Career Spotlight: Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Posted on by Mary Kate Weaver

How to Start a Career in Regulatory Affairs

What Is a Regulatory Affairs Specialist?

Regulatory affairs is a unique industry directly related to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If you’ve ever used makeup products, taken prescription drugs, or eaten a bag of chips, those products have gone through rigorous regulatory checks before people are able to use them. In addition to its role in the food and drug industry, regulatory affairs extends to medical technologies, including medical equipment, biotechnological advances, and implanted devices. This is to ensure all products and machines are safe, efficient, and perform the way they are supposed to before they can be purchased or used by the public.

A regulatory affairs specialist can work in a number of industries to make sure regulations are met at all levels. At the state, federal, and international levels, there are many regulations to ensure products, food, and drugs are safe to use or consume. However, with the increased accessibility of food from around the world and the rapid development of new technologies, new risks are introduced almost daily. Because of this, regulatory affairs specialist positions are increasing across the globe. Demand is expected to increase 88 percent by 2029.

What Does a Regulatory Affairs Specialist Do?

The job duties of a regulatory affairs specialist vary depending on the industry in which they work. Check out some of the most common responsibilities:

● Stay up to date with new and existing regulations that may impact an organization’s products and processes.
● Standardize all business operations to establish clear and documented protocols.
● Maintain data and files of all regulations.
● Create marketing, legal, and technical documents to ensure compliance.
● Work with other employees to ensure their knowledge of regulations, procedures, and policies are accurate.
● Research and recommend courses of action to help a company achieve the necessary levels of compliance.
● Report on compliance status to internal and external parties.
● Act as a liaison between an organization and state, local, and federal agencies.

Regulatory affairs specialists are also brought in early in product development process to ensure compliance at each step. This includes monitoring the research and development of a product, creating and manufacturing the product, marketing the product, and final approval.

Why Are Regulatory Affairs Specialists Needed in Nutrition?

The nutrition field must stay up to date with research and compliance to be successful. People need to trust that what they read on food labels and what they hear from nutritionists and dieticians are correct. Regulatory affairs specialists help to make this possible by continuing to build trust between the nutrition world and the general public.

Regulatory affairs specialists can help to regulate food under the current protocols set forth by monitoring serving sizes, what goes into processed foods, and much more. They are responsible for making sure all food that can be purchased by the public is compliant, assuring the public that food is safe to consume.

How to Get into Regulatory Affairs

Many regulatory affairs positions are considered entry-level and will give you a deep understanding of the field. A bachelor’s degree in health sciences, public health, biology, or another related discipline is a great step toward working as a regulatory affairs specialist. As the field grows, organizations are looking for applicants who have a graduate degree as well. The Graduate Certificate in Nutrition at Excelsior College will set you up for a successful career in this field, especially if you are interested in the food and drug industry. Besides education, other important factors to become a regulatory affairs specialist include the following:

● Work experience. Hands-on experience is key to moving up the ladder.
● Continuing education and professional development. Due to the constant changes in this field, it is critical that people in the regulatory industry stay up to date.
● Your network. Knowing the right people in this industry can have a huge impact on your career. Make sure to network, connect with other professionals, and continue looking for career advancement opportunities.

On average, regulatory affairs specialists earn $74,663 per year in the United States. A regulatory affairs specialist can earn well over $100,000 per year, depending on the state or industry. If you are passionate about what goes into your products, food, and drugs, a position as a regulatory affairs specialist might be the right fit for you!

IUPUI Leading Improvements in Higher Education Podcast Episode 2

Posted on by André Foisy

https://assessmentinstitute.iupui.edu/overview/podcast-files/podcast-episodes-copy.html

One of twelve inaugural episodes profiling partner associations and organizations of the Assessment Institute, this episode features two leaders from AALHE, the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education. Jane Marie Souza is associate provost for academic administration, chief assessment officer, and accreditation liaison officer at the University of Rochester. She served as the 2019-2020 president of the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education. André Foisy is currently serving as president, and he is also Executive Director of Institutional Outcomes Assessment at Excelsior College.

Corey Kerzmann, MS in Management, 2022

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Corey Kerzmann began his educational career in 1990 at Ramapo College in New Jersey. He served in the military, where he was able to complete his AS in Liberal Arts with Excelsior in 2006. After leaving the military, Kerzmann began working as a civil servant and completed his BS in Liberal Arts with Excelsior in 2020. He has worked for the federal government—in both military and civilian roles—for the past 25 years. He earned an MS in Management in 2022 and works as a strategic planner for the U.S. Army in Vicenza, Italy, applying all the knowledge gained while working toward completing his three degrees.

Kelvin Childs, BS in Liberal Arts, 2000

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

On January 31, 2022, Kelvin Childs joined Howard University in the division of Development and Alumni Relations. As a development writer, he writes a variety of materials used for university fundraising efforts, including donor stewardship materials and reports, campaign case statements and public documents, and other materials. Childs earned a BS in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College in 2000.

Q & A with Amanda Reiman, Vice President of Community Development for Flow Cannabis Company and Advisor for the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Our next blog post that spotlights members of the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control’s Industrial Advisory Committee is about Amanda Reiman, vice president of community development for Flow Cannabis Company, which engages in distribution, manufacturing, and white label production of sun-grown cannabis products. Look for some of her upcoming articles in these publications: https://www.forbes.com/sites/warrenbobrow/2020/06/03/dr-amanda-reiman-digs-deeply-into-5-questions-about-the-endocannabinoid-system/#28538c3429e9; https://tokeativity.com/connect/calendar/event/435-haus-of-jane-women-in-plant-medicine-summit/

Read on to learn more about her!

About Amanda Reiman

Amanda Reiman is the vice president of community development for Flow Cannabis Company. She is also the founder and CEO of Personal Plants, an online platform that supports the home cultivation and processing of therapeutic plants and fungi. Reiman is a board member for the California Cannabis Tourism Association, the Mendocino Cannabis Alliance, the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council, and The Initiative, the first incubator/accelerator for women-owned cannabis businesses.

After earning a PhD from UC Berkeley, Reiman became the director of research and patient services at Berkeley Patients Group, one of the oldest dispensaries in the United States, and the manager of marijuana law and policy for the Drug Policy Alliance, a national nonprofit organization that was engaged in the drafting and campaigns of legalization initiatives across the country and abroad. She also taught courses on substance abuse treatment and drug policy at UC Berkeley for 10 years and has published several research articles and book chapters on the use of cannabis as a substitute for opiates and the social history of the cannabis movement.

Q&A with Amanda Reiman

Q: In your own words, how do you think the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control will benefit students?
A: The legal cannabis industry provides a variety of job opportunities across sectors. Providing evidence-informed education is key to preparing students for the opportunities that await them in this growing industry.

Q: What do you hope students will take away from the program?
A: That the cannabis industry is not that different than other alternative medicine/plant medicine industries and that there is an opportunity for well-paying, long-term employment in an exciting environment.

Q: Please tell us how you started in the industry.
A: I am a social worker and public health researcher who began studying the relationship between patients and dispensaries in 2002. Since then I have studied the use of cannabis as a substitute for alcohol and other drugs and how cannabis fits into the broader community.

Q: What’s something unique about you that others would find interesting?
A: I used to be a professional dog walker.

Q: What is a piece of advice you’d offer someone getting into the industry?
A: Liking cannabis is not enough. The jobs in the industry today require skills outside of knowledge of the plant and its uses.

Q: What is one thing you wish you had known before entering the industry?
A: Well, when I started it was not an industry, but a movement. It grew up as an industry while I was already in it.

Q: Do you have anything else you would like to mention regarding your work in the cannabis industry?
A: One of my roles in the industry has been to preserve the culture and activism that was front and center prior to legalization.

Which Companies Are Hiring? Get the Education You Need to Apply

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

As the country moves out of the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, professionals are seeking ways to get an edge against the job-hunting competition and become more attractive job candidates. One sure method is earning degrees and certificates online, which can better position graduates to either change careers or move up in their current one.
The question is: which companies are hiring? The answer depends on which industry you’re looking to enter, and the type of degree or certificate you earn could give you an edge. Excelsior College understands that the foundation of professional expertise rests on relative and applicable education. To that end, Excelsior recently added new degree programs to better prepare graduates to meet the challenges in today’s business world. They are:
● LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
● Master of Science in Human Resource Management with an Emphasis in Diversity and Technology
● Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Technology and Data Analytics
● Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics
● Graduate Certificate in Distributive Workforce Management
Each offers graduates the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen profession. The following looks at where these degrees and certificates can take those who earn them.

Companies Hiring By Degree

Each of these degree programs prepares students for a career in growing industries, with higher-than-average hiring rates Or, as with nursing, some parts of the United States are hiring at a faster rate than others (All salary figures and job projection numbers shown below come from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics [BLS]).
While hard skills are essential for professional competency, soft skills are increasingly important for employers. Soft skills include clear communication, guiding and mentoring teams, a strong work ethic, digital literacy, and intercultural fluency.

LPN to BS in Nursing

Nursing ranks among the best careers for growth in the coming decades. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis projects that the demand for RNs will reach 3.6 million by 2030, a 795,700 increase from 2014. At least seven states are projected to have a nursing shortage: California, Texas, New Jersey, South Carolina, Georgia, South Dakota, and Alaska.
The report names factors driving the nursing shortage trend, including population growth, economic conditions, expanded health insurance coverage, changes in health care reimbursement, location, an aging population, and health workforce availability.

MS in Human Resource Management

A degree in HR management provides skills that transfer across all industries. Every type of business needs HR professionals. Some industries hiring the most HR professionals include healthcare, government, technology, financial services, hospitality, and non-profit organizations.
Pay for HR managers reached a national average of $134,580 in May 2020. States that employ the most HR managers include California, Illinois, New York, Texas, and Florida.

MS in Organizational Leadership

Earning a master’s degree in organizational leadership provides graduates with the skills needed within any organization. People with expertise in organizational leadership can apply their expertise in a variety of ways. Examples of job titles include senior director of leadership development and organizational change, director of organizational effectiveness, organizational learning manager, and director of organizational development.
Graduates from a master’s program may also work as consultants, helping businesses streamline organizations, increase profits, and provide higher-quality products. Some industries hiring the most organizational leaders include healthcare, universities, government agencies, and financial services.

Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics

Data analytics are now used in business across industries, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Big data drives better decision-making for business leaders, more accurate healthcare records for patients, and more accurate return-on-investment projections for investors, to name a few examples.
The BLS lists two categories in data analytics. The projections call for a 25% increase in operations research analysts by 2029 and an 18% increase in market research analysts.

Graduate Certificate in Distributive Workforce Management

A distributed workforce involves employees who work in a variety of locations, including home and satellite offices. This is sometimes referred to as “telecommuting.” It’s a trend that increased out of necessity during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, but it’s one expected to continue moving forward.
Earning a Graduate Certificate in Distributive Workforce Management prepares managers to oversee a remote team successfully. It’s a certificate that applies to the work of people at all levels—managers, directors, vice presidents. Topics include maintaining employee productivity and morale long distance, ensuring secure remote access to business systems, and remote conferencing.
Skilled specialists are highly valued in today’s job market. Any of these degrees and certificates can help make professionals a highly attractive target for recruitment. And with the availability of online classrooms, it’s more convenient than ever for professionals to attain their educational goals and boost their careers.

A Lifelong Career

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Rick Collinwood, of Pensacola, Florida, has worked for Pizza Hut for 30 years, starting as an entry-level manager and working his way up to his current position as a territory coach. Thanks to the Yum Brands partnership with Excelsior College, Collinwood was able to complete his lifelong dream of earning a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Business and Management in November 2020.

Collinwood joined the Pizza Hut family in 1991 when he was starting a family, and over the next 13 years, he moved from being a store manager to an area manager. It was also during this time that he started his college career by attending an in-person program for working adults. Collinwood accumulated some credits but did not complete a degree. “It was difficult to find time between working 60–70 hours a week and kids’ activities and all of that stuff,” he explained.

In 2006, Collinwood moved into a traveling role overseeing inspectors, which made attending college difficult. In 2013, he moved to Mississippi to oversee 40 corporate stores and he heard about Excelsior College. “But the thing about Excelsior was that they were going to take all of my Pizza Hut training over the 20 plus years that I’d been with Pizza Hut and all of the management training classes I’d been to, and they were going to be able to convert those into college credits,” Collinwood recalls about what drew him to the online college. His credits from the University of Phoenix also transferred to Excelsior. Collinwood still needed to take some courses to complete a degree, and he again put his education on pause when he moved to Pensacola for a new position as a territory coach with Pizza Hut.

It wasn’t until a conversation with his grandson that Collinwood decided it was time to buckle down and complete his degree. “We were talking about college and he looked at me, ‘but Grandpa, you’re a college dropout. And I want to go to college.’ And I’m like, my eight-year-old grandson is asking me if I’m a college dropout. I was like, ‘dang, I better finish.’” Collinwood immediately picked back up his studies and earned his degree four years later, in 2020.

Collinwood uses what he learned from pursuing his Excelsior business degree in his current job, but he also found that his Pizza Hut experience helped him in his Excelsior work. “My experiences actually helped me be able to write better papers and communicate better…but my school also helped with my work. It has helped me to fine-tune some of those communication skills,” he says.

Communication is a big portion of Collinwood’s job. He regularly meets virtually with franchise owners—about 1,500 stores—and discusses strategies that are working and offers advice. “I just want them to succeed, because if they succeed, then that helps me be successful in my job…I enjoy working with franchisees and helping them figure out ways that they can make more money, be profitable, and take care of their employees, which ultimately, you know, all of that’s taking care of their customers,” Collinwood explains, talking about his favorite part of his job.

After a long career and the pauses in his education, Collinwood used Pizza Hut’s partnership benefits with Excelsior to earn a degree, which ultimately helps him in his job. He advises others to look into Excelsior to pursue their educational goals. “You got to take that first step, and you got to reach out, reach out to a program, reach out to the school …, he says. “Really, the best advice I can give is to put it on your calendar.”

Empire BlueCross Donates to Excelsior’s Nursing Scholarship Fund

Posted on by Erin Coufal

Albany, New York— During Nurses Week 2022, Excelsior College thanks Empire BlueCross for its $10,000 donation to support Excelsior’s Nursing Scholarship Fund. This generous donation will fund scholarships for Excelsior’s nursing students in New York state.

“We are honored to announce this significant donation from Empire BlueCross during Nurses Week as we honor Excelsior’s nursing alumni and show support to future generations of nursing professionals,” said David Schejbal, president of Excelsior College. “Excelsior is committed to educating nurses and delighted to apply 100 percent of the donation to scholarships which offer much needed financial support to help nursing students reach their educational and professional goals.”

Excelsior has a long-standing history of educating and supporting nursing students. Today, the Associate Degree in Nursing program is the College’s largest degree program and Excelsior’s commitment to those in the nursing profession remains steadfast.

“At Empire, we are on a mission to materially and measurably improve the lives of all New Yorkers,” said Karen Generali, director, sales at Empire BlueCross. “To bring our mission to life, we rely on the work of nurses who are on the front lines with people during the most personal and vulnerable moments in their lives. Given this, it is our privilege to support Excelsior College with scholarships for aspiring nurses.”

In honor of Nurse’s Week 2022, which runs May 6–12, Excelsior is dedicating its fundraising efforts to honor nurses. As a tribute to nurses, this initiative will raise important funds for the Excelsior College Nursing Scholarship Fund. Empire BlueCross’ donation is key to kick-starting this initiative.

# # #

Media Contact Excelsior College:
Erin Coufal, ecoufal@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8498

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

About Empire BlueCross
Serving the 11 northeastern counties of New York State, Empire BlueCross (Empire) is on a mission to materially and measurably improve the health of New Yorkers. Empire is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Empire is committed to improving lives and communities, and in 2020 and 2021, Empire BlueCross was named one of Albany Business Review’s Best Places to Work. Additional information about Empire is available at www.empireblue.com.

Excelsior’s Nursing & Health Sciences Educational Institute

Posted on by Erin Coufal

Albany, New York—Excelsior College’s annual Nursing and Health Sciences Educational Institute highlights the importance of undoing societal barriers, so all individuals are treated fairly, equitably, can have a sense of belonging, and can live full and dignified lives.

With nearly 750 attendees registered, this event offers riveting speakers, learning activities, and continuing nursing education contact hours awarded by Albany Medical Center.

“The COVID-19 pandemic clearly demonstrated the inequities in access and treatment within our healthcare system,” said Mary Lee Pollard, dean of Excelsior College’s School of Nursing. “As an institution preparing the next generation of nurses, nursing faculty, and health professionals, we feel it is our responsibility to provide education as a basis for change.”

To embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), this event will explore the social determinants of health and how educators can promote inclusivity through empathetic instructional design, the integration of DEI into a variety of learning environments, the importance of student mental health, and the importance of self-care, which promotes resiliency and conveys to others the value of oneself. Speakers include a DEI keynote by Daniel Pascoe Aguilar, Excelsior’s chief diversity officer; Larry Purnell, emeritus professor at Excelsior College; and several faculty from Excelsior College’s School of Nursing.

The Institute is hosted this year by Excelsior College and Albany Medical Center. The free, online event takes place on Friday, April 29, 2022 from 10 a.m.–4 p.m. ET.

# # #

Media Contact Excelsior College:

Erin Coufal, ecoufal@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8498

 ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

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

 

 

 

Excelsior, the Lifelong Learning Home for Students, to Become a University

Posted on by Erin Coufal

Albany, New York — Excelsior College is beginning the countdown to when it will become Excelsior University, a milestone in its more than 50-year history. The transition highlights Excelsior’s unique contribution 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.

The not-for-profit online institution will officially make the name change on August 1, 2022. The change is a result of Excelsior meeting the newly revised New York State Education Department definition of a university.

“This latest stage in Excelsior’s evolution marks a new milestone in the institution’s continued efforts to meet the needs of adult and underrepresented students. Becoming a university symbolizes the comprehensive array of programs we offer, and it reinforces our value as the best institution for adult and nontraditional students,” said David Schejbal, PhD, president of Excelsior. “We shared this news with students, faculty, staff, alumni, and employers, and they embrace this change in name and stature as validation of Excelsior’s approach to learning. Our history and community have prepared us to become a university, and we embrace the designation as a symbol of our bold future.”

As Excelsior takes on the word university in its name, its commitment to student success remains solid. Advisors are a support, coach, and ally for students, ensuring that the journey is as rewarding as the outcome. They will continue to work with students to create customized plans to maximize existing credits and experience, while making sure students always understand what’s next—from enrollment through earning their degree. Excelsior believes it is a level of personal commitment no other online institution, and few bricks-and-mortar universities, can match.

 Excelsior’s Advisors Help Online Students Succeed

Excelsior College advisors specialize in specific areas of study at both the undergraduate and graduate level: business, health sciences, liberal arts, nursing, public service, and technology. Advisors are subject matter experts in the requirements for each program and the primary resource for ensuring students select sources of credit toward a degree plan and academic and career goals. Advisors are the first contact for enrolled students and provide them with support throughout the academic journey.

Alana was relying on her master’s degree for career growth. After starting the MBA program, she faced unthinkable health and family challenges. Through hospital stays, becoming a living organ donor to her husband, and working as the breadwinner of her family, Alana persevered in her degree program with the help of her advisor, Susan, and Excelsior’s ombuds team. Everyone wanted to see her finish and succeed.

“When my family was finally through the battle…, we could have a bright future to look forward to,” shared Alana when she received her diploma. “Thank you, Excelsior, for your compassion and for your commitment to excellence in all that you do to care for and empower success in your students!”

# # #

 

Media Contact Excelsior College:

Erin Coufal, ecoufal@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8498

 ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

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

 

 

 

Grabbing Focus: How Continuing Education Can Take Center Stage

Posted on by David Schejbal

Schejbal, D (Guest) with Amrit Ahluwalia (Host).

https://moderncampus.com/blog/continuing-ed-takes-center-stage.html

Colleges and universities that have adopted continuing education as a tool for reskilling learners have a choice to make. They can either embrace the new model of education and do what is best for students and the community, or they can stick with the old and try to boost their rankings by getting as many applications as possible.

On this episode of Illumination, recorded live at UPCEA’s 2022 conference in Orlando, host Amrit Ahluwalia chats with David Schejbal, President of Excelsior College, about the choices institutions have around continuing education and how global issues are impacting curriculum development.