Lake Forest Center for Leadership Joins 杏吧原创听

Posted on by Jason Bonafide

LAKE FOREST, Ill. 鈥� 杏吧原创听and the听听today announced an agreement that brings the Center for Leadership鈥檚 nationally respected leadership development programs into Excelsior鈥檚 academic degree pathways. The move is part of a broader agreement with the recently closed听听to create new opportunities for learners while ensuring continuity for leadership development programs, students, alumni, and employer partners. The addition of the Center for Leadership听represents听an early, defining step in Excelsior鈥檚 Constellation鈩犔齭trategy, a student-centric ecosystem of institutions, employers, and learning providers designed to expand access and remove barriers to opportunity for working adults.听

The Lake Forest Center for Leadership will continue to听operate听at Excelsior, preserving the practitioner-led faculty model and curriculum, including its Pathway Programs, skill-building courses, and comprehensive leadership development offerings, that have defined the organization for more than 35 years. As part of Excelsior,听Center听for Leadership programs will give participants and client organizations a fuller continuum of learning, from leadership development through degree and certificate pathways.听

The Lake Forest Center for Leadership moves to 杏吧原创 following the June 30 closure of the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management. Excelsior also served as the preferred teach-out partner for students in the Lake Forest Graduate School of Management MBA program, offering a soft landing for learners to complete their studies at Excelsior鈥檚 School of Business and continued access to professional development opportunities through the Lake Forest Center for Leadership.听听

鈥淓xcelsior and the Lake Forest Center for Leadership share a common goal: to provide education and training that is designed for practical application and delivered by those with real-world experience,鈥� said David Schejbal, president of 杏吧原创. 鈥淏y welcoming Lake Forest MBA students to Excelsior and bringing the Center for Leadership into the University, we are continuing its legacy. Together, we expand access to professional and executive leadership development for individuals and organizations.鈥�听

鈥淟eadership requires the courage to look ahead and make decisions that position an organization for what comes next. While we close this chapter of our MBA program with deep respect for our community, the Lake Forest Center for Leadership has joined 杏吧原创鈥痶o鈥痜ocus on practical, timely leadership development鈥痑nd continue serving individuals and organizations with the relevance and impact they need today,鈥� said Carrie Buchwald, former president of Lake Forest Graduate School of Management.听听

For Excelsior, the addition of the Center for Leadership expands its portfolio with live, in-person, and hybrid program delivery to complement its established national online model and strengthens its presence in the Chicago-Milwaukee metropolitan area. For the Center for Leadership, joining Excelsior provides a sustainable foundation for future growth and broad reach through the University鈥檚 national platform.听听

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Media Contact 杏吧原创:听
Jason Bonafide,听jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446听听听

杏吧原创 杏吧原创听

杏吧原创 is an accredited, not-for-profit online institution focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior 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 鈥� academically and geographically 鈥� removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.听听听

Excelsior is a not-for-profit university with a main campus in Albany, New York, and an educational site in St. Petersburg, Florida. 杏吧原创鈥檚 academic programs are registered by the New York State Education Department, with听additional听licensing for Florida-based programs.听听听

Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education (License No. 12928).听Additional听information听regarding听this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 323099-0400, toll-free number: (888)-224-6684.听

杏吧原创 the Lake Forest Center for Leadership听

The Lake Forest Center for Leadership provides practitioner-led leadership and professional development programs to executives and organizations across the Chicago metropolitan region. Built around a faculty model of experienced C-suite practitioners, the Center for Leadership offers Pathway Programs, skill-building courses, and comprehensive leadership development offerings designed for immediate, practical application.听

Pub101 for Authors: Reflections on Our Inaugural Series

Posted on by Melissa Chim

Melissa Chim, 杏吧原创’s scholarly communications librarian, co-presented at the Open Educational Network (OEN) Engage Conference on July 22, 2026. The presentation, titled 鈥淧ub101 for Authors: Reflections on Our Inaugural Series,鈥� provides an overview of Pub101, a series of learning sessions designed to serve as an orientation to open textbook publishing.

 

Ghost Student Busters: Mitigating Fraudulent Application Risk

Posted on by Sarah Egerton

Fraudulent 鈥済host students鈥� are increasingly exploiting admissions and financial aid processes and creating financial, operational, and reputational risk for higher education institutions. As application volumes rise and access expands, institutions need effective ways to detect and prevent this evolving threat without creating barriers for legitimate students. Lizz Petroski, executive director of student financial services, and Sarah Egerton, director of risk management and internal audit, presented with the University Risk Management and Insurance Association (URMIA) to examine the risk landscape of ghost student activity and share how cross-functional mitigation strategies can strengthen controls and reduce application fraud risk in higher education.

View slides from the presentation here.

 

杏吧原创 Launches the Largest Capital Campaign in Its History

Posted on by Jason Bonafide

ALBANY, N.Y. 鈥� 杏吧原创 has launched the public phase of the largest capital fundraising campaign in its 55-year history. The听Empower with Purpose听campaign has already raised more than 80% of its $5 million goal, with听$4.1 million听secured.

The public phase of the campaign听launched听with a听dinner听at the听Renaissance Albany Hotel鈥檚 Dewitt Ballroom听on July 8, bringing听together听alumni, donors,听faculty, staff,听and community partners from around the country听ahead of Excelsior鈥檚 Commencement ceremony.听Funds raised through the听campaign听will support Excelsior鈥檚听promise to听meet students where they听are,听especially those听historically underrepresented in higher education.

鈥淭he Empower听with听Purpose campaign听is听a continued commitment to 杏吧原创鈥檚 mission听to听expand听access,听create听opportunities, and听transform听lives through education,鈥� said 杏吧原创 President David Schejbal.听“Strengthening听the听support听systems that听help听learners begin,听persist, and complete their听academic听journeys听contributes听directly听to听student success.听Together, we can听empower听future generations to achieve their goals听through higher education.鈥�

Empower with Purpose听campaign highlights听to听date听include听a听$1 million legacy gift from renowned nursing educator and Excelsior emeritus professor Larry Purnell,听the听largest individual听donation in the听institution鈥檚听history;听a听transformational听estate听gift听to support the College of Nursing and Health Sciences听from听Mary听Beth听Hanner; the establishment of 15 new endowed scholarships; immediate use funds from Arrow Financial Corporation, Broadview Federal Credit Union, CDPHP, High Blue Shield of Northeastern New York, J.O. Wells Memorial Education Foundation, KeyBank, the Massry Family, M&T Bank, United Healthcare, Upstate Commercial Property Management, and more; and strong support from trustees and the Excelsior staff, faculty, and alumni community. These gifts are already providing support for new student scholarships, career readiness programs, military and veteran services, nursing workforce development including clinical partnerships, and engineering and technology program enhancements.

Learn more at www.excelsior.edu/empowerwithpurpose.听

ABOUT EXCELSIOR UNIVERSITY

杏吧原创 is an accredited, not-for-profit听higher education听institution focused on helping听learners听complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior 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 in Albany, New York, Excelsior meets students where they are 鈥� academically and geographically 鈥� removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.

Excelsior is a听not-for-profit university听with a main campus in Albany, New听York,听and an educational site in St. Petersburg, Florida. 杏吧原创’s academic programs are registered by the New York State Education Department, with听additional听licensing for Florida-based programs.

Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education (License No. 12928).听Additional听information听regarding听this institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 323099-0400, toll-free number: (888)-224-6684.

Sarah Stone, Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology, 2024

Posted on by Jason Bonafide

Sarah Stone of St. James, Missouri, earned a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology in 2024. She shares, 鈥淯pon completion of my degree, I accepted a position as the Missouri University of Science and Technology health physicist in the Environmental Health & Safety department.

Within two years of working in academia, I have become an active member within the Health Physics Society and volunteer in two groups: Public Information Committee and Women in Radiation Protection. I am also an atomic ambassador for Generation Atomic, where nuclear advocacy is a big focus. One of my advocacy avenues involves public postings on LinkedIn and Facebook. I have the nickname Your Friendly Neighborhood Health Physicist and am gaining followers each week.

I am still in the 鈥榚arly career鈥� phase, but I have many goals that I am chasing after, including certifications! Senior HP is a goal among many!鈥�

Marc Sacco, Associate of Science in Nursing, 2008

Posted on by Jason Bonafide

Marc Sacco of Reading, Vermont, earned an Associate of Science in Nursing in 2008. Sacco is a nursing graduate, clinical nurse hypnotist, and recently published his latest book, A Man & A Machine: How a Human and an AI Built Two Films and Learned to Trust Each Other. After a 2023 bicycle accident left him with a traumatic brain injury disrupting the cognitive and language abilities that had defined both his nursing career and his earlier book, Verbal Medicine: The Language of Healing, Marc returned to creative writing through an unexpected six-week collaboration with Anthropic鈥檚 AI system, Claude. The result: two complete, WGA-registered feature screenplays, Gray Ops and The Corner of Fast and Easy, both of which are now competing nationally, as well as a book documenting the entire process. A Man & A Machine is available now on Amazon.

From Insight to Action: Why AI Must Drive Decisions, Not Just Insights

Posted on by Priyo Chatterjee

Priyo Chatterjee, 杏吧原创’s chief analytics officer, published an article in CXOTech Magazine听titled “From Insight to Action: Why AI Must Drive Decisions, Not Insights.” In the piece, Chatterjee discusses methods for utilizing artificial intelligence in higher education to create meaningful outcomes for institutions and students. The article provides an overview of Excelsior’s AI-powered Student Intervention Recommender, or StIR platform, and its focus on supporting a student-centric higher education ecosystem.

Excelsior听University听Celebrates 55th听Commencement听Ceremony听

Posted on by Jason Bonafide

Albany, N.Y.听鈥� 杏吧原创 celebrated its 55th Commencement on Friday, July 10, at 11 a.m. at the MVP Arena in Albany, New York. The Commencement ceremony brought together graduates of Excelsior鈥檚 online programs to commemorate their achievements in-person with University faculty and staff, family, friends, and supporters.听听

This year鈥檚 Commencement听ceremony听featured听remarks from graduate speaker听Kerry Treat Harrison, a Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare professional and mother of three, who shared the story of her journey to earn her Associate of Science in Nursing degree with the Class of 2026.听听听

The event closed with the ceremonial passing of the Excelsior Alumni Torch from Excelsior Alumni Leadership Council听(ALC)听president Ruth Lown Turman and ALC member听Jason DeLonais听to听graduate speaker听Harrison.听DeLonais was the first graduate to receive the Alumni Torch when Excelsior began this unique tradition in 2023.听听

听The Class of 2026听includes听3,735听graduates from across the world. The graduates听represent听all 50听U.S.听states,听the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico, as well as听11听other nations听spanning听five听continents.听A total of听1,0577听graduates听are听from New York state, including听129听from the Capital Region.听The听graduates听range in age from 14听to 80, and the average age of the Class of 2026听is听36听years old.听38% of graduates are听active-duty听service听members听or veterans听of the U.S. military, and听22听students earned more than one degree during the academic year.听For more facts about Excelsior鈥檚 Class of 2026,听view the Graduates听at a Glance听document.听听

“Commencement is an opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of Excelsior鈥檚 remarkable graduates. The Class of 2026 represents a wide range of learners from around the globe, and they share the common values that define Excelsior students: determination, resilience, and a passion for lifelong learning,” said David Schejbal, president of 杏吧原创. “For many graduates, earning this degree required balancing work, family, and service. They join more than 200,000 Excelsior alumni carrying their education forward into positive action in communities around the world.”听

The event听was听livestreamed听for those unable to attend. The听video听and all Commencement information听is available at听excelsior.edu/commencement.听听

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ABOUT EXCELSIOR UNIVERSITY听听
杏吧原创听is an accredited, not-for-profit higher education institution focused on helping learners complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior 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 in Albany, New York, Excelsior meets students where they are 鈥� academically and geographically 鈥� removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.鈥����听

Excelsior is a not-for-profit university with a main campus in Albany, New York, and an educational site in St. Petersburg, Florida. 杏吧原创鈥檚 academic programs are registered by the New York State Education Department, with鈥痑dditional鈥痩icensing for Florida-based programs.鈥���听

Licensed by the Commission for Independent Education, Florida Department of Education (License No. 12928).鈥疉dditional鈥痠nformation鈥痳egarding鈥痶his institution may be obtained by contacting the Commission at 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1414, Tallahassee, FL 323099-0400, toll-free number: (888)-224-6684.鈥�听

What Is Public Health?

Posted on by Rafael Caycho

Health sciences is a diverse field that offers numerous opportunities for specialization, among them public health. This branch of health sciences is focused on protecting and promoting the health of entire communities rather than just individual patients. It鈥檚 a particularly far-reaching field, encompassing everything from infectious disease control and maternal health to nutrition, environmental safety, and health equity.

The scope of public health has expanded to include immunization programs, health statistics, health education, health promotion initiatives, and community-based programs that support underserved and low-income populations. This means that the primary focus of public health is not treating illness but rather addressing the conditions that cause people to become ill in the first place. Its efforts help create healthier communities and contribute to local, national, and global well‑being.

Why Is Public Health Important?

Public health plays an essential role in improving community health by preventing disease before it occurs. This scientific pursuit has played a major role in increasing life expectancy through , , and that have significantly improved community health. Through initiatives such as vaccination programs, , and , trained professionals help protect communities from health threats and improve the quality of life.

Public health intersects with various health care disciplines. For instance, physicians use epidemiological data to understand disease trends. Nursing professionals incorporate health promotion and patient education activities into their practice. Health care administrators rely on data-driven frameworks to allocate resources effectively.

Given its broad scope, public health offers health care professionals the opportunity to make a significant impact at both the individual and community levels. Together, these multidisciplinary approaches strengthen the health care system and improve health outcomes for entire communities.

A crucial point to highlight is that public health helps promote . Unfortunately, many communities experience health disparities due to factors known as the social determinants of health. Since not everyone in a community has access to the same resources and opportunities, factors such as income, education, housing, health care access, and transportation can significantly affect health outcomes. Addressing these challenges is vital in ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to achieve optimal health.

Is Public Health the Right Field for You?

As the health care industry continues to emphasize disease prevention, health equity, and population health management, demand for professionals in those areas is expected to grow. A career in public health is an excellent choice for individuals passionate about helping others and improving community well-being on a large scale. The field attracts those motivated by systems thinking and social impact. It鈥檚 well suited for individuals interested in areas ranging from health-related data and advocacy to health policy. This branch of the health sciences is ideal for strong communicators who can translate research into concrete actions and who want their work to benefit entire populations.

Which Degree Do You Need for a Career in Public Health?

There are various educational paths that can prepare students for careers in public health. A bachelor鈥檚 degree in health sciences with a concentration in public health offers flexibility and provides a broad understanding of health care systems, policies, and community health practices. In contrast, a bachelor鈥檚 degree in public health often offers more specialized coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, and population health, making it an excellent option for students interested in research or fieldwork. The right educational path ultimately depends on an individual鈥檚 career goals and interests, but either degree can open significant doors in the field.

Start Your Career in Public Health with Excelsior

If you鈥檙e ready to take the first step toward a career dedicated to protecting community health, 杏吧原创 can help you achieve your professional goals. Excelsior鈥檚 health sciences programs are designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in today鈥檚 health care environment. The University offers a Public Health concentration for students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences, as well as a Bachelor of Science in Public Health. Both programs are offered online and provide the flexibility students need to balance their education with personal and professional responsibilities while preparing for rewarding careers in public health.

What You Can Do with a DBA Degree:
Careers and Opportunities

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Earning your Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) can take you beyond day-to-day management jobs into leadership roles with greater influence, responsibilities, and rewards. You might choose to start a business, help others as a consultant, or work in academia. When you have a DBA degree, the jobs available to you are reserved for people who can handle greater challenges and take on complex business problems, leading with confidence and credibility.

Organizational leadership takes more than experience and technical expertise. That鈥檚 where earning a DBA becomes invaluable. The program is designed for experienced professionals who want more from their business career, adding advanced business knowledge and real-world lessons to their credentials.

The Value of a DBA Program

Earning a Doctor of Business Administration prepares you for influence at the top of organizations, in entrepreneurial roles, and in consulting and teaching. Unlike some other doctoral programs, the DBA focuses on the practical. You鈥檒l learn how to interpret and use research and data, how to solve tough business problems, how to foster change and innovation, and how to lead and make effective decisions. It鈥檚 more than a credential; a DBA prepares you for a career with real impact.

How a DBA Degree Can Transform Your Career

Your reward for earning your DBA degree is a job that allows you to contribute to existing knowledge and not simply follow through on strategies created by others. If you want to generate new insights, map out innovative strategies, and lead an organization through change and fast growth, earning a DBA opens doors. You鈥檒l be networking with other business leaders and expanding your influence in an organization and an industry.

Career Transitions

One common DBA degree career move is advancing to roles with more responsibility and influence. You鈥檒l put research and data to use in solving tough business problems and planning for growth. Earning this degree prepares you to progress into decision-making executive roles, consulting, entrepreneurship, or academia.

Increased Salaries

A business career with greater responsibilities comes with greater financial rewards. If you possess a DBA degree, jobs tend to be higher paying. When pursuing promotions, lucrative consulting engagements, and leadership roles, you have a competitive advantage and the ability to command a and generous benefits.

Entering the Workforce with Your DBA Degree: Job Opportunities

Rewarding postdoctoral careers aren鈥檛 limited to top executive positions. You have a wide array of roles and industries to choose from. You鈥檒l develop competencies in leadership, managing complex operations, big-picture thinking and decision-making, advanced information processing and synthesis abilities, interpersonal skills, and understanding cultural nuances and working effectively within them. Your earning potential varies widely by role, industry, geography, and organization; however, below are some benchmarks.

Chief Executive Officer

Top leadership at large and fast-growing companies is a common DBA degree career path. You鈥檒l have tremendous influence and significant responsibility in these roles. Competition is fierce; earning this degree gives you an edge. The pegs the median wage at $206,420.

Business Consultant

In this role, you鈥檒l help organizations understand and solve problems, boost performance, and find growth opportunities. Your DBA gives you a competitive advantage and high earning potential. reports that total pay (salary, bonus, profit sharing, and commission) estimates for business consultants can be as high as $153,000 per year.

Business Professor

A DBA prepares you for leadership, research, and teaching roles at universities and colleges. The degree gives you the credentials you need to thrive in the field across specialization, from management to finance, accounting, marketing, logistics, and more. Job security is a plus in academia. The pegs the median annual salary for postsecondary business teachers at $113,240.

Business Analyst

A business analyst is a research- and data-intensive role. You鈥檒l use advanced statistics and analytical tools to uncover insights and advise organizational leadership on efficiency improvements, advantages to operational changes, and new opportunities. According to the, the median annual salary in this role is $101,190.

Entrepreneur

The sky is the limit when it comes to earning potential in launching and growing new businesses. While achieving billionaire status is exceedingly rare, an entrepreneur role for someone with a DBA degree is a job with high earning potential. Salaries range from zero with sweat equity ownership to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Business owners with employees earn a median annual income of.

杏吧原创鈥檚 DBA Program

If you鈥檙e ready to move beyond your current role, the Excelsior DBA program will help you reach new levels. We have designed a program specifically for senior leaders, entrepreneurs, and consultants who want to pair their experience with advanced skills and abilities to take on tougher business challenges.

You can pursue the 60-credit program mostly online so you can continue working as you earn your degree. The flexible learning format, combined with individualized support, gives you all you need to succeed.

You鈥檒l enjoy two in-person residencies, online coursework, and meaningful interaction with faculty and peers. Tailor your studies with concentrations like Data Analytics, Cybersecurity Operations, Enterprise Risk Management, Finance and Accounting, Healthcare Management, Organizational Leadership, and Strategic Sustainability.

You complete your degree with a dissertation that either solves a real organizational challenge or requires three interconnected papers on a specific aspect of your research focus. You have the support of faculty mentors, dissertation chairs, and committee members providing you with guidance from start to finish.

From greater influence to exciting new opportunities, the next chapter of your career is waiting to be written in 杏吧原创鈥檚 DBA program.

Rico Nelson, Bachelor of Science in Business, 2022

Posted on by Jason Bonafide

Rico Nelson of Columbus, Georgia, earned a Bachelor of Science in Business in 2022. He shares, 鈥淢y story is a typical one, characterized by aspirations of selfless service. A value that has been a cornerstone of my life for as long as I can remember.

I firmly believe in having a purpose. Occasionally, that purpose is to selflessly give of oneself. My purpose was the well-being of my family and the defense of my country. After 20 years of service, I found it challenging to rediscover that purpose. Although retirement was well earned and relaxing, it wasn鈥檛 quite for me just yet.

After a brief hiatus of approximately four months, I revisited my Army tough box and retrieved my 鈥淚 Love Me鈥� book. I meticulously reviewed my documents to identify the most distinguished awards and citations with the intent to translate the military jargon into more comprehensible terms for future employment in the civilian sector.

Upon reviewing my documents and evaluations, I finalized my curriculum vitae (CV), which effectively conveyed high executive-level performance.

I successfully managed personnel, time, and government funds, all while minimizing equipment costs. I met all annual training requirements and managed resiliency programs. I maintained comprehensive company records, ensuring no accounts incurred delinquency. Furthermore, I cultivated a positive work environment devoid of discriminatory practices by implementing unique equal opportunity standards.

I utilized effective communication skills to narrow language barriers between foreign partners while serving abroad, which optimized workforce performance, resulting in shared goals being set and achieved. All of this during a career that spanned two decades, across three continents, and in some of the most austere living conditions.

This is the resume I submitted through USA Jobs. It took some time, but I was offered a position back in government service. Not on the front lines, or anything that required me to brandish a weapon. That skillset was not listed, and for good reason. Tinnitus has consistently hummed in my ear for several years now.

The interview with the agency went well. Once I accepted the job offer, I鈥檝e received the best training from the best-qualified instructors, and this position kind of places me back on the front lines in a sense.

Upon successfully completing the requisite training and obtaining the necessary certifications, I was officially sworn in as a federal agent. I still find it to have been an honor to be sworn in as a federal officer, particularly considering the extensive time I dedicated on the enlisted side. I would often jest with my lieutenants about their age and lack of facial hair, remarking, ‘You cannot spell lost without the “L.T.”‘

I am not a United States Army officer; rather, I am an officer serving with the Transportation Security Administration.

As a Transportation Security Officer (TSO), I find myself in a unique position, dedicating myself to a cause that prioritizes the safety of the nation鈥檚 transportation system, passengers, and commerce.鈥�

Marvin Williams, Master of Science in Liberal Arts, 2005

Posted on by Jason Bonafide

Marvin Williams of Pooler, Georgia, earned a Master of Science in Liberal Arts in 2005. He shares, 鈥淚 completed my dissertation, 鈥淒o You See What I Hear?: The Effects of Musical Harmony on Cultural Perception and Recognition,鈥� for my PhD from the Graduate School of Leadership and Change of Antioch University.

I currently serve as a member of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, the largest volunteer service and supplemental force to the Coast Guard. In my role as an auxiliarist, I have previously served as the flotilla and division diversity officer, attaining the National Commodore (NACO) 3-Star Award multiple times. For fun, I am also pursuing a civilian helicopter pilot license to further support the humanitarian objectives of the USCG. In addition, I am completing studies in law in pursuit of a Juris Doctor, with the goal to serve as an immigration, human rights, and tribal law advocate.

Whether as an author, lawyer, lecturer, or musician, to become as complete an advocate for the underrepresented and those who are struggling to find their place is the ultimate vision for my pursuits.鈥�