Excelsior College Hosts October 21 Webinar on Election Cybersecurity

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, N.Y. — Excelsior College will host a webinar on Election Cybersecurity in New York State on Wednesday, October 21 at 2 p.m. ET. Many election commissions and agencies are working on ways to be better prepared to prevent and handle election security threats. States across the country are implementing efforts to combat cyber risks and ensure this November’s local, state, and federal elections are conducted safely. In current news, the cybersecurity community is facing malware from Trickbot, which threatens to disrupt the upcoming elections.

Join Jeffrey Baez, chief information security officer for the New York State Board of Elections and director of the Secure Elections Center, to learn about how the State Board of Elections is addressing and remediating cyber risks to ensure we have secure and reliable elections. To register, visit https://excelsior.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ICzQwTxfSMq1kCWKT1AaBA

Jeffrey BaezBaez is a cybersecurity expert and certified information systems security professional. He participated on a panel at the 2nd Annual CISA Cyber Security Summit where he spoke with the secretaries of state from Michigan and Ohio and other elections officials and addressed senior leaders in both the private and public sector on emerging technologies, vulnerability management, incident response, risk mitigation, and other issues related to protecting elections systems.

Baez has spoken at many conferences in North America and Europe. He is a graduate of the University at Albany, where he earned a Master of Science in Information Science. Baez is an adjunct professor and PhD student at the University at Albany, teaching courses on cybersecurity, information technology, elections, and business resilience.

Excelsior College has been recognized as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE IA-CD). Excelsior College’s fully online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program provides technical knowledge and skills in cybersecurity. The program also supports the belief of the NSA that cybersecurity should be integrated into all aspects of a person’s career.

#  #  #

 

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.

 

Excelsior College Hosts “The Political Candidates on Cannabis” Webinar on October 20

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, N.Y. — Excelsior College will host a webinar focused on “The Political Candidates on Cannabis” next Tuesday, October 20 from 4–5 p.m. ET. The webinar will be moderated by Mona Zhang, a long-standing cannabis reporter who has been with Politico since 2019.

Attendees will hear from two industry experts, Kris Krane, president of 4frontventures.com, and Tahir Johnson, membership manager and diversity, equity, and inclusion manager at the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA). These experts understand both presidential candidates’ stances on legalization and what changes are predicted to happen to the cannabis industry under each administration. They also serve on Excelsior College’s Industrial Advisory Committee.

Many important issues are at stake with the upcoming presidential election. “There have been some significant legislative developments in the legal cannabis space over the last couple of months—with the introduction and ultimate delay of a vote on the MORE act. Much of what happens in the sector will be impacted by what happens in the upcoming elections, not only at the presidential level but also in House and Senate races. We are absolutely thrilled to be joined by industry leaders to learn more about the impact of the elections on policy and legislation at the federal level,” stated Scott V. Dolan, dean of the School of Graduate Studies at Excelsior College.

In September, Excelsior College launched the first course in the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control program. The program includes three 3-credit courses to support career success in a relatively new but rapidly expanding legal cannabis industry.

#  #  #

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.

How Cannabis Can Help the Economy

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

The cannabis industry has grown exponentially over the past few years, bringing more jobs to local economies and creating tax revenue that often gets redistributed to programs that benefit local communities. There are many benefits to legalizing cannabis, and aside from the medical benefits, there are huge economic benefits.

Cannabis Tax Revenue

According to the Washington Post, if cannabis were federally legal, it’s estimated the industry would amass $131.8 billion in federal tax revenue between 2017 and 2025. This money could go toward programs that benefit communities, especially those disproportionately affected by the war on drugs.

For instance, the Denver Post reported that Colorado used $7.3 million from cannabis tax revenue on homeless services and housing. If the U.S. legalized and regulated cannabis and took the same approach as Colorado and other states, the tax revenue generated would generate significant impact on programs across the country that help the less fortunate.

Creation of Cannabis Jobs

The cannabis industry is arguably the fastest growing industry to date, doubling in size over the past four years and, according to Leafly, an online source for cannabis information, creating 121,000 full-time jobs. It’s expected that legal cannabis jobs will grow by 250 percent over the next 10 years, more than any other industry. In some states like Massachusetts, for instance, cannabis jobs already surpass other professions, such as hairstylists and cosmetologists.

The creation of new jobs as a result of the cannabis industry is no doubt exciting and a source of optimism for those looking for work, especially considering the range of job options available, from budtenders, farmers, and botanists to compliance managers, marketers, accountants, and more.

Redirect Prohibition Spending

The American Civil Liberties Union estimates that $7.7 billion is spent per year to enforce the war on drugs. A portion of this large budget could be repurposed for programs to help communities affected by the war on drugs, as well as for cannabis education and regulation. If taxed the same as tobacco and alcohol, cannabis could bring in as much as $6 billion per year.

The ineffectiveness of prohibition has negated the need for such a large budget, and this money can instead be redirected in the form of reparations to communities disproportionately affected by the program. Aside from this, the amount of money that federal legalization is capable of producing is enough to stimulate the economy, a plausible reason as to why cannabis should be federally legalized.

Interested in seeing how you can make a difference? Enroll in our Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control program and gain all the tools necessary to break into the cannabis industry and start making a change!

Excelsior College Welcomes Our Cannabis Industrial Advisory Committee of Leading Industry Professionals

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Albany, N.Y. — Excelsior College welcomes leading industry professionals to our inaugural Cannabis Industrial Advisory Committee (CBC-IAC) within the School of Graduate Studies. Thirteen members met recently, representing various states from the East Coast to the West Coast, and from as far away as Hawaii.

In September, Excelsior College launched the first course in the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control program. The program includes three 3-credit courses to support career success in a relatively new but rapidly expanding legal cannabis industry. The CBC-IAC members provide perspectives from business operators, regulators, and the industry along with market expertise related to the program curriculum. The Committee’s input is vital to creating thought leaders in the legal cannabis industry and its regulatory environment.

The members of 2020 Cannabis Industrial Advisory Committee (CBC-IAC) will serve a one-year term, with opportunity for renewals. Members include:

 

  • Tessa Adams (CA), Head of Marketing, MOXIE
  • Solonje Burnett (NY), Founder, Humble Bloom
  • Paul Coble (AZ), Founder & CEO, Thalo
  • Robert Hunt (CA), Founder & Managing Member, Linnaea Holdings
  • Tahir Johnson (MD) Membership Manager & DEI Manager, National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)
  • Kris Krane (IL), President, 4Front Ventures
  • Marion McNabb (NC), President, Cannabis Center of Excellence
  • Amanda Ostrowitz (IL), Senior Vice President & Founder of CannaRegs
  • Ashley Picillo (CO), Founder, Point 7 Group
  • Amanda Reiman (CA), VP of Community Development, Flow Kana
  • Kathryn Reiter (CA), Compliance Manager, Natura Life + Science
  • Dylan Shropshire (HI), Founder & COO, Big Island Grown
  • Danniel Swatosh (NY) Founder, Humble Bloom

 

“We are extremely honored to be working with a prestigious group of well-respected leaders and experts who approach the sector from various perspectives,” stated Scott V. Dolan, dean of the School of Graduate Studies at Excelsior College. “The guidance and input from this committee is key to the goal of ensuring our program remains current and relevant to the needs of the market. Additionally, we are excited to work with this group to expand opportunities for our students to connect with industry beyond the classroom—through internships, course projects, networking events, webinars on topical issues in the regulatory space, and more.”

Some economic forecasts predict that legal cannabis will be a $73 billion industry by 2025, and recent analyses show employment opportunities expanding in concert with industry growth.  Leveraging a fully online delivery model, the Excelsior College Cannabis Control Program will provide high-quality, academically rigorous courses to support adult learners from diverse academic, geographic, and cultural backgrounds.

#  #  #

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.

 

 

What Job Can I Get with a Health Sciences Degree?

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) expects the health care industry to grow rapidly during the next decade so a health sciences degree may help students looking to enter this growing job market. The BLS projected the broadly defined health care occupations to grow 14 percent from 2018 to 2028, adding about 1.9 million new jobs. The branches of health sciences are vast, including such careers as physical therapist, medical technician, dental hygienist, paramedic, and more.

 Excelsior College’s Associate in Science in Health Sciences program is designed for people new to or already working in the health care industry who want to advance their careers. Graduates may work in a variety of settings, including community centers, long-term care facilities, private practices, and more. Students graduate from the program with an expanded medical vocabulary, improved communication skills, and a strong understanding of the U.S. health care system.

Skills and Knowledge Gained in an Associate Degree in Health Sciences Program

The health sciences associate degree program at Excelsior is designed to give graduates the skills and knowledge they will need to excel in a health care profession. Some of the key skills are listed below.

  • Effective oral communication
  • Effective written communication
  • An understanding of the structure and function of the health care delivery system in the United States
  • Working knowledge of the various roles and responsibilities of health professionals
  • Ability to discuss trends and opportunities in health care

Jobs for Health Sciences Associate Degree Graduates

Earning an associate degree opens the door to many different jobs in the growing health care industry. The following are some of the most popular health sciences jobs and the annual salary for each. Information comes from the online job search site Indeed.com, as well as from Glassdoor.com and Payscale.com.

  • Program coordinator – $50,358
  • Public Health Specialist 1 – $49,882
  • Senior Administrative Assistant – $48,890
  • Health Benefits Specialist – $48,632
  • Community Health Advocate – $37,762

An Associate in Science in Health Sciences is perfect for:

  • Veterans or servicemembers who have received military training but have not yet earned a degree;
  • Licensed practical nurses or vocational nurses looking for program options other than nursing to advance their careers in health care;
  • Persons working in medical billing, medical coding, and within health insurance organizations; and
  • Allied health professionals who need a degree to further their career.

 

Where Will a Health Sciences Associate Degree Take You?

Graduates from Excelsior’s associate degree in health science program are prepared from Day 1 to take on jobs in many areas. These include entry-level jobs in medical office administration, health insurance member services, community health services, medical billing management, and human resources.

As part of the curriculum, students learn about health care issues that impact private, nonprofit, and public health insurance and financing. They also gain knowledge in areas such as health provider education and licensing, federal health care legislation and regulation compliance, and health care delivery settings and electronic medical records.

The associate degree in health sciences program is designed for those who aspire to move into the health care field or those already in health care who want to improve their chances for better pay and promotion. View our Associate and Bachelor’s Degrees in Health Sciences.

 

Excelsior College Partners with ed2go to Provide Training to Meet Changing Workforce Landscape

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, N.Y.- Excelsior College has partnered with ed2go, a Cengage company and a leading provider of online adult continuing education and career training programs, to provide learners in 50 states and more than 16 countries with access to fully online, noncredit courses to gain additional marketable workforce skills.  This partnership helps individuals demonstrate specialized knowledge to advance their career and meets current and emerging workforce demands by providing training courses, both instructor-led and self-paced, for the most in-demand certifications.

Lisa R. Braverman, Excelsior College’s vice provost for academic and faculty affairs, shared, “We are excited to add new opportunities for adult learners to gain skills and alternative credentials, such as certificates, through more than 1,000 online continuing education Foundational and Career Training courses.  There are a variety of high-demand subjects that align with our current 40 degree programs across six areas of study– business, health sciences, liberal arts, nursing, public service, and technology- to help students work toward career advancement. During COVID-19, our partnership with ed2go is even more important because it is advancing individuals contribution to the workforce and providing relevant education to meet the changing job landscape.”

Nationwide data reports growth and interest in alternative or “microcredentials” programs, which is especially true during times of economic stress. Excelsior is responding to this market trend by offering prospective students a variety of relevant, convenient, and portable credentials through training courses to afford learners maximum flexibility, critical upskilling opportunities, and new credentialing options.

ed2go

“There is growing need for continuing education options that support learners in reskilling and advancement throughout their lifelong career journey,” said Cory Eyler, vice president and general manager, ed2go. “We are proud to partner with Excelsior to help close this gap for today’s learners and empower them with the knowledge and capabilities they need to advance in their careers and ultimately improve their lives.”

Excelsior College’s target audience are those who already possess a degree or who wish to advance, change, or find new jobs through completion of relevant workforce-related courses over the short term.

These training courses require a small investment from the student when compared to traditional degree programs and can have long-term benefits such as greater income or career change opportunities.

With unemployment changing since the COVID-19 pandemic began, many people will be looking to get back to the workforce with applicable, real-world skill sets as represented by these programs.

To learn more, visit https://www.excelsior.edu/trainings/.

 #  #  #

Media Contact:

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

 ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is a 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 Cengage and ed2go

cengage

Cengage is the education and technology company built for learners. The company serves the higher education, K–12, professional, library, and workforce training markets worldwide. ed2go, a Cengage company, is a leading provider of online instructor-facilitated courses and career training programs for the adult continuing education and training markets. With a catalog of over 600 offerings and a network of more than 2,100 top colleges and universities, ed2go offers partner institutions and organizations the opportunity to provide unprecedented access to affordable online education. www.ed2go.com

Excelsior College Hosts Virtual Graduate Research Symposium on October 2 with Keynote Speaker on “Loneliness in the Era of the Covid-19 Pandemic”

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, NY — Excelsior College will host a Virtual Graduate Student Research Symposium on Friday, October 2 from 1:00–5:30 p.m. ET. The keynote speaker, Sri Banerjee, PhD, has worked at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in the area of infectious diseases and public health projects worldwide. He will address “Loneliness in the Era of the Covid-19 Pandemic” from 1:20–1:40 p.m. Banerjee will be joined by Nelson Tuazon, PhD, who has over 35-years of experience in nursing practice, academia, administration, and executive leadership. He will discuss ”Adopt, Adapt, Abandon: Building a Culture of Inquiry and Discovery” from 3:10–3:30 p.m.

 Scott Dolan, dean of School of Graduate Studies, stated, “We are thrilled to be holding our inaugural Graduate Research Symposium. This is a great example of collegewide collaboration and will bring students together from different disciplines to present their research and work. We see this as an extension of our strategic goals of building community with our faculty and students, promoting dialogue across disciplines, and giving students an opportunity to network with leaders in their respective fields. We invite you to join us for this important educational event.”

The Graduate Research Symposium is an opportunity for Excelsior College graduate students to present their own research that they completed in courses. The symposium will include presentations on health sciences, business, cybersecurity, nursing, criminal justice, and public service.

Michele Paludi, senior faculty program director and co-chair of graduate symposium, stated, “The Schools of Graduate Studies and Nursing wanted to host the online graduate research symposium as an opportunity for graduate students to present their research to a diverse audience across several disciplines. We are honored to have Dr. Banerjee and Dr. Nelson join us for this symposium. They are outstanding role models for students.”

Excelsior College’s goal is to provide graduate students an avenue to share their research, practice conference and presentation skills, network, and foster interprofessional collaborations. The research at this event will include case analysis, website analysis, original research, primary research, secondary research, and translating research into health care practice on nursing, mentoring, and other topics.

The Ever Upward prize will be awarded to the best presentation at the symposium to encourage a student to continue to pursue research throughout their career and to place value on research in general.

 #  #  #

Media Contact:

Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu, 518-464-8531

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.

 

 

Excelsior College Provides Students Free, 24×7 Online Tutoring with TutorMe

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

TutorMe

LOS ANGELES and ALBANY, N.Y. (September 22, 2020) – TutorMe, a leading provider of online tutoring, and Excelsior College, an accredited, not-for-profit online college focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers, announced today an agreement to provide Excelsior students with TutorMe’s online, 24×7 tutoring services, free of charge.

TutorMe has an extensive network of verified online tutors that can help students on a variety of subjects and provide support with writing assignments. This service is extremely helpful for distance learning students who may need extra guidance from someone with expertise on a particular subject and are looking for immediate assistance.

“Excelsior College is excited to offer this new service to students to help with student success and academic advancement. Its 24/7 access and user-friendly dashboard help our students get the support they need when they need it,” stated Nan Rodriguez, director of the Writing Center at Excelsior College. “The TutorMe platform also allows students to receive quality feedback on papers and other written work in 12 hours or less from a network of over 12,000 certified tutors who are ready to help with any question, no matter how big or small.”

“Excelsior College is joining TutorMe’s more than 100 education partners who have seen the value and impact of providing online, 24×7 tutoring services,” shared Myles Hunter, CEO, and co-founder of TutorMe. “With more than 12,000 tutors available in 300 subjects, Excelsior students can access the support they need to succeed in their courses.”

 

Media Contact TutorMe: 

Alanna Vitucci

alanna.vitucci@zovio.com

858 668 2586 x11636

 

Media Contact Excelsior: 

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.

 About TutorMe
TutorMe is the online tutor of the future—as a leading provider of online tutoring, the platform connects students with highly qualified tutors in, on average, less than 30 seconds. TutorMe provides instruction via video chat, screen sharing, and virtual whiteboards archived for future reference. They work with learners and parents from K–12 to higher education, either directly or through partnerships with academic institutions or via employer-provided benefits. TutorMe is part of the Zovio network.

About Zovio

Zovio (Nasdaq: ZVO) is an education technology services company that partners with higher education institutions and employers to deliver innovative, personalized solutions to help learners and leaders achieve their aspirations. The Zovio network, which includes Fullstack Academy, TutorMe, and Learn@Forbes, leverages its core strengths and applies its technology and capabilities to priority market needs. Using advanced data and analytics, Zovio identifies the most meaningful ways to enhance the learner experience and deliver strong outcomes for higher education institutions, employers, and learners. Zovio’s purpose is to help everyone be in a class of their own. For more information, visit www.zovio.com.

#  #  #

 

 

 

 

Meet the Team Behind the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control: Gretchen Schmidt

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Welcome to our new blog post series, “Meet the Team Behind the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control,” where we introduce the masterminds behind the program. In this series, you’ll get to know more about the people behind the program, their experience creating it, and the unique contributions each team member has made.

Gretchen Schmidt

 

Gretchen Schmidt

Faculty Program Director

 One of the backbones to the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control, Gretchen Schmidt is also the faculty program director for the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s in criminal justice programs at Excelsior College. Prior to her career in higher education, Schmidt worked in a law office, but soon after September 11, 2001, she decided to make the switch to education, feeling that she could make a bigger impact in the classroom than in the legal world.

When it comes to her role in the creation of the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control, Schmidt took the lead on identifying and developing the courses for the program.

Prior to development, Schmidt and the team conducted research and environmental scanning to identify the needs in the industry. Part of this included interviews with cannabis industry experts. The research she and the team did resulted in the three main themes they found important to cover: policy and compliance, commerce regulation, and risk assessment.

Cannabis industry experts were also interviewed to make sure the product she and the team were creating was well-rounded, rigorous, reflective of the industry, and practical for professionals seeking a graduate certificate. The development of the program also involved subject matter experts who offered key insights in providing the students with a strong foundation and teaching them how to dig deeper into their jurisdictions, as well as to learn, analyze, and critically evaluate regulations, policies, and risks.

As an educator with 20 years in higher education and a background in law and criminal justice, Schmidt applied her knowledge and experience to the new and emerging cannabis field.

Of course, the program means more to Schmidt than just the creation of the courses. She believes this knowledge will open up students’ eyes to the tensions and risks that exist in multiple layers within the cannabis industry. With this program, she hopes graduates take away a greater understanding of the regulatory environment and what works and what doesn’t, making a difference in the industry and cleaning up the complexity that currently exists.

Working on the program has been rewarding for Schmidt and has helped her learn about the long process of cannabis legalization, the real meaning of social equity, and how every aspect of the industry is complex and varies widely from state to state.

Excelsior College is fortunate to have Schmidt serve as such a vital part of the development of the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control. If reading about her involvement has inspired you to pursue an education about the cannabis industry, reach out to our admissions team today to learn more!

Webinar: How to Achieve Success in the Cannabis Industry

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Excelsior College School of Graduate Studies recently hosted a webinar to hear from leading cannabis industry professionals Robert Hunt and Marion McNabb on how they found success in the cannabis industry — a sector with rapidly growing career potential.

Hunt is founder and principal for Linnaea Holdings, which makes equity investments in California-based cannabis companies.

McNabb is president of the Virtual Cannabis Center of Excellence INC (CCOE) and the former CEO and co-founder of Cannabis Community Care and Research Network (C3RN).

This vibrant discussion of the ins and outs of the rapidly growing cannabis industry touched on the history of cannabis use, industry associations, where the industry is headed, and why education is crucial for success.

Webinar Highlights

Rob Hunt: “You can take the best business model you’ve created in another industry, but you’ve never dealt with regulation like this, so to come in and try to apply other business practices to cannabis, there is not much correlation there. You are starting to see more professionals come at it that are well trained in the industry or getting a good graduate degree that provides them with a strong foundational understanding of the industry.”

Marion McNabb: “There’s a lot of room for innovation, there’s a lot of room to continue to try and advocate and change policies as the states continue to expand, either in their medical or adult use programs. I think we have an opportunity to learn lessons from states and make the industry better moving forward.”

Watch the recording now!

https://players.brightcove.net/4276901727001/default_default/index.html?videoId=6184042201001

Excelsior College Partners with The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce to Support Workforce and Economic Development

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, N.Y. – Excelsior College is proud to announce an exclusive educational partnership with The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce (NPR Chamber).  Members of the NPR Chamber include entrepreneurs, businesses, corporations, and government entities in Puerto Rico.  The NPR Chamber provides an opportunity to bridge economic and workforce development by advocating for business owners in Puerto Rico by connecting them to the mainland of the United States.

The partnership is even more important amidst high unemployment rates and challenges resulting from hurricanes to COVID-19, and it can help students save on tuition costs. It provides educations opportunities and workforce training that can contribute to business economic prosperity.  During the early part of summer, Puerto Rico was one of the countries hardest hit, with the unemployment rate at 23 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. National news reports indicate Puerto Rico residents have been dealing with the aftereffects of natural disasters, Covid-19, poverty, and unemployment that create challenging times.

Excelsior College is a not-for-profit, online learning institution founded in 1971 focused on providing educational opportunities to adult learners. This partnership aligns with the College’s mission of providing educational opportunities to underserved populations, creating a pathway for success in a variety of careers. “We are excited to offer the more than 8,000 members of The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce education and training opportunities to help start-ups, the hospitality industry, real estate, financial services, and farm-to-table businesses,” says David Schejbal, president of Excelsior College. “Education improves people’s lives, and the faculty and staff of Excelsior College are very much looking forward to working with the members of The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce to help them learn new skills, earn degrees, and achieve their learning goals.”

National Puerto Rico Chamber of Commerce logo

Maria Bermudez, a small business member of the NPR Chamber, is an attorney and disability advocate serving individuals with disabilities in the Philadelphia region and Puerto Rico. Bermundez shared, “Higher education is one of the greatest investments I’ve made in myself. It has enabled me to broaden my perspective and achieve my career goals. Acquiring both substantive knowledge and organizational skills placed me in a position to purposefully serve my community that I’m passionate about helping.” 

Joel Berrocal, national director of small business development for the NPR Chamber, stated, “The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce looks forward to what can be accomplished through our partnership with Excelsior College. The focus on student success and the value a degree and workplace training programs can provide our members and their families is the reason we sought out this partnership.  With Excelsior’s wide array of degree programs, we know that all our members looking to enroll will find a program that fits their needs and goals. Their focus on providing educational opportunities to adult learners with an emphasis on those historically underrepresented in higher education was also very important, and we felt that aligned well with our beliefs as an organization. With this joint venture, we hope to continue to provide value to our members in Puerto Rico and the United States and be the bridge between these two distinct ecosystems.”

For more information, visit The National Puerto Rican Chamber of Commerce partnership page.

 

 

#  #  #

Media Contact:

Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu, 518-464-8531

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.

Career Tips to Succeed During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Posted on by Tammy Spenziero

These are not ordinary times and you will likely need to stretch your comfort zone and adapt to how the world has changed. For many, professional growth plans and career launch strategies must also change. Companies you’re interested in may not be hiring right now, as entire sectors are being reconfigured and overturned. Adopt a practical approach and align your job search with organizations that are still hiring. You will need to compromise and make changes, but this resiliency will set you up for long-term success.

Make updating your resume as much of a priority as checking your social media profile. This should be a regular practice as you gain experiences and acquire more skills.  Align everything with the positions you’re looking for now and tailor your resume to the role. To assure you differentiate between resumes and the roles you are applying to without sending one off to the wrong company (same goes for cover letters), save them with your name and the company name to eliminate any errors. This also helps track what you sent to whom.

 Basic Resume Types:

  1. Chronological Resumes: These are generally standard for those who have about three to five years of experience within the same field and role.
  2. Functional or Combination Resumes: These types place your relevant skills in priority order rather than listing professional roles. In these times, it may be beneficial to use this format to highlight transferrable skills. It may prove helpful to a search committee when they are deciding if you are a fit for the position.

Next, consider changing or adding a summary statement or objective to your resume. This will certainly assist in providing some information on your current status, especially in these times. It can be a simple sentence or two that briefly highlights the impact you can make based on the skills you have as well as the type of employee you are. Examples of a summary statement and objective during the COVID-19 job search could be written in the following ways:

Summary Statement: Resourceful marketing manager, highly experienced in the arts and communications and experienced with creating impactful messaging in print. I have been part of strategic communications that yielded successful results by meeting deadlines and goals.

  1. Adjective Describing Work Ethic: Resourceful
  2. Occupation/Field: Marketing Manager
  3. Skillset Expertise Sentence: Highly experienced in the arts and communications and experienced with creating impactful messaging in print. I have been part of strategic communications that yielded successful results by meeting deadlines and goals.

 Objective: Award-winning professional in the banking industry with expertise as a financial journalist. I am seeking to leverage expert knowledge of the investment industry in a client-focused role, where I have a direct impact on the financial success of the individual portfolio for long-term growth.

  1. Action Word Describing Demonstrated Expertise: Award-winning
  2. Occupation/Field Transition: Professional in the banking industry with expertise as a financial journalist
  3. How to Leverage Transferrable Skills: Seeking to leverage expert knowledge of the investment industry in a client-focused role.

In these two examples, you see how transferrable skills and achievements are rolled into the position you’re applying for. You want the resume reviewers to see that what you have to offer makes you a unique candidate. These tips are especially helpful for individuals working in a field that is directly impacted by COVID-19 and who need to find work in another type of job. Making your resume easy to review is important because, on average, the time someone looks over a resume is shockingly only seconds before they move on to the next.

Resume quick tip suggestions:

  1. Use a professional basic font (Times New Roman or Arial) no smaller than 10 point.
  2. Maintain an appropriate number of pages based on relevant experience and omit anything that is outdated or irrelevant.
  3. Have succinct margins; use about ½ inch to 1 inch for easy reading.
  4. Place skills closer to the top of the resume if the job description indicates a need for something specific. If you are making a career change, this area can go above your relevant work experience.
  5. Place education at the top for recent graduates with none or little experience. If you have a few years of experience, education can go toward the bottom. Those with more than five years of experience can remove dates of attendance, GPA, etc.

Searching for a new job due to the impact of COVID-19? Check out these helpful sites:

Virtual Interviewing:

Companies Hiring & Job Boards:

Excelsior Job & Internship Board Resources:

Job Fairs:

 We know that this is not the world in which you thought you’d be seeking an internship, graduating and finding a job, or making a job change. In the last few months we’ve seen unprecedented change to the workforce and labor market. In a short period of time the market has reinvented itself as entire industries have been impacted by the devastating effect of COVID-19. Seeking employment in your field or even an internship is different. The entire workforce has been turned upside-down, hiring freezes have been instituted across industries and sectors, and unemployment has risen rapidly. You may need to pivot toward working in an industry you did not expect to simply because it is the most viable option. It is also critical to take the time to develop your technical skills now more than ever. Earning an undergraduate degree can make you more marketable and increase your earning potential. The pandemic is going to change the world of work as we know it.

 Tammy Spenziero is the director of Career Services