What to Do Next with Your Associate Degree in Cybersecurity

Posted on by Ethan Prissler

Criminals are evolving and crime is getting smarter. In its annual Internet Crime Report, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) presents statistics showing that internet-enabled theft, fraud, and exploitation were responsible for a staggering $2.7 billion in financial losses and accounted for an average of more than 900 complaints every day for the Center. Luckily, the tools to guard against cyber crime are experiencing an evolution of their own, and the front line of that defense is our cybersecurity workforce.

A career in cybersecurity combines technical, analytic, and investigatory skills with a strong drive to problem solve and innovate. It’s a profession that’s more in demand than ever as employers are increasingly concerned with keeping valuable data and networks secure. For many people, an associate degree is just the beginning. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects higher than average job market growth by 2026 so your associate degree puts you in the best position possible for pursuing important professional certifications, starting out in an entry level IT position, or continuing your education to earn your bachelor’s degree.

In June 2019, Burning Glass Technologies, an analytics software company that provides real-time data on job growth, skills in demand, and labor market trends, issued a report on the state of cybersecurity hiring titled “Recruiting Watchers for the Virtual Walls.”  One of the report’s key findings was the number of qualified workers is not keeping pace with the rapid growth of the industry. Despite the rise of cyber-related attacks nationwide, and the greater proliferation of cybersecurity degree programs available, the talent pool has remained at relatively stagnant levels.

So how can you best prepare yourself to bridge the talent gap? Earning professional cybersecurity certifications is a great start. According to the Burning Glass report, more than one-third of cybersecurity-specific job openings require certification compared to 23 percent of all general IT jobs. The COMPTIA Security + certification and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification are recognized industry standards. And, if you already hold these or other IT certifications, you’re not only more marketable as an employee but you may be able to apply them toward college credit for a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Entry-level positions in IT that require an associate degree tend to pay at levels on par with jobs in other disciplines that require a bachelor’s degree, so getting a job in your field means you’ll start to see an immediate return on your educational investment. Continuing your education will have an even greater effect on your earning potential as the majority of cybersecurity positions require a bachelor’s degree or higher. While the number of cybersecurity-specific roles are growing, cybersecurity is more often an integrated responsibility of a broader IT position like a network administrator. With your bachelor’s degree, however, you can qualify for a core cybersecurity position such as an information security analyst or a cybersecurity systems architect. According to the Burning Glass report, full-time cybersecurity specialists command on average, $9,000 per year more than a general IT position with some cybersecurity responsibilities. Public cloud security, automation, and knowledge of the Internet of Things are projected to be the fastest-growing cybersecurity skills in demand over the next five years. Curious about Excelsior’s cybersecurity faculty? Learn more about the Cybersecurity faculty director.

If you’re ready to go back to school, make sure your program is aligned with the academic requirements for cybersecurity set by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Even better, make sure the college is a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE IA-CD). Learn more about Excelsior College’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program  or Master of Science in Cybersecurity program, and Excelsior’s 3+1 transfer program. See just how far your associate degree can take you!

Faculty Focus: Marianne Brennan

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Marianne “Mickey” Brennan is the faculty program director for Excelsior College’s associate degree in nursing program—a position she started in November 2018. In her tenure with the College, she has used her extensive nursing experience and approachable personality to help students navigate the associate degree in nursing program and prepare for the Clinical Performance in Nursing Examination.

Prior to joining Excelsior College, Brennan spent 20 years as a director in Perioperative Services at Saratoga Hospital and Ellis Hospital. She began her career as an LPN working as a surgical technician, where her love of working in the OR began. Brennan always wanted to be a nurse, especially one who works with patients in vulnerable states like being seriously ill or under anesthesia. “I thought I could make a difference…I chose my specialty because I could make a difference when patients couldn’t advocate for themselves,” she says.

Brennan applies her nursing experience and knowledge to her role as a faculty program director, a full-time faculty position. She teaches NUR 213 Health Differences Across the Lifespan III, a required course in the associate degree program. In this course, students study immune function, infection, perioperative nursing and other tissue trauma, musculoskeletal disorders, and neurological assessment. “I focus on the difference nurses can make for a patient and how their eventual role as an RN matters to the human beings we care for,” says Brennan, who earned her associate degree in nursing from Excelsior College in 1991. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in community and human services from Empire State College and began pursuing her graduate degree at the Sage Colleges. She returned to Excelsior College to complete a master’s degree in nursing in 2013.

Brennan says for students to succeed, it’s important they are motivated and have a desire to learn. She says having a drive to do what it takes is important in reaching educational and career goals. Sometimes that also means learning to develop good time management skills. “Work smarter, not harder,” she says, referring to the technological support students have access to. She also adds that students should remember to ask for help when they need it. “The faculty are here to support the students! We want the students to be successful, and support them in all ways we can,” she says.

If you want to be a nurse, notes Brennan, you have to find what’s right for you and what fits your lifestyle. You’ll know it is what you’re meant to do, she says, because being a nurse is part of your personality. “It’s your identity; it’s who you are…I can’t imagine being or doing anything else…I wasn’t meant to do anything else,” says Brennan.

The best part about teaching for Excelsior, says Brennan, is the students. But when she’s not interacting with Excelsior nursing students, she can be found walking in a state park, doing yoga, attending one of her granddaughter’s basketball games, or working part-time at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, New York.

More from Marianne Brennan

Best podcast, book, or magazine related to your area of expertise: “I rely on AORN (Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses) Guidelines for Perioperative Nursing Practice; ASPAN (American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nursing); SGNA (Society for Gastroenterology Nursing) guidelines; also, the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice and the ANA Guide to Nursing’s Social Policy Statement as essential documents for professional nursing in my area of expertise.”

Best piece of advice you’ve received related to your area of expertise: “Figure out where your passion is and follow that lead…. also, to engage adult learners with a collaborative learning environment and remove barriers to learning. I try to encourage them with motivation and enthusiasm! And to follow their heart when pursuing their goals.”

On job hunting: When you’re hunting for that nursing dream job, Brennan says, you should be well-prepared. She says to have your resume handy, dress professionally, practice routine questions, and remember to smile during interviews.

Leading and Inspiring Others

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Nicole Lopez Uses Her Master’s in Criminal Justice in Her Role as a U.S. Deputy Marshal

When she was young, Nicole Lopez drew a picture of herself as a police officer. She made the vision a reality years later, when at 21, she became a border protection officer with the Department of Homeland Security. Two years after that, she became a Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Department of Justice. To move up in her career, Lopez decided to go back to school with Excelsior College. Now, with a master’s degree in criminal justice, she can better fulfill her role as a supervisor and hopes to inspire the next generation of women in law enforcement.

As a deputy U.S. marshal, Lopez’s jobs vary from fugitive investigations to witness and judicial protection. She and other marshals also help state and local officers with whatever activities they may need support in as well. “You can’t have your guard down. And sometimes you feel like your back is against the wall,” she says, explaining how stressful it can be to spend so much time in the field. Lopez is also a less-than-lethal instructor, which means she is qualified to use and teach others how to use less-than-lethal force in physical situations with criminals. “It can be anything from a taser to a baton to pepper spray to just tactical moves,” she says, adding that deputies need to take the training annually.

Being goal-oriented, Lopez told herself she wanted to be a supervisor once she hit eight years with the Department of Justice. Upper management often trusted her with supervisory roles, and so she felt it was the area she wanted to enter. As she wasn’t a full supervisor yet, she wanted to return to school to be fully prepared for the role. One of her co-workers was pursuing his undergraduate degree with Excelsior and Lopez felt it was a great opportunity. “I never thought I’d be able to go back. And it scared me a little bit when I was signing up. But I was like, ‘I’ve been wanting to do this. This is the next step in my career path,’” Lopez recalls.

Lopez became a supervisor while she was going to school for her master’s, and says it is different than being a deputy, who are usually in the field more. Since earning her degree, Lopez has overseen a team in her district’s asset forfeiture unit and civil division. “What that means is in that division, we seize, manage, and destroy assets, basically, that have been ill-gained from different criminal investigations,” she explains. The job entails budgeting and finance, which aligns with courses Lopez took with Excelsior. “I can actually talk to my chiefs and upper-management and use what [I learned] in my courses…and I’m applying it to my job. It was pretty cool just to get to do that,” she says.

Sometimes Lopez faces challenges in the workplace, too, particularly that she is one of approximately 80 female deputies nationwide. In particular, she is the only female deputy marshal in northern California and the San Francisco division where she is based out of. “I think being in that sort of environment, you’ve got to pick up your game. Because a lot of the time you’re surrounded by males,” she says. Lopez adds that in addition, most of the management positions are filled by males so it was important for her to work hard throughout her time in the training academy. She was determined to prove her worth, however, and her instructors noticed, saying how she was going to “be something” in the agency.

Lopez thinks females should express more interest in and enter law enforcement. It is starting to happen, she points out, because more and more females are appearing in local and state law enforcement positions. Lopez says even 30 years ago it would not have been the same situation, but now things are improving. She helps out with recruiting and encourages kids, from elementary school age through college age, to see law enforcement as a career. “They see this little female, and they’re like, ‘You’re a deputy United States marshal? I’ve never even heard of one, much less you’re female. How did you do it?’” she says, referring to peoples’ reactions to seeing a 5’2” woman talking about law enforcement. “It’s setting goals and maintaining that and crushing everything that you do…it’s going to be challenging, but it’s possible. Look at me. And they’re inspired by that.”

Lopez encourages anybody looking to go back to school, too. She believes education is important in each person’s life and can make a big impact in one’s future. “I think having some sort of foundation to grow on, it’s going to help you in your career or your life,” she says, adding that she wouldn’t be a supervisor deputy U.S. marshal if it wasn’t for her degree from Excelsior.

Since taking on the supervisor position and earning her master’s degree, Lopez’s plans are to grow and learn in her role. For now, Lopez loves what she does. When asked what she would do if she had the power to change the world, she said she’s doing it. “I think being a United States marshal—a lot of people don’t see it, but when you’re working it, you’re putting these bad guys in jail…,” she says. “And it’s like, one little person at a time.”

CPNE and ME: Laura Davis

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

When her grandmother was ill and her father and cousin were both sick with cancer, Laura Davis, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, decided she wanted to become a nurse. Seeing the nurses care for her family members in their times of need inspired her to do the same for other people. Davis became an LPN and after studying at Excelsior College to earn an associate degree in nursing, she received a cancellation date to take the Clinical Performance in Nursing Exam. She passed in October 2019.

Davis earned her LPN from Lincoln Technical Institute in 2014 and, after hearing about Excelsior’s online programs from a fellow LPN student, decided to enroll in Excelsior’s associate in nursing program. Davis had a unique situation and chose to take nursing theory exams to complete the requirements for her degree. All she had left was to take the CPNE, and four months after she was approved to take the exam, she learned about a cancellation date that opened up and agreed to take it.

Davis had already been studying hard for the exam, but now had to prepare even harder since the test date was sooner than she originally expected. Davis used Excelsior’s NUR 702, Navigating the CPNE Online Tutorial, which contains self-study modules, resources specific to the nursing simulation labs and the patient care situations, virtual patients, and recordings of webinars. She also studied presentations and care plans, and made her own grids. “I just played around…and paid attention to the critical elements and based mnemonics off of that,” she says.

Davis also studied with an Excelsior friend. Her friend had failed her first attempt, so it was helpful for Davis to hear from her experience. The pressure was on Davis, though, when her friend passed her exam three weeks before Davis did. “I studied a lot, probably more than normal people…Reading [online] about people failing is scary. I know I just tried not to pay attention, keep it positive and you know, put in the work…I think if people really take the time and study and put in the work, that they can pass it,” she says.

It was difficult to stay focused while studying for the exam, but fortunately, Davis’s two young daughters kept her grounded and supported her. The three would even study together. Davis also left positive notes to herself on the mirror: “I [will] have an RN and I will pass the CPNE.” She was right, too; she passed the CPNE at Albany Medical Center on October 20, 2019.

Next for Davis is taking the NCLEX-RN. She hopes to get that out of the way by December so she can start a bachelor’s in nursing program in January or February 2020. In the meantime, Davis continues to work in the emergency room at Inspira Hospital in Woodbury, New Jersey, and also works for Bayada Home Health in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, making home visits to patients who aren’t able to get to a hospital. Both jobs would like her to stay, but she’s not sure where she’ll end up just yet. “For now I guess I’m just going to keep these, but I would like to work in a cancer facility. My father and my cousin passed away of cancer… So, I think that it would be nice to be involved in that kind of work because I’ve been there as a patient’s family member,” she says.

Although she wanted to become a nurse because of sad circumstances, now that she’s becoming an RN, there are many future career opportunities for Davis. Whatever is in store for her, she knows she’s ready for it. She has studied and worked hard and proven she can face the toughest challenges.

CPNE Tips from Laura Davis:

“Be organized, go into that Nursing 702 and watch all the videos, watch the whole PCS, so you have an idea of what it is because it’s a lot of information. So then you see the overall and then break down each step; it’s not as overwhelming.”

“If there’s somebody in the area, you know, two people doing the CPNE, it’s good to study together and have somebody to bounce [questions] back and forth with. Because nobody else understands [what it’s like] doing the work at home by yourself. It’s not traditional nursing school. So yeah, definitely good to find some other students and work together.”

“The webinars were helpful. I listened to a couple of them. They talk about different management and documentation and what to expect.”

Excelsior College Employees Say Thanks by Giving

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Thanksgiving is a perfect time of year to reflect on being grateful. At Excelsior College, the opportunity for employees to volunteer time, donate money, and collect items for those in need is something employees appreciate.

During 2019, employees contributed to many causes. Highlights include:

  • For the annual Excelsior Cares Week in April, 120 Excelsior College employees completed 17 community projects in the Capital Region and beyond.
  • In September, employees and the College contributed more than $4,000 to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and many employees volunteered at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks in Albany and Glens Falls.
  • Through the College’s Volunteer Time Off benefit, employees contributed more than 430 volunteer hours during the workday, helping 52 civic organizations. (see chart)

For the upcoming holiday season, we look forward to once again participating in preparations for the Annual Equinox Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner and collection drives for the Albany County Adopt a Family program, Toys for Tots, and Things of My Very Own.

Excelsior College Partners with CSEA to Provide Education

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, NY – Excelsior College expanded an educational partnership with the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) and now all members of CSEA and their spouses or domestic partners are eligible for discounted tuition and fees. CSEA represents employees in state and local government as well as in school districts, child care, and the private sector in New York state.

“We are excited to help all CSEA members and their spouses/domestic partners achieve their educational goals to complete their associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree,” stated James N. Baldwin, president of Excelsior College.

The educational partnership provides discounted tuition and fees for undergraduate and graduate degree programs to all state, local, and private sector members and to their spouses or domestic partners. Previously, this benefit was only available to employees in state government positions who were eligible for tuition benefits and vouchers.

“CSEA makes every effort to create as many advancement opportunities for our members as possible,” said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan. “Our new partnership with Excelsior College will give our members access to an affordable education to help advance their careers and improve their lives.”

Excelsior College will be traveling around the state educating members about this new benefit and recently attended CSEA’s annual delegates meeting.

“This is a great opportunity to expand awareness of the value Excelsior College can bring to CSEA members across the state and how they can achieve their educational goals,” said Kimberly Lourinia, regional director of strategic partnerships at Excelsior College.

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 CSEA partner page.

 

###

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.

About CSEA:

The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) is one of the largest and most influential unions in New York and the United States. CSEA has about 300,000 members and represents state, county, municipal, school district, child care, and private sector employees. Formed in 1910, CSEA has improved the lives of hardworking New Yorkers for more than 100 years and is the largest affiliate of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). For more information, go to CSEANY.org.

 

What’s the Difference Between a Cybersecurity and Information Technology Degree?

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

An Excelsior College webinar clarifies the nuances

Information technology (IT) and cybersecurity are two of the most in-demand careers you can enter. The need for a combination of technical ability with analytical and problem-solving skills make them the perfect professions for the person who likes to evolve their skills at the speed of technology. While the IT and cybersecurity fields run parallel, there are some nuances to each that perspective students should be aware of when considering a degree program.

On October 23rd, Excelsior College presented a webinar explaining the differences between IT and cybersecurity degrees and the opportunities available to expand your career in each discipline. Lead by Ethan Sprissler, faculty program director for cybersecurity at Excelsior College; Lisa Romano-Arnold, regional director of government and workforce partnerships at Excelsior; and Tom Formby, senior human resources specialist for outreach, diversity, and inclusion recruitment policy, and outreach at U.S. Office of Personnel Management, in Washington, DC, the program explained career paths and degree programs in-depth for recent graduates and those considering their next technology degree.

Information technology, Sprissler explained, is a broad term for careers and degree programs that cover a wide range of skills, including network administration, web design and development, database administration, software development, and even cybersecurity operations. While IT degree programs and job descriptions include a level of information security literacy, “cybersecurity” refers to a narrowly focused set of skills that includes cyber operations, information assurance, risk analysis, incident analysis, and digital forensics.

There are ample job opportunities for both information technology and cybersecurity degree holders as the number of qualified workers has not grown enough to keep pace with the demand. In large metropolitan areas, salaries for those with cybersecurity degrees have been outpacing salaries for most general information technology positions. Regardless of your degree, experience is a large factor in salary determination, so make sure you stay current with changes in technology and best practices and consider earning skills certificates through companies like ISC2, CompTIA, and CISCO that offer industry standard certifications that can boost your earning potential.

The most important thing you can do to advance your career is to advance your education. Earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree will deepen your cybersecurity-specific skills or, if working in IT, expand your general knowledge base. The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Excelsior College as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education and our IT program has been accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. At Excelsior, both degree tracks will provide you with strong foundational skills you’ll need as you further your career, like managing teams and/or departments, managing large projects, developing and enforcing policy, and knowledge of state and federal compliance laws.

When you’re ready to job-search, there are many employment options for both IT and cybersecurity grads across industries as varied as health care, finance, and manufacturing, but one of the leading employers is the federal government. Romano-Arnold explained that the federal government is always seeking qualified staff to fill mission-critical workforce occupations like cyber incident response, cyber risk and strategic analysis, vulnerability detection, network and systems engineering, software assurance, and more. Formby explained in more detail the process of finding a position within the federal government using resources like USAJobs.com and the Pathways Program, proving that rewarding and well-paying job opportunities are available even for the most recent cybersecurity and IT graduates.

If you’re interested in learning more about Excelsior’s IT or cybersecurity programs, visit our technology degrees page at  https://www.excelsior.edu/programs/technology/.  A recording of this webinar is available at the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/5914906766897405196 . Visit our Events Page at https://www.excelsior.edu/events/to see a listing of upcoming webinars.

 

College Factual Ranks Excelsior College No.1 Among Best Colleges for Veterans in New York and No.5 Nationwide

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, NY –Every year, College Factual updates college rankings with the newest data to reveal the best colleges for veterans. The rankings highlight schools that are supportive of veterans and active-duty military members.

In New York, Excelsior College ranks No.1 out of 131 colleges reviewed for the study. Excelsior College also ranks in the top 1 percent of all schools nationwide, claiming the No.5 spot for the Best for Vets category by College Factual. This is the fourth consecutive year Excelsior College has been included in College Factual rankings.

College Factual looks at 24 different factors directly, some of which comprised 10 or more sub-factors of their own.

All these factors combine to identify excellence in the following areas.

  • Veteran Affordability
  • Veteran Population
  • Veteran Policies
  • Veteran Resources
  • Veteran Satisfaction
  • Overall College Quality

 

# # #

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

ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is a regionally accredited, nonprofit 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 Ranks Among Best for Vets by Military Times

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, NY – For the 10th year in a row, Excelsior College has ranked among the top Best for Vets colleges in an annual ranking by Military Times. This year, Excelsior College has ranked No.6 in the Best for Vets: Colleges 2020 list of Online and Nontraditional Schools.

military times best for vets

The rankings are based on the results of Military Times’ annual survey — a comprehensive school-by-school assessment of veteran and military student services and rates of academic achievement — as well as a detailed review of public data collected by federal agencies.

“We are honored to once again be recognized by Military Times, as Excelsior has proudly served our military and veteran communities for nearly 50 years,” said Chris Johnson, director of the Center for Military and Veteran Education at Excelsior College.

Best for Vets: Colleges is an editorially independent, objective, and rigorous news project. Hundreds of colleges and universities from across the country were surveyed on their policies related to military and veteran students, academic outcomes, military-supportive cultures, and other factors. Institutions were evaluated in five categories: university culture, student support, academic policies, academic outcomes/quality, and cost and financial aid.

Military Times’ Best for Vets designation is trusted throughout the veteran community as the mark of excellence for schools and other organizations that work with veterans and military families. To see the full rankings, visit Military Times.

# # #

 

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

ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is a regionally accredited, nonprofit 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.

 

 

Support for Veterans

Posted on by Maria C. Sparks

With approximately 200,000 servicemembers leaving the military each year, opportunity exists to ensure veterans make a smooth transition to the civilian workplace. On October 17, 2019, during the latest event in Excelsior College’s Nyquist Leadership Series, representatives from military- and veteran-focused organizations, businesses, higher education institutions, government agencies, and economic development organizations brainstormed ways to collaborate for the benefit of veterans and our communities.

The Veteran Workforce Collaboration, presented by Excelsior College in coordination with the Center for Economic Growth and the Mental Health Association of New York State, drew about 50 participants from New York’s Capital Region and beyond. Participants heard from panelists and participated in two breakout sessions to discuss topical issues related to transitioning servicemembers and veterans. Topics included:

  • Veteran workforce attraction, facilitated by Karen Wolff, director of investor relations and talent attractions for the Center for Economic Growth;
  • Improving resource and service coordination, facilitated by Kenneth Secor, director of Albany County Veterans Service Bureau;
  • Strengthening education-workforce partnerships, facilitated by Lisa Romano-Arnold, a regional director of strategic partnerships at Excelsior College;
  • Service mental health and wellness in the workplace, facilitated by Joelle Monaco, director of outreach and business engagement for the Mental Health Association of New York State;
  • Enhancing veteran training and retention programs, facilitated by David Druzynski, chief people officer at Auto/Mate Dealership Systems;
  • Making proper accommodations for veteran workers, facilitated by Javid Afzali, senior counsel at Bond Schoeneck and King PLLC; and
  • Igniting communities to recognize and support servicemembers, facilitated by Keith W. Wilson, a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Army and director of the northeastern United States and Europe for the Army’s Soldier for Life Program.

Discussions centered around what is working well, where there is opportunity for improvement, and recommendations for actions steps. A common theme emerged from the breakout sessions: with more alignment and collaboration—as well as some improvements—transitioning servicemembers and veterans will have access to robust and helpful resources when they need them.

An informal network that relies on referrals already exists, but the challenge is in coordinating and publicizing the services available to transitioning servicemembers and veterans. “What we don’t have is a formalized network of some sort where everyone has access to those same services and those same resources,” said Wilson, who has seen some communities find success with creating an established network or hub.

Discussion groups identified the need to reach transitioning servicemembers when they are making plans for their future, not when they are out of the military. There’s an opportunity to let them know about relocating or returning to a community and the services and resources available there. Along those lines, speakers and participants brainstormed ways workplaces, government offices, educational institutions, and communities can support servicemembers, veterans, and their families.

In the workplace, for example, employers and their employees can take steps such as the following to ensure a veteran-friendly environment:

  • Building opportunity for veterans to engage with each other in the workplace
  • Fostering understanding of the culture, mission, and values of an organization
  • Understanding the skills veterans bring to the workplace, including leadership and other soft skills
  • Encouraging and providing strategies to destress in the workplace
  • Providing reasonable accommodations for behavioral health
  • Proactively talking about mental health
  • Recognizing and showing genuine appreciation for the service of veterans

Workplaces also need to educate employees who haven’t served in the military, so they understand the cultural understandings veterans bring to the civilian workplace. Druzynski shared examples of the perspectives and approaches veterans bring to the workplace, from differences in communication style and the ability to consider new information and make decisions quickly. “Do all your employees, especially your veteran employees, understand that they have the opportunity to make decisions on the fly, that as long as they are making decisions that align toward your objective and they know what that objective is, that they have the freedom to do so,” questioned Druzynski.

He mentioned a takeaway from his discussion groups was the opportunity to build on the “phenomenal” training that veterans have and their strengths in leadership and teamwork, among other soft skills. “As we’re evaluating resumes of people we’re bringing into our workforce, don’t place so much emphasis on the technical skills. Those are much easier to teach than the things veterans are going to bring to the table,” said Druzynski.

To view highlights from the discussion, visit https://www.excelsior.edu/page/nyquist-leadership-series/

The Nyquist Leadership Series explores New York State’s most pressing contemporary challenges through the eyes of prominent government, education, and industry leaders.

The series honors the late Ewald B. “Joe” Nyquist, a civil rights leader and former New York State education commissioner who played a key role in efforts to desegregate New York schools. The “visionary author” of Excelsior College, Nyquist fought to extend quality educational opportunities to learners of all ages.

 

Management Pro

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Stephen Hanerfeld’s Degrees Help Him Provide Knowledge and Leadership in the Nuclear Field

Stephen Hanerfeld, of Swedesboro, New Jersey, says he has been “falling into nuclear” ever since he joined the Navy following high school and tested into the Navy’s nuclear program. Once he left the service, Hanerfeld wanted to become more knowledgeable in the field, so he pursued a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology with Excelsior College and earned his degree in 2015. Later, he earned an MBA from the College in 2019 to further his career as a corporate oversight manager for PSEG Nuclear LLC. Now, thanks to his degrees, he is well-versed in both the technological and business areas of nuclear engineering.

At PSEG Nuclear LLC, Hanerfeld focuses on organizational effectiveness and performance improvement.

Usually, people in the nuclear community are more technical in nature, explains Hanerfeld, but in his role, he conducts leadership assessments, provides leadership and team effectiveness feedback to executive and leadership teams, and monitors efficiency and effectiveness of continuous improvement programs. Hanerfeld realized that even though he works in the nuclear field, there are bigger organizational dynamics in play. “There’s me and my team and how they interact with you and your team, and the organization’s team, and how our organization interacts with other people,” he says, adding that it’s all about providing the best customer service possible.

Hanerfeld is no stranger to teams, or to what it takes to get the job done. After nine years in the Navy, Hanerfeld began working at Dominion Energy, based in Waterford, Connecticut, doing electrical maintenance. He also began attending night classes at a community college to obtain a bachelor’s degree, but the schedule didn’t work for him. That’s why, in 2011 when Hanerfeld’s co-worker told him about Excelsior College, he made the switch to online learning. He says Excelsior’s online model of learning fit in with his lifestyle. “Being able to balance collegiate pursuits along with personal and professional life demands proved to be a winning combination for me,” says Hanerfeld.

A plus for Hanerfeld was that he was able to use his GI Bill® benefits to attend Excelsior. He remembers how easy it was to apply: “Between having my registration process become streamlined, housing allowances, book allowances, and having the benefit fully cover everything, the GI Bill made me want to pursue additional educational achievement even more than I would have in the absence of the benefit.”

Hanerfeld left Dominion Energy in 2016 and applying his bachelor’s degree, he became a learning programs manager at PSEG Nuclear LLC. In 2018, he transitioned to his current position as a corporate oversight manager and at the same time, decided to return to Excelsior to earn an MBA. “I needed to kind of broaden myself in terms of organizational behavioral type of background to make myself better in my role, and to make me more effective in impacting leadership teams in general,” he says.

Having those two degrees from Excelsior has been beneficial as Hanerfeld has transitioned from the more technological side of nuclear engineering into his organizational effectiveness role. The nuclear engineering technology degree gives him background in the field and the MBA gives him a broad sense of how organizations do business. “Now I’m in this great position where I get to impact leadership teams, determine team effectiveness, and give organizations tips on how to improve and be efficient over long periods of time,” says Hanerfeld.

Hanerfeld says he has a great boss who is interested in his professional development and says he might go back for another degree in the future. And although he knew PSEG Nuclear LLC had a partnership with Excelsior, he didn’t need to use the benefits because his GI Bill took care of everything. He likes knowing that the partnership exists though, should he want to pursue more education in the future. “Knowing that the company has a partnership with the College just makes me feel really good about future promotion, or future educational opportunities,” he says. For now, though, Hanerfeld is happy being in a management role. “One of the more rewarding parts of my job is helping leaders be able to understand that, yes, you can impact people before it results in adverse consequential events,” he says.

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/.

TEAS Party – Why the Test Is Important and Why It Shouldn’t Scare You

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

If you’re ready to apply to an associate degree in nursing program, congratulations, you’re on your way! You’re probably also on your way to learning about the TEAS. The Assessment Technologies Institute (ATI) Test of Essential Academic Skills, or TEAS, measures basic essential skills in reading, mathematics, science, English, and language usage. The test is designed specifically to assess your preparedness for entering the health science fields and is an entrance requirement for the majority of U.S nursing degree programs. That’s because studies show a consistent link between a student’s performance on the TEAS and future academic success.

As empowering as committing to earn your degree can be, returning to school as a working adult involves planning, balance, and hard work. Getting your application paperwork and requirements in order can be rigorous, and the idea of taking a test on top of everything else can be enough to stress out any prospective student, especially if it’s been a while since you’ve sharpened your No. 2 pencils!

The TEAS is an important first step on the path to your nursing degree, but don’t let it intimidate you. Armed with a little knowledge about the test and some smart preparation, you can not only earn the score you need for your application but also build the confidence and study skills you’ll need for the academic journey ahead.

Here’s what you need to know about how the test is structured and what it covers. The TEAS consists of four-option, multiple-choice questions. The questions are broken up into timed subject sections:

  • Reading (64 minutes)
    • Key ideas and details
    • Craft and structure
    • Integration of knowledge and ideas
  • Mathematics (54 minutes)
    • Number and algebra
    • Measurement and data
  • Science (68 minutes)
    • Human anatomy and physiology
    • Life and physical sciences
    • Scientific reasoning
  • English and Language Usage (28 minutes)
    • Conventions of standard English
    • Knowledge of language
    • Vocabulary acquisition

Each subject section will measure the basic level of the knowledge and skills you’ll use the most in your nursing program. The TEAS is an in-person, proctored test and the exam fee will vary depending on the testing location. You can visit ATI’s website to find a testing location near you.

The TEAS is scored with a percentage of questions correct for each section. Different schools have different score requirements for each section of the test, so make sure you check your program’s specific application requirements. At Excelsior College, 85 percent of students achieve our score requirements on their first attempt. If you don’t pass the first time, don’t worry, but remember a student may only test twice in a calendar year (January-December).

There are many ways to prepare for the TEAS, but Excelsior suggests using the official materials available from ATI, the developers and providers of the TEAS exam. A good way to start is to take a practice test to find out what you already know and what you need to work on. This will help you prioritize what to spend the most time on as you prepare. If you feel you need extra help in a certain subject area, there are several free online resources available to help you study. Many students report the Science and Math sections as being the most challenging, so Excelsior recommends refreshing your knowledge in those subjects with the free algebra resources through Khan Academy and IXL Learning as well as Khan Academy’s Intro to Biology.

Finding a support community of other TEAS takers is another good way to share study tips and gain insight from students who have already taken the test. Just remember that you’re not in this alone and the TEAS really isn’t so scary when you know what to expect.

Ready to conquer the TEAS? Learn more about our associate degree in nursing program at our website and good luck!