Moving Up: Missy Washington

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Missy Washington Uses Her Master’s in Health Care Administration to Advance in Her Career

Missy Washington says that crossing the stage at Commencement in July 2019 was one of the happiest times of her life. She not only achieved a goal of pursuing higher education, but also earned the degree that would enable her to better help veterans like herself in her role at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Washington, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, retired from the Army in 2015 after more than 23 years serving as a flight operations specialist and administrator. In these roles, she carried out tasks like tracking pilots’ flying hours and the weather, communicating with pilots on the radio, and coordinating flights. She later became an inspector general, resolving conflicts and conducting trainings.

Washington knew she wanted to work for the Department of Veterans Affairs when she retired. She had heard of the negative stigma surrounding the department and wanted to do her part to change the rumors and help support veterans. But because she only had a bachelor’s degree and no medical background, Washington started in an entry-level position. It was a great way to get her foot in the door though, she says, and it was meaningful to help people. “I think just me, one little bitty person, a little country girl from North Carolina, I feel like I’m making a change that other people can see so they want to be a part of that change as well,” she says.

To advance in her career at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington knew she needed a more advanced degree than the Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies she earned in 2017 from Excelsior, so she re-enrolled at Excelsior College to earn a master’s in health sciences. Washington earned the master’s degree in 2019 after a rigorous two years of studies. “I pushed myself because I was so excited and proud of myself that I was actually accomplishing that goal. I went pretty much bachelor’s, master’s, all the way through with, I think I only had a two-week break,” she recalls, noting how determined she was to earn her degree. She adds that she is a first-generation graduate student and hopes that by earning her master’s, her three boys see that with grit and determination, you can accomplish anything.

Since earning her degree, Washington has become a supervisor of 50 schedulers at the Colorado Springs Department of Veterans Affairs. She oversees administrative duties such as appointment scheduling and coordination, and also makes sure veterans have access to care even if it isn’t with the Department. Oftentimes, Washington’s job entails speaking directly with veterans who might be upset and disgruntled—like if their appointment is canceled, for instance. “If you relate to them, and you communicate with them, and you have empathy for what they’re going through, a lot of times, even though they don’t get what they want, they’ll walk away thanking you,” she says, and adds that it helps she is a veteran and can relate to those who come into the VA. Because of Excelsior and the education she received, says Washington, she has been promoted four times since 2015. “When I actually found my niche in health care and got the job here and started moving up the ladder, I was just grateful that my education I was pursuing was lining up with what I’m doing, and definitely where I plan to go,” she says.

Washington sees a future for herself as a director at the Colorado Springs Department of Veterans Affairs because she feels that’s where she is meant to be. “I want to be the one to make some changes on how people perceive the care in the VA…and I think, with health care administration, I can do those things. I’m taking care of the employees and taking care of the veterans; I’m that middle person, being the voice,” she says.

Excelsior College Welcomes New Members to Board of Trustees

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, N.Y. — The Excelsior College Board of Trustees, the governing body for the College, welcomes four new members. The board comprises 17 individuals from across the United States who are prominent in the fields of business, education, government, and the professions. The newest members are Kent Clark of Springfield, Va., Jennifer M. Gentry of Portland, Ore., Karen Kocher of Seattle, Wash., and Quintessa Miller, of Destin, Fla.

Kent Clark is a chief executive officer and military veteran with experience leading the strategy, finance, operations, personnel, and logistics of diverse organizations to drive efficiency, profitability, and risk reduction. He is president and chairman of the board, Clark Advisory Group. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he held progressive senior ranks, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. During his service, he advised U.S. Armed Forces leaders across multiple geographical locations, both domestic and abroad, on strategy, logistics, and resource planning. He also specialized in the deployment of large overseas logistical operations during combat, working with allies, foreign militaries, governments, and inter-agency partners. Clark is certified in board and advisory work across the spectrums of cybersecurity, governance, finance, audit, strategic planning, and development for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Clark earned a Master of Arts in Public Policy Management from Georgetown University, a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Regents College (now Excelsior College), and associate degree in industrial technology and business from Pierce College.

 Jennifer M. Gentry brings nearly 20 years of nursing experience to her role of chief nursing executive at the Providence Portland Medical Center in Portland, where she is responsible for nursing strategic plans, quality outcomes, and caregiver wellness. Previously, Gentry worked within the Christus Spohn Healthcare System, headquartered in Corpus Christi, Texas, holding progressive nurse leadership positions before reaching the title of chief nursing officer. In this position, she reported directly to the facility president and held responsibility for all strategic, budgetary, and operational aspects of the nursing enterprise. Since 2015, Gentry has worked as an adjunct faculty member for Excelsior College’s Associate Degree in Nursing program and as a clinical examiner for the program’s Clinical Performance in Nursing Examination. She partnered with Excelsior to set up a new test site for the exam. Gentry is a three-time graduate of Excelsior College. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Associate in Science in Nursing from Excelsior.

 Karen Kocher is the global general manager of 21st century jobs, skills and employability for Microsoft. Kocher previously held senior human resources, health care, and sales leadership roles in insurance, information technology, consulting, and business outsourcing across the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Kocher served as the chief learning officer and talent executive for Cigna Corporation and worked for IBM as the global content executive, Software Division, designing and implementing IBM’s social learning product strategy. Kocher earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Strategy and Communications from DePaul University.

Quintessa Miller is a highly experienced plastic surgeon practicing at Fort Walton Beach Hospital NWF Multispecialty Physicians LLC. Her areas of specialty include breast reconstruction, elective hand surgery, wound care, body contouring, facelifts, blepharoplasty, Mohs reconstruction, generalized reconstruction, and injectables. She is also a decorated member of the U.S. Air Force, having achieved the rank of colonel, and serves as staff plastic surgeon at Eglin Hospital at Eglin Airforce base in Florida. She has served as commander, 96th Surgical Operations Squadron. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Miller earned a Doctor of Medicine from Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta and completed residencies at the Kessler Medical Center, Louisiana State University, and Wright State University.

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Media Contact:

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

ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is a regionally 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.

Landing the Right Job at the Right Time

Posted on by Tammy Spenziero

Director of Excelsior Career Services asks experts common staffing and recruiting questions

Based on student Google search statistics, staffing and recruiting firms were top key word searches. Excelsior’s career development director reached out to her network of key experts in this field to ask their opinions about some common student concerns.

Meet Our Experts:

Renee Walrath

Renee Walrath, President of Walrath Recruiting,

Miriam Dushane, Managing Partner of Alaant Workforce Solutions,

Patricia Fusco, President/CEO of Fusco Personnel,

Miranda VonFricken, Technical Recruiter and Career Coach with CPS Recruitment.

 

Tammy Spenziero: What myths and truths exist regarding recruiting/staffing firms?

Renee Walrath: One common myth regarding recruiting is there is a fee if a candidate wants to work with a recruiter. However, our recruiting services are free for candidates. Another myth is recruiting companies only have positions that are currently, or have previously been, posted online. However, some companies do not post for their own positions (whether it be on their own company website or on job boards). Their goal is to save time and effort, so they pass on that responsibility to the recruiting company.

 Miriam Dushane: There is a myth that candidates can only work with one firm. In reality, you are under no obligation to work exclusively with one agency. In fact, every firm has its own network of HR leaders and corporate clients, and as a result, each may offer unique career opportunities. Another myth is that we can find a job for everyone. While we are confident in the expertise and resources we provide to assist an individual’s job search, we can never guarantee a placement will be made. What we can guarantee, however, is our commitment to seeking the right fit for both the candidate and the employer, rather than simply filling a position. Lastly, there is a myth that recruiters don’t offer any advantage. In truth, recruiters offer several advantages to job seekers. With our huge network of exceptional contacts within the HR and employer communities, we have access to a variety of career opportunities, including many desirable job openings that may not be public. Recruiters can assist candidates throughout the job search process, from resume and interview preparation to serving as your advocate with an employer. And, our reputation is built on providing strong candidates to the employers we work with, so we have a vested interest in grooming candidates to ensure they are at their best during their job search.

Miranda VonFricken: Myths regarding agencies are endless… but so are the ones about carbs! It’s best to do your own research, find what works for you, and utilize what you think will benefit your career. Personally, I got my professional start with a staffing firm and because of the great experience, decided to join one shortly after. They are a great resource! I’m a strong believer in students utilizing agencies to gain access to opportunities they may not have had the chance to find on their own!

 

Tammy Spenziero: With the rise of technology, the use of recruiting and staffing firms has increased. What is your experience and perspective on this?

Renee Walrath: The unemployment rate has gone down 0.5% since January 2019, indicating that more people are securing jobs, making it difficult for companies to find new hires independently. In our experience, we have noticed more companies are outsourcing to recruiting companies to save time, decrease turnover, and hire the best possible candidates for their open positions. We take on this process for employers, assess our existing pool of candidates/seek out new potential candidates, examine their current employment situation, conduct the interview only if they match our client’s criteria for the role, and if applicable, offer a new job opportunity.

 Miriam Dushane: When technology in the form of job boards hit the scene, there was a lot of talk that they would put recruiters out of business. In fact, the opposite has happened: recruiters that can effectively use new technologies are even more in demand. Skilled recruiters are leveraging innovative technologies to help job seekers find more and better opportunities, and help companies attract more candidates, increase the efficiency of the hiring process, and make better hires faster. We save employers the expense of having to purchase technology we have and know how to use—from online reference checks to video interviews—and free them up to work on mission-critical objectives. As technology continues to evolve, it is our job to be the experts who can help both employers and job seekers use it to their benefit.

 

Tammy Spenziero: When it comes to screening and selection, what do candidates need to stand out?

Renee Walrath: Composing a strong resume that details work history, internships, and skills is essential. This is ultimately the first step where the relationship and the initial first impression begins. So, ensure you tailor your resume to the position you are applying to. Include as many key words that relate your experience to the job requirements. If there are parallels, make a clear connection for the party reviewing your resume with those key words. Once you demonstrate that you have experience relating to the position, that’s when the next steps take place.

Miriam Dushane: Candidates should keep in mind they are marketing their most important product: themselves. Everything you do needs to present you and your qualifications in the best possible light. Your resume is your personal marketing brochure; make sure it includes relevant experiences and accomplishments that demonstrate your value and generate interest from a potential employer. Research not only the job, but also the company and its culture, and be sure to communicate your interest in both. Job skills are critical, but passion and enthusiasm can give you an edge over the competition.

Patricia Fusco: Candidates who are prepared and have the right attitude! Candidates can be entry level or have extensive experience, however, the soft skills are more important in 99 percent of our hires. Our clients will weight stronger on the soft skills than hard skills/experience.

Miranda VonFricken: Aside from a well-crafted resume, I look for great communication skills. Starting with the email, to the phone call, to the on-site interview. I want to know you have the confidence to speak to your skillset and the ability to ask great questions. It’s also a bonus during a screening if we end up laughing!

 

Tammy Spenziero: Any advice or tips for our online adult learners looking to advance in their current career? How about for those transition roles within their chosen field and those making a career change?

Miriam Dushane: Whether you are an experienced employee pursuing a new career, a professional seeking advancement in your current field, or a person getting back into the job market, your timing is excellent. Amid the tightest employment market in decades, employers are keeping all options open when it comes to hiring. Use your previous experience, record of achievements, and passion for a new career path as selling points but also be realistic when it comes to compensation and the opportunities available. Aside from that, the tried-and-true principles still apply: create a strong resume, develop and tap into your professional network, advocate for yourself, and don’t be afraid to reach a little. As the famous quote goes, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”

Patricia Fusco: Career changes can be scary and exciting to a candidate. If someone has solid experience and skills, that is the first step. Many skills are transferrable into other industries and roles. Knowing what you want to do and enjoy doing is half the battle. Having an open mind, thinking outside the box, and exploring all avenues will open doors you may not have expected.

Miranda VonFricken: Get on LinkedIn and connect to professionals in the industry you want to be a part of. Notice their career transitions, see what they’re posting, and if comfortable… contribute to the conversations. LinkedIn is a wonderful way to show off your personality and skillset at the same time.

Tammy Spenziero is director of Excelsior’s Career Services Center.

Renee’s Fun Fact:

“One interesting fact about Walrath Recruiting, Inc. is we published our first book, The Ultimate Job Search Guide in 2019!”

Check Out: www.walrathrecruiting.com

Miriam’s Fun Fact:

“I once pitched in the minor leagues…. I threw out the first pitch at a Tri-City ValleyCats game and I own a Schoolhouse in the Adirondacks.”

Check Out: www.alaant.com

Patricia’s Fun Fact:

“Recently, all three of my daughters have joined my business!”

Check Out: www.fuscopersonnel.net

Miranda’s Fun Fact:

“I danced for Albany’s Arena Football team, have a motorcycle license, and a master’s degree in Motivation!”

Check Out: www.CPSRecruiter.com & www.MirandaVonFricken.com

Soldier to Civilian

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Micky Brooks uses his master’s in criminal justice to transition to a new career

After more than 20 years working as a military police officer in the Army, Micky Brooks decided it was time for a change. In 2015, Brooks began transitioning out of the Army at the same time he started pursuing a degree in criminal justice with Excelsior. It was a difficult situation. His three children were also transitioning into new schools, and so his household was already stressful. It was worth it, because he earned a Master of Criminal Justice with a concentration in Homeland Security and Emergency Management in 2019. Brooks’ post-military plans don’t stop there; he wants to be a college professor.

In his current position as a law enforcement program manager with the Army, Brooks oversees funding, does assessments, and organizes Army civilian training to make sure workers earn their necessary certifications. As a physical security specialist, Brooks is responsible for assessing Army installations to make sure they are properly secured and are following all Army and Department of Defense guidelines. He is used to the high level of responsibility that comes with his roles; for 22 years, he was a military police officer with the Army.

Brooks had wanted to be a police officer since he was a young child, watching the television shows CHiPS and Magnum, P.I., but he never really knew how he was going to get there. If you had told a teenage Brooks he was going to join the Army military police, he would never have believed you. He didn’t want anything to do with the military, but after attending Adirondack Community College in Queensbury, New York, he realized he didn’t have any way to pay for a bachelor’s degree. “I looked at the Army as a way of getting not only training in the criminal justice field but also as a means to pay for my bachelor’s degree,” he says, adding he thought he would stay in the Army for five years but that quickly turned into 20. “It was probably the best decision I made in my life.”

Brooks earned a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security from Austin Peay University while in the Army, but he had no intention of stopping his education after earning that degree. He heard about Excelsior and decided the online master’s in criminal justice program fit with his goals of becoming a college professor.

It helped to have supportive employers and to have his oldest daughter begin her college career at the same time he was re-starting his. He says it was fun to compete with her about who got the better grades, but Brooks predominantly looked at it as a challenge. “I wanted to be a good role model for not only my oldest in college, but also my two younger kids—one starting high school and one starting middle school—to say, hey, look, Dad can do this. Stay focused, and you can get it done,” he says.

Brooks jokes he’s too old now to “chase around” young kids as a military police officer, so he wants to share his knowledge and experience as a professor. He says, “I can very easily stand up at a classroom and share my experiences, my knowledge, and pass that down to the young law enforcement personnel coming up now and give them a head start on lessons that I’ve learned.” Brooks is looking into temporary, part-time teaching positions, perhaps even getting his feet wet by applying to online faculty positions. He says his learning is definitely not over, and though he doesn’t have immediate plans for pursuing a PhD, the idea is prominent, especially since being a college professor is the finish line.

Brooks has had becoming a professor at the forefront of his mind for some time now and knows it’s important to pursue this goal. He often tells his kids to do what they want because it’s their passion, not because someone told them to. That advice goes for veterans, too, he says. If you have passion in something, it won’t feel like work, he says. “The ultimate goal is what you’re chasing. And that’s your dream. So, chase your dream.”

 

Trainer of First Responders

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Kelly Garrett helps educate the next generation of emergency management professionals

Emergency management professionals are tasked with the difficult job of organizing and managing support efforts following natural disasters so that survivors have access to food, water, shelter, clothing, and transportation. As director of the Emergency Management Professional Program at the Emergency Management Institute—housed within the Department of Homeland Security—, Kelly Garrett’s job is to prepare these professionals so they can do their jobs successfully.

Garrett, of Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, served three years’ active duty with the Army Reserve after graduating high school in 1975. He learned he needed to obtain a bachelor’s degree to be eligible for promotion to captain, so he began taking courses at various institutions. While living in Poughkeepsie, New York and working at a paper company, he heard about Excelsior College. “Excelsior provided me with the means to be able to do that [earn a bachelor’s] because it accepted all my previous college credits and allowed me to take CLEP exams and competency exams,” he says. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science with a major in history in 1991.

Garrett also earned a master’s degree in leadership in 2006 from Duquesne University and a master’s in education in 2014 from the University of Pennsylvania. He went on to complete the Chief Learning Officer Executive Doctoral Program at the University of Pennsylvania in 2017. Garrett credits Excelsior with his successful path: “Because I was able to complete my bachelor’s degree at Excelsior, not only was I able to retain my commission and was competitive for promotion, it allowed me to get two master’s degrees, a doctorate, and retire from the army as a colonel…all of that ultimately led to me pursuing a career with the federal government.”

Garrett has been the director of the Emergency Management Professional Program at the Emergency Management Institute (EMI), in Emmitsburg, Maryland, for the past three years. In that role, he oversees staff in charge of each EMI academy— National Emergency Management Basic Academy, National Emergency Management Advanced Academy, and National Emergency Management Executive Academy—and is responsible for curriculum design, course development, and recruiting and maintaining adjunct faculty. “Our goal is to better prepare the nation’s emergency management professionals to prepare for and manage catastrophic disasters so that communities can recover more quickly with less destruction in everyone’s lives,” says Garrett, adding that EMI’s goal is to become the preferred school of continuing and professional studies for emergency managers.

So far, 38 states have adopted EMI’s Basic Academy as the fundamental training center for their emergency responders. “More and more states around the country are adopting our program as the primary professional development tool for the emergency managers in their jurisdictions,” says Garrett He adds that there is no cost for students to attend EMI’s programs and in many cases, EMI provides a stipend that pays for travel as well as for room and board. EMI also offers field delivery, which brings courses directly to students, such as first responders in smaller, more rural communities.

The Emergency Management Institute also partners with organizations and universities to better serve the community of emergency responders. The Homeland Security Institute of the National Guard Bureau, for instance, has adopted the Institute’s basic and advanced academies as their primary professional development tool for members of the Army, National Guard, and Coast Guard. EMI also collaborated with the International Association of Emergency Managers to make sure those who graduate the academies meet the criteria to be an emergency manager.

Garrett enjoys “knowing that we’re contributing to making a difference around the nation for a profession that helps people on the worst day of their lives when a disaster strikes.” He also likes that he can help the public understand what the emergency management role entails because there is a common misconception that fire departments or police departments handle disaster emergencies. Police and fire are usually first on-scene, but it’s the emergency managers that coordinate survivor support such as the logistics surrounding food, water, shelter, clothing, transportation.

Garrett has more than 20 years’ experience in adult learning and development, and teaching. He was also a faculty instructor at the U.S. Army War College during his last few years with the Army Reserve and, for the past 10 years, he has been an adjunct faculty member at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania and Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. At Elizabethtown College, he teaches in the Master of Science in Strategic Leadership program and at Mount Saint Mary’s, he teaches in the Master of Health Administration program.

Garrett likes interacting with adult students. “They have full-time jobs; most of them have families; but they’re looking to be lifelong learners and to get an advanced degree to further their careers and further their knowledge,” he says. When he retires in the next three to four years, Garrett plans to continue teaching and consult in leadership development. He enjoys teaching the next generation of emergency management professionals and says, “that’s my way of being able to give back, because somebody made that sacrifice of their time in order to do that for me as a student.”

 

 

 

IT Master

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Rob Gorhum Combines Resilience and Multiple Degrees to Thrive in Career

Rob Gorhum has held many jobs throughout his life and been faced with many personal obstacles, all of which have prepared him to be ready for whatever comes his way. His tenacity coupled with three degrees from Excelsior College, has helped him to excel in his IT management career.

Gorhum, of League City, Texas, began his college career by taking classes at his local community college after he graduated high school. He didn’t complete the program, however, because he decided to join the Army. He quickly learned that to move into an officer or warrant officer position, he needed a college degree.

Gorhum researched online schools to find one that would accept his credits and military training and experience and came across Excelsior. “Excelsior was able to consolidate most of my credits into an associate degree, allowing me to finish my degree,” he says. After earning an Associate in Applied Science in Technology in 2008, Gorhum left the military, married, and began pursuing a bachelor’s degree in information technology. He finished that degree in 2012, while deployed for 19 months in Afghanistan.

Things were going well for Gorhum. He had an associate and bachelor’s under his belt and as he was starting his master’s, his wife gave birth to their daughter. But that’s when life began to get in the way. Shortly after the birth of their daughter, Gorhum’s wife was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer (which she successfully beat), his mother-in-law and father both suffered strokes, and he was working up to 60 hours a week at his job.

Thankfully, Gorhum had a good experience with Excelsior’s courses and caring professors. “The instructors were easily reachable and responsive, as well as understanding when it came to life events like my wife’s fight with cancer,” he says, adding that he was able to take advantage of the flexible course structure when his days were full of hospital visits or spent at work. He says although the courses are set up at a somewhat self-learning pace, the deadlines kept him focused and on time. Through hard work and determination, Gorhum earned a master’s in cybersecurity in 2019, and now he manages the IT department of a local credit union.

The credit union where Gorhum works has 21 branches and 300 employees, and the organization’s goal is to reach $5 billion in assets, 500,000 members, and 600 team members by 2025. As IT manager, it is Gorhum’s job to help support this expansion by spearheading the use of technology. He meets with team members, prepares for the day’s work, and reviews vendors and solutions to help the organization move toward its goal. He currently leads a team of 10, but that will grow to 30 by the end of 2021. “I place as much emphasis on team leadership as I do organizational growth, as building out the team will be as pivotal to our growth as finding and implementing the correct technology,” he says.

Gorhum has always been in some sort of leadership position, ever since he was a counselor in the Boy Scouts. This continued in the Army, and in civilian jobs, he says he has held positions as team lead or tech lead. In his last job, he was an IT manager. Within five years, he says, he would like to be vice president of IT at the credit union. He has his sights set on being a CTO or CIO for an organization someday. He thinks with his education, he can get there. “I have completed three degrees with Excelsior, which shows continued professional and personal improvement. I have also had to learn time management and prioritization,” he says, indicating potential employers would like to see that on his resume.

Gorhum has experienced many ups and downs, but nothing has stopped him from earning three degrees with Excelsior and becoming successful in his field. He remembers what a boss told him when he worked at a movie theater when he was younger: “Don’t rest on your laurels” and “Don’t let your past achievements justify where you are currently.” Gorhum uses this advice daily, saying, “That helped me to realize that I have to continue moving forward and to give 100 percent on each and every task that I work on.”

More from Robert Gorhum:

What networking tips would you give to current Excelsior students?

“Make connections with the other students. Depending on the program, you will likely encounter some of the same students…You never know when you may run into a former student who may be able to provide insight, knowledge, or even be hiring for a position. LinkedIn is a great resource.”

What time management tips do you have for current students juggling activities outside their Excelsior studies?

“Make use of your calendar. Set aside blocks of time to work on school work, work, and leisure time, then make sure you actually use those blocks of time for that specifically. At the beginning of each day, write down what you want to accomplish on a list, as that will help you focus and organize your day.”

What are the most important traits/skills for someone to succeed in your field?

“Being in a technical field that changes so rapidly, continually learning about new technology is a must. People in IT [are] perceived as being poor communicators, and I think everyone knows someone in IT that would fit the stereotypical mold of the slightly socially awkward/no-people-skills technician. So stressing verbal and written communication would be the top skills needed for success.”

Best book/podcast/e-newsletter that’s relevant to your industry?

“Jock Willink’s ‘Extreme Ownership’ is a great book on leadership and is a must-read. I pass that on to anyone that wants to move into management. Brian Souza’s ‘The Weekly Coaching Session’ is another great tool that will help leaders build a stronger team.”

Being There for Others

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Shanique Berry Plans to Use Her Health Sciences Degree to Help Vulnerable Populations

Shanique Berry, of Tampa, Florida, wasn’t sure where her career path would lead because she had interests in several areas, including healthcare and business administration. It wasn’t until her current job as a financial aid officer at Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) that she realized she could help  people in other areas of life by pursuing a career in the health sciences. She also realized that doing so meant going back to school with Excelsior College to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with an emphasis in public health.

After high school, Berry went to a magnet school for allied health to pursue a career as a pediatrician, but after graduating, she switched gears and went to Cleveland State University for business administration. She got a job in the new student finance section of the financial aid department at Ultimate Medical Academy in Tampa and as she moved around in different sections of the department, she realized just how much she enjoyed helping students take care of their tuition so they could achieve their goals. “If they can eliminate that from worrying about school, and just focus on academics, then that’s good for me,” she says of helping students with the financial burden of pursuing their education.

Berry knows first-hand the daily challenges vulnerable populations experience. She explains that in Jamaica, where she was born, medical resources are limited. Many times, Jamaicans emigrate to the United States to receive better education opportunities and medical services. Berry explains her grandfather became very ill in Jamaica and went through a complicated process to receive medical care in the United States. She shares that when he returned to his home country, he passed away because he didn’t have access to the care he needed. With plans for a career change in the future, Berry intends to help people like her grandfather get the support and access to resources they need. “My goal is to help people, [to] focus on vulnerable groups that don’t really have a voice of themselves,” she says, adding that one of the areas of public health she’d like to explore more is mental health.

Through a partnership between Ultimate Medical Academy and Excelsior College, Berry receives a tuition discount. That benefit, plus the acceptance of credit earned at Cleveland State University, has put her on a path to earn her bachelor’s degree. Online learning was hard for her to get used to at first, but the flexibility enables her to fit school into her busy schedule and allows her to spend more time with her daughters.

Excelsior’s courses have been beneficial to Berry, too. She seeks to apply what she has learned so far to a career in health sciences. For instance, Berry says through assignments for her courses, she has been able to implement the most desirable and ethical solutions to address health concerns while being able to advocate for the public. She hopes to pull what she has learned from creating her own development plans into caring for culturally diverse communities.

She also enjoys being able to incorporate her culture and background into her assignments. COMM 125 Public Speaking, HUM 230 The Ethics of Friendship, and HSC 464 Health Science Capstone have been some of her favorite courses in the undergraduate program. Public Speaking, for instance, has opened her eyes to the outside world and what to expect in a public setting. Berry says, “I have to say the hardest part for me and throughout the entire experience is just the workload…with [being] a full-time mom and doing the full-time job, it’s just demanding, but you just have to somehow find the time to do it all.”

As of now, Berry wants to continue working at UMA until she completes her bachelor’s and then master’s degrees. She says she works in stages and right now, she is focusing on this stage of her life and what is best for her and her daughters. But she is determined to complete her degree: “It’s mainly me, it’s my devotion. I know what I want in life. And I know where I want to be. So, my mindset is to get things done.”

 

 

Excelsior College Partners with Kentucky Community and Technical College System & More Than 70 Campuses

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, NY — Excelsior College announced an educational partnership with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), and now all graduates of KCTCS as well as staff and faculty are eligible for discounted tuition and fees. KCTCS includes 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses with the mission of improving the quality of life and employability of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

“We are excited to partner with this diverse college system to provide pathways for its graduates and its employees seeking to complete their bachelor’s or master’s degree,” stated James N. Baldwin, JD, EdD, president of Excelsior College.

“KCTCS makes every effort to create lifelong learning opportunities for our graduates, faculty, and staff,” said Kris Williams, PhD, chancellor of KCTCS. “Our partnership with Excelsior College will provide additional access to higher education to help achieve their educational goals of advanced degrees, advance their careers, and improve their lives.”

Excelsior College is excited to share information about this new partnership and the advantages of Excelsior’s 3+1 Bachelor’s Completion Program with the KCTC System. The 3+1 program helps reduce the cost of earning a bachelor’s degree by allowing students to earn additional credit at KCTCS after completing their associate degree and then, in consultation with Excelsior’s academic advisors, seamlessly transfer into one of Excelsior’s bachelor’s degree programs to earn the remaining 30 credits toward their degree.

Excelsior College has helped more than 177,000 adults earn degrees since its founding more than 45 years ago. To learn more about this partnership, visit the Kentucky Community and Technical College partner page.

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

ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is a regionally 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 Partners with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center to Provide Nursing Education & CPNE Site

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, N.Y. — Wake Forest Baptist Health, a pre-eminent academic health system based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is now a partner with Excelsior College. Wake Forest Baptist Health has 1,535 licensed beds and employs more than 19,000 professionals in an integrated enterprise of educational and research facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics, emergent care centers, and physician practices in North Carolina and southwest Virginia. The new partnership will focus on affordable educational opportunities for Wake Forest employees looking to advance their careers.

“We are excited about this new partnership with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center because Excelsior’s broad academic programs, including health sciences, nursing, business, and technology, are a good fit for Wake Forest’s workforce development needs,” stated Dawn Gerrain, Excelsior College’s chief marketing and business development officer. “Our programs at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels prepare staff to take advantage of opportunities for upward career mobility and to make an impact in their workplace.”

In addition to the educational partnership, Excelsior College School of Nursing recently added Wake Forest Baptist Health as a Clinical Performance in Nursing Exam (CPNE) testing site for students who need to take the required 8-credit criterion-referenced performance exam. Students must pass this capstone exam to graduate from the associate degree in nursing program at Excelsior College. Having a CPNE testing site at Wake Forest will be convenient for Excelsior’s associate degree in nursing students throughout the region.

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

ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is a regionally 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 Renews Partnership with EANGUS to Support Servicemembers

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, NY—Excelsior College recently renewed and expanded a partnership with EANGUS, the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States. EANGUS comprises those who serve in the National Guard. Their constituency base includes more than 414,000 soldiers and airmen and their families, as well as thousands of retired members. The membership represents all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.

The College has been a partner with EANGUS for nearly five years, and the partnership has now expanded to include its Veterans Education Project (VEP). VEP is looking to transform the way active-duty military and veterans translate their military experience into college credit. This partnership with Excelsior College provides EANGUS members and spouses with a 20 percent discount on tuition costs and the opportunity to transfer up to 113 credits toward a bachelor’s degree.

James N. Baldwin, president of Excelsior College, stated, “Excelsior College has been committed to military and veteran learners for nearly 50 years, and this collaborative educational partnership with the Veterans Education Project (VEP) is a natural fit. We are honored and proud to work with VEP to support servicemembers by granting them Excelsior College academic credit for their military experience.”

VEP expands educational opportunities for student veterans. VEP, like Excelsior, goes beyond utilization of the Joint Service Transcript to more accurately reflect the on-the-job knowledge and experience that servicemembers have acquired.

“We are excited about partnerships with schools like Excelsior because they are vital to ensuring that student veterans are getting the focus and dedication they deserve,” said Daniel Elkins, founder of Veterans Education Project and legislative director of EANGUS. “Through this partnership, Excelsior and VEP will work towards getting every veteran every single credit they deserve!”

Chris Johnson, director of Center for Military and Veteran Education at Excelsior College, noted, “Servicemembers earn college-level credit through their training and experience while serving. Depending on the area of study, students maximize credit already earned which saves time and money toward degree completion. Excelsior College and the staff in the Center for Military and Veteran Education can help servicemembers choose the right path to move forward in their military career and transition to the civilian workforce.”

Excelsior College ranks in the top 1 percent of all schools for veterans nationwide, claiming the No.5 spot in the Best for Vets category by College Factual.

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

ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is a regionally 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.

Helping Veterans Help Themselves

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Kimberly Haley Encourages Disabled Veterans to Get Ahead in Life

Kimberly Haley wants to help people excel and move forward in their careers and lives. In her job with the New York State Department of Labor, she helps disabled veterans in a variety of ways, from finding a job that best fits them, to teaching veteran yoga classes in her community. Being a veteran herself helps her connect firsthand with this unique population so she’s able to provide them with the aid and guidance they need.

Haley, of Oneida, New York, joined the Maryland National Guard in 1982 and became an LPN and medic for the military. After leaving the Guard in 1985 and then completing active duty service in the Army Reserves, she decided to pursue her higher education. She didn’t want to follow a nursing path any longer, so after some vocational testing, she found human services to be good fit. She earned an associate degree in human services from Herkimer County Community College in 2003 and, after remembering she took courses with Regents [now Excelsior] College while she was still with the Guard, decided to re-enroll with Excelsior. In 2006, she earned a bachelor’s of science and moved forward with her career. She says, “…the associate was like a stepping stone and the bachelor’s was like the icing on the cake. That’s what got me [my] job.”

In her current position as a New York State Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialist—a job she has held for the past 10 years—Haley helps disabled veterans find jobs and training opportunities. The range of services Haley provides in her position are vast: long-term case management, assessments and referrals, on-the-job training, resume critiquing, job matching, accessing post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits, and even recommending the veteran to potential employers. The DVOP also helps veterans with mental health problems, substance abuse, homelessness, and post-incarceration issues.

Haley enjoys “steering the veterans in the right direction” and her favorite part of the job is “seeing the veteran walk away with re-training and accelerating in life, and being able to sustain the means to their life, being able to provide for themselves or their families.” Some of her cases have lasted longer than others; they’ve involved seeing a veteran every two weeks for years. Ultimately, says Haley, the best part is finding out they finally landed a job. Haley says it’s all worthwhile when she meets the veteran again and they thank her for the help she provided.

Haley has worked with veterans ranging in age from 19 to 80 years old and thinks that being a veteran gives her an advantage in this role. When veterans find out Haley has served in the military, they become more at ease and can connect with her better. “They’re more likely to disclose, knowing that you know where they’re coming from,” Haley says.

To better help the veteran population, Haley believes in serving them in her local community, as well. She volunteers in a variety of capacities—from washing dishes to teaching yoga—at Clear Path for Veterans in Chittenango, New York, which connects service members and their families to the resources they need. She also teaches yoga at the Oneida YMCA.

A registered yoga instructor, Haley developed a style of mindful resilience yoga specifically formatted to help veterans. The style is in line with the ideas of the Veterans Yoga Project, an educational and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of military veterans, and she has been teaching mindful resilience yoga since 2017. So far, Haley has seen great results from her yoga. It has proven effective in helping people with post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury, depression, anxiety, dementia, and sleep disorders. She plans to continue teaching yoga classes after she moves to a part-time position with the DVOP in a few years when she’s eligible for retirement.

Her interest in mindfulness led her to begin pursuing a master’s in counseling with Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, in fall 2018, and she’s focusing on mindfulness studies to help the veteran population. In 2017, she joined the New York Guard State Volunteer Force.

Haley is always looking for things to be involved in and says, “There’s always something to be learned and there’s always something to be taught.” She has wanted to learn and help others since she was young, but had never thought she would end up assisting disabled veterans. Because of her desire to do more for her fellow veteran, though, she now makes an impact on many lives. View our different degree options in public service.

More from Kimberly Haley

Best book/podcast/e-newsletter that’s relevant to your industry:

“New York State Department of Labor website. There you would find just about everything you need to know about getting a job, maintaining it, and re-training.”

Best piece of business advice received on the job so far:

“Always keep moving forward with your education and you are never too old to pursue another degree.”

Networking tips you would give to current Excelsior students:

“Talk to friends, family, and around your area, especially where you will reside in, to utilize all their resources for the occupation you have chosen.”

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/.

Moving Ahead

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Muslimah Houston Plans to Advance in Her Career with an AS from Excelsior

Muslimah “Limah” Houston of Las Vegas, Nevada, has been a phlebotomy and medical assistant instructor for the past 15 years, but that’s not what she originally wanted to do. Her goal has always been to pursue nursing and so she is currently enrolled with Excelsior College to earn a health sciences degree. She then plans to switch to a nursing program at a local college to move up in her career and become a registered nurse.

Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Houston followed in her parents’ footsteps, who were both teachers. She has been teaching in the health care field for almost two decades and is a certified medical assistant through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Now Houston works at the Milan Institute Career Training School in Las Vegas Monday-Thursday, teaching a medical assisting and phlebotomy course from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. She also holds a review class and extra lab sessions for medical assistant students from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. It is a tough schedule, but Houston enjoys teaching and sharing her experiences with the students. “I like that I get to help my students realize their dreams.” she says. The only challenging part, she says, is teaching all the different learning styles.

Now, Houston says, she is ready to change careers, not only because she is in a place where she can pursue the career she really wants, but also because she wants to help people in a different way. “I want to be able to reach people on another level and I know the only way I will achieve this is to return to school,” she says.

Houston discovered Excelsior College and its online programs when she was studying at AAMA. “After conversing with representatives at Excelsior in April of 2019, I was enrolled in no time!” she recalls. Houston’s goal is to become a RN and earn a bachelor’s in nursing, but when she found out that with AAMA’s partnership with Excelsior she only needed 13 credits to earn a health sciences degree, she jumped at the chance to complete a degree. She will earn an Associates in Health Sciences in December 2019. Once she earns that degree, she will then begin pursuing a bachelor’s in nursing with Chamberlain College of Nursing in Las Vegas.

So far, Houston is enjoying Excelsior’s online format. She had taken online courses in the past that didn’t seem to work for her but Excelsior’s seem to fit right in with her schedule and lifestyle. To accommodate coursework while teaching, she must manage her time wisely. “The challenges are working split shift because I have two classes I’m teaching and I have a lot of work for those students,” adding that she has Friday through Sunday to catch up on her coursework so it’s manageable. It helps that she is enjoying her courses; Professionalism in Health Care is her favorite so far.

Houston credits her family with helping her get this far. Her older sister in Chicago and her daughter, in Las Vegas, are her biggest cheerleaders. She also adds that her instructors have been supportive as well, making for a beneficial learning environment. “The instructors I’ve had, thus far, have been very communicative via email and that was one of the biggest [concerns] for me with online classes. They respond to your questions in a timely manner!”

Houston expects her associate in health sciences degree will open many doors for her in the future. She plans to jump right into Chamberlain’s nursing program in January 2020. She encourages others to take the plunge, too, and not put pursuing their higher education on hold. “Go for it! It was the best decision I could have made for myself at the time I decided to go back,” she says.