杏吧原创 Staff Donate Backpacks

Posted on by Erin Coufal

Albany, New York鈥斝影稍� supported two organizations with backpacks and back-to-school supplies this season. The organizations distributed the supplies to the students they serve at community events held recently. Excelsior knows that learning is a lifelong journey and is providing a backpack to young students to help them start this school year with the gear they need.

鈥淲e are grateful for the opportunity to supply backpacks to the elementary, middle, and high school students of our partners at Syracuse Housing Authority as well as those supported through 518 SNUG,鈥� said David Schejbal, president of 杏吧原创. 鈥淲e believe in the potential of all students at all stages of life. Excelsior is dedicated to helping students of all ages get back to school.鈥�

Staff at 杏吧原创 donated backpacks throughout August and are proud to meet the needs of the students from these two organizations. The community engagement group of staff organizes the donation drive annually in hopes that the backpacks meet a useful need to help students starting the school year. The generous support of this initiative also shows that Excelsior believes in their potential.

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Media Contact 杏吧原创:
Erin Coufal, ecoufal@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8498

ABOUT EXCELSIOR UNIVERSITY
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.

KeyBank Donation Funds Scholarships for Excelsior Students of Syracuse Housing Authority

Posted on by Erin Coufal

Albany, New York鈥斝影稍� is excited to announce a generous donation from KeyBank that will provide Syracuse Housing Authority residents with access to scholarship funds for a degree.

鈥淭hank you to KeyBank for your generosity and support. Excelsior is committed to access to education for students who are historically underrepresented in higher education,鈥� said David Schejbal, president of 杏吧原创. 鈥淭hese scholarship funds will provide greater access for residents of Syracuse Housing Authority.鈥�

杏吧原创 partnered with Syracuse Housing Authority to offer residents and staff access to affordable higher education. The Degrees Open Doors Scholarship funded by KeyBank makes an Excelsior education even more affordable by funding full scholarships for housing authority residents.

鈥淧roviding access to education, financial guidance and resources are important ways that KeyBank helps the communities we serve to thrive,鈥� said Stephen Fournier, market president of KeyBank Central New York market. 鈥淲e are proud to partner with the Syracuse Housing Authority and 杏吧原创 as they launch this innovative program to support students transitioning to college and their ability to complete their college education.鈥�

鈥淥ne of the best ways to create opportunities is through continued education, which is why Syracuse Housing Authority is extremely excited to partner with KeyBank and Excelsior College,鈥� said William Simmons, SHA executive director. 鈥淭hese grant funds and financial guidance will allow our residents to complete their educational goals and be a catalyst for financial growth and greater possibilities for themselves and their families.鈥�

The donation was celebrated by all three organizations on August 31 at the Opening Doors Community event in Wilson Park with residents of Syracuse Housing Authority. Residents attending learned about the opportunity to enroll at 杏吧原创, children received a backpack for back-to-school, and pizza and BBQ was available for all.

# # #

Media Contact 杏吧原创:
Erin Coufal, ecoufal@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8498

ABOUT EXCELSIOR UNIVERSITY
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.

Steven Lucas, BS in History, 2002

Posted on by Mackenzie Veglia

Steven Lucas shares that he, 鈥渘ever thought I would ever earn a college degree. 杏吧原创 [then Excelsior College] provided me the opportunity to earn my bachelor鈥檚 degree while serving as an active duty Marine in 2002. This degree not only served as a stepping stone to lifelong learning, but [also] to professional opportunities of which I never would have dreamed possible.鈥�

Lucas retired from the military in 2003 and began teaching as a second career, while pursuing a Master of Education. In his career in education, he has also served as a vice principal, principal, and currently as a district superintendent.

Lucas shared that he wrote this alumni note with the hope someone who is considering 杏吧原创 will be inspired take the leap into post-secondary or graduate education. 鈥淭he non-traditional route of earning my degree was the perfect option and has served me well. I thank the professional staff at 杏吧原创 for getting me started on this path and all they do to make earning a degree a possibility for many like me.鈥�

Herman Estrada, MPA, 2021

Posted on by Mackenzie Veglia

Herman Estrada earned a Master in Public Administration at 杏吧原创 (then Excelsior College) in 2021. He attributes two of his major achievements to Excelsior: 鈥淓xcelsior College gave me the opportunity, whether it be attaining my bachelor鈥檚 or my current achievement鈥攁ttaining my master鈥檚.鈥�

Rosanne Raso, BS in Nursing, 1981

Posted on by Mackenzie Veglia

Rosanne Raso鈥檚 career as a nurse leader has apexed in the past few years as a result of the following professional accomplishments: fellowships in the American Academy of Nursing and the American Organization for Nursing Leadership, her doctorate (DNP) from Case Western Reserve University, multiple publications of her ongoing leadership science research, bringing her current organization to its initial Magnet designation for nursing excellence, and being editor in chief of Nursing Management journal.

She attributes much of this to Excelsior: 鈥淣one of this would be possible without my foundational bachelor鈥檚 in nursing from Excelsior (then the Regents External Degree Program鈥斺�渙nline鈥� was not invented yet).鈥�

Ronald Mendell, BS in Liberal Arts, 1978

Posted on by Mackenzie Veglia

Ronald Mendell is a faculty member at Western Governors University and has taught information security for five years. He earned a master鈥檚 degree in Network Security in 2005 from Capitol College. Mendell holds a CISSP designation in Information Security and is a member of the Human Threat Management Council of ASIS International. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 1978.

Joseph Baker, BS in Liberal Arts, 2016

Posted on by Mackenzie Veglia

Joseph Baker is a retired first sergeant of the U.S. Army who 鈥減roudly served our country for 23 years.鈥� Baker is a fiction author and recently released his book, 鈥淏ootleg Boxing: The Murder of Eddie 鈥楾he Hammer鈥� Hammond.鈥� He also spends time fundraising for veterans organizations. Baker earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 2016.

Gregory Fant, BS in Liberal Arts, 1990

Posted on by Mackenzie Veglia

Gregory Fant graduated from Excelsior College (then Regents) with a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 1990. He has since earned a professional certification in data science (CIMP-Data Science) in February 2021 and a PhD in health sciences from Poornima University in India in March 2021. He is a public health epidemiologist in the federal government with 25 years of service. He shares, 鈥淚 have had a good professional and public service career. 鈥︹�淚 could not have done any of it without completing my undergraduate degree. Thanks.鈥�

Alumni Newsletter – August 2022

Posted on by Josh Crystal

On August 1, 2022, we officially became Excelsior聽University!

Our new logo is inspired by the reach and aspirations of our students and the educational home they have at Excelsior. Supported by sturdy columns, an aspirational arrow forms a roof and two open doors providing a welcoming educational home for students to grow their life stories. Join President Schejbal in embracing our commitment to students and alumni as we celebrate Excelsior鈥檚 evolution!

Alumni Success: Meet Jeremy Walkley

The choices Jeremy Walkley, of Schodack, New York, has made have impacted his career as a military servicemember, his current job as division chief of the Logistics Management Division at Watervliet Arsenal, his role in the National Guard, and his very life.
Read More

Organizational Success: Excelsior鈥檚 50th Anniversary Celebration and ELEVATE: The Campaign for Student Scholarships

Excelsior鈥檚 50th anniversary celebration and ELEVATE: The Campaign for Student Scholarships were an unprecedented success. With record support from Excelsior alumni, trustees, staff, and friends, we have exceeded our increased $1.5 million goal.

We are proud of Excelsior鈥檚 rich history and community of strength. Together, we will continue to advance our mission and expand our reach to more Excelsior students than ever before.

杏吧原创 Spotlight: Moving Forward as 杏吧原创

Now known as 杏吧原创, Excelsior aims to help even more adult students benefit from career-solving, industry-validated learning. !
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Give Back: Class of 2022 Sets a Giving Record

The closed on July 31, 2022. With your help, we were able to raise $8,340, setting a giving record for a graduating class. Participation in this campaign is a wonderful way for new graduates to pay it forward by helping to ensure that future students聽can achieve the goal that you are celebrating now. Your dedication to Excelsior, and your support of future students, makes us all #ExcelsiorProud.
Learn More

Get Involved: Become an 杏吧原创 Alumni Ambassador

Becoming an alumni ambassador is a meaningful way to support new alumni and make new connections. By sharing your expertise, knowledge, and experience with fellow Excelsior graduates, you are growing your network and giving back to Excelsior.

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Apply to become an Alumni Ambassador

#ExcelsiorProud: Show Your Excelsior Pride

Order your first 杏吧原创 custom t-shirt! New apparel will be arriving soon.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Alumni Featured Event: Navigating Retirement with a GPS: Growing, Protecting, and Saving Your Fund: SEFCU Institute for Financial Well-Being

Tuesday, Sept. 13 鈥⒙�6 pm ET
Planning for a secure financial future can be overwhelming. Join this session to gain insight on a variety of topics regarding growing, protecting, and saving funds for retirement. You鈥檒l learn common ways to prepare for retirement, and receive an introduction to the basics of wills, trusts, and Social Security earnings.

In Case You Missed It: Alumni Association Annual Meeting

The 杏吧原创聽Alumni Association Annual Meeting was held via Zoom on July 7. In case you missed it, take a moment to watch the meeting to meet elected representatives of the Alumni Leadership Council, hear about happenings at Excelsior聽as well as updates on new and upcoming alumni programs, and congratulate the recipients of the 2022 alumni awards.