Joseph Wolfe pursued his master’s degree at Excelsior University (then Excelsior College), as a “personal goal, after retirement from a 32-year military career.” He completed his Master of Science in Criminal Justice in 2021.
Herman Estrada, MPA, 2021
Herman Estrada earned a Master in Public Administration at Excelsior University (then Excelsior College) in 2021. He attributes two of his major achievements to Excelsior: “Excelsior College gave me the opportunity, whether it be attaining my bachelor’s or my current achievement—attaining my master’s.”
Constance Martin, BS in Nursing, 1986
Constance Martin worked as a public health nurse for LA County for 33 and a half years and retired in April 2021. She is looking forward to volunteering and spending time with her grandbaby. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1986.
Jeffrey Grote, Bachelor of Science, 1997
Jeffrey Grote was selected to be in the winter 2020 issue of the alumni magazine of Concord University, Athens, West Virginia. The piece discusses his accomplishments from the 1980s. Grote graduated from Excelsior (then Regents College) with a Bachelor of Science and a major in sociology in 1997.
Rosanne Raso, BS in Nursing, 1981
Rosanne Raso’s career as a nurse leader has apexed in the past few years as a result of the following professional accomplishments: fellowships in the American Academy of Nursing and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, her doctorate (DNP) from Case Western Reserve University, multiple publications of her ongoing leadership science research, bringing her current organization to its initial Magnet designation for nursing excellence, and being editor in chief of Nursing Management journal.
She attributes much of this to Excelsior: “None of this would be possible without my foundational bachelor’s in nursing from Excelsior (then the Regents External Degree Program—“online” was not invented yet).”
Ronald Mendell, BS in Liberal Arts, 1978
Ronald Mendell is a faculty member at Western Governors University and has taught information security for five years. He earned a master’s degree in Network Security in 2005 from Capitol College. Mendell holds a CISSP designation in Information Security and is a member of the Human Threat Management Council of ASIS International. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 1978.
Joseph Baker, BS in Liberal Arts, 2016
Joseph Baker is a retired first sergeant of the U.S. Army who “proudly served our country for 23 years.” Baker is a fiction author and recently released his book, “Bootleg Boxing: The Murder of Eddie ‘The Hammer‘ Hammond.” He also spends time fundraising for veterans organizations. Baker earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 2016.
Gregory Fant, BS in Liberal Arts, 1990
Gregory Fant graduated from Excelsior College (then Regents) with a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 1990. He has since earned a professional certification in data science (CIMP-Data Science) in February 2021 and a PhD in health sciences from Poornima University in India in March 2021. He is a public health epidemiologist in the federal government with 25 years of service. He shares, “I have had a good professional and public service career. …“I could not have done any of it without completing my undergraduate degree. Thanks.”
Alumni Newsletter – August 2022
On August 1, 2022, we officially became Excelsior University!
Our new logo is inspired by the reach and aspirations of our students and the educational home they have at Excelsior. Supported by sturdy columns, an aspirational arrow forms a roof and two open doors providing a welcoming educational home for students to grow their life stories. Join President Schejbal in embracing our commitment to students and alumni as we celebrate Excelsior’s evolution!
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Alumni Success: Meet Jeremy Walkley
The choices Jeremy Walkley, of Schodack, New York, has made have impacted his career as a military servicemember, his current job as division chief of the Logistics Management Division at Watervliet Arsenal, his role in the National Guard, and his very life.
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Organizational Success: Excelsior’s 50th Anniversary Celebration and ELEVATE: The Campaign for Student Scholarships
Excelsior’s 50th anniversary celebration and ELEVATE: The Campaign for Student Scholarships were an unprecedented success. With record support from Excelsior alumni, trustees, staff, and friends, we have exceeded our increased $1.5 million goal.
We are proud of Excelsior’s rich history and community of strength. Together, we will continue to advance our mission and expand our reach to more Excelsior students than ever before.
Excelsior University Spotlight: Moving Forward as Excelsior University
Now known as Excelsior University, Excelsior aims to help even more adult students benefit from career-solving, industry-validated learning. Watch our new commercial!
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Give Back: Class of 2022 Sets a Giving Record
The Pay It Forward campaign for the Class of 2022 closed on July 31, 2022. With your help, we were able to raise $8,340, setting a giving record for a graduating class. Participation in this campaign is a wonderful way for new graduates to pay it forward by helping to ensure that future students can achieve the goal that you are celebrating now. Your dedication to Excelsior, and your support of future students, makes us all #ExcelsiorProud.
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Get Involved: Become an Excelsior University Alumni Ambassador
Becoming an alumni ambassador is a meaningful way to support new alumni and make new connections. By sharing your expertise, knowledge, and experience with fellow Excelsior graduates, you are growing your network and giving back to Excelsior.
Hear about Becoming an Ambassador from Timothy Leaks ’18, ’22.
Apply to become an Alumni Ambassador
#ExcelsiorProud: Show Your Excelsior Pride
Order your first Excelsior University custom t-shirt! New apparel will be arriving soon.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
Alumni Featured Event: Navigating Retirement with a GPS: Growing, Protecting, and Saving Your Fund: SEFCU Institute for Financial Well-Being
Tuesday, Sept. 13 • 6 pm ET
Planning for a secure financial future can be overwhelming. Join this session to gain insight on a variety of topics regarding growing, protecting, and saving funds for retirement. You’ll learn common ways to prepare for retirement, and receive an introduction to the basics of wills, trusts, and Social Security earnings.
Register Now
In Case You Missed It: Alumni Association Annual Meeting
The Excelsior University Alumni Association Annual Meeting was held via Zoom on July 7. In case you missed it, take a moment to watch the meeting to meet elected representatives of the Alumni Leadership Council, hear about happenings at Excelsior as well as updates on new and upcoming alumni programs, and congratulate the recipients of the 2022 alumni awards.
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Career Spotlight: Controller
Have you always liked numbers? Are you excited at the prospect of overseeing a business’s finances? Well, a career as a controller might be for you.
A controller, or financial controller, is responsible for handling a business’ day-to-day financial operations. They take care of the books and records. This is usually a high-level manager position that reports to the CFO of a company. Sometimes, however, the CFO and controller can be the same person in smaller companies and businesses.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that the employment of financial managers like controllers is projected to grow 17 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. According to the BLS, the 2021 median pay for controllers was $131,710.
Let’s take a closer look at this career to see if it is right for you.
What Does a Controller Do?
Controllers oversee a business’s or organization’s day-to-day finances, including accounting, payroll, and accounts payable. Their daily tasks vary from place to place and industry to industry, but their primary function is to take care of a business’ books in an accurate and efficient way.
Here are some other common tasks of controllers:
In addition, a controller may also oversee other staff in the accounting department.
Qualifications for a Controller
Successful controllers are detail-oriented people with a knack for numbers. They must be strategic thinkers and have a strong sense for business relationships.
In addition, here are some other key skills employers look for:
Requirements to Become a Controller
For those looking to become a controller, you should have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in accounting or business, but preferably an MBA. Excelsior’s Bachelor of Science in Business will help you gain skills in areas including accounting, business strategy, communication, computer skills, economics, business ethics, finance, global business, leadership, management, marketing, data analysis, teamwork, and cultural diversity. Excelsior’s MBA with a concentration in finance and accounting can help deepen your knowledge and grow your career so you are ready to become a controller.
While there is no regulatory requirement to obtain a Certified Public Accountant license to become a controller, it is often looked at favorably. You can find out more about the CPA exam via the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants website.
In addition, employers prefer candidates who have 7–10 years of experience in the field of accounting.
Does this sound like the kind of career you’d like to pursue? If so, consider contacting an Excelsior admissions counselor to enroll in a business program.
What Does a Network Administrator Do?
Do your friends or family members constantly come to you to solve their computer problems? Do you have a strong interest in the world of information technology? A career as a network administrator might be right for you.
Network administrators oversee an organization’s computer systems and database networks. They work with other IT staff and employees to ensure computer systems are maintained properly and securely. Since nearly every organization relies on computer networks and the internet to operate, you can find network administrators in various industries, including government, financing, higher education, technical consulting, manufacturing, retail, utilities companies, hospitals, and more.
Network Administrator Job Responsibilities
Network administrators have a range of duties and responsibilities, depending on where they work. Many of their tasks involve network monitoring, network management, and network security. Some typical duties may include:
- Maintaining computer networks, mainframes, VPNs, routers, and other hardware
- Installing network equipment to update or fix hardware and software issues
- Updating virus protection software
- Monitoring network performance
- Communicating networking issues to other employees and management
To be a successful network administrator, it’s important to have a good knowledge of networking and computer systems. There are other qualifications that are important in this career, too, including:
- Attention to detail
- Interpersonal communication skills
- Project management skills
- Time management skills
- Critical thinking skills
Network Administrator Qualifications
To become a network administrator, it is important to have the proper training and education. These professionals have either a bachelor’s or master’s degree in computer science or a related field. An online technology degree from Excelsior University can help prepare you for a high-demand role in cybersecurity, electrical engineering technology, information technology, nanotechnology, nuclear engineering technology, power plants and renewable energy, and technology management.
Though not required, some certifications can be helpful if you are beginning your career. The Cisco Certified Network Associate validates your skills in Cisco network solutions, IP addressing, and other network fundamentals. The CompTIA Network+ certification covers all sorts of networking basics and is a smart choice for those just entering the field.
Network Administrator Job Outlook
Network administrators have an important role in an organization to maintain the network and computer systems. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for a network administrator is $80,600 per year. The BLS also projects this field to grow 5 percent from 2020 to 2030, with about 24,900 openings for network and computer systems administrators. Most of these openings are projected to occur from the need to replace workers, such as due to retirement.
If you think network administration sounds like the career for you, consider earning a technology degree with Excelsior University today.
Career Spotlight: Market Research Analyst
You just finished dinner at your favorite restaurant. The waitress hands you the receipt and asks you to complete a quick survey. You say “Ok!” and shove the receipt in your purse. Later, you get an email from the restaurant thanking you for dining with them and asking you to take a quick survey. You give in and take the three-minute survey. You assume a computer collects all the information, but who is analyzing the data and making suggestions for a better experience? That is where a market research analyst comes in!
Albert Einstein has been quoted as saying, “If we knew what we were doing, it wouldn’t be called research.” A career path as a market research analyst helps to answer questions we didn’t even know were questions or problems. If you are goal-driven and strive to find solutions, this position might be for you!
What is a market research analyst?
A market research analyst studies the market to improve service and find potential buyers of the particular product or service they are researching. Market research analysts find the answers to important questions companies have. They help companies look for what products or services people want, who their audience is, and what price point people are willing to purchase a product or service at. The research can be done in many ways, including surveying current customers or reviewing comparable products and market trends.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), market research analysts jobs are expected to grow 22 percent by 2030, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. Companies are more aware of the importance of data and market research to ensure successful outcomes, so they are creating new positions and hiring people with strengths in data and research to join their marketing departments. The largest employers of market research analysts are management, scientific, and technical consulting services, finance, insurance, wholesale trade, publishing industries, and education. In 2021, according to BLS, the average salary was reported at $63,920 per year.
What does a market research analyst do?
While their tasks can vary day to day and industry to industry, the goal of a market research analyst is simple: to help companies understand their audience, market their products effectively, and drive sales.
Typically, market research analysts do the following:
Also, if you consider yourself an Microsoft Excel expert or are willing to learn, this job is for you! A big part of a market research analyst’s job is to interpret data for their clients or leadership team. They spend a lot of time making charts, graphs, infographics, and other visual aids to present their findings.
What skills and education does a market research analyst need?
Most market research analyst positions require at least a bachelor’s degree in business, marketing, communications, social sciences, or a related field. Leadership positions in market research tend to require a master’s degree as well, and years of experience. A strong knowledge base of research methods, statistics, and marketing are essential for this position.
Check out the top qualities hiring managers are looking for in a market research analyst:
Hiring managers also look for someone who is detail-oriented, has strong interpersonal skills, and can work well with a team. If this sounds like you, check out the bachelor’s degree in business at Excelsior University to support your market research career path plan!