Excelsior Community Remembers U.S. Rep. John Lewis

Posted on by Maria C. Sparks

When U.S. Rep. John Lewis died on July 17, 2020, our thoughts turned to 2010, the year Excelsior College awarded him an honorary degree at Commencement.

In his remarks to the graduates and their guests, the great civil rights leader said he was taught to never, ever give up — or give in. Lewis shared that, “ … Dr. King and Rosa Parks, and many others inspired me to get in the way, to get in trouble. It was good trouble, necessary trouble.” He went on to congratulate the graduates “ … for never, ever giving up, but for keeping the faith and keeping your eyes on the prize.”

His words ring as true today as when they were spoken in July 2010.

View the video of John Lewis giving his remarks on Facebook.

 

Advance Your Nursing Career with Online RN Programs

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

There is a natural evolution in a nurse’s career, one that often requires further education. Online degree programs are key to that evolution. Nurses can earn the education they need to qualify for more challenging jobs with better pay.

Excelsior College provides 100% online RN programs that help nurses achieve their goals while maintaining their current job. This includes those who want to earn a bachelor’s degree or move on to earning a master’s degree.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics  projects  there will be almost 222,000 more nurses by 2029. In New York, the median salary reached $87,330 in May 2019. These trends demonstrate the value of earning a higher degree and competing for the best jobs.

Excelsior College Online RN Programs

The online RN programs at Excelsior College for registered nurses rank among the school’s most popular degrees. The nursing programs divide into two major areas at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

RN to BS in Nursing Program

The Excelsior College online RN to BS in Nursing program allows working RNs to earn their degree while scheduling coursework around busy professional and personal schedules. Excelsior College also offers one of the most generous credit transfer policies in the United States. Students can earn college credit through the completion of UExcel exams and transfer credits earned from other accredited academic institutions.

The program offers nursing students a well-rounded general education in the arts and sciences, including the humanities, social science, history, the natural sciences, and math. In the nursing program, students learn how to apply nursing and arts and sciences knowledge to real-world situations that involve providing care for individuals, families, and communities. Students also develop strong critical thinking skills and nursing judgment.

RN to Master’s Degree in Nursing

Excelsior College also offers dual degree programs that allow RNs with an associate degree to earn a Masters of Science in a nursing specialty. These programs give nurses a seamless transition to the highest level of nursing education.

Excelsior College offers three specialties in its dual degree programs:

  • RN to Master of Science in Nursing Education: This program prepares graduates to become educators in academic and service settings. Students study nurse educator theories, teaching strategies, and curriculum development. They also learn how to best employ technology that supports better learning outcomes for students.
  • RN to Master of Science in Leadership and Administration of Health Care Systems: Graduates of this program are prepared to take leadership roles in health care operations. They help plan and implement strategies in hospitals, community health centers, academic institutions, IT companies, and the pharmaceutical industry.
  • RN to Master of Science in Nursing Informatics: This program teaches graduates to understand nursing best practices for information technology, data science, and nursing science that are fundamental to the health care industry. They study how to leverage technology that improves patient outcomes and makes health care operations more efficient. Graduates have the expertise to make data-driven clinical and administrative decisions.

Qualifications for Online RN Programs

To qualify for Excelsior College nursing programs, nurses must already hold an RN license. Prospective students will need to submit an active and unencumbered U.S. RN license with an expiration date.

For the RN to BS in Nursing program, nurses must submit an official transcript showing completion of an associate degree in nursing or an RN diploma. Nurses must have earned the degree or diploma from a New York State (NYSED) approved program, a program with specialty accreditation, or a regionally accredited institution.

Applicants to RN to MS programs must fill out an MS Capstone requirements form.

With the impressive employment growth, rising pay, and specialized opportunities available for nurses, there’s never been a better time to explore the possibilities of online RN programs at Excelsior and how they can improve your career.

Through Their Contributions, Excelsior College Employees Help Make 2020 and the Holiday Season Brighter for Those Less Fortunate

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, NY — As Thanksgiving approaches and the need for humanitarian efforts remains prominent, Excelsior College reflects on gratitude and how simple acts of kindness through personal contributions can make an impact during a tough year. Excelsior College’s community engagement initiatives and efforts have remained strong with staff, faculty, and students from New York’s Capital Region and beyond giving their support to different causes while social distancing.

During COVID-19, Excelsior College received many requests to help charitable organizations and address basic needs such as food insecurity. According to NYS Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) data, 11 percent of households in the Greater Capital Region earn an income below the federal poverty line, and 30 percent of households are considered ALICE, which are working families that earn more than the federal poverty level but do not earn enough to cover the basic costs of living. The COVID-19 pandemic accentuated existing challenges and inequities for these families across the Capital Region.

As Excelsior College, a not-for-profit online college in Albany, N.Y., transitioned to a mostly remote workforce in mid-March, the employee-led Community Engagement Group began to shift its efforts to volunteer remotely, raise funds online, and contribute to collection drives. Since that time, employees have personally contributed over $22,000 to charitable organizations, including $13,000 in student scholarships this year.

Highlights of Excelsior College’s philanthropy in 2020 include

:

Annual Volunteer Week

  • To make sure our Annual Excelsior Cares Volunteer Week remained intact, in April, employees shifted from their usual in-person volunteering to donating $2,800 to benefit 14 local non-profit organizations.

Getting Creative with Community Engagement

  • In September, we hosted our first virtual volunteer fair so employees, faculty, students, and alumni could learn about volunteering remotely, rather than in person, while still making an impact in their hometowns. Representatives included the United Way, American Red Cross, American Heart Association, Head Count, the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, and American Cancer Society.
  • In October, 30 employees participated in the American Heart Association October Field Days Challenge. Excelsior College was excited to be the first organization in the Capital Region and among the eastern states to support this event, which allowed employees to participate while working remotely. They engaged in a four-week friendly competition of exercise, eating healthy, sharing gratitude, raising money, and promoting awareness to benefit those impacted by heart disease. The employees also raised more than $2,300.

Supporting Student Scholarships

  • In 2020, 105 Excelsior College employees have contributed $13,803 to student scholarships at the College. The impact of these funds makes it possible for students to persist to degree completion and reduces their financial burdens.

Raising Money for Collection Drives

  • From October to November, Excelsior College employees donated $1,095 for Equinox to provide wholesome Thanksgiving dinners to lonely, homebound, and homeless neighbors around the Capital Region. This equates to 109 Thanksgiving meals.
  • For the Making Strides Breast Cancer Walk 2020 in October, Excelsior College raised $1,136 to help ensure that no one dealing with a breast cancer diagnosis might have to face it alone.
  • In October, Excelsior College also raised $850 for the Regional Food Bank Hunger Action Challenge. We helped the food bank surpass its goal and reach 32,852 meals in 30 days.

To make the holiday season a little brighter for members of our local community, Excelsior College will once again support the Albany County Adopt A Family campaign and the Northern Rivers Holiday Giving Campaign by collecting gift wishes.

Even Excelsior College students are exploring ways to volunteer and make an in impact during a pandemic. Four Excelsior College graduate students are participating in the Business Case Competition sponsored by the International Accreditation Council for Business Education (IACBE) this month. Students Christine McCormick of Rhode Island, Michelle Tochiki of Indiana, Joseph Graham of Mississippi, and Ronald Kiernicki of Indiana are developing strategic solutions for challenges identified by Ronald McDonald Charities in Jacksonville, Fla. They are considering issues resulting from 400 volunteers having to work remotely to support the organization.

Working remotely has not changed Excelsior employees’ commitment to supporting organizations and those in need. Inspired by the premise that a strong social fabric creates opportunity, the Community Engagement Group maintained its mission despite social distancing and the changing volunteer experience for the organizations they support.

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Media Contact Excelsior College:

Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu, 518-410-4624

 ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) 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. Learn more at excelsior.edu.

 

 

Are You Looking for a High College Credit Transfer Program?

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

For many students, life can get in the way of completing a degree. Students may pause their schooling because of a job or personal obligations, or both, and they may have many credits but no degree.

Online education, coupled with a generous college credit transfer policy, makes it easier for adult learners returning to school to complete their degrees.

Excelsior ranks among the best colleges in these important areas. In addition to offering a wide variety of online degree programs, Excelsior also accepts up to 113 credits depending on the specific program.

Students can receive credits from Excelsior College for a variety of learning accomplishments, including college-level exams, professional training, military training, health care credentials, and industry certifications.

“Excelsior College is incredibly transfer-friendly,” says Rebecca S. Schenck, director of academic evaluation at Excelsior College’s Transcript Analysis Center. “Our dedicated team of 30-plus academic evaluators are trained to maximize the number of transfer credits each individual student presents, and they work to build a degree MAP (My Academic Plan) that gets students to the finish line as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

The Residency Requirement at Excelsior College

The college credit transfer policy at Excelsior College makes the school a great choice for those who have started degrees at other accredited institutions or have an associate degree and want to move on to earn a bachelor’s degree.

The policy, which ranks among the best in the country, also can result in cost savings for students who can transfer credit from other schools and earn their degree sooner.

To earn a degree from Excelsior College, students must meet the standards of the school’s residency requirement. These standards mandate that all students complete three specific courses at Excelsior College:

  • A Cornerstone course at the beginning of their time at Excelsior College
  • A Capstone course at the end
  • A 1-credit Information Literacy course

A Generous Transfer Expiration Policy

Excelsior College also designed its college credit transfer policy to provide a generous expiration period for courses taken in the past. According to the college’s transfer credit guidelines, students may still be able to transfer credits earned decades ago.  Guidelines vary based on the degree program.

For example, the health sciences transfer credit policy allows students in the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management/MBA dual degree program to claim credits earned within 20 years to the date of enrollment in the undergraduate component and within 10 years of the date of enrollment in the graduate component.

For the Master of Science in Health Sciences specializations, students must earn the credits within seven years of enrollment.

The Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Associate in Science in Liberal Arts programs have no time limit on credits earned. In theory, a student could transfer 113 credits and then complete a Cornerstone, Capstone, and Information Literacy course to graduate.

“This means that credit a student completed in the ’70s,’80s,’90s or last month could be used to fulfill degree requirements, depending on what type/level of credit the student presents to us,” Schenck says.

Excelsior College provides a list of time limitations on transfer credit for all online degree programs. The Academic Evaluation team is divided into specialties, says Schenck. This gives each degree area a group of dedicated experts to support students.

Prospective students must first apply to the College to have their transcripts reviewed. Students currently pay a $50 application fee.

With the potential of transferring so many credits, it’s worthwhile for prospective students to determine what credits they will receive. Many may find they are closer to completing their degree than they imagine.

For more information, and to see how much credit you can transfer, visit https://www.excelsior.edu/start-with-more-credit/ on Excelsior’s website.

States Leading the Way in Cannabis Legalization

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

As cannabis legalization spreads from coast to coast, each state takes a different approach to how they use their cannabis profits and revenue. Some states in particular are making huge impacts with money collected from legal cannabis, setting the stage for other states and showing them how they can benefit communities through legal cannabis profits.

Colorado

Colorado has been, perhaps, one of the most progressive states when it comes to benefiting from cannabis legalization. As of 2020, the taxes that came from Colorado cannabis businesses have funded programs for cleaner roads, with 51 cannabis companies sponsoring 66 percent of the roads covered by the “Clean Colorado.” Tax revenue has also gone into anti-bullying programs for schools, which helped teachers and school staff teach over 34,400 students.

Another way Colorado is using its cannabis tax revenue for good is by helping the homeless. In 2018, The Denver Post reported that Aurora, in the Denver metro area, spent $7.3 million on homeless services and housing. Cannabis tax revenue has also been used to fund scholarships. In 2019, the Pueblo Chieftain published a story about Pueblo using its cannabis tax revenue to award $700,000 in scholarships for the 2019–2020 school year.

California

Just like Colorado, California has been progressive with its cannabis programs, putting cannabis tax revenue toward programs that benefit the community. According to the news outlet Leafly, the Golden State received an estimated $635 million in state and local cannabis tax revenue in 2019, which went toward youth anti-drug programs, the environment, and public safety grants.

California’s money from tax revenue is spent in various ways, such as childcare for low-income families, safer roads, cannabis science and policy research, and more. Most recently, the news outlet Marijuana Moment reported that California will provide $30 million in grant funding for individuals who have been disproportionately impacted by the drug war, an initiative from the Bureau of Cannabis Control and Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development.

Nevada

The most recent in this list to legalize cannabis for adult-use, the Nevada cannabis industry created 8,300 full-time jobs once it was legalized. In May of 2019, Nevada lawmakers introduced a bill that would move all money that was collected from the state’s 10 percent excise sales tax on cannabis toward education. The same year, Clark County commissioners decided to divert $1.8 million of cannabis licensing fee revenue to fight homelessness.

Of the $1.8 million going toward the homeless, Clark County directed $855,000 to expand services at HELP of Southern Nevada’s Shannon West Homeless Youth Center, a facility that can house up to 166 at-risk youth from ages 16 to 22. In addition, $930,000 will be allocated to go toward rehousing homeless individuals who have been discharged from the hospital.

A common theme throughout these states leading the way for cannabis legalization is that the cannabis tax revenue goes toward programs that benefit communities, usually through education. We’re happy to see these states taking the initiative to create better communities with money raised from cannabis legalization and hope that other states follow suit.

A common theme among these states that have legalized cannabis is that they put cannabis tax revenue toward programs that benefit communities, usually through education. They are taking the initiative to create better communities with money raised from cannabis legalization, setting an example for other states to follow.

Education is an important component of understanding an environment where cannabis legalization has been expanding, which is why we created our Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control. Learn more about our program and see how it can help you achieve your cannabis career goals.

Excelsior College Hosts Virtual Fraud, Forensics, and Cybersecurity Executive Panel on November 18 with Siena College

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, N.Y. — Excelsior College will host a virtual panel discussion focused on emerging trends and careers in the fields of fraud, forensics, and cybersecurity on Wednesday, November 18 from 8:30–9:30 a.m. ET. This event, in collaboration with Siena College, will be moderated by Chelsea Diana, a reporter from the Albany Business Review.

The public is invited to join top leaders in the field as they discuss current trends and issues in fraud, forensics, and cybersecurity. Discussions will cover:

  • Major developments and issues in the fields of fraud, forensics, and cybersecurity, and how they impact different industries;
  • How organizations and individuals respond to changes within the fields;
  • Skills and competencies required for success in fraud, forensics, and cybersecurity careers; and
  • How market trends impact the labor force.

Panelists include:

  • Richard Peters, Senior Information Security Advisor, UHY LLP
  • John Roman, CIO, The Bonadio Group; President and COO, Bonadio’s Information Risk Management and Cybersecurity Division, FoxPointe Solutions
  • Matthew Miller, Principal in the New York Office of KPMG LLP’s U.S. Cyber Security Services Financial Services
  • Amelia Estwick, Director, National Cybersecurity Institute at Excelsior College

“We are pleased to again participate with Dean Scott Dolan and Excelsior College to present a panel discussion on topics of global concern: fraud, forensics and cybersecurity,” said Chester Brearey, professor of accounting and director, Master of Science in Accountancy with Data & Analytics at Siena College. “Incidents of fraud are escalating in frequency, duration, and complexity. Hardly a day goes by without a news story about another breach. Our panelists and moderator will elicit not only conversation but will offer statements and questions for the purpose of eliciting a spirited dialogue.”

“The job market for people with skills in fraud, forensics, and cybersecurity is expected to grow dramatically over the next few years. Even prior to the pandemic, the world economy was going through a radical restructuring brought on by the development and increased adoption of emerging technologies,” stated Scott Dolan, dean, School of Graduate Studies, Excelsior College. Dolan continued, “Mobile and cloud, advancements in computing power, the growth of big data, along with the emergence of robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things are changing how we consume, produce, and distribute goods and services. And they have radically changed the amount of data at our disposal, and how we collect and manage information. But the access to this information has raised corresponding organizational and individual concerns about how we protect our data, ensure our privacy, and ethically manage information. We are excited to offer a panel series focused on how these trends are impacting various industries, and what is needed for people to gain access to careers in these high-demand fields.”

To register to attend this event, visit  https://excelsior.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_01eb1_5-SPKe-ujDcl5B-A

 

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Media Contact Excelsior College:

Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu, 518-410-4624

 

Media Contact Siena College

Lisa Witkowski, lwitkowski@siena.edu, 518-859-8632

 

ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) 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. Learn more at excelsior.edu.

 

ABOUT SIENA COLLEGE

Siena College is a private, co-educational liberal arts college in the Franciscan and Catholic tradition. Siena is committed to offering the Education for a Lifetime for a new generation of leaders eager to create a more just, peaceful and humane world. This education empowers them through a transformative journey of intellectual, spiritual and personal discovery.

Founded in 1937, Siena offers 36 majors, 80-plus minors and certificates, and prestigious joint-degree programs in liberal arts, science and business. A wide range of student activities join with immersive service learning, research opportunities, extensive study abroad options and an NCAA Division I athletic program in providing more than 3,000 students the opportunity to prepare for a lifetime of making a difference.

Excelsior College Evaluates FEMA Training for College Credit to Lower Tuition Costs for Federal Employees

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Excelsior is a member of the Federal Academic Alliance formed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

ALBANY, N.Y. — Through a new agreement, Excelsior College, an accredited, not-for-profit online college, has worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)’s Emergency Management Institute to evaluate the Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP) for college credit.

This expansion of the Federal Academic Alliance, an educational partnership between the federal government, colleges, and universities, will support the professional development of FEMA employees. FEMA employees who complete the EMPP can apply this valuable training as 4 upper-level credits toward an undergraduate degree program at Excelsior College. FEMA employees can also apply credits awarded through other FEMA training evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE).

“As an Excelsior College alumnus, it is very gratifying to have worked together to award college credit to the students who complete courses in the Emergency Management Professional Program. The three academies of the Emergency Management Professional Program have evolved into a school of continuing and professional studies for the education and professional development of emergency management professionals across the nation,” stated Kelly E. Garrett, EdD, director, EMPP Branch, Emergency Management Institute. He continued, “Our curriculum is designed along a continuum of learning which serves emergency managers throughout their careers, so we’re excited to partner with Excelsior College to help our students achieve their educational goals.”

The evaluation of FEMA training for credit represents thousands of dollars in savings for individual FEMA employees — and potentially a significant overall cost reduction in educational benefits provided by the federal government. That’s because employees will be able to transfer in credit for FEMA training, which translates to fewer courses to take at Excelsior to complete their degree. Coupled with the Federal Academic Alliance tuition discount, employees can earn a degree from Excelsior at a significantly lower cost.

“FEMA employees will now have an accelerated pathway toward completing their degree at Excelsior College. This will enhance their credentials and bolster their expertise in responding to emergency situations across the country,” said David Schejbal, PhD, Excelsior College’s president. “This benefit to FEMA employees provides validation of their experience and skills from trainings to help them earn a degree in less time while saving money.”

For nearly 50 years, Excelsior College has supported the adult learner through flexible learning options and by offering a generous transfer credit policy. Excelsior also translates government and corporate training into college credit through its extensive internal review process and assesses training that has been evaluated by the American Council of Education (ACE) or accredited college institutions for credit.

“Importantly, this new agreement with FEMA provides the opportunity for FEMA employees to continue propelling their career,” says Lisa Romano-Arnold, director of business development for Excelsior College. “In its work to strengthen workplace culture while supporting employee recruitment and retention, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management created the Federal Academic Alliance (FAA) to combat workforce shortages and offer tuition savings for federal government employees, spouses, and domestic partners. This extension of the alliance is an example of how the Federal Academic Alliance was intended.”

The EMPP has been reviewed and evaluated, and employees may apply the undergraduate credit toward Excelsior degree programs such as the Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Bachelor of Science in National Security, and Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts. They can also transfer credits earned during previous college experience and receive credit for military training.

For more information, visit https://www.excelsior.edu/partner/feducation/.

 

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Media Contact:

Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu, 518-410-4624

 ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) 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. Learn more at excelsior.edu.

A Reflection on Election Day

Posted on by David Schejbal

The 2020 elections are before us and ensuring that your voice is heard and your vote is counted is critical to the democratic process. Voting is both a right and a responsibility, and I strongly encourage you to exercise it fully.

As I am an immigrant from the Communist Block and a naturalized U.S. citizen, voting has a special significance that I do not take lightly. When my parents brought me to the U.S. in 1968, we left Czechoslovakia during a brief interlude in communist totalitarian rule. The period is known as the Prague Spring. Alexander Dubcek was the president of the country at the time, and he believed deeply in democratic government. He tried to create what he called “communism with a human face” that included freely elected political leaders. On August 20, 1968, the Soviet Union responded to Dubcek’s effort by invading the country with 600,000 Warsaw Pact troops. I remember my parents crying as we watched tanks roll through Prague on the nightly news. Dubcek was replaced, and for the next 20 years, political leadership in Czechoslovakia was determined by the Soviets. The collapse of the Communist Block finally brought that period to an end in 1989.

Czechoslovakia was formed as a country in 1918 and codified in the Treaty of Versailles. From then until the invasion by the Nazis in 1939, Czechoslovakia was a democratic country. In 1945, as World War II was ending, Russian troops and American troops were driving Nazi occupation forces from Europe. American troops arrived in Czechoslovakia before Russian troops but eventually ceded the country to Russian oversight.

My father was in his late teens and early 20s during World War II. He was forced to work in a Nazi labor camp during the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia and then was significantly limited in his professional work during Communist rule. He is 98 years old now and frail, but his mind is as sharp as ever. He frets about politics a lot, and he has been closely following immigration policy, deportation cases, and racism.

Unless your heritage is Native American/American Indian, you too are an immigrant or a descendant of immigrants. My parents brought me to this country for a better, freer life. If you, your parents, or their ancestors came to this country voluntarily and not as slaves, I imagine that the same is true for you. John Locke, upon whose writings the Declaration of Independence is largely based, wrote that we are free most directly when we vote. Voting is the expression of liberty in its most direct and natural form.

I hope that you value the right to vote as much as I do. The majority of people on this planet do not enjoy the same privilege. It is now time to express our hard-fought right to liberty in the most direct way. It is time to vote.

As you prepare to go to the polls or perhaps reflect on the ballot that you already cast, it is worth reflecting on Langston Hughes’ poem “Let America Be America Again.”

 

Defending Against Hackers

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Dustin Van Dame uses his degrees to protect his company’s IT infrastructure

Like many millennials, Dustin Van Dame, of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, grew up with the MS-DOS computer operating system, which is where his love of computers developed. He spent 10 years in the Navy, but it was his interest in technology that led him into cybersecurity. He completed Excelsior College’s dual degree Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology to Master of Business Administration program in November 2019 and his degrees have already opened up new opportunities for him in his career at a nuclear powerplant.

Van Dame had been finishing up his associate degree when he decided his academics weren’t stimulating enough and he wanted more challenges. That’s when a friend suggested he enlist in the Navy’s nuclear power program. Van Dame joined in 2004 as a nuclear engineer for chemistry and radiological controls where he maintained and operated the equipment in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. After 10 years, Van Dame began hearing about companies that hired trained professionals to try to hack their computer defenses and the job appealed to him. He was beginning to think about his post-Navy career and that kind of job fit with his interests, stemming back to his love of tinkering with computers when he was younger. “It’s a lot of troubleshooting and thinking outside the box,” he says.

When he heard about Excelsior’s combined bachelor’s in nuclear engineering technology /MBA program, he thought it could be a potential opportunity to bring his love and knowledge of computers to the nuclear industry. The MBA part of the program has a concentration in cybersecurity. So, he was happy to learn his military training translated into degree credit. Van Dame later used a portion of his GI Bill® to pay for his master’s degree.

Van Dame completed his enlistment and transitioned from the Navy in 2014 and began working full-time at the Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Plant of Energy Harbor Corporation in Akron, Ohio. He was promoted to the radiation protection superintendent and monitored the workload and manpower of the department but earning his MBA with a focus in cybersecurity allowed him to move into cybersecurity. Now he is a cybersecurity specialist, working on the plant’s cybersecurity infrastructure. He tests the plant’s new computer systems, essentially trying to break through the firewalls before hackers can.

The education and degrees Van Dame earned from Excelsior and the experience he gained in the Navy all play into his role at the nuclear plant. Van Dame often uses the leadership and interpersonal skills he learned in the Navy in his job, as well as many things he learned in the various Excelsior business courses, like IT Risk Analysis and Management. He also participated in the spring season of the National Cyber League, the cybersecurity competition that uses defensive and offensive puzzle-based and capture-the-flag style challenges. Van Dame’s team, Excelsior_FTW, achieved 84.11% accuracy and Van Dame says the competition was a unique experience he would recommend to anyone. It also helped him decide that he was making the right decision for his career. “It kind of solidified that’s what I wanted to do and that I wanted to finish my degree,” he says.

What Van Dame likes most about his job is “being able to apply what I’ve learned at Excelsior and my external training to strengthen our cybersecurity.” Sometimes it’s hard to keep track of the different computer systems and to keep up with the new vulnerabilities to systems, but testing the security is a big responsibility that he doesn’t mind.

Van Dame has also begun training to earn several certifications necessary and required for his job. He’s taking the penetration testing course offered by the International Council of E-commerce Consultants and is working on the certified ethical hacker certification. With these certifications under his belt, he will be able to move up in his career as well as better defend his company’s infrastructure.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

Excelsior College To Co-Lead in Initiative to Establish Cybersecurity Pipeline

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, N.Y. —Amelia Estwick, PhD, director of the National Cybersecurity Institute at Excelsior College, was recently named co-lead of the national Cybersecurity Education Diversity Initiative (CEDI) Coalition along with Thaier Hayajneh of the Fordham Center for Cybersecurity at Fordham University. CEDI is a national workforce development initiative that aims to close the gap in cybersecurity talent through a partnership with the National Security Agency (NSA), Maryland Innovation & Security Institute (MISI), and the Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs (DoD/OSBP). This partnership provides an academic path and pipeline for cybersecurity students to enter the field of cybersecurity equipped with the knowledge, skills, and training necessary to fill critical cybersecurity jobs.

Amelia Estwick

“On behalf of Excelsior College, I am excited to co-lead this initiative with academic and industry peers to help address the nation’s critical cybersecurity talent gap and provide equitable access to cybersecurity education, training, and jobs,” stated Estwick. Estwick is also an educator and cybersecurity professional with more than 20 years of experience working in research and federal cyber operations.

Excelsior College is a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE), a designation received from the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Schools meet rigorous requirements in order to receive CAE designation, and their degree programs are required to map to the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NIST/NICE). Excelsior’s fully online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program maps to the NICE standards and prepares students with the technical knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the cybersecurity industry. Excelsior also offers a master’s degree in cybersecurity to prepare students for mid-career and senior-level leadership positions in the growing field.

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View the Full Press Conference

Media Contact:

Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu, 518-410-4624

 ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) 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. Learn more at excelsior.edu.

Navigating the Landscape of Assessment Tools and Resources Panel at the IUPUI Assessment Institute Virtual Conference 2020

Posted on by André Foisy

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There is a wealth of available resources across the higher education landscape to assist institutions with their assessment processes and practices. However, it can be overwhelming to find these resources, know where to look, or how to filter through the information to find those that are helpful. This session brings together representatives from various organizations deeply engaged with assessment who offer free resources to both student and academic affairs that can inform your work. Join us to learn about the useful tools available from Student Affairs Assessment Leaders (SAAL), the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education (AALHE), the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS), and the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA). In addition, this session will cover free educational materials that can be used for professional development such as the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) “Applying & Leading Assessment in Student Affairs” and the Assessment Modules from the Learning Assessment Research Consortium (LARC).