Four Excelsior College Graduate Students Participate in Fall Virtual Live Business Case Competition

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, NY — Four Excelsior College graduate students nominated by faculty will participate in the Fall Virtual Live Business Case Competition presented by CapSource and International Assembly for Collegiate Business Education (IACBE). This is IACBE’s first virtual case study competition and a unique opportunity for Excelsior graduate students to compete in real company challenges in front of business executives. The competition kicked off in early November and ends November 16 with a final presentation.

Excelsior College students are working on a case focused on the German-based medical devices company, Munevo. These students will prepare a video and written submission for a panel of judges, which includes Munevo executives.

Gary Stroud, instructional faculty member for graduate and undergraduate human resources management courses at Excelsior College and a member of the School of Graduate Studies’ faculty advisory committee, leads the Excelsior team in this case competition. Stroud brings a solid foundation in business across a 25-year career, which includes a vice president role at Johnson & Johnson and at two other Fortune 200 health care companies.

Gary Stroud, Excelsior faculty
Gary Stroud, leader of the Excelsior team in this case competition

“This competition is good for students, gets them out of their comfort zone. They are competing against other teams — normally a student only competes with themselves. The work they will do will carry over in their professional lives,” says Stroud. He continued, “They have to work together as a team to make it work, no one person can carry the load. It is difficult to work as a team to begin with, try working as a team in four different time zones. Someone is always compromising to make the meeting. It will be a team effort with this project. We recognize the challenges and are making the best of them.”

This competition requires a mix of technical and soft skills. Students will receive feedback on their submissions.

scott dolan, excelsior dean of graduate studies
Scott Dolan, dean of graduate studies, at Excelsior College

Scott Dolan, dean of School of Graduate Studies at Excelsior College, said, “We are thrilled to support our students’ participation in the IACBE case study competition, as it provides students with a tremendous opportunity to gain hands-on experience with challenges faced by industry. This is especially important to our working adult students, who often come to us with the goals of career advancement or career change. Through participation in case study competitions like this, students can demonstrate their ability to apply their classroom learning to a real-world problem. For our online students, it allows them to expand their professional networks — with their peers and members from industry. We will be cheering Gary and the team on as the competition progresses!”

Najamus Sehar Qureshi, a student pursuing a Master of Science in Health Sciences with a specialization in Public Health at Excelsior College, stated, “I am excited to be a part of this case competition, and I look forward to further hone my research, critical thinking, and analytical skills that will help me in my professional and personal life.”

Winners of the competition will be announced on at noon on November 26 during a webinar.

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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, 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.

ABOUT CAPSOURCE

CapSource helps education programs bridge the skills gap for students by integrating real companies and their challenges directly into the education process.

ABOUT IACBE

IACBE is an outcomes-based professional accreditation agency for business and management education at colleges and universities.

Excelsior Graduate Discusses Advantages of Online Cybersecurity Degree

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Cybersecurity has become one of the most important career fields in the 21st century. As more businesses and government agencies become data-driven and move operations onto the cloud, protecting sensitive information from hackers is more important than ever.

The job statistics indicate how big the demand has become. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 28% increase in the number of information security jobs across the country by 2026. While a bachelor’s degree can get you into the profession, many employers prefer those with a master’s degree, according to the BLS.

Online Cybersecurity Degree

Excelsior College graduate Terry Evans has made a living in the field since earning his online Master of Science in Cybersecurity. He is now the CEO of his own company and credits his success to earning an online cybersecurity degree offered by Excelsior.

Evans has earned the following degrees through online programs at Excelsior College:

  • Master of Science in Cybersecurity (2014)
  • Master of Business Administration (2012)
  • Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts (2009)
  • Associate in Science in Liberal Arts (2008)

Evans is now CEO of Cybersleuth Investigations Inc. and Lighthouse Business Consulting Services LLC. He recently spoke about some of the key factors involved in achieving success in an online degree program.

Networking

Networking is a big advantage in every degree program. You’re surrounded by like-minded people who have the same interests and ambitions. While an online program may strike some as making networking difficult, Evans said that is not the case. “I strongly encourage current students to connect with their peers and professors,” Evan said. “Building a solid network while in school will serve to provide a connection to the industry and assist graduates to remain current and cutting-edge.

Evans said peers he met and contacts he made “are as valuable as the degree itself. Keep a spreadsheet of the people you’re in contact with. Don’t get busy and lose sight of making those networking contacts.”

Time Management

Time management is crucial for students in every degree program, but even more so if you are in an online degree program. Evans said most Excelsior College students quickly realize the challenges of balancing work, home life, and school. However, he said time management doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice one area over another. Instead, he said, it “involves organizing oneself so that time is equally dedicated and delegated to all of these essential areas.”

Evans recommended that students “avoid overwhelming themselves” by trying to go too fast through their education. “Make sure you’re balanced,” he said. “Reach out to your peers, talk to your family, and stay focused. The No. 1 thing that students fail to do because it’s an online school and they’re working independently, is getting busy and losing sight of making those networking contacts.”

Online Institutions

Like many online students, Evans is an adult student who sought to further his career by earning his college degrees in Excelsior College online programs. “The reason I chose Excelsior was, as an adult, I didn’t need a college campus or to be part of a frat house,” Evans said. “I wanted professors who got it. Excelsior has a unique deal in that it attracts instructors from across the globe. I’ve been able to interact with people I’d never otherwise be able to meet.”

Evans added, “You can’t get that kind of access from a brick-and-mortar school.”

 

A Master’s in Cybersecurity Opens the Door to Top Jobs

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Cybersecurity is a career that offers the kind of attractive combination graduates are looking for. Skilled professionals are in high demand and it’s a rewarding job opportunity in terms of both compensation and the chance to solve challenges with cutting-edge technology. The job is at the forefront of the ongoing battle to protect data from being compromised. Earning a master’s degree in cybersecurity prepares graduates for the top jobs in the field, which is one of the fastest-growing careers in the country.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects a 28% increase nationally in the number of information security analysts by 2026, with the same growth percentage projected for New York. The New York City metropolitan area is the second largest employer of cybersecurity professionals in the country, behind only Washington DC. The area also has the best mean annual salary for information security analysts at $128,420.

It’s an attractive profession for those with skills in technology and a desire to work in protecting sensitive data from outside threats.

The Cybersecurity Program at Excelsior College

Excelsior College offers online programs that allow students to earn a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science in Cybersecurity where and when it is most convenient for them. This is especially helpful for working professionals who must balance college with their personal and work schedules.

Another attractive feature of the program is the offer for students to transfer credits from other academic institutions. Excelsior College has a generous transfer credit policy. The school also awards credit for IT certifications to help students save on tuition and complete their degree sooner. Students can start with up to 33 approved credits.

Excelsior College focuses on providing students guidance for after graduation. Those who complete the degree programs are eligible to work at such places as the NSA’s signal intelligence operations, U.S. Cyber Command, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and international corporations such as Target, Equifax, Yahoo, and JP Morgan Chase,

What You’ll Learn In a Cybersecurity Master’s Program

The Excelsior College master’s degree in cybersecurity is a 30 credit program. Students can declare a concentration in general cybersecurity or information assurance. Some of the courses students will take include:

  • Foundations of Cybersecurity
  • Network and Communication Security
  • Project Management
  • Ethics, Legal, and Compliance Issues in Cybersecurity
  • Leadership and Communication in Cybersecurity
  • Information Assurance
  • Cybersecurity Capstone

The capstone allows students to examine the latest issues involving cybersecurity including cryptography, authentication, access control, database, and software security, security auditing, risk assessment, and legal and ethical considerations. The course also examines the human factor in cybersecurity issues.

Some of the student outcomes for the master’s degree program include the skills and knowledge needed to:

  • Continuously monitor, maintain, and enhance the protection of enterprise-wide information assets through effective industry-accepted information management and risk management techniques.
  • Detect, analyze, and respond to cyberattacks on networks and computer systems.
  • Conduct risk and vulnerability assessments of existing and proposed information systems.
  • Utilize the best sources of information available related to cybersecurity issues, threats, and recovery.
  •  Demonstrate the ability to understand professional, ethical, and social responsibility, including the effect of culture, diversity, and interpersonal relations.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in communicating technical information in formal reports, documentation and oral presentations to users.

A master’s degree in cybersecurity from Excelsior College is a smart option for those looking to maximize their talents in this exciting, growing field. Learn more about how an advanced degree can help you launch your career and take advantage of opportunities within this promising industry.

 

Faculty Focus: Melissa Evans

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Melissa Evans, of Rotterdam, New York, has taught or worked in the field of industrial organizational psychology for 15 years. She has held positions as a manager, director of human resources, organizational psychologist for the state of South Dakota, psychology professor, researcher, and academic advisor. She has been teaching for Excelsior since August 2017 and in that time, she has consistently supported her students on their educational journey and made herself available to them in times of need. Students not only enjoy constant interaction in Evans’s courses, but also can be sure their work-life balance needs are understood.

Evans currently teaches PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology I, PSY 220 Psychology of Personality, and PSY 364 Industrial Organizational Psychology, and previously taught PSY363: Psychology of Strategic Sales and PSY381: Advanced Psychology of Strategic Sales. In her courses, Evans is always in communication with students and adjusts her teaching to fit the learning styles of her students. “When you get to know student likes, dislikes, and career goals, one can really alter a course to best fit student needs for career growth,” she says. She creates personalized videos that provide in-depth information about the week ahead and tie back to student posts. She says it lets the students know she’s been reading and following their assignments and understands their concerns. Evans also makes sure to check in on students who are facing hardships outside the classroom. In fact, in a past course, while she was up at midnight with her baby, Evans had an email exchange with a panicked student to ease their concerns.

Evans includes podcasts and TED Talks in her courses, which she says really allow students to further grasp the material covered. She says the “create your own company” project in the strategic sales course was a creative way to get students involved in sales and marketing. “You see their idea bloom into something with depth when I begin to ask further about their company ideas,” she says.

Prior to earning her PhD, Evans wasn’t aware you could pursue a degree fully online while also still working and maintaining family life. She discovered the “true work-life balance” when she completed her PhD in Industrial Organizational Psychology from Capella University online while being able to work, travel, and learn simultaneously. Because she earned a degree online, she understands the work that goes into online learning and the skills needed to succeed.

She says time management is the biggest skill students should acquire to thrive at Excelsior. “Know your due dates, ask questions when you need clarification, and always send in high quality work prior to deadlines,” Evans says. She suggests students keep a calendar on their cell phone that notifies them of assignments, projects, etc. that are due within the next few days. “The setup of the calendar took some time, but it kept my assignments in the forefront of my mind,” she recalls.

Evans favorite part about teaching at Excelsior is the students. “The students are absolutely amazing. They are passionate about their work and it shows,” she says. She also adds that Excelsior faculty truly want students to succeed. Reaching out to course instructors is a beneficial way to learn more about them and the school, and is a great way to network.

When she isn’t teaching, Evans is camping, traveling, doing yoga or belly dancing, volunteering, gardening, or spending time with her spouse and 2-year-old daughter. That’s the other thing she loves about Excelsior: the flexibility of being home with her daughter. “I’m truly living my work-life balance dream,” she says.

 

More from Melissa Evans

Best podcast, book, or magazine related to area of expertise:

“I always go to SIOP [Society for Industrial and Organizational Psychology] website or SHRM [Society for Human Resource Management] for my need-to-know information.”

Best piece of advice related to area of expertise:

“Be open to change and actively listen. While working in HR, so many people believed they weren’t actually heard, [but] actively listening gave employees that opportunity to be heard.”

Job hunting tips for students:

“Network, network, network. Tell people you’re looking for a job, have your business card with you at all times, and go to events that are being held in your career field. Case in point, if you want to be a nurse at a particular hospital and you hear the hospital is hosting a fundraising event, you should go, mingle, and network.”

Excelsior College Embarks on Fall & Holiday Season of Community Engagement

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, NY – The fall is a busy season of giving back to the community at Excelsior College, as volunteerism is part of the work culture. From September through the end of the calendar year, employees donate hours during the workday to help with various service projects. Dedicated to the belief that a strong social fabric creates opportunity, Excelsior Cares expands the College’s mission beyond the online classroom by helping to meet critical needs in the community.

During September, Excelsior College employees participated in the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York’s 2nd Annual Hunger Action Challenge. More than 500 food and personal hygiene items, totaling 397 lbs., were collected for distribution to charitable agencies serving hungry and disadvantaged people in 23 counties of northeastern New York.

Employees are gearing up for the fourth year of fundraising with a GO PINK in October campaign. Excelsior College sponsors both the Making Strides in Albany (October 20) and the Making Strides in Glens Falls Walk (October 27) with employees volunteering at both events. Making Strides is the largest network of breast cancer events in the nation. This event helps the American Cancer Society fund groundbreaking breast cancer research and provide patient services like free rides to chemo appointments, free places to stay near treatment, and a live 24/7 cancer helpline. According to the American Cancer Society, about 271,270 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in 2019. We invite the community to join us at both walks.

Excelsior College Staff Go Pink for Breast Cancer Awareness

“Supporting and being actively engaged in activities like Making Strides is important to do in general, but it also supports and aligns with Excelsior College’s mission of helping everyone succeed in their life goals regardless of their background and life challenges,” says Mark Howe, vice president of human resources at Excelsior College.

In November, Excelsior College employees will help with the Annual Equinox Thanksgiving Dinner prep and contribute to 518 SNUG Annual Turkey Drive.

Excelsior College will once again hold collection drives for gifts and necessities for Toys for Toys, Things of My Very Own, and the Albany County Adopt A Family campaign. Last year, Excelsior College helped two local families with young children through the Albany County Adopt A Family program. Employees also filled multiple collection drive boxes for a grand total of more than 325 gifts and donations for these three causes.

For more information on the Excelsior Cares community engagement program, visit https://cares.excelsior.edu/

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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, 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 Creates Course Simulations to Prepare Energy & Manufacturing Workforce

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Grant’s Principal Investigator from Excelsior College to Attend National Conference on Advanced Technological Education

Albany, NY — Backed by a three-year grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF), Excelsior College has worked with Polk State College to develop simulations to teach and then assess key skills in power generation and advanced manufacturing to prepare technicians for the workplace. Excelsior College was the first online college to receive this NSF grant, which helps technicians with occupation-specific training and certification in the energy and manufacturing industries.

Bei Liu, one of the grant’s principal investigators and a faculty program director at Excelsior College, has been invited to join industry experts at the 26th National ATE Principal Investigators’ Conference from October 23–25, 2019, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC. Liu is one of approximately 850 NSF ATE (Advanced Technology Education) grantees and their project partners who will attend and focus on critical issues related to advanced technological education.

At Excelsior, the simulations are incorporated into three associate-level courses in the Technical Studies program and included within the Nuclear/Power Plant, Electronic/Instrumentation, and Electromechanical concentrations. The incorporation of the simulations closes current gaps in teaching skills and assessing learning, and helps ensure workforce readiness.

“Real-world experience gained through the use of 3-D simulations is changing the dynamics of the learning process,” says Heather Davis, corporate training director, training strategies and workforce development at Exelon Nuclear, a division of Exelon Generation, whose employees benefit from a partnership with Excelsior College.

The three courses with simulations—TECH 180 Personal Protection Equipment for Electrical Work, TECH 185 Blueprint Ready, and TECH 240 Job Tasks and Troubleshooting—are prerequisites to an Energy Industry Fundamentals course approved by the Center for Electrical Workforce Development (CEWD). After a student has taken all the three Excelsior College courses and the CEWD-approved EIF course (TECH 260), the student can take the certification exam.

Click to view a sample of a simulation. Under the grant, Excelsior College will make these simulations open education resources that can be used by colleges and industries throughout the United States.

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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, 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.

Tech Hero

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Jesse Bradley’s Technology Degree Helps Him Do a Job that Effects People’s Lives

When we’re young, many of us don’t know what we want to be when we grow up. Not true for Jesse Bradley. Bradley knew he wanted to be an electronics technician when he was in high school and enlisted in the Coast Guard specifically to follow that path. When he retired from service, he knew he needed to improve his education, so he returned to school and earned an Associate of Science in Technology in 2018 from Excelsior College. Now he works independently and travels the country as a service technician.

Bradley, of Port Orchard, Washington, works for Heidelberg Engineering, which designs, manufactures, and distributes ophthalmic diagnostic instruments. Bradley’s office is essentially his car. He travels 90 percent of the time, installing and servicing laser cameras for retina scanning in ophthalmology centers, clinics, and hospitals across the United States. Doctors use the camera to scan the back of the eyeball, where the retina is, to look for different diseases that could be present in the eye.

From the road, Bradley sets his own schedule, calling customers and arranging service visits. “I am the office,” says Bradley, of his professional life on the road. “I am totally autonomous to the company. I am my own boss, I submit my expenses and timecard on Friday. And I do it online. And I talk to my boss maybe once or twice a week,” he says, adding that he doesn’t travel on the weekends.

Bradley has been a service technician since 2001. The best thing about his job, says Bradley, is that he gets to be the hero to the customers. “They’re very, very gracious…They go, wow, it [the camera] works great now. And, you know, sometimes they actually say, ‘hey, man, you’re my hero.’ And I feel good,” he says. This compliment fits right in with the job, says Bradley, because a person needs a bit of an ego to be successful in this profession. “I have to feel that I’m in control. I have a high level of competence of what I’m doing because I’m going in and working on a medical device that is going to affect people’s lives,” he says.

Prior to working in the medical device field, Bradley was an electronics technician in the Coast Guard for 20 years and then got a job with a manufacturer for radiation therapy equipment. “They like military people because of their microwave energy training and experience working on radar systems,” he says. He held that job for 12 years, but then, as he grew into his 50s, he realized he needed to pursue higher education. “It’s harder to find an electronic job without a degree, because you got to compete against all those young guys who are in their 30s with college degrees,” he says. Bradley says attending Excelsior was great because the online format worked with his style of learning and fit right into his lifestyle.

Although he clearly enjoys his work, Bradley says this isn’t the end of the road for him career-wise; he’d like to become a technical instructor, whether training adults in the field or in a classroom. With his degree from Excelsior, he feels he is able to accomplish any goal. “The moment I had that electronic instrumentation degree from Excelsior, I started getting pings on Monster and Indeed job sites. So, it made a real big difference,” he says. He is in the process of finishing his bachelor’s degree and when he’s done, he’ll be able to tell his four children who graduated from college that he has, too. “I’m trying to keep up with them I guess,” he says. Learn about Excelsior’s bachelor’s in technology degrees.

More from Jesse Bradley

How to be successful in his profession:

“The interpersonal skills with the customer I learned from leadership school work and the military…going through leadership training has helped me be more confident about doing what I need to do.”

On continuing your education:

“It’s never too late to learn. There’s always a small course or seminar you can go to, to just keep your mind on learning something. And I would encourage people who are in the military to take advantage of the military’s education program. You know, pay for college credits and everything.”

On a beneficial Excelsior course:

“Technology and Society, which was a great class that really opened my eyes. It’s scary what technology is going to do to our [society]. We’re going to use the technology we have now and say what can we do in 10 years with it? But the weird thing is, you can stop and look around right now and go, ‘oh my gosh, I can actually see that happening here now.’”

Jesse Bradley, using his Associate of Science in Technology
Being on the road for extended periods of time can be hard on relationships, but as Jesse Bradley shows us here, it makes for some great selfie situations!

Faculty Focus: Pam Katz

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Pam Katz is a lawyer by trade, has been in private practice, and has worked for a nonprofit organization. In 1997, she joined the faculty of the Sage Colleges and in 2008, she became a faculty member of Excelsior College. She saw the value of online learning and was hooked, she says. Now, she shares her wealth of knowledge and worldly experience with students pursuing or looking to advance careers in the criminal justice field by teaching POL 311 Public Policy, CJ 265 Criminal Procedure and Evidence, and CJ 330 Judicial Process at Excelsior.

In her courses at Excelsior, Katz covers many different topics, from criminal procedure to court cases. The variety of topics are well suited to the students in her courses. “I really enjoy the diversity of the students that go to Excelsior, the students who are military or former military; of people doing all sorts of things all over the world,” she says, adding that it’s nice to have such a variety of opinions and experiences to enrich the class discussions.

Katz says she enjoys how the discussion boards allow students to express themselves in thoughtful ways and encourage the quieter, less confident students to speak up. In POL 311, a course that she helped develop, she is encouraged by students’ growth throughout the term as they work on a policy paper. Students submit drafts of sections of the paper during the class and receive comments back. Sometimes, Katz even has phone conversations about the comments. “I find that [writing the paper] to be a very, very useful practice, both in terms of the substance of what the students are writing about, and also the writing process, which is a very important skill,” she says.

In her courses, Katz shares her experiences from her travels abroad. She has received Fulbright grants to teach law-related courses and conduct legal research at a law school in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and at the University of Mumbai Law School in India, and has been to several countries throughout Africa and Asia. Other non-Fulbright teaching trips have included Japan and Malawi, Africa. While overseas, Katz has taught on U.S. methods of legal research and writing, the World Trade Organization, and contract law, but her main interest is comparative constitutional law. “I just have a curiosity about them [other countries], mostly about their political systems and laws and governance…I’m just curious about the way things work in all different countries,” she says.

Katz strives to make sure her students understand that she—and other faculty at Excelsior—are there to support them. She says she would have tried to connect better with her professors in college had she known they were there to encourage and connect with her. She hopes to convey the strength of the faculty’s commitment to Excelsior students, who she knows are under a lot of stress. “I really admire their efforts and understand the kind of struggle of trying to juggle so many things at once,” she says.

To help support students, Katz has a few tips that might help students succeed in their courses. One, is time management, she says. It’s important to have a schedule and manage your workload, because students have many competing priorities. Aside from that, Katz is a strong proponent of good writing skills. “You have to be able to explain yourself clearly and completely in a way that people can understand. So, spelling, punctuation, grammar, all that stuff, is just very important for every interaction you have,” she says.

Katz brings a unique perspective to her teaching, but she wouldn’t say she is any better or different than any other fellow faculty member. “I think that Excelsior has a lot of very committed people. And I’m a committed person too—to Excelsior and to my profession. So, I think we all share that,” she says. She’s committed to teaching for the long term, saying she hopes to continue teaching overseas as well as online for Excelsior. That’s probably where you’d find her in most of her free time, too; if she’s not spending time outdoors, you can find her jet-setting across the world.

More from Pam Katz

Time management tips:

“I guess my mantra has always been to prioritize, because, you know, sometimes you just can’t get everything you need to get done as well as you would like. So, you have to do the things that are most important first, and make sure that those are done to your satisfaction. And then get everything else done.”

Best book/magazine/podcast related to area of expertise:

“There is an online publication called SCOTUS blog—the Supreme Court of the United States SCOTUS blog, it’s called… If I was going to recommend any reading in my area, it would be that. They do a very, very, very good job talking about current U.S. Supreme Court cases and their implications.”

Best advice received in area of expertise:

“There are two. One is to keep an open mind, and listen openly. Because, you know, that’s the way to find the truth, at least as far as you know, what you believe the truth is. So, open mindedness is a biggie, and another is just in terms of publishing and creating an expertise is to stay focused and build what somebody called an iceberg of knowledge. So that you have this big hunk of knowledge that you could continue to build on.”

Excelsior College Offers Free Writing in the Disciplines Certificate Course for Faculty Professional Development

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, NY – This month, Excelsior College launched a Writing in the Disciplines Certificate Course that is free and open to faculty interested improving their students’ writing skills. The professional development training includes a self-paced course with assessments and lightly moderated discussion forums during which faculty share resources and collaborate on designing assignments related to writing in the disciplines.

The course includes four modules:

  1. Introduction to Writing in the Disciplines
  2. Creating Effective Writing Assignments
  3. Peer Review and Revision
  4. Effective Feedback and Rubrics

Each module includes readings and videos and takes about three to five hours to complete. The entire course takes approximately 12 to 16 hours, depending on the level of discussion. The course is graded pass/fail, and participants need to earn 70 percent or better on all four quizzes, one per module, to earn the certificate.

Upon successful completion of this course, faculty receive a downloadable certificate in Writing in the Disciplines (WID). Writing in the Disciplines is a subfield of Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC), a nationwide movement designed to ensure students have frequent and significant opportunities to write, revise, and discuss their writing in their classes.

“We think this is an excellent professional development opportunity for faculty in any discipline,” says Ben Pearson, PhD, co-chair of Excelsior College’s Writing Across the Curriculum initiative. “Writing is a crucial 21st-century skill, and it’s not something students can master in just one to two required writing courses. The more opportunities that we can create for high-impact, high-quality writing assignments in our classes, the better prepared students will be for life and career success.”

The training is hosted on the popular MOOC platform within the Canvas Network, providing the same look and feel as Excelsior College courses. To view the course or for additional information, go to https://www.canvas.net/browse/excelsior/courses/writing-in-the-disciplines

This certificate training was developed by a team of about 10 faculty members with experience in teaching writing across a variety of disciplines and was supported by a grant from the Booth-Ferris Foundation. Many key elements of the training were developed as part of grant-funded collaboration among Excelsior College, SUNY Rockland, SUNY Clinton, SUNY Monroe, and other colleges.

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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, 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 Awards Congressman Tonko an Honorary Degree

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

On September 3, James N. Baldwin, president of Excelsior College, awarded an honorary degree to Rep. Paul D. Tonko, a sixth-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives, representing New York’s 20th Congressional District in the Capital Region.

James Baldwin and Congressman Tonko with Honorary Degree

In presenting the honorary degree, President Baldwin said, “Throughout his career, Congressman Tonko has been a champion for the working class and advancing policies that create jobs. He has been a champion for the underserved and underprivileged.” Baldwin also heralded Tonko as a true advocate for education and for adult learners and remarked that he has advanced the mission of Excelsior College to create pathways for the undeserved to achieve their educational dreams.

Congressman Tonko addresses Excelsior Staff and Faculty

Tonko had planned to attend Excelsior College’s 48th Commencement on July 12 and receive the honorary degree, but he was needed in Washington, DC for a critical vote on the 911 Victim’s Compensation Fund.

To the Excelsior College administrators and staff gathered on September 3, he echoed the remarks he provided to graduates via a video at Commencement, in which he indicated the importance of a sense of purpose. “My message to you today is about purpose,” he said. “Purpose is a great guiding force in our lives. Without purpose, where are we heading?”

He continued, “Be strong. Be generous with yourself and be Excelsior. Be that high quality, that best quality. Looking upward and forward always to reach inside and really show your given sense of purpose.’’

Tonko has worked with Excelsior College on many initiatives and events, such as the Nyquist Leadership Series and Workforce Development Strategy and Policy Forum, and has supported a grant for Excelsior College to develop the Diagnostic Assessment and Achievement of College Skills (DAACS). In 2014, Tonko helped Excelsior College with a grant establishing new and creative uses of technology to increase college opportunities for low-income students. In response to the recognition by Excelsior College, Tonko said, “To receive an honorary degree from Excelsior College is just a wonderful feeling.”

Tonko graduated from Clarkson University with a degree in mechanical and industrial engineering and is a former engineer for the New York State Public Service Commission. He is a lifelong resident of Amsterdam, New York.

 

Excelsior College was Selected as One of bestcolleges.com’s Best Online Administration Management Programs in the Nation

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Ranked the best for student outcomes and affordability, according to BestColleges

Albany, NY — Excelsior College has been recognized as the 2019 Best Online Associate in Administration Management program in the nation by BestColleges, a leading provider of independent college rankings, college planning resources, and higher education research. The annual ranking highlights accredited, nonprofit institutions that have developed quality online administration management programs that focus on student outcomes.

best colleges award for best online associate degree in administration and management

BestColleges identified 25 schools that rank among the best colleges to obtain an Associate in Administration Management degree. Stephanie Snider, director of BestColleges, said, “We’re thrilled to have Excelsior College leading this list, and we commend them for establishing this exceptional online program that focuses on academic success while remaining affordable and flexible.”

Excelsior College’s Associate in Applied Science in Administrative/Management Studies gives students the knowledge and skills needed for business support roles. This is relevant as data indicates 10 percent growth in business and financial operations occupations through 2026 and graduates should be career-ready with practical training using the most common office software applications. This associate degree program is especially suited to military servicemembers with certain military occupational ratings or specialties.

Dr. John Caron, provost and vice president of academic affairs at Excelsior College, indicated, “The Associate in Applied Science in Administrative Management Studies has been developed in conjunction with industry experts and scholar-practitioners to provide the most up-to-date and practical business education that will ensure today’s managers possess the most relevant competencies and tools that they need to excel in their chosen career. Recognition by BestColleges is a testament to the quality of our online Associate in Applied Science in Administrative/Management Studies program and the importance of providing a pathway to the world of business for adult learners.”

The BestColleges ranking methodology focuses on academics and learner support, affordability, and online programming with schools evaluated on several noteworthy data points aggregated from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics. Schools considered for associate degree program rankings must be accredited public or private, nonprofit institutions that have submitted annual data reports to the NCES. With this methodology, BestColleges’ goal is to objectively assess relative quality based on academic outcomes, cost of programs, and the breadth and depth of online program offerings.

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Media Contact:

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

For more information or BestColleges inquiries, contact: contact@bestcolleges.com

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 BestColleges

BestColleges empowers students to make smarter educational decisions and find schools that best fit their needs through proprietary research, user-friendly guides, and hundreds of unique college rankings. As a trusted education advisor, it provides college planning, financial aid, and career resources to help students realize life goals and overcome educational challenges as they prepare for careers after college.

CPNE and ME: Heather Wolfe

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Heather Wolfe, of Adrian, Michigan, wanted to be a nurse since she was a child. It seemed the career was meant for her because she carried around a Fisher Price medical kit and practiced nursing on her Cabbage Patch Kids dolls. Wolfe pursued becoming an RN several times throughout her life but experiences always got in the way. Now she’s closer to her dream than ever before, having passed the Clinical Performance in Nursing Exam on November 11, 2018.

Wolfe currently works the night shift at United Methodist Communities, an assisted and independent living retirement community offering long- and short-term care. For the past four years, she has specialized in sub-acute rehabilitation, which is less intensive inpatient care for someone suffering from an illness or injury. When she first gets to work, Wolfe assesses her patients, administers medications and treatments that are due, and then meets with her coworkers. She also takes care of various other jobs and tasks that need to be done, like checking on equipment, cleaning, etc. At the end of her shift, which is from 6:30 p.m.to 7 a.m., Wolfe is certainly tired, but she finds the work meaningful. “I feel accomplished that I’m able to help somebody even if it’s just a little task. I find nursing really rewarding,” she says.

Wolfe graduated from Jackson College in 2002 as an LPN and completed all necessary prerequisites for the college’s LPN to RN program. Unfortunately, the school wouldn’t accept her many credits and informed her that tuition would be out of pocket. She had previously learned about Excelsior College’s generous credit acceptance policies and decided to enroll in the associate degree in nursing program. “The program allowed me to work full-time and go to school at my own pace,” she says.

Wolfe was eager to take the CPNE so when a test spot at St. Luke’s Healthcare in Utica, New York, opened due to a cancellation, she jumped on it. With the exam date six weeks later, she kicked her preparation into high gear “It was very intense…I practiced literally four hours every day,” she recalls. Her family was understanding and gave her space and time alone to study and train. Sometimes they pretended to be her patients so she could practice on them. She even had a teddy bear that had an IV.  “My living room was a disaster for six weeks. I had papers all over the floor and a makeshift bed on the couch,” Wolfe says, remembering how much effort went into studying.

Her coworkers were supportive in letting her practice and use medical equipment at work and at home. At work, she used a room set up just like a hospital room with two “patients” in hospital beds, complete with supplies. “I would randomly pick four AOCs [areas of competency] and keep going through them until I felt confident,” she says. It was beneficial and helpful to use the tools there because the direct care environment meant for a more hands-on learning approach.

Wolf has always wanted to obtain a nursing degree and become an RN, but there have been setbacks. First, her mother became sick with cancer so she had to stop going to school. One of her children also passed away and so she took some time to recover. And then her husband was diagnosed with cancer, but he insisted she finish her associate degree. Wolfe says he was her biggest support throughout her journey and even when he had surgery in fall 2018, he still encouraged her to fly to New York to take the CPNE.

Wolfe, who earned her degree from Excelsior in early 2019, passed the National Council Licensure Exam (N-CLEX) and now is officially a RN. She plans to stay with United Methodist Communities until she completes a bachelor’s degree in nursing. “My long-term goal has always been to at least have a bachelor’s in nursing,” she says. Wolfe plans to be an instructor but not necessarily a classroom teacher. She’d rather focus on the more hands-on clinical aspect of nursing. “I would like to be a clinical instructor or [pursue] some form of teaching that I can do with the bachelor’s,” she says. Through her perseverance and determination, she has come far and now the possibilities are endless.

More Tips from Heather Wolfe:

  • Wolfe flew into New York state a couple days before the exam and studied, but the night before the CPNE she didn’t do any studying or reviewing. “I went out and saw a movie by myself and I went to dinner,” she says, noting sometimes you can’t study, and suggests doing things to try and relax.
  • Wolfe advises other students to watch the Excelsior nursing videos so they can learn what is expected of them in the CPNE environment. She warns that just reading the guides won’t prepare you. Memorizing the steps for each area of competency is also very important, says Wolfe, “That’s the biggest thing. Otherwise, you’re not going to make it.”
  • Flashcards can be helpful. Wolfe used hers a fair amount in studying.