Magic Man

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin
Graduate finds rewarding career behind the scenes at the Smithsonian

The halls of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History are quiet. Nelson Torres passes by the elephant standing impressive in the rotunda. He glances toward the Hall of Mammals,
knowing that Smithsonian staff has made sure each of the exhibits is open and safe; the escalators are in working order; the air conditioning is ready to cool the mass of patrons coming through the doors in a few short hours. He is behind the scenes, in the shadows, but he helps ensure all the Smithsonian museums are accessible and ready for the public.

Torres, a 1997 BS in Liberal Arts graduate, is the associate director of business operations within the Office of Facilities Management and Reliability at the Smithsonian Institution. He oversees the facilities budget and workforce, procurement process, and property management for the Smithsonian’s 19 museums, National Zoo, and a handful of research centers across the country — 13 million square feet of space.

“I really like business, I really like managing resources and programs, and seeing how those programs work and thrive,” says Torres of his position. His interest in business management stems back to his high school days. He pursued accounting in college, but ended up going into the Marine Corps where he stayed for the next 20 years. He says of his managing experience in the service: “That’s where I learned the rudimentary, hands-on, practical business management… .” Torres completed his bachelor’s degree with Excelsior College and earned a Master in Public Administration from Webster University. After he retired from the service, he went on to earn a PhD in business from Northcentral University.

His team is responsible for providing the human, budgetary, and property resources to facilitate the cleanliness, appearance, and maintenance of the iconic Smithsonian Institution facilities. “It’s a lot of the back room, enterprise sort of thing that people don’t see and maybe take for granted that will always work,” he explains. He may work behind the exhibits, but he enjoys seeing the payoff every day. That’s what gets him up in the morning. “Seeing the tangible and almost immediate results of what we do, whether it’s getting lighting somewhere or flooring, or making sure things are clean,” say Torres. “It just really is seeing that tangible result; that the visitor experience goes on uninterrupted, and that it’s a good experience here at the Smithsonian.”

In his interview with Candid Career, an organization that provides informational interview videos featuring professionals in myriad careers, he describes his daily responsibilities to viewers. Torres is one of a dozen Excelsior alumni who have shared their career trajectories through Candid Career. Excelsior’s Career Center houses the short videos on its website so that students
and others can learn about the various professions of Excelsior graduates. The videos are also shared on the Candid Career site.

Interviewees like Torres are asked to talk about their educational background and work experience, what they do at work, and their loves and challenges of the job. They give guidance on how to prepare to enter the field or obtain a similar position, and also share any final advice. Alumni are also asked about their experience with Excelsior College. Maribeth Gunner Pulliam, the director of career services at the College, said it is beneficial to have alumni featured on the Candid Career website. “Not only do our own students get to see them, but prospective students get to see them, and students across the United States get to know the Excelsior brand,” she said.

“I don’t have to be out there; I don’t have to be in front … . But I love making magic, and I love making things happen.” –Nelson Torres ’97

Torres’s video has become popular on the Candid Career site and it’s easy to see why. He is dedicated but also credits his staff for making his job so enjoyable. “They are one of the reasons why I come to work. It’s a very pleasant, very collegial, very nurturing environment… . I love that my work involves people and budgets and procurements, but it also involves working with the staff of different museums and different art galleries or the National Zoo or a research center and possibly finding a common theme that we all can work together toward.”

At the end of each day, Torres leaves feeling physically and mentally tired, but more than that, he says he often wonders, “Did I do enough? Did I do enough today to ensure that tomorrow is going to be a great day for not only our staff but for our visiting public?” In his position, he often has to think about the next day; it’s important to think strategically about what’s next. In this respect, Torres’s job is never over.

But that’s how he likes it, and even though he admits it’d be interesting to be somebody’s chief of staff, he would still enjoy working behind the scenes. I don’t have to be out there; I don’t have to be in front,” he says, “But I love making magic, and I love making things happen.”

 

Alumna Karen Cox Addresses Graduates

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

“I feel at home here at Excelsior with all of you and your stories,” Commencement speaker Karen Cox said, addressing more than 400 Excelsior graduates and their friends and family in July. Cox
earned her associate degree in nursing from Excelsior (then Regents College) in 1982 and is president of the American Academy of Nursing.

She relayed her own upbringing in Independence, Missouri, and her journey to become a nurse. She told graduates that receiving their degrees meant they would “learn, grow, and find meaningful ways to contribute and leave the world — whatever your piece of it is — better than you found it.”

“But most importantly, never lose your voice. Say what needs to be said in the name of what is right, just, and fair.” –Karen Cox ’82

Cox shared stories of ordinary people who had a profound impact on the lives of others by “just doing their jobs.” She reminded graduates that they, too, can have an impact on the lives of others; that they each can and will make a difference. “But most importantly, never lose your voice. Say what needs to be said in the name of what is right, just, and fair,” she said.

Cox ended her address by saying to graduates, “So, ladies and gentlemen, give them Hell and ever upward!” Graduates applauded enthusiastically at these rousing words.

Cox is executive vice president and COO of Children’s Mercy–Kansas City, an independent, academic medical center in Missouri. She also serves as assistant dean for Clinical Partnerships at the University of Missouri–Kansas City (UMKC), and is the inaugural endowed chair for the V. Fred Burry, MD, and Sandra Hobart Burry Chair in Nursing Advocacy and Leadership to recognize her
local and national advocacy and leadership work. In addition to her degree from Excelsior College, she earned a BS in Nursing from the University of Kansas, and an MS in Nursing and PhD from UMKC. In 2006, she received the Carrie B. Lenburg Award from the Excelsior College Alumni Association. The award recognizes a nurse who demonstrates commitment to nursing education as well as academic and professional accomplishments in the field of nursing.

 

Our Moment of Truth

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

On July 14, Excelsior College held its annual Commencement in Albany, New York.

The ceremony, in the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, located a stone’s throw from the state capitol, was attended by staff, faculty, local dignitaries, and more than 400 graduates from throughout the nation and the world, accompanied and cheered on by family and friends. The chance to meet each graduate as they walked across the stage — to shake their hand, offer my congratulations, and wish them well on the journey ahead — made for a truly special experience.

At a time when some are questioning the value of higher education, events like this remind us of the importance of Excelsior College and all institutions of learning.

Education creates new opportunities and new pathways to knowledge. It broadens perspectives and facilitates intellectual, emotional, personal, and spiritual development.

Education represents our infinite quest for the truth. And, despite what we read, see, and hear in the news and on social media today, the truth matters.

As educated citizens, it is our responsibility to engage with each other in civic discourse based upon knowledge and facts. Our future depends upon our willingness to demand the facts, insist upon the truth, and hold our leaders accountable for the truth.

Education is vital to our representative democracy, helping to create a better informed, more civically engaged citizenry that applies its knowledge of the facts and habits of mind to advance the human condition.

Some have described our current times as the “post-truth” era. Our response is and should be to affirm our commitment to learning — and to redouble our efforts to seek and uphold the truth.

For 46 years, Excelsior College has been assessing and validating knowledge acquired through military service, professional development, life experiences and course taking, providing adult learners with a tailwind that propels them forward. Our commitment to validating learning and knowledge remains steadfast — as does our resolve that the truth matters . It always matters.

 

Spring 2017 Issue

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

To read selected articles from this issue of the Excelsior College Magazine, follow the links below. 

View Print Edition
Download PDF

Featured

Liberating the Human Spirit

The future is bright for graduates with a liberal arts degree. With the skills needed across disciplines, they are prepared for any career possibility.

New & Noteworthy

Career Prep

Giving Back

A Love of Learning

 

CPNE and Me: Patricia Posey

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Patricia Posey will never forget the day that she passed the Clinical Performance in Nursing Exam; it was on what would have been her grandmother’s birthday: November 11.

Posey’s grandmother was the one who had encouraged her to become an RN. She told Posey to pursue the nursing path when Posey was a young girl. Sadly, she never got to see Posey reach her goal. “For years, I kept telling myself If I had just known how to do CPR, I may have been able to save her life,” Posey recalls, remembering her grandmother dying in front of her. Posey was then determined to pursue nursing. The path was not easy, however. She became a LPN and immediately knew she wanted to pursue her associate degree in nursing. Unfortunately, life threw some stumbling blocks in her way and she needed to focus on family instead of school.

Soon, however, Posey was ready to return to school and decided on Excelsior. “I decided Excelsior would be a good choice for me because it would allow me several options of obtaining my degree.” Posey took advantage of every way she could receive credit; she registered for courses, took exams for credits, and transferred in credit from her time at a community college.

She also took advantage of the resources Excelsior offered to study for the CPNE. Posey says she reviewed her study guide, watched the School of Nursing’s webinar series, “Conversations with Kim,” and other related videos, used the messaging system to ask questions, and attended a workshop.

Her biggest support, though, was her husband. No matter how much she struggled or how exhausted she was, Posey says her husband was right there, cheering her on. In summer 2018, Posey experienced a series of personal challenges when her daughter briefly went missing and then her brother, whom she had recently reconnected with, was murdered. “Without my husband—even though I was so close to finishing—I probably would have given up. I just didn’t have the energy to continue with anything at that point,” recalls Posey. He encouraged her to keep studying and to finish what she started.

And she did just that. Posey passed her CPNE on November 11, 2018 at Faxton St. Luke’s Hospital in Utica, NY. She says her associate degree in nursing means advancement in her career and she isn’t done learning, either. She plans to pursue her bachelor’s and then her master’s. She wants to become a nurse practitioner or focus on education. “Maybe one day I will have the opportunity to be a CE or CA for Excelsior College. How awesome would that be?”

CPNE Tips from Patricia Posey

  • “Reach out and ask for help. Excelsior staff is there to help you. They respond very quickly and can point you in the right direction to get you back on track with whatever you are struggling with. You didn’t come this far to fail…. don’t give up…. If I can do this, so can you.”
  • “I recommend utilizing all the material that Excelsior College gives you. This will prepare you for what you are trying to accomplish.”
  • “Make mnemonics according to the way you learn and can remember them. This will help you when you’re under stress while performing your CPNE.”
  • “I recommend that you do not use social media during your testing weekend. Only focus on your goal.”
  • “Eat healthy, get plenty of rest, and go into the testing site with confidence, determination, and compassion.”
  • “You will most likely never meet these patients again, but treat them as if they were one of your family members. Trust me, it will help ease your nerves [and] at the same time [you will] provide competent nursing care.”

Getting the Most Out of a Job Fair

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Whether you have a job and are looking to make a change or are currently unemployed, job fairs can be a great way to meet with recruiters. Navigating a job fair can be difficult, though, so here are some great tips to ensure you have a successful job fair experience.

Know Your Intention/Your Objective

At a typical job far, a recruiter meets hundreds of job or internship seekers. The ones who are prepared and concise stand out. Walk into the room with intention and with clear objectives. The registration or welcome desk will often have a list of employers and/or layout of the fair so you can have an idea of where to start. Be sure to check this list so you know exactly where you’re going and aren’t just wandering aimlessly without clear direction.

Bring the Necessary Collateral

Be prepared with collateral both for the job fair and your online presence. Be sure your items are professional and error free. Excelsior’s Career Center has resources for current students that can assist with job search preparation. Have your items reviewed by someone you trust.
• Your resume. Most recruiters prefer an old-fashioned paper resume that they can read on the spot. Successful job fair applicants should bring plenty of concise and informative resumes in a neat briefcase or portfolio.
• Use social networks to your advantage. This can be LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. LinkedIn, which was created for the business community, is an ideal online network for job hunters. Many companies are using LinkedIn to research and find candidates. LinkedIn helps companies leverage the networks of their employees as well. Many successful job fair applicants connect with their recruiters on LinkedIn after their initial meeting.
• Business cards. At minimum your name, email address, and cell phone number should be on the card.

Perfect Your Elevator Pitch

This is a short statement — 30-60 seconds— of who you are and what you are looking for. Remember to mention what you have to offer. Savvy job fair attendees focus on how their experience benefits the company and offer tangible insight on how their skills benefit the employer. The key objective is for the recruiter to be compelled to want more time with you.

Research and Target Companies

The average job fair has 60–100 companies. There will be companies you are somewhat familiar with and others you have no idea what they do. Smart candidates take the time to thoroughly research the job fairs they attend. They find out what companies will be on the premises and decide which companies are of interest to them. They then read as much as they can about their favorite companies. When they arrive at the job fair, they have a short list of companies they want to make a personal connection with. Therefore, research is critical to maximize the event. From your research, have a short list of “must see” companies. Download a list of the companies you are targeting and put them into a central list.

Know:

• What they do
• Your elevator ppeech
• Why you are interested
• Two great questions for the recruiter.

Additional Tips to Maximize Your Experience

• Arrive early so you can review your research before entering the room.
• Go alone so you can completely focus on the event.
• Have your collateral ready.
• Dress professionally and conservatively. Even if you are applying for a position that will likely require a uniform or carpenter pants, wear a freshly pressed suit and comfortable yet professional shoes, and make sure that hair and nails are freshly groomed.
• Manners Matter. Never assume that Mr. Fred Johnson wants to be called Fred. Reference him as “Mr. Johnson” until he says otherwise.
• Recognize the social cues that your interview is over. Many candidates make the mistake of lingering at the booth, or returning to the recruiter repeatedly during the fair. Or they send daily emails to the recruiter asking for progress reports. While appropriate follow-up is important, pestering them will not land you your dream job.

Visit Excelsior’s Career Center; to explore career exploration tools, conduct self-assessments, find careers best fit for you, and more.

Changing the Equation: How to Turn Bad Habits into Good Ones

Posted on by Kelly Hunger

The start of year often elicits optimism with self-improvements, whether it’s to get into a more consistent exercise routine, eat better, quit a bad habit, make time for yourself, or just have more balance between work, life, and school. Changing one’s behavior is no easy task, though, especially if time, resources, and support are not heading in the same direction. While there are many theories on how to manage these three factors, here are some agreed-upon steps to help you work toward positive change.

Step 1: Start small

Start with attainable goals that ultimately lead toward the main change desired. We all like to feel successful, and setting small, realistic goals helps move our body and mind in the right direction. This follows the small changes model which holds small steps stack up to big change.

Step 2: Have a Plan

Plan for success by planning for life. As we know, life happens all the time–kids get sick, computers crash, and things at work can snowball—but if we build this into our plan with options to move forward, we are more likely to stay the course to our goal. For example, a work meeting ran late and now there is no time to work out. Build in an extra 10 minutes the next day or plan to park further away for the rest of the day’s errands to get your exercise in. Something is always better than nothing, no matter how small. The more organized you are for your day, the more likely you are to stay on track when life throws a curveball. Overcoming these obstacles also builds confidence and grit, which can be very helpful for staying the course long-term.

Step 3: In Good Company

Surround yourself with like-minded individuals. Having a support system goes a long way toward positive change. They are a source of encouragement when you go through setbacks and praise you when you reach that next step. They can also be a source of accountability depending on the behavior to change. For example, a friend to walk with or a co-worker to share a healthy meal with during a lunch break help keep the focus on healthy lifestyle choices.

Step 4: Have a Goal

Post your main goal. Writing down a goal is linked with a higher chance of achievement. This may be a quote on your phone or a note on the refrigerator.  As a collegiate distance runner, I wanted to break a 5-minute mile. I hand decorated a Post-It note with the time “4:58” and put it on my door so I could view it often. After hard work and time, I broke the 5-minute barrier with a 4:57 time.

When setting goals, it is important to be SMART with the approach: “specific, measurable, achievable (or action oriented), realistic, and time-oriented.”  We all are individuals and as such, one or more of the steps may resonate versus the others. Regardless, you deserve the shot to improve your outlook in any capacity that suits your life.

How A Master’s Degree Can Change Your Life

Posted on by Scott Dolan

Over the past few months, I had the chance to spend quality time with my family in New Jersey. As I often do, I used the opportunity to grill my younger sister about her career and her next steps.

She’s nearing 30, and is on a great career path. But like all of us, she thinks about her future. And this time she turned the table on me, offering an interrogation of her own. While I was inquiring about when she would be going back to school to get her master’s degree, she wanted to know why I thought a master’s degree was important and how it would impact her life—whether the investment of her time and money would yield significant enough results.

Benefits of Earning a Master’s Degree

For me the answer was easy. I told her: a master’s degree has the potential to significantly and dramatically transform her life, professionally and personally. I told her that completing a master’s degree helps to:

Hone Your Critical Thinking Skills:

Education at all levels teaches you important skills, but a master’s degree requires you to think more deeply. At the graduate level, you learn to be comfortable with ambiguity, which requires you to become a better evaluator of ideas and information. This often means developing an ability to ask good questions—sometimes even questioning experts or prevailing views within your field of study. To do this, graduate students are required to seek new evidence, draw inferences based on evidence, and arrive at logical conclusions. No matter what, these are the kinds of skills that employers are looking for and need at all levels in an organization. They need people who are problem solvers and who seek to improve the organization. Beyond that, these are skills that help you in life more generally; they make you a better citizen, a better consumer of information, and a better decision-maker.

Develop a Deeper and More Specialized Knowledge of a Field:

While most colleges and universities require undergraduate students to major or specialize in a field, a significant portion of an undergraduate degree is focused on a broad education, and in the United States this is often with a strong liberal arts orientation. A master’s-level education is typically more specialized. You can make a choice to dive deeper into a field of study that you are really interested in or passionate about, and you can focus your study on that discipline. For example, my sister works in marketing, but her organization is primarily operating in the field of finance. She might pursue an MBA and focus her coursework on the field of finance and accounting, which would enable her to understand the operations of her organization and the market she is addressing at a deeper level. Or perhaps her next step within the organization will require her to manage people for the first time, so an MBA might help her develop her skills in management, leadership, and team-building.

Network with Other Professionals:

No matter what field you pursue at the master’s level, there are tons of opportunities to expand your network of relationships. You will be taught by experts in your field who have the highest academic and professional qualifications. You will be surrounded by students who come from a variety of industries and backgrounds, and who have significant professional experience. You will be learning with other professionals, who come to the courses with real-world knowledge and experience to share with you, thereby exposing you to the contexts of other industries. You can create professional relationships, and often friendships with people. These professional relationships come in handy when you are looking for a new job, a reference, or even just a sounding board.

Advance in Your Career—Both Promotion and Pay:

While I think education does way more than prepare you for a job, I can’t deny the importance of education to career potential and advancement. Jobs increasingly require a college degree as the minimal qualification and there is plenty of evidence that increasing levels of education are important. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual median earnings for someone with a master’s degree are worth nearly $10,000 per year and unemployment rates for people with a master’s degree sit at 2.4 percent. Only 12 percent of adults over 25 hold advanced degrees, compared to nearly 37 percent of the population who have bachelor’s degrees.

Provide You with Challenge, Leading to Accomplishment:

Let’s face it, we are living and working longer. Over time, the security of employer-provided pensions has all but disappeared, and while 401Ks are common, they operate at the mercy of the market. With a dynamic, and rapidly changing job market, we must remain nimble and flexible. We must continue our learning throughout life and so by going back to school, we can signal to future employers that we are able to stay current and succeed at work while taking on new challenges. We show prospective hiring managers that we are seeking to grow, learn, and advance. It shows the world that you are willing to invest in yourself, set a goal, and accomplish it.

While my sister is used to my routine—and can still give a good eye roll—I know she was listening and that she considered many of the points I made. Like many of you, she is a busy professional, who needs to balance family, work, and time for herself. But she likes a challenge and is up for it. So, you can imagine the proud smile on my face when she reached out by phone to discuss a few of the schools she was considering for her MBA.

 

What You Need to Know About Internships at Excelsior College

Posted on by William Trevor

Every year, millions of college students complete internships across the United States.  For many students, the internship has become a way to boost their resume and a means to gain valuable experience that signals their career readiness to a future employer.

For most students, the first challenge is locating a suitable internship. While Excelsior College may share available opportunities, the student has the primary responsibility of identifying and securing an internship. Fortunately, there are many resources available to help students find a placement, but just like a real job search, the key is to be methodical and organized. You will also need to ask yourself some important questions.

Is an Internship Right for Me?

First, you will need to check whether you are eligible.

For example, if you are thinking of taking Excelsior’s INT 400 Internship in one of the three semesters (Spring I, Summer I, and Fall I), make sure you are eligible in terms of the prerequisites for this course:

  1. Are you in a bachelor’s program? (internships are not currently available for associate, graduate, or School of Nursing students)
  2. Do you have available elective credit?
  3. Are you willing to find your own internship?

If you can answer “yes” to these questions, then the internship may be suitable for you. If you need to check your status, or to find out whether you have sufficient available elective credit, then reach out to your academic advisor and they will be able to help you.

Once you have checked that you are eligible, think about the following questions to plan your internship experience:

  • Should I do a virtual or a face-to-face (traditional) internship?

If you are deployed, for example, a virtual internship may be more relevant to you. If, on the other hand, you would like to gain more hands-on experience and be immersed in the culture of an organization, then a face-to-face internship may work better for you.

  • Do I have sufficient time available to complete the internship?

Remember that internship course requires you to complete 135 hours over 15 weeks. This breaks down to around 7 hours per week at the internship and roughly 2 hours a week working on the coursework (reflective journals and discussions). If you are working full-time, then you may need to give serious thought as to how this will fit into your schedule, even if you are thinking of a virtual internship.

  • Should I complete another course at the same time?

While there is nothing stopping a student from completing another course at the same time, students need to be aware that an internship will require a significant investment of time to make it successful. It’s not feasible, for example, to put the internship activity off until Sunday, perhaps because of expectations from the organization with which you are interning. The best advice is that the internship should be completed on its own, but if you do need to complete another course simultaneously, it’s recommended to take only one additional course.

How Do I Find an Internship?

After checking your eligibility and deciding on the type of internship you would like to do it is time to start your search. When thinking about the range of internships available, it is important to focus on an experience that will be in the field that you would like to work after you have completed your studies. Perhaps you are interested in HR and you would like to work with a local agency or recruitment firm. Maybe you are interested in cybersecurity or digital marketing and feel that a virtual internship with a company in that field would be the boost your resume needs. Whatever your interest, some of the following resources may help you find that ideal internship:

  1. Ask Your Friends, Family, and Contacts

Someone in your immediate circle of contacts may know someone who could help you secure an internship. Perhaps your neighbor works in an industry in which you are interested. Maybe your family member knows the HR manager at a firm that is looking for interns. Make it known, both in person and via social media, that you are looking for an internship. You may be surprised how effective this type of networking is at helping you find an opportunity.

  1. Make a Direct Approach to the Organization

Whether it is getting a job or an internship, tenacity and persistence are valuable traits to have. If you would like to work with the innovative start-up company in your hometown, make a direct approach to the organization. If there is a friend there, ask them for an introduction. Remember the worst thing that will happen is they will say “no,” but they may give you some advice or even ask you to try later in the year. If they invite you in for a conversation, make sure you take your most recent resume with you. Treat it like an interview and approach it professionally and courteously, thanking them for their time after the meeting has concluded.

  1. Check Online Resources

With the growth in internships, there is no shortage of online resources with which you can search for potential opportunities. The following is a list of some of the most useful:

  • LinkedIn: Make sure you have developed your profile. Use the Jobs function to search for opportunities. You can also use the Search function to find suitable organizations in your local area or beyond.
  • Glassdoor: This site provides employment, salary, and jobs information for a range of organizations. Use the search function to find suitable organizations and to so some research on the company, including employee reviews and salary information.
  • Google: A simple Google search is a powerful way to find internships. You can set up an alert in Google so you are notified when relevant opportunities are posted online.
  • Internships.com: One of the world’s largest student-focused internship websites, bringing students, employers, and higher education institutions together in one centralized location.
  • WayUp: From start-ups to Fortune 500s, WayUp offers internships and jobs from over 20,000 employers.
  • YouTern: YouTern tries to mentor and connect would-be interns using social media tools like Twitter. There is also an extensive jobs board.
  • Idealist.org: A site that offers internships and jobs in the non-profit sector.
  • Global Experiences: This site offers a searchable jobs board for international internships.

Good luck with your internship search!

 

For more information about the benefits of internships, check out the article: “5 Ways an Internship Can Boost Your Career.” 

If you have questions about the INT 400 internship program, send an email to internships@excelsior.edu, or call Will Trevor at 518-608-8189.

Kathryn Elder: From Water Resource Engineer to Elementary School Teacher

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

The word “serendipitous” can certainly describe a life.

But when it comes to Excelsior College alum Kathryn Elder, the term can also describe a person, one whose breakneck travels, colorful experiences, and career-focused education have transported her to exactly the place she needs to be.

Growing up in Cobleskill, New York, Elder started her ongoing adventure when she arrived at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the late 1980s. After four years at MIT, she earned her BS in Civil and Environmental Engineering before transitioning into a career as a water resource engineer with the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA).

“I chose to take projects with the New England Aquarium, where I would go into classrooms and teach students about how to tell the difference between clean water and dirty water, how to keep water clean, and how to keep the environment clean,” she says.

After living in Boston for six years, Elder and her husband, Brian, started to consider opportunities on the opposite coast. Winters had become rough; and with Brian being from the West Coast and a computer science major, jobs in Silicon Valley were a possibility. In 1995, Sun Technology came calling, and lured the young couple across the country to Northern California. Once there, Elder continued her engineering career at Carlson Design, then East Bay Municipal Utility District. The latter provided the opportunity for her to work on the Penn Mine Project in nearby Lodi, which remedied toxic runoff from an abandoned copper and zinc mine that was killing schools of fish within an East Bay Municipal-maintained reservoir.

But despite her professional satisfaction, Elder started to long for her New England Aquarium-set teaching days, surrounded by the faces of attentive children.

“Volunteering in schools and teaching kids about what I do was my favorite part of my [MWRA] job,” Elder says.

With this realization, the eventual mother of two boys began plotting her next adventure, first inside courses at Oakland’s Patten College to earn her teacher certification, then to the head of class inside elementary schools of her community.

And over the next few years, those communities would have varied locations.

California. Oregon. New York. Elder’s husband’s career kept her family on the move, but once she arrived back in her hometown of Cobleskill in 2004, the Elders finally settled in, with Kathryn teaching fourth and fifth grade inside her former stomping grounds of Cobleskill-Richmondville Central School.

Just one problem: New York State didn’t recognize her graduate credits the same way as California and Oregon. In order to continue her now-fulfilling career as a full-time teacher, she needed to go back to school again—and she did so with Excelsior College.

“I actually received [an Excelsior] brochure in the mail,” she says. “At the time, I was seriously considering SUNY Albany, and I almost committed when I was admitted into its program for curriculum development. However, the New York State regulations had just changed, which no longer led to professional certification of teachers from that program. That made Excelsior a no-brainer.”

Elder began at Excelsior in 2007, taking online classes while expertly juggling responsibilities of teaching and, more importantly, caring for two young children. But in navigating her courses with students while also managing the complexities of a multitasking life, Elder found plenty of relatable company.

“A lot of students were working already just like I was, but everyone had their own story, and they were all so different,” says Elder. “Someone in my class was doing his assignments from a tent in Afghanistan. After hearing this, I couldn’t complain that I was doing my assignments from my kitchen table.”

Eventually, Elder graduated with her MA in Liberal Studies in 2011. That same year, she was also the recipient of the Joshua L. Smith Award, which is presented to a graduate of the Master of Arts in Liberal Studies program who demonstrates outstanding achievement and has a career focused in education.

Today, that career entails days as a certified Cognitive Coaching Intervention instructor, one who helps third- to fifth-grade students struggling with math. Elder assists students and teachers from 20 different rooms, and provides intervention services for students in third, fourth, and fifth grade. She also performs cognitive coaching and curriculum consulting with the teachers in her district, and coordinates science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) activities in kindergarten through fifth grade.

In addition to all this, she’s working on her national board certification, while spending her summers online, but now as an instructor.

“I teach Tech-Infused Book Studies, where teachers simultaneously learn technology skills, such as using Google forms, social media for teachers, or creating surveys online,” says Elder, who teaches as many as six online courses. “I do it through the context of interesting books about education, such as, “Quiet: The Powers of Introverts,” “Lost at School,” “Paraprofessionals Guide to Inclusive Classrooms,” or “Yardsticks.” I also teach about math fluency in elementary classrooms, using web quests and online resources.”

Looking back at the education and training that’s delivered her to her current state of contribution, Elder would certainly count Excelsior College as a vital online resource. According to the proud alum, Excelsior opened her eyes to a learning environment she’s never experienced before, and taught her how to make connections through this environment. And because of modern education’s current data-driven climate, utilized data must be more anecdotal.

“‘The student doesn’t get it’ isn’t the answer,” says Elder. “Excelsior got me in the mode to think very critically, and this [has been] extremely valuable.”

It’s been a long and winding journey, one that continues in a way she planned once she enrolled in Excelsior more than 10 years ago. Some would’ve been exhausted and possibly frustrated by her career trajectory, but not Elder. She believes she’s right where she’s fated to be, touched by the mystery of serendipity—all while basking in the satisfaction of a career path she remains passionate about.

“I don’t like to think of education as a business. It’s more of a calling. I love what I do, and I can’t stop doing it—even though it’s the toughest job I’ve ever had,” she says. “You really have to love what you do. This job lets you be creative and follow your passion while helping kids get excited about learning. What could be better than that?”

Excelsior graduate Kathryn Elder on:

Courses and exams with Excelsior

Students should ask questions, no matter what they’re about. “I can’t imagine how many times I asked my advisor questions,” she says. “But no matter how many I asked, she was always responsive. At a normal college, you couldn’t ask your advisor questions at 2 a.m. It seemed like they didn’t have working hours [at Excelsior] because someone was always there.”

Networking

Do as much of it while you can. “I wish I did more networking” says Elder. “Go to as many events as possible. You never know who you’ll meet and what impact they could have on your life.”

Education

The most important traits in the field? Confidence and flexibility. “You have to really know your content,” says Elder. “When kids don’t respond the way you want them to, you have to be prepared in order to react in that moment. You have to be responsive to what can influence good behavior, and ask yourself a lot of questions all the time.”

Getting your degree—while life unfolds

Life doesn’t stop while you go back to school. It’s a juggling act, and Excelsior students should know this. “One thing I wish I knew while I was getting my degree is how much harder school is with children,” says Elder. “I always wished I could have given even more time to my studies then I already did, but that’s life and you learn from doing.”

How Excelsior made it possible

But as much of a juggling act as college can be, Elder’s experience was with a college that catered to her multifaceted lifestyle. “Excelsior was the only way I could handle two little kids while working toward my master’s degree,” she says. “In college, you’re devoting all of your time to your education. When you go to Excelsior, you’re not only giving time to your studies, but you’re also factoring in a job and a family most of the time. Life happens, but there’s no reason you can’t get it done.”

Justin Marier: Pursuing More with Excelsior College

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Online Degrees at Excelsior College for Busy Professionals

Justin Marier fills a lot of roles. He’s a meter electrician, executive board member for his local union, president of the village, vice president of the school district’s board of education, and a eucharistic minister for his church. He’s also a devoted husband and father of three. Even with these demanding responsibilities, he manages to find time to keep studying, keep learning, keep working toward his Associate in Applied Science in Administrative and Management Studies.

Marier, of South Range, MI, earned an associate degree in electronics technology from Northern Michigan University in 2002 and shortly after, got a job at the Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO), where he has worked for the past 15 years. Over the years, he has held positions as a meter reader, apprentice line electrician, clerk, and meter electrician. He is also an active executive board member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 510.

IBEW and UPPCO encourage their members and employees to take advantage of educational benefits to advance in their careers, and the partnership discount IBEW has with Excelsior drew Marier to the college. “With the benefits of a tuition reimbursement program through my employer and the unique tuition deferral program at Excelsior, it was almost as if I had to search for a reason not to go back to school,” he says. He adds that it was the right time to start something new and fresh after being out of school for so long.

Personalized Experience and Tuition Aid at Excelsior College

The tuition discount, Marier says, was a big help to his family, considering his son is also in college. “The fact that Excelsior made it affordable and convenient with their payment options, just gave me a feeling of ease in the decision,” he says. He adds that it helped make the choice to return to college that much easier. The enrollment process was also easy, he says. “From the moment that I started the application process, I had individualized help from Excelsior…I was worried that it would be a daunting process, but the admissions group at Excelsior made it painless and really eased my anxiety about moving forward with this new adventure.”

Pursuing an associate degree in business is a chance to try something new outside the world of electronics, he says. “I’ve always been interested in how businesses work in general, and it really seemed like something that I could easily motivate myself to do,” says Marier.

Though he has the motivation, it has been difficult to find time to study, between taking care of three children, having a full-time job, and being actively involved in his community. His biggest challenge has been sticking to a schedule, but with Excelsior’s flexibility, he says, “I found myself studying and doing homework whenever I could find free time, whether it’s on a break at work, late at night after the kids go to sleep, or on a rainy day on the weekend.”

Marier has found Excelsior’s course structure to be beneficial, too. “The courses are so well organized through its Canvas Learning System, and the flexibility of completing assignments and discussions around my own schedule was a real life saver,” he says, and adds that his instructors were always willing to go the extra mile to answer any questions or concerns.

The courses that he has enjoyed the most are financial accounting, business ethics, and labor relations. “Financial accounting really opened up my eyes to the complex world of accounting and why it’s so important for the success of a business. Business ethics showed me how important ethics are in a leadership position or positions of authority,” he says. He adds that he learned a lot in business ethics that applies in his work and home life. With the labor relations course, Marier was able to explore the history of the labor movement on a deeper level. “This [labor relations] is the bread and butter of where my experiences are, and it was great to be able to gain a different perspective about how labor relations work,” he says.

Convenient Online Degrees at Excelsior College

Marier knew online learning with Excelsior was right for him because it helped with his busy life, and he encourages others to consider the non-traditional learning style, saying, “If you’re like me and have been considering going back to school, don’t be afraid to take that leap with Excelsior. They understand how hectic life is and work with you to make it as convenient and stress free as they possibly can.” Marier also points out that it was beneficial to learn alongside students in similar situations as him.

“I haven’t earned my degree yet, but I’m hopeful that once I do have it, it will open up some new doors and new possibilities for me,” says Marier of his future prospects. He wants to return to Excelsior to pursue a bachelor’s degree in business or electrical engineering technology. Whatever he chooses, he is ready for the adventure. He says, “The road of life is always twisting and turning and you just have to be willing to swerve once in a while to find your path.”

Degrees at Work: Joanna Lew

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Some degrees provide students a start toward a desired profession. Others provide employees in-depth enhancement of knowledge and training necessary to advance in their current careers.

Take Excelsior College graduate, Joanna Lew. The Pennsylvania native was a nuclear operator for nearly seven years when she considered adding to her higher education credentials. Working at one of the United States’ largest power production facilities in Tonopah, Arizona, she served as an instructor within Arizona Public Service’s Operations Department, guiding non-licensed operators through initial and continual training.

But in order to advance in her profession and be more equipped to educate the next generation of nuclear operators, Lew knew she needed the comprehensive training accessible through a bachelor’s degree in nuclear engineering technology. After learning of the ability to transfer credits from her time with the U.S. Navy and a previous bachelor’s program, Lew decided to pursue this degree with Excelsior College.

After graduating with a 3.66 GPA in 2017, the recipient of the College’s prestigious Dr. Robert L. Long Award for Academic Excellence in Nuclear Engineering Technology is now surging forward with U.S. energy provider Exelon, and she’s glad she chose to enhance her vocational expertise with Excelsior.

“The degree has helped to solidify my technical understanding, as well as open future doors for advancement,” said Lew. “There are potential opportunities that would not be an option for me if I did not have the NET degree.”

The degree in nuclear engineering technology was her second bachelor’s degree, and she says having the degree was one of the reasons she was accepted into the Villanova School of Business, where she started on her MBA in summer 2017.

The opportunities came at work, too. She was recently promoted to a supervisor in I&C (instrumentation and controls) maintenance after serving as acting maintenance and technical training manager from October 2018 through January 2019. Prior to that, she had been the lead instructor for Exelon’s non-licensed initial and continuing training programs. For that position, Lew notes her leadership skills, emotional intelligence, and experience in the industry was critical to her developing a high proficiency in the material she reviewed with future operators-in-training. But with her nuclear engineering technology focus during her time with Excelsior, Lew was able to deepen her topical knowledge for the benefit of her fellow instructors, as well as of her current and future classes.

“I used my nuclear engineering technology degree regularly when discussing technical plant design and operation with my operations students,” says Lew.

That’s one of the benefits of successfully navigating a program renowned for adjusting to professional trends and providing students with the most up-to-date understanding of industry needs. This helped Lew hone her aptitude in her career field, then take that career to the next level. Now that she’s there and thriving, she can look back at the experience as enriching—and viable for others seeking the same professional enhancement.

“Earning my degree with Excelsior was rewarding,” says Lew. “It was the culmination of years of hard work, and I’m proud to have done it. I recommend it to a lot of people in my industry.”

More from Joanna Lew:

Networking tips

For those in a specified field like nuclear training, networking tips directed toward industry personnel or fellow workers in the field would be the norm. But for Lew, she sees non-associated entities just as important for individuals looking to make professional connections. “Get involved with outside organizations,” says Lew, “like non-profits or your local chamber of commerce.”

Time management

The typical Excelsior student juggles multiple commitments outside the coursework necessary for eventual degree completion. Lew was no different, but she was successful by abiding by a stable schedule. “Make sure you are consistent,” she says. “If discussion questions are due every Thursday, make sure you set time aside before their due date.”

Find your motivator

Everyone needs help to find a successful end of an educational path. It takes a lot of time and work—and with plenty of obstacles thrown in the way—so you need something pushing you to completion. For Lew, desire for her degree drove everything. “The finish line was my motivator,” says Lew. “Being in my industry for 10 years when I graduated, it was important for me to earn my degree, and prove I am capable of the technical just as much as the non-technical aspects of the job.”

The best advice she’s received on the job—so far

One would assume that impactful career advice doled out in a nuclear training sector would be too scientific for mainstream consumption. Not the case. According to Lew, the most useful advice she’s received is applicable to any student, in any career—and pertains to professional attire. “Dress for the job you want, not the job you have.”