Cole, Ivan Gappy, and Ahmad Khan.

Books and Graphic Novels

Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley (1932): Set in a futuristic world where technological and biological advancements have eliminated suffering, but also individuality and freedom, the book explores whether we truly created a better society or whether we lost something along the way.

Descender, by Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen (2015–2018): This science fiction series follows a young robot boy in a universe where artificial intelligence has been outlawed, exploring themes of prejudice, ethics, and the impact of technology on identity.

Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card (1985): Follow a young boy’s recruitment and training with immersive, technology-driven interstellar war simulations, raising questions about leadership, ethics, and the human cost of fighting war remotely.

Fahrenheit 451, by Ray Bradbury (1953): In a future society, books are banned, and “firemen” burn any that are found, leading to a suppression of intellectual freedom.

Ghost in the Shell, by Masamune Shirow (1989–1991): A manga series as well as an anime series, this work explores the relationship between humanity and technology, particularly in a world where cybernetic enhancements and artificial intelligence are commonplace.

Lucky Starr, a series by Isaac Asimov (1952–1958): Intended to introduce children to scientific concepts—and also beloved by adults—the series follows David “Lucky” Starr as he uses science to solve mysteries across the solar system.

Snowpiercer, by Jacques Lob and Jean-Marc Rochette (1982): Originally a French graphic novel, and now a TV show, Snowpiercer explores class struggle and the consequences of climate change as the remnants of humanity survive on a perpetually moving train.

1984, by George Orwell (1949): In this classic dystopian novel, a totalitarian state monitors and controls every aspect of citizens’ lives.

Movies

Blade Runner (1982): Based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?, by Philip K. Dick, humans create artificial beings known as replicants, leading to complex ethical questions about technology, humanity, and identity.

Contact (1997): Based on Carl Sagan’s eponymous novel, Contact follows a scientist who discovers evidence of extraterrestrial intelligence. The film explores themes of science, faith, discovery, and how humanity responds to transformative technological and existential questions.

Elysium (2013): In a future where the wealthy live on a space station while the rest of humanity suffers on Earth, the film explores social inequity, health care access, and the consequences of unchecked technological advancements.

I, Robot (2004): A Chicago detective investigates an autonomous AI system that controls architecture, planning, and service sectors, raising questions about whether safety constraints can fully govern intelligent systems and what happens when machines begin interpreting rules in unexpected ways.

Minority Report (2002): In a future where crimes are predicted before they occur, Minority Report explores surveillance, predictive technology, free will, and the ethical consequences of attempting to control human behavior through data and algorithms.

The Matrix (1999): In a dystopian future, humans unknowingly live in a simulated reality created by intelligent machines. The film explores themes of reality, artificial intelligence, and the consequences of technological dependence.

Wall-E (2008): This animated film depicts the aftermath of an Earth made unsustainable for life. Wall-E follows a lone robot caretaker and the last remnants of humanity traveling through space. It explores what happens when we rely on convenience and automation to disconnect from the natural world and each other—and whether rediscovering care, curiosity, and human connection can restore both the planet and ourselves.

WarGames (1983): A young computer whiz accidentally hacks into a U.S. military supercomputer and unknowingly begins playing a real war scenario, as the system interprets the game as reality. The film explores artificial intelligence and the risk of technology escalating beyond human control.

We Live in Public (2009): A documentary film that explores the life of internet entrepreneur Josh Harris and his experiments with surveillance and online communities, offering a commentary on the impact of technology on privacy and social interaction.

2001: A Space Odyssey (1968): When a mysterious artifact is uncovered on the moon, a spacecraft piloted by two humans and one supercomputer seek to find its origins. Each act culminates in evolutionary leaps forward as the crew journeys beyond time and space.

TV

Battlestar Galactica (1978–1979, 2004–2009): Set in a distant star system, the last remnants of humanity are pursued by robotic Cylons. The series explores artificial intelligence, politics, mythology, and the enduring question of what it means to be human.

Black Mirror (2011–present): This anthology series examines the dark and often dystopian aspects of modern society and technology. Each episode is a stand-alone story, providing a thought-provoking exploration of the potential consequences of technological advancement.

Mystery Science Theater 3000 (1988–1999, 2017–present): Known for its witty and irreverent commentary, this comedic television series follows a human host and his robot companions watching and riffing on B movies.

Star Trek (1966–1969): The original series follows a commander and his crew as they explore the galaxy, seeking out new life while learning to engage with difference, pursue knowledge, and protect through diplomacy. Technologically predictive, we see early signs of tablets, smartphones, and teleconferencing—though humanity is still waiting for its teleporter.

Meet the Team Behind Excelsior’s DBA Program

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Excelsior University’s DBA Leadership Team

As Excelsior University launches its Doctor of Business Administration program, two leaders of Excelsior’s School of Business have stepped forward to help shape the program for working professionals: Dean Brian Allen and Associate Dean Leah Sciabarrasi.

Sciabarrasi brings extensive experience in online education, academic program development, and student support. Allen has spent more than 20 years leading projects, operations, and technology initiatives in industries from IT and e-commerce to renewable energy, telecommunications, and international business.

Allen and Sciabarrasi are leading the development of Excelsior’s DBA program with a shared vision: creating a scholar-practitioner experience that combines academic rigor with practical application. Designed for experienced professionals, the program centers around applied research, data-informed decision-making, leadership development, and dissertation support from the earliest stages of study.

How to Create a High-Touch, Low-Residency DBA Program

From the beginning, Allen and Sciabarrasi knew they wanted students to leave the program with more than just a piece of paper. They wanted graduates to emerge as confident leaders capable of solving complex problems through research-backed decision-making.

“We want students to graduate with a very future-focused lens,” Sciabarrasi says. “We want them to be able to translate the lessons learned from their research … and dissertation work into the workplace, and we want them to go out there and be successful leaders as a result of this entire experience.”

A major focus of the program design has been student success. Sciabarrassi explains that many doctoral students get stuck in “ABD” (all but dissertation) status, completing coursework but never finishing their dissertation. To prevent students from indefinite ABD status, Excelsior’s DBA program builds dissertation support into the student experience from the start.

Instead of waiting until the end of the program to begin dissertation work, students begin developing ideas early, working alongside faculty mentors and dissertation committee members. Key milestones are embedded into coursework so that assignments build toward the dissertation.

“It’s work that’s being done intentionally,” Sciabarrasi explains, “so [students] can build some of that knowledge and build some of that work into the final product.”

Allen describes the DBA as a scholar-practitioner degree built specifically for experienced professionals who already possess industry expertise. The goal, he says, is to help students combine their professional knowledge with research skills to create innovative solutions within their organizations.

“These are folks who are already practicing in the workplace,” Allen says. “Now we want to give [them] the academic research capacities to say, ‘What if I applied this theory to these practical principles and applications so I can come up with a new solution?’”

Allen and Sciabarrasi complemented one another throughout the design process. Sciabarrasi brought deep institutional knowledge and expertise in online learning, student engagement, and program operations. Allen contributed his experience leading other DBA programs, along with a deep knowledge of higher education and industry leadership.

Allen jokes that if they had to summarize their contributions in a single line, associate deans “do all the hard work,” while deans focus on big-picture strategy. But humor aside, both agree that their work relationship is highly collaborative and built around student success.

The Crucible of Competing Ideas

Allen and Sciabarrasi explain that their differences in perspective became opportunities to strengthen the DBA program rather than obstacles to overcome.

“It’s more about bringing our experiences to the table and then just being open to figuring out which one we should select,” Allen says.

He says that the variety of backgrounds represented on the program’s development team have improved the final product. While some members have brought institutional knowledge, others have contributed experience as dissertation chairs, coaches, and leaders of other doctoral programs. The team regularly evaluates what worked elsewhere, where common pitfalls exist, and how to proactively support students before problems emerge.

“It isn’t going to be perfect out of the gate,” Allen says. “What I want folks to realize is it’s going to be iterative over time. … That’s the kind of thing we’re asking students to do, so we should expect the same of ourselves.”

Envisioning the Excelsior Scholar-Practitioner

Although the program is just beginning, Sciabarrasi and Allen already have a clear vision for graduates of the DBA program.

Students will learn to not only solve problems but also question assumptions, evaluate evidence critically, and make thoughtful, data-informed decisions.

“We want students to know what questions to ask,” Sciabarrasi says. “Sometimes people lead with their guts, and they don’t necessarily have a data-driven lens. Other times, they select the wrong sets of data and don’t ask the right questions for the problems they’re trying to solve.”

Allen also points out that the goal is not to create leaders who blindly follow data; it’s to create leaders who understand how to interpret and apply it responsibly.

“We want them to make data-informed decisions, because at the end of the day, what we do is about people,” he says.

By the time students complete the program, the team hopes graduates will think more critically, lead more strategically, and approach challenges with greater confidence. Beyond earning a doctorate, students will gain the ability to improve their leadership capabilities and make an impact within their industries.

Learn more about the DBA program at Excelsior University and discover how you can become a scholar-practitioner prepared to lead in a rapidly evolving business landscape.

Keep Reading About the DBA Team
• Dean Brian Allen’s vision for Excelsior’s DBA program
• Associate Dean Leah Sciabarrasi on the DBA program’s student experience

What You Can Do with an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice

Posted on by Samantha Seaman

An associate degree in criminal justice can open the door to a wide range of entry-level careers in law enforcement, corrections, the courts, and public safety. It can also help you build practical skills, gain real-world insight into the justice system, and prepare for roles in areas such as homeland security, private investigation, and community supervision. Whether you’re looking to launch your career or build a foundation for future advancement, a criminal justice associate degree can help you take the next step.

What Do You Learn in a Criminal Justice Associate Degree Program?

An associate degree in criminal justice offers a strong introduction to the systems, laws, and public safety practices that shape the field, and prepares you for a career in a variety of entry-level criminal justice roles. Through this program of study, you’ll build an understanding of how professionals such as police officers, corrections officers, and dispatchers contribute to maintaining order and supporting community safety. You’ll explore the three core pillars of the field: law enforcement, the courts, and corrections. The curriculum is structured to build a mix of legal, technical, and soft skills needed for public safety careers.

10 Jobs You Can Get with an AS in Criminal Justice

Whether you’re interested in serving your community, supporting the legal system, or exploring investigative work, this associate degree can help you build the knowledge and skills to get started. Here are 10 jobs you can pursue with an AS in Criminal Justice.

1. Police Officer

If you’re driven to protect others and serve your community, a career as a police officer can offer both purpose and opportunity. Police officers, sheriffs, and state troopers help maintain order, enforce laws, respond to emergencies, and investigate criminal activity. As trusted public safety professionals, they often serve as the first point of contact in critical situations and work closely with courts, corrections, and other agencies to help keep communities safe.

2. Crime Scene Technician

If you’re detail-oriented and drawn to forensic work, a career as a crime scene technician can put you at the center of the investigative process. Crime scene technicians collect, document, and preserve physical evidence using forensic, fingerprint, and digital methods—helping ensure critical details are protected and ready to support investigations and court proceedings.

3. Court Clerk

If you’re interested in the inner workings of the legal system, a career as a court clerk can offer a strong entry point into the criminal justice field. Court clerks play a vital role in daily court operations by managing records, assisting judges and attorneys, and helping ensure that hearings and trials are properly documented. In this essential role, you’ll contribute to the accuracy, organization, and efficiency that help the justice system function effectively.

4. Security Guard

If you’re looking for a career centered on safety, awareness, and responsibility, working as a security guard can be a strong entry point into the criminal justice field. Security guards help protect people and property in a wide range of settings, including hospitals, shopping centers, government buildings, and correctional facilities. In this role, you may monitor surveillance systems, patrol assigned areas, check credentials, and respond to emergencies while helping maintain secure, orderly environments.

5. Probation Officer

If you want a career that combines public service, accountability, and the opportunity to support positive change, becoming a probation officer can be a strong path forward. Probation officers help supervise individuals serving sentences in the community, ensuring that they follow court-ordered conditions while working toward rehabilitation. In this role, you may monitor progress, connect individuals with support services, and help promote both public safety and successful reintegration.

6. Corrections Officer

If you want a career focused on safety, structure, and service, becoming a corrections officer can be a strong fit. Corrections officers work in local jails, state prisons, and federal facilities, where they help maintain secure environments by supervising individuals in custody, enforcing rules, and responding to security issues. In this role, you may also escort detainees, help prevent disturbances, and support the overall safety and well-being of the facility.

7. Victim Advocate

If you’re passionate about helping others during difficult moments, a career as a victim advocate can be both meaningful and impactful. Victim advocates support people affected by crime by offering emotional support, crisis assistance, and guidance through the legal process. In this role, you may also help connect individuals with resources, explain victims’ rights, and serve as a trusted link between victims, law enforcement, and prosecutors.

8. Private Investigator

If you’re curious, analytical, and driven to uncover the facts, a career as a private investigator can be an exciting path. Private investigators gather information for individuals, businesses, and legal teams by conducting surveillance, interviewing witnesses, performing background checks, and verifying details to support legal, financial, or personal cases—all while working within the law.

9. 911 Dispatcher

If you thrive in high-pressure situations and want to make a real difference, a career as a 911 dispatcher can be both challenging and rewarding. Also known as public safety telecommunicators, dispatchers are often the first point of contact during emergencies, helping connect callers with police, fire, and EMS services when every second counts. In this fast-paced role, you’ll stay calm under pressure, gather critical information, coordinate emergency response, and provide clear guidance that helps protect lives and support public safety.

10. Bailiff

If you’re interested in courtroom operations and want a role that combines security, responsibility, and public service, a career as a bailiff can be a strong fit. Bailiffs help maintain order and safety in the courtroom while supporting judges, juries, attorneys, and the public. In this role, you may prepare courtrooms, secure evidence, assist with courtroom procedures, guide visitors, and help ensure that proceedings run smoothly and according to court protocols.

Start Your Criminal Justice Career at Excelsior

If you’re ready to take the first step toward a career in law enforcement, corrections, the courts, or investigative work, Excelsior University’s associate degree in criminal justice can help you get there. With flexible online courses and student support services built for busy learners, the program helps you develop job-ready skills with confidence. And when you’re ready to move on, Excelsior’s Career Readiness can help you explore career paths, build professional skills, and connect with employers through resources, events, and practical guidance.

Excelsior’s AS in Criminal Justice program gives you a strong foundation in the field while helping you build practical knowledge you can apply right away. You will learn the essential concepts that can prepare you for entry-level roles today and that will support your path toward a bachelor’s degree in the future.

Mechanical Engineering Innovations in Aerospace Technology

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Mechanical engineering technology drives much of the cutting-edge innovation in aerospace today. Making materials lighter and stronger, improving the efficiency of engines, designing vehicles that are faster and safer, and creating more precise manufacturing systems are just some examples of where new ideas and applications are having the greatest impact.

If you’re interested in a career in aerospace technology, you’ll need an education that covers these areas. The field is evolving quickly, transforming smart materials, advanced propulsion systems, robotics, and how aircraft and space vehicles are designed, produced, and maintained. It’s vital to choose a mechanical engineering degree program that keeps pace with the speed and scope of innovations in aerospace technology.

Recent Innovations in Aerospace Technology

Working in the field of mechanical engineering technology means you’ll play a key role in improving the speed, efficiency, sustainability, and safety of air- and spacecraft, along with systems for manufacturing that are defining the future of aerospace technology.

Propulsion Systems

Electrically powered motors, hybrid engines, and cutting-edge propulsion like ion-based thrusters hold the promise of lower fuel consumption and lower emissions. In space specifically, ion systems that use electrically charged and accelerated gases are opening opportunities for deep-space exploration. These systems can operate over longer distances, using relatively little fuel. Other areas of innovation in propulsion include new battery technologies and lighter-weight materials.

Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing)

Creating objects by adding layer after layer of material, according to digital designs, is a way to quickly produce lightweight and precise components. Most people know additive manufacturing as 3D printing. In aerospace, 3D printing is attractive because it can be used to create pieces and devices with complex designs quickly while improving manufacturing efficiency and lowering costs. Innovations in this area involve materials, processes, and components like aircraft and rocket parts.

Supersonic Flight

Flying faster than the speed of sound transformed civilian travel as well as the capabilities of military aircraft. Physical challenges and costs, however, limited what was possible in previous technology generations. Today, technologies that minimize sonic boom shock waves make supersonic flights more practical in more areas. For space travel, faster speeds make it possible to explore longer distances. Mechanical engineering technology is at work to make quieter and more fuel-efficient designs while improving safety. Aerodynamics, lightweight composites, and advances in engines are driving this new era of supersonic travel.

Reusable Rockets

One-use rockets are expensive, are bad for the environment, and slow the pace of launches. Launch systems that can be used, recovered, refurbished, and launched again will cut costs and speed up the tempo of sending objects into space. Reusable rockets can increase the number and frequency of satellite launches, open more opportunities for research in space, and create a viable commercial space industry. Innovations in guidance controls, landing operations, and more durable materials that can withstand multiple reentries are all areas where engineers are investing time and money.

Space Systems and Satellite Innovation

Space systems are increasingly used for communication, navigation, weather forecasting, and even precision agriculture. Besides beaming back to Earth, some satellites are supporting deep-space exploration, free of the Earth’s force and atmosphere. Satellites today are smaller, lighter, more durable, and more powerful as engineers use new materials, onboard computing, and advanced thrusters. Satellites are now deployed in networks for greater coverage, with redundancy for improved resilience. Mechanical engineering technology advances are driving innovation across all these areas.

Innovation Starts at Excelsior

Demand for talented and skilled professionals in the aerospace field is strong. The industry needs mechanical engineers and technologists who can solve tough problems, adapt as technology changes, and drive innovation. Acquiring and sharpening necessary skills requires the right education, with a degree that provides a solid grounding in the areas that matter in aerospace.

Excelsior University’s Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology program gives students practical knowledge in manufacturing, mechanical systems, materials, engineering design, and quality control. Students gain technical knowledge along with problem-solving and leadership skills. Offered online, the program gives working professionals the flexibility to balance current responsibilities with the ability to open doors to expanded opportunities.

The next generation of engineering innovation, particularly innovations in aerospace, are making what seemed like science fiction yesterday into a tangible reality today. With your mechanical engineering technology degree, you can work at the forefront of this evolving field. With your mechanical engineering technology degree, you can work at the forefront of this evolving field.

From Prediction to Intervention: How AI Is Reshaping Student Success at Excelsior University

Posted on by Priyo Chatterjee

Priyo Chatterjee, Excelsior University chief analytics officer, published an article on Presidents Forum titled “From Prediction to Intervention: How AI Is Reshaping Student Success at Excelsior University.” In the piece, Chatterjee describes Excelsior’s innovative approach to utilizing machine learning models to optimize the student journey.

Read the full article here.

 

Why Excelsior: Alumni Success in the Workplace

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

For more than 50 years, Excelsior University has been helping adult learners achieve their dreams of higher education. Our students are often balancing careers, families, and evolving goals, so we’ve built our institution on a foundation of flexibility and innovation, focusing on helping students translate real-world experience and prior credit into meaningful degrees. Today, that mission continues, and graduates can enter a rapidly changing workforce equipped with the skills and confidence to succeed.

How Do Excelsior Alumni Stack Up?

Graduates entering the workforce face numerous challenges, from rapid technological change, particularly around artificial intelligence, to economic uncertainty. As the labor market tightens, employers are placing an emphasis on job-ready skills. A recent Cengage report highlights an alarming gap in graduation outcomes: Although many graduates secure employment, institutions often fall short in clearly aligning education with workforce needs.

According to the report, the percentage of graduates nationwide with a full- or part-time job related to their field decreased from 41% and 15%, respectively, in 2024 to 30% and 11% in 2025. What’s more, graduates were concerned about how prepared they were to enter the workforce. About 48% of recent graduates felt unprepared for entry-level roles, with 56% of that number citing job-specific skills as the most glaring deficit in their education.

Excelsior alumni tell a different story. A 2025 alumni exit survey reveals that the combined percentage of respondents working in a field related to their degree was almost 50% higher than the combined full- and part-time employment numbers reported by Cengage. And when asked whether they met the requirements of their current position, 75% of Excelsior respondents reported in the affirmative—again, about a 50% improvement over Cengage’s nationwide number—and 70% of University alumni felt prepared to transition into a new role. This confidence suggests a strong alignment between academic experience and real-world expectations.

That alignment was also reflected in postgraduation satisfaction among respondents. While just 35% of 2025 graduates in the Cengage report said they would have chosen the same educational path again, according to a 2025 survey conducted of alumni one year after graduation, 72% of Excelsior respondents said they would have selected the same degree program if given the chance. The contrast illustrates Excelsior’s commitment to delivering education that matters in the real world.

Excelsior graduates are twice as satisfied with their degree programs as their peers nationwide.

Excelsior Alumni in Their Fields

Beyond perception, Excelsior alumni outcomes point to tangible success across industries. From strong job placement rates to measurable salary growth, the University’s data reflects a focus on helping students achieve meaningful career progress.

Career Readiness and Employment

Aside from a 50% improvement on Cengage’s percentage of recent graduates employed in a field related to their degree, Excelsior Graduates of our School of Technology earn placement in the public and private sectors, ranging from the U.S. Navy and Army to power companies like Constellation Energy and Dominion Energy to major businesses like General Dynamics, Amazon, Microsoft, Meta, and Lockheed Martin. Our School of Business alumni also enjoy wide placement, with many working in government, from the armed services to the Department of Homeland Security, as well as in Fortune 500 businesses like CACI International, Prudential Financial, and Lockheed Martin.

And Excelsior graduates don’t just find placement; they excel. For instance, compared to peer institutions, the profiles of Excelsior MBA alumni (2015–2025) are more likely to list skills in leadership, by a 21% margin; operations, by a 50% margin; management, by a 17% margin; project management, by a 20% margin; program management, by a 95% margin; and operational planning, by a 497% margin.*

Estimated Salaries

Salary outcomes for Excelsior graduates also suggest strong returns on educational investment. Among respondents to the 2025 one-year alumni survey, 85% reported earning $55,000 or more annually, with a mean annual income of $88,000, 78% higher than $49,500, the median annual wage of all occupations reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2024.

An Excelsior degree can help learners build skills and credentials that support long-term career growth and earning potential.

Salary and Career Advancement

Responses recorded in the 2025 one-year survey suggest that the impact of an Excelsior education is also clear in career advancement and mobility. Many respondents reported receiving promotions (21%), new jobs (23%), or pay increases (36%) after completing their degree. Excelsior helps students build careers that evolve with their ambitions.

How Can Excelsior Advance Your Career?

By designing career-focused curricula and employing faculty with real-world industry experience, Excelsior University ensures that students gain practical, applicable skills—not just theoretical knowledge.

This focus is critical at a time when Cengage reports that 1 in 5 graduates nationwide said that their education did little to support career readiness through services like networking, resume development, or job search preparation. Excelsior works to close that gap through dedicated resources such as Career Readiness programming, including interactive Career Café sessions that connect students with professionals in the field.

The result is a learning experience that extends beyond the classroom and into the workplace. A career-focused education leads to confidence on the job, which may be why 91% of recent Excelsior graduates said they would recommend the University to a friend or colleague.

In a world where the path from education to employment is not always clear, Excelsior University continues to provide one that is, helping students move forward with confidence, purpose, and the tools to succeed.

Speak to an admissions representative today to get started on your educational path at Excelsior.

 

*Source: Lightcast data pulled from publicly available sources. MBA alumni profiles were compared to alumni of 10 peer institutions.

5 Signs You’re Ready for a Doctor of Business Administration

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

For professionals who have spent years climbing the corporate ladder, reaching the top feels great. But as they say, it’s lonely at the top. Your hard-won success means that you have the benefit of influence and experience, but that lofty vantage point can also give you a wider perspective on horizons you have yet to reach and leave you wondering what’s next.

If your curiosity, hunger for challenge, and drive to evolve go beyond career ambition, they may be signs that you’re ready for a Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) program.

Who Is a DBA For?

A DBA is an experiential doctoral program that’s typically designed for senior leaders with years of experience managing people or projects. Different from a traditional PhD program in business, it’s ideal for a professional who wants to:

  • Deepen their business expertise
  • Apply research to real challenges
  • Move into higher-level leadership
  • Transition to consulting or academic roles
  • Establish themself as a thought leader in their field 

5 Signs You Should Earn a DBA

Whether you’ve been feeling the need for career acceleration, a professional pivot, or a completely new endeavor, if you identify yourself in any of these five signs, earning your Doctor of Business Administration could be your next step forward.

1. You’ve Reached a Career Plateau

You know that “plateau feeling”: You’ve mastered your current role, your salary has leveled off, and you’ve reached the limit of your organization’s promotional opportunities.

Earning a DBA can help you break through. Unlike PhD programs, which focus on preparing graduates for full-time academic research, a DBA is a professional, practice-oriented doctorate. It equips you with tools for broader organizational influence and allows you to achieve advanced levels of leadership and confidently assert your authority in high-level decision-making.

2. You Want to Be a Creator of Business Knowledge, Not Just a Consumer

Most professionals rely on established business case studies, frameworks, and best practices to guide their decisions. But after years in the field, it’s likely you’ve started to notice gaps between anecdote and actual practice.

The scholar-practitioner training you gain by earning a DBA helps connect research to the real world and empowers you to develop evidence-based theories and execute on your findings in ways that make an impact unique to your goals.

3. You’re Interested in Teaching, Consulting, or Thought Leadership

If you’ve reached a stage in your career where you want to use your expertise outside of the traditional corporate structure, a DBA gives you the credibility to position yourself as an expert thinker, consultant, or teacher.

Consulting firms value the advanced problem-solving that doctoral graduates bring to complex organizational issues. And for professionals interested in teaching, a DBA also provides a pathway into higher education, particularly for institutions seeking business faculty who can pair doctoral credentials with substantial professional experience.

4. You Feel Like Your Career Options Are Limited

The paradox of being highly experienced in your field is that you can start to feel confined to a specific niche, industry, or functional area.

The DBA experience broadens your professional identity, and earning your doctorate signals that you not only possess advanced analytical and critical-thinking capabilities, as well as leadership acumen, but also can apply them in practice to any organizational challenge.

5. You’ve Been Thinking About Your Legacy

It’s common for long-term career goals to shift from “What can I achieve?” to “What can I leave behind?”

If you’re motivated to make a lasting mark on your industry, mentor the next generation of business leaders, or cement your reputation as an expert, a DBA provides the platform to start building your legacy. Through original applied research, you’ll have the opportunity to address challenges and develop strategic frameworks that reflect your expertise and leadership.

How to Get Started at Excelsior

Are you starting to recognize the signs that you’re ready for your DBA? Then Excelsior University is ready to help you get started.

The benefits of Excelsior’s DBA program include a collaborative, mentorship-driven format that blends online learning with two in-person residencies that take academic theory out of the classroom and into your lived experience, empowering you to turn your big ideas into bold changes.

With core coursework in strategy, analytics, and consulting, you’ll be immersed in applied learning experiences that connect research to practice and insight to action. And customizable areas of study ensure you can craft doctoral work that aligns with your career aspirations, with seven concentration options that include:

  • Cybersecurity Operations
  • Data Analytics
  • Enterprise Risk Management
  • Finance and Accounting
  • Healthcare Management
  • Organizational Leadership
  • Strategic Sustainability

Whether your goals lie in executive leadership, academia, or beyond, Excelsior’s DBA program can help you transform your experience into tools for what’s next.

What Is Generative AI?

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Generative AI is a technology transforming nearly every field of work. It is a type of artificial intelligence designed to be creative, that is, it can generate text, images, music, video, software code, and graphic designs—hence the name generative AI. These capabilities make GenAI extremely useful in business while also driving demand for professionals with the computer skills to develop and refine the technology, as well as for those who can effectively use it.

Although some say generative AI will destroy jobs, forward thinkers see expanding opportunities. Computer scientists with AI expertise in product development, data science, software development, AI training, and AI prompt engineering will find exciting career prospects.

Traditional AI vs. GenAI

Wondering about the difference between GenAI and AI in the conventional sense? The difference is in the work they can do. What makes generative AI special is its ability to create. Compare it with some other kinds of AI:

Although each type of artificial intelligence is useful, businesses value generative AI because it can create entirely new content. It can write a press release, help a customer with a problem, automate software code production, and more. As people become more comfortable and experienced using it, generative AI has emerged as a powerful collaborative tool. GenAI doesn’t replace someone who creates, but it can expand their capabilities and improve how efficiently they work.

What Are Popular Uses of GenAI?

Generative AI helps people work faster, do more comprehensive research, automate repetitive or complex tasks, and make better decisions. Some of the ways GenAI is used today include:

  • Automation: Generative AI can read through and summarize documents and meeting notes, draft letters and emails, organize information, and produce reports.
  • Interpreting: With this technology, you can take complex write-ups and jargon-heavy text and translate it into material that’s easier to understand.
  • Problem-solving: GenAI can help with brainstorming, troubleshooting, and recommending potential solutions.
  • Software development support: It can improve programmer efficiency by generating blocks of code, debugging software, and speeding up development cycles.
  • Customer service: AI-powered chatbots can help customers around the clock across a variety of tasks and issues.
  • Content creation: GenAI can be used to write and edit copy, create and edit images and video, design graphics, and more.
  • Prototyping and testing: Innovation is faster with the ability to explore options and see how they work across scenarios.
  • Decision support: GenAI researches topics, organizes notes, analyzes options, and recommends choices.

What Is Responsible AI?

Responsible AI is concerned with ethical and transparent approaches to designing, developing, and training artificial intelligence applications. The idea is that they should be fair, accountable, and safe. They should not harm people, organizations, or society as a whole. Responsible AI is consistent, accurate, and reliable, reducing misinformation, scams, and dangerous instructions. Privacy and security should be built in. When it comes to applications in the real world, it should prevent accidents and harms in things like self-driving cars, medical devices, robotics, and industrial systems.

AI should make human oversight and intervention easy and effective. The more AI is used in business, finance, government, health care, and other fields, the more responsible practices are coming to the fore.

Start You Career in AI with Excelsior

The AI revolution is just getting started. As industry and businesses increase the scale and scope of how they use it, demand for skilled professionals will grow. Areas of specialization include software development, machine learning, data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and AI systems management. Knowing how to develop, use, and promote responsible AI practices will be invaluable in any tech career.

A technology degree like Excelsior University’s BS in Computer Science opens a vast and growing variety of career paths to you. Our program evolves as fast as technology is evolving so you graduate with the technical and professional skills that are immediately relevant in the workplace. You’ll gain computer science theory with hands-on experience in software development, systems management, data science, networking, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence. But you’ll also learn to think critically about ethical and societal issues around computer technology.

In a future where humans and GenAI work together, Excelsior’s program gives you a strong foundation for success in the field, with opportunities for career advancement.

Is a DBA Degree Worth It?

Posted on by Brian Allen

A Doctor of Business Administration is worth it when “it” is clearly defined. If “it” means a quick credential, a guaranteed promotion, or a title that does the work for you, then a DBA may not be the right path. But if “it” means becoming a stronger business decision-maker, developing the research skills to solve real-world problems, and building the credibility to contribute as a subject matter thought leader, then a DBA can be a meaningful next step.

A DBA is not simply another business degree. A Doctor of Business Administration is a research-based doctoral degree designed for practice-oriented candidates with significant industry experience who want to use rigorous research to address defined business issues. In other words, a DBA sits at the intersection of scholarship and practice: It asks experienced professionals to think more deeply, question more carefully, and act with better evidence.

Who Can Benefit from a DBA

A DBA can be especially valuable for professionals who have not finished growing. That includes leaders who want to become subject matter thought leaders in their field. Thought leadership requires more than having opinions or experience. It requires the ability to research, synthesize data, evaluate evidence, identify patterns, challenge assumptions, and communicate ideas in a way that helps others make better decisions.

A DBA benefits business decision-makers who want to strengthen their use of business research methods. Many leaders are surrounded by data pictures that are incomplete or are incomplete in addressing problems. These leaders struggle with situations that are data rich and information poor. This results in not knowing what questions to ask, what evidence to trust, and how to apply findings in a specific organizational context. Evidence-based management is built on the idea that managerial decisions should be informed by the best available evidence rather than habit, preference, or hierarchy alone.

The DBA is a fit for people who understand that being a difference-maker requires effort. Leadership development is not only about personal traits; it is shaped by ongoing work, organizational context, practice, feedback, and learning over time. A DBA does not replace that work; it deepens it.

What You Should Consider Before Applying

Before asking whether a DBA degree is worth it, it is better to ask whether it is worth it for the kind of contribution you want to make. The answer of worth comes down to who you want to be at the end of your successful DBA journey. Your vision of the future will dictate motivation and the work that follows.

Motivation matters when it comes to completing a doctorate. A DBA is a serious commitment, so the strongest reason to pursue one is not simply to add letters after your name. The better reason is that you want to become more capable of solving complex business problems. If you want to connect leadership, strategy, research, and applied decision-making, then the degree aligns well with your goals.

Most doctoral work requires sustained inquiry, disciplined reading, and applied research. NCES describes research doctorates as degrees oriented toward original intellectual contributions and requiring a dissertation or equivalent project of original work. While a DBA is usually more practice-oriented than a PhD, students should still expect rigorous research expectations.

Networking and Peer Quality

A good DBA experience is not only about courses. It is also about learning with other experienced professionals who bring real business problems into the classroom. That peer environment matters because practical knowledge and scholarly knowledge do not always move easily between the workplace and the academy. Van De Ven and Johnson argued in 2006 that the theory-practice gap is not just a transfer problem; it is also a knowledge production problem. DBA students can help bridge that gap by bringing practice-based questions into disciplined inquiry.

Time Commitment

A DBA requires time, focus, and persistence. That is part of its value. The work asks students to read deeply, write clearly, analyze and synthesize carefully, and stay with a problem long enough to understand it beyond surface-level symptoms. For working professionals, that means the question is not only whether the degree is valuable. The question is whether this is the right season to take on the work.

Career and Financial Considerations

Invariably, the question of a degree often focuses on earnings. To be clear, no degree can guarantee a specific salary, promotion, or career outcome. Still, public labor data shows that higher levels of education are associated with higher median earnings and lower unemployment rates. In 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported median usual weekly earnings of $2,278 for workers with doctoral degrees and a 1.2% unemployment rate, compared with $1,840 and 2.2%, respectively, for master’s degree holders. Those figures do not prove that a DBA causes higher earnings, but they do show that doctoral-level education is associated with strong labor market outcomes.

So, Is a DBA Degree Worth It?

A DBA is worth it when it matches the problem you are trying to solve in your own professional life. It is worth considering if you want to move from experience-based opinion to evidence-informed leadership. It is worth considering if you want to become the kind of professional who can not only make decisions but also explain, defend, test, and improve them. Enrolling in a DBA program is worth considering if your goal is to contribute to your organization, your industry, and your field with more discipline and depth.

The real value of a DBA is not only the degree; it is the development that happens while earning it. The title may open doors, but the work is what prepares you to walk through them with something meaningful to say.

Excelsior University Welcomes Edconic CEO Brandon Busteed to Board of Trustees

Posted on by Jason Bonafide

Albany, N.Y. — The Excelsior University Board of Trustees has appointed Brandon Busteed as a new trustee. The University’s governing board includes leaders from across the country with deep experience in business, education, government, and public service. 

Busteed is the CEO of Edconic, a family-owned education company which delivers relevant, experiential courses taught by industry experts from globally-recognized organizations. Edconic operates Sotheby’s Institute of Art, Vogue College of Fashion, The School of The New York Times, and Manchester City Sports Business School. 

“Excelsior University shares my commitment to creating opportunities for learners at every stage of their academic journeys,” said Busteed. “It is an honor to serve with this remarkable group of trustees during a time of exciting innovation and growth at Excelsior. Together, we will advance Excelsior’s mission of expanding access and improving the lives of students everywhere.” 

Before Edconic, Busteed was chief partnership officer and global head of Learn-Work Innovation at Kaplan and was also global head of Public Sector at Gallup. He also previously served as Gallup’s executive director of Education and Workforce Development. Busteed is also the founder and CEO of Outside the Classroom, an ed tech company whose courses on alcohol abuse and sexual assault prevention have been taken by more than 15 million college students. 

Busteed has published more than 300 articles and keynoted more than 200 conferences, is a LinkedIn “Top Voice,” and one of the most read education contributors to Forbes.com. He is a trustee emeritus of Duke and has served on the board of visitors to the Sanford School of Public Policy.  

For more information on the Excelsior University Board of Trustees and full biographies of each member, visit https://www.excelsior.edu/about/leadership/trustees. 

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

About Excelsior University  

Excelsior University is an accredited, not-for-profit higher education institution focused on helping learners 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 in Albany, New York, 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.     

Excelsior is a not-for-profit university with a main campus in Albany, New York, and an educational site in St. Petersburg, Florida. Excelsior University’s academic programs are registered by the New York State Education Department, with additional licensing for Florida-based programs.    

Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education (License No. 12928). Additional information regarding this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 323099-0400, toll-free number: (888)-224-6684.