杏吧原创

Jamie Fejeran of Las Vegas, Nevada, earned a Master of Science in Health Sciences in 2018. She shares, 鈥淓arning my MS in Health Sciences from Excelsior College marked the beginning of a dynamic career that has taken me through health information technology, practice management, and IT program and project management in the managed service organization (MSO) space鈥攁ll while balancing the responsibilities of being a mom.

As a mother, pursuing higher education and building a career in a fast-paced industry was challenging, but it fueled my determination to create a meaningful impact in health care. After graduating, I began my career in health information technology (HIT), where I worked on data management, electronic health record (EHR) implementations, and process optimization. This role allowed me to develop a deep understanding of how technology can enhance health care operations and improve patient outcomes.

My experience in HIT naturally led me into practice management, where I worked closely with providers and operational teams to ensure that health care practices ran smoothly. Leveraging my background in technology, I implemented workflow automation, data-driven decision-making, and operational efficiencies that directly improved both patient care and business performance.

As I continued to expand my expertise, I transitioned into IT program and project management roles within MSOs. In this space, I had the opportunity to lead large-scale technology deployments, manage cross-functional teams, and drive IT infrastructure improvements across multiple health care practices. The ability to bridge the gap between clinical operations and technology enabled me to create scalable, efficient solutions that support both health care providers and patients.

Balancing my career with motherhood taught me resilience, time management, and adaptability鈥攕kills that have proven invaluable throughout my professional journey. Looking back, I credit Excelsior College鈥檚 MS in Health Sciences program for providing the flexibility I needed to pursue my degree while raising a family, and for equipping me with the knowledge, critical thinking, and leadership skills necessary to excel in this field.

The flexibility of Excelsior鈥檚 program allowed me to build a career that aligns with my passion for both health care and technology, while also prioritizing my role as a mother. It gave me the skills to not only understand patient care but also to implement systems that enhance health care delivery on a larger scale. Today, as an experienced professional in health care IT and program management, I continue to drive innovation, efficiency, and digital transformation in the MSO space.

My journey is a testament to the versatility of an MS in Health Sciences, the power of perseverance, and the endless career opportunities available to those willing to explore the intersection of health care, technology, and leadership鈥攁ll while balancing the joys and challenges of motherhood.鈥�

Miguel Martinez of San Antonio, Texas, earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 1997. Martinez recently obtained verification from the World Health Organization in Basic Microbiology and is now certified by the Centers for Disease Control in Core Microbiology Laboratory.

Matthew Slezak of Houston, Texas, earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 2004. He shares, 鈥淓xcelsior got me back into college. I had dropped out of Ohio State University (OSU) and worked in the tech industry for a while before deciding to change my life and pursue an MS at a top school. I was a wild child, and my whole family thought I was going nowhere. OSU told me I had 4鈥�5 years left to finish my degree鈥攏o thanks. My military coworkers introduced me to Excelsior College (as it was called at the time), which allowed me to apply DANTES exams to complete my junior and senior year requirements.

When my IT job relocated to North Carolina, I decided to move back into my mom鈥檚 house, quit the constant partying, and focus on finishing my degree. I used old-edition, cheap books, studied for 3鈥�4 months and took a year of tests over just a couple of weeks. Soon after, my degree was awarded! Back then, the total cost was only about $1,000鈥�$1,500.

The advisors at Excelsior were phenomenal鈥攖hey wanted you to earn your degree as quickly as possible. Before taking each DANTES exam, I confirmed with an advisor that it would count toward my BS. They placed me in the fastest program based on my existing credits (Liberal Arts) and ensured I took the right exams.

I applied to nearly every top school for my MS with a 2.8 GPA from OSU and about a 3.4 GPA at Excelsior. (Excelsior鈥檚 system of awarding grades based on DANTES exam scores helped raise my GPA, which I believe is unique to them.) Eventually, I was accepted into Rice University in Houston, Texas, for a professional master鈥檚 degree in environmental analysis鈥攁nd the rest is history. Of course, I was rejected by many schools, but don鈥檛 lose hope! Perfect your application essay and keep applying. Highlight your struggles鈥攆or example, I ran a painting business during college, which left little time for academics and caused my grades to drop at OSU鈥攁nd show how you鈥檝e changed and are now focused on your career. Emphasize how your grades improved once you committed at Excelsior, and secure strong professional recommendations that demonstrate you are more capable than your GPA suggests.

Since then, I鈥檝e been working in the energy industry (trading). I also completed a Finance and Accounting Certificate at Wharton during the same year in Pennsylvania. You can stair-step your way into better programs by completing a rigorous certificate at a top school to prove your capability before applying.

Excelsior used to post where alumni were accepted into graduate programs. At the time I applied, I saw graduates going to Harvard, Yale, and other top schools, which motivated me to pursue the Excelsior route. It truly worked out for me. I wish they still shared that information, so I鈥檓 sharing my story here in hopes of motivating someone else. You can do it!鈥�

Wanda Lopez of Wrightstown, New Jersey, earned an Associate of Science in Human Services in 2018 and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2025. She shares, 鈥淢y academic journey has been one of perseverance and growth, and I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support and encouragement I received from the dedicated faculty, staff, and fellow students at Excelsior. Currently, I serve as a registered behavior technician, working primarily with individuals in the autism community as well as those with various disabilities. My mission is to create a meaningful impact not only through knowledge but through compassion, advocacy, and dedication. 杏吧原创 has provided me with the tools and confidence to pursue my passion for making a difference in the lives of others. I am proud to be part of this incredible community of learners and leaders.鈥�

Corey Gause of Winchester, Virginia, earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 2003. He shares, 鈥溞影稍�创 was a vital part of my military journey. While serving in the Air Force, I attended several schools, but Excelsior鈥檚 flexible program and excellent counseling truly supported my degree completion. My Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts provided a strong foundation for further education, which ultimately helped me earn my commission and achieve the rank of Colonel.鈥�

Anthony Casas of McKinleyville, California, earned a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts in 1991. His story was recently featured in a podcast available on Spotify and Apple. The episode, 鈥淔rom Drive-By Shooting, Private Investigation Firm, to Learning the Most Valuable Lesson 杏吧原创 Time with CPO Anthony Casas,鈥� is part of the podcast series Enterprise Alchemy. Listen now:

Jesse Sigurdsen of Lino Lakes, Minnesota, earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 2025. He shares, 鈥淭he decision to return to school after my 23 years of military service was a significant one, and I’m incredibly grateful to have found that 杏吧原创 truly understands how to support veterans. From the start, they made the process of converting my military experience into academic credits seamless, which was a huge relief. Beyond the administrative support, the education itself was truly transformative. The curriculum and instructors played a pivotal role in honing my writing skills and strengthening my communication abilities, which I now feel confident using in any professional setting. My favorite part of the experience was undoubtedly my Capstone project. As a group, we were able to collaborate and share ideas on how to help people in need around the world, creating a project that was not only academically challenging but deeply meaningful. It was during these collaborations that I also had the chance to connect with my classmates by sharing my passion for natural and regenerative farming and the importance of healthy eating. The supportive and collaborative environment made it easy to share my perspective and learn from the perspective of others. This University is more than just a place to get a degree; it’s a community that helps you grow both professionally and personally.鈥�

Zoann Murphy of Everett, Washington, earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 1996. Murphy recently received her PhD in Psychology from National University on July 1, 2025.

George Shadman of Barboursville, Virginia, earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 1988. He shares, 鈥淲hile living in New York, 杏吧原创 allowed me to get my degree through night school while working. My bachelor鈥檚 degree was a tremendous help through my career in local government which gave my family a very nice standard of living. Thank you, 杏吧原创.鈥�

Eduardo Rivas of Boylston, Massachusetts, earned a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology in 2017. He shares, 鈥淓arning my degree at 杏吧原创 was one of the best decisions I鈥檝e made. I had the honor of serving as the student graduation speaker at the 2018 Commencement ceremony. Today, I am a full-time professor of accounting, teaching courses in both mathematics and information technology. In addition to teaching, I serve as the coordinator of the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program sponsored by the IRS in my community. In 2024, I was proud to receive the NISOD Excellence Award in recognition of my teaching practices and the many initiatives I鈥檝e led to support student learning and community engagement. Excelsior鈥檚 flexible and forward-thinking approach enabled me to complete my degree using previously earned college credits, opening doors to teach multiple online courses and inspire others to continue their education.鈥�