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Excelsior鈥檚 portfolio of business programs now includes two additional master鈥檚 degree programs and two more graduate-level certificates. All four programs were developed to train and educate leaders for jobs in today鈥檚 economy as well as for an ever-evolving work聽environment.

鈥淭he pace of technological change is expected to accelerate over the next five years, with cloud computing, big data, and e-commerce continuing to dramatically change the nature of work,鈥� says Scott Dolan, dean of the School of Graduate Studies. 鈥淪killed technologists who have expertise in those areas may need to broaden leadership skills in problem solving, collaboration, and communication. In the reverse, business-focused leaders may need to strengthen foundational knowledge to understand how to reach people with technology and data聽backgrounds.鈥�

To equip leaders with the knowledge and skills to excel in the changing workplace, the School of Graduate Studies team developed the degree programs Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Technology and Data Analytics and Master of Science in Human Resource Management with an Emphasis in Diversity and Technology, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics and a Graduate Certificate in Distributed Workforce Management.

• The 30-credit Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Technology and Data Analytics was developed for practitioners who want to be leaders within today鈥檚 data-driven economy and solve the most complex organizational challenges. Graduates will leave this program prepared to make critical, data-informed decisions that will assist organizations to remain effective in an ever-changing economy.

 

• The 30-credit Master of Science in Human Resource Management with an Emphasis in Diversity and Technology was developed for professionals who, as senior leaders, want to contribute to the success of organizations by improving the performance, motivation, satisfaction, health, and well-being of distributed staff. This degree program focuses on engaging and retaining employees to drive organizational performance and value for the organization鈥檚 stakeholders.

 

• The three-course Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics equips leaders with the valuable skill set of collecting, analyzing, and visually representing data to improve organizational decision making as well as with the technical skills to carry out data analysis and the leadership skills to implement insights gleaned from data analysis. Students who complete this certificate can apply 9 credits toward the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Technology and Data Analytics.

 

• The three-course Graduate Certificate in Distributed Workforce Management provides leaders who want to excel in senior-level human resources positions with the strategic leadership skills necessary to promote collaboration and strong communication among distributed teams and to solve complex organizational challenges associated with employees working in a distributed mode. Students who complete this certificate program can apply 9聽credits toward the Master of Science in Human Resource Management with an Emphasis in Diversity and Technology.

 

鈥淭here is a significant opportunity to train and educate leaders for the jobs of the new economy, an economy that operates at the intersection of technology, data, and human innovation,鈥� says Dolan. 鈥淲e are excited to be able to launch two new master鈥檚 degree programs aligned with these trends. And because the change is so rapid, we know that the window of opportunity for individuals to reskill and upskill is short. Leaders need to stay current, so in line with this approach, we have also developed two shorter duration certificates which are embedded in the degree programs.鈥�

 

OnlineU, which ranks online colleges so students can make the best choice in choosing their higher education, recently recognized Excelsior College as No. 1 for best online associate degrees and No. 3 for best online bachelor鈥檚 degrees.

The designations are part of OnlineU鈥檚 list of 2021 Best Online Colleges for Return on Investment, which ranks schools by graduates鈥� salaries and debt payments for 10 years after graduation, accounting for standard salary growth and interest on debt payments. OnlineU鈥檚 rankings are the first to be based on the median salary and mean debt numbers found in the U.S. Department of Education鈥檚 College Scorecard.

Each year, OnlineU manually researches more than 40,000 online tuition rates for degree programs. More than 22,000 students are matched with schools annually, a testament to how beneficial this data is in providing people with the knowledge necessary in making informed educational choices. With the new 2021 Best Colleges for Return on Investment rankings, students can now see which college will benefit them the most financially, and Excelsior is at the top of that list.

Excelsior helps students save money and time on their education by accepting previously earned college credit and awarding credit for military training, workplace training, and certain professional certifications. Of the students enrolling in the 2019鈥�2020 academic year, 93.5聽percent transferred in college credits prior to enrollment or within three weeks after enrolling. Those pursuing a bachelor鈥檚 degree transferred in an average of 69.37 credits, which amounts to more than half the number of degree credits required for a bachelor鈥檚 degree.

David Schejbal, president of Excelsior College, stated, 鈥淲e are honored to be recognized by OnlineU for best college return on investment. This ranking is significant for Excelsior College, our students, and our graduates as we strive for a strong return on investment and low student debt. Many of our students balance full-time work and personal responsibilities while pursuing a degree, and we recognize the sacrifices and investments they make.鈥�

 

To set Excelsior College apart among its peer institutions and to enhance students鈥� learning experience, three highly experienced individuals have joined the College to create a robust Provost鈥檚 Office under the leadership of John Caron.

Caron鈥檚 arrival at Excelsior as provost and vice president of academic affairs in July 2019 coincided with retirements of vice provost positions. He decided to take the opportunity to build what he calls a dream team of external professionals from the educational community to diversify Excelsior鈥檚 executive leadership. To accomplish his goal, Caron brought aboard Lisa Braverman, Heather Chakiris, and Breanne 鈥淏re鈥� Simkin.

Braverman is the vice provost for academic and faculty support and comes from Fairleigh Dickinson University where she was the dean of the Petrocelli School of Continuing Education. She is no stranger to helping adult learners reach their educational goals, and she brings experience building bilingual courses specifically targeted to Latinx students with some credit, no degree. One of the initiatives in Excelsior鈥檚 strategic plan is to grow enrollment and increase the diversity of our students to reflect national demographics. One of the ways to do this is by expanding opportunities to make Excelsior an attractive option for Latinx students.

鈥淎s the College community commits to more diverse and socially just environments and educational practices, I am spearheading with Dean Seaver the creation of new, more inclusive degree pathways for Latinx adults that will ensure higher levels of community, equity, and success for this student demographic, with elements such as bilingual instruction and multiculturally sensitive student service models,鈥� says Braverman. 鈥淚 am proud to be part of the Excelsior community and deeply appreciate the vision of its collaborative and supportive leadership who are committed to a new, exciting future.鈥�

As the associate vice president for student success, Chakiris provides leadership and guidance on several strategic priorities, including rapid virtual and in-time service for students. She works collaboratively with the vice provost, the associate vice president for enrollment management, the schools, and other key College partners, to create a seamless student experience. Chakiris comes from UCLA Extension and prior to that, Penn State World Campus. She led the creation of the student co-curricular experience at Penn State World Campus, which many other institutions have since tried to emulate. She then brought her expertise to UCLA, where she worked toward the same goals as the chief student experience officer.

鈥淢y passion for the last 20 years has been developing support structures that help online adult learners succeed in reaching their educational goals despite everything that life throws at them that makes them want to give up,鈥� says Chakiris. 鈥淚 feel fortunate to be working with the talented provost team who share the same passion and drive to create an extraordinary student experience and to cultivate a culture of extraordinary service that distinguishes Excelsior as the gold standard in online education.鈥�

Simkin, the associate vice president for enrollment management, previously worked at Lindenwood University in Missouri, where she was the associate vice president for enrollment management. Lindenwood University is a four-year nonprofit institution, with programs that span from baccalaureate to doctoral as well as with professional and continuing education opportunities. Simkin鈥檚 knowledge is steeped in financial aid and registrar work, and she is responsible for the development of data-driven strategies to increase student enrollment, while working collaboratively with various stakeholders to ensure positive enrollment growth. 鈥淪erving the underserved has been a large part of my professional career and motivates me in the work we do within Enrollment Management,鈥� she says. 鈥淚t is wonderfully fulfilling to know that we are helping change the course of a student鈥檚 future. I look forward to establishing new enrollment opportunities that will take Excelsior into the next 50 years.鈥�

As a priority project, the new team is rolling out an enrollment management strategy that includes recruiting, enrolling, retaining, and graduating students while maintaining a successful fiscal and academic plan. Part of Caron鈥檚 strategy is encouraging the growth of new programs to attract students. The academic world is constantly changing, and Excelsior needs to keep up with it, as well as with the growing needs of the corporate world.

鈥淧art of our growth strategy needs to include offering new programs again; it鈥檚 been several years since the College launched new programs,鈥� says Caron, and explains that the deans have been working on developing degree programs and micro certificates designed to meet the needs of learners and employers.

In June, four graduate-level programs, the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Technology and Data Analytics, Master of Science in Human Resource Management with an Emphasis in Diversity and Technology, Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics, and Graduate Certificate in Distributed Workforce Management, opened for enrollment. That same month, the LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program opened for enrollment. Programs in mechanical engineering technology, renewable energy, and sustainability management are in development for launch in the Fall 2022 trimester. Planning is also underway on a bilingual learning experience for Latinx students. In addition, the Associate Degree in Nursing program鈥檚 revised curriculum was introduced to new students enrolling as of January 1, 2021.

Provost Caron is ready for the provost鈥檚 team, including the vice provost, associate vice presidents, deans, and special assistant to the provost focusing on curriculum design and innovation, to be ambassadors for Excelsior College when they present and speak at conferences, serve on panels, write blogs, and 鈥渆ssentially elevate the brand awareness and reputation of the College on a national level.鈥� The alignment of the leadership for academic and faculty support, student success, and enrollment management within the Provost鈥檚 Office will help solidify Excelsior鈥檚 position in the educational community going forward. He adds that with the new experience and knowledge on board, Excelsior will be able to find ways to do what no other college and institution is doing.

Says Caron, 鈥淵ou鈥檝e got to have firepower, you鈥檝e got to have talent. To do that, you鈥檝e got to have people who don鈥檛 let anything get in their way. And can think out of the box. And these leaders are it.鈥�
 

Team Excelsior earned first place in the National Cyber League (NCL) spring competition, a cybersecurity competition with offensive and defensive puzzle-based and capture-the-flag games.

Excelsior鈥檚 National Cybersecurity Student Association Chapter participates annually in the NCL, a virtual training that prepares high school and college students for potential real-world cybersecurity situations. Alumni within one year of graduating and students acting in a fellowship role are also allowed to participate in the competition. Participants join in the preseason, individual, and team games at the level of their choosing, giving them opportunities to be successful and expand their skills. The number of Excelsior students participating in the NCL has steadily increased each season since 2017, and teams participate in both the spring season, held from March until May, and the fall season, which starts in October and ends in November.

Under the guidance of master鈥檚 in cybersecurity graduate Weylin Leavitt, 28聽Excelsior students and alumni participated in the individual, preseason, and team games this past spring. For the team games, Excelsior created four teams led by captains Leavitt; Todd Krebsbach, a master鈥檚 in cybersecurity graduate; Stephanie Barnes, a master鈥檚 in cybersecurity student; and Steven Meredith, a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Technology Management student. Each team collaborated, trained, and spent countless hours competing in the challenges, which resulted in Excelsior College鈥檚 team, the r00ts, placing No. 1 among the Top 100 schools in the NCL and placing No. 2 in the NCL team games.

鈥淣ot only has the NCL expanded my technical skills through its challenges and continues to with new and current cyber tools and tactics, but it has taught me invaluable leadership skills,鈥� says Leavitt, who has progressed from casual player to team captain and fellow at the National Cybersecurity Institute at Excelsior College (NCI). 鈥淢y military training and opportunities have had a strong influence on these skills, but through Excelsior and NCI support, I have been able to hone and practice those skills and teamwork in the virtual/cyber realm. I would not trade these lessons and experiences for anything.鈥�

Students who participate in the NCL competition gain cybersecurity experience, prepare for the workplace, and increase their skill levels in preparation for more competitions down the road. They also apply what they learn in the bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 programs in cybersecurity, which prepare students to prevent, detect, counter, and recover from cyber incidents.

 

Last summer, students and alumni participated in a pilot of a mentorship program designed to allow students to build first-hand career knowledge and connections, as well as to network. Although the mentorship experience does not guarantee a job, it increases avenues and the potential for students to reach career goals.

Interested students and alumni filled out intake forms or answered questions over the phone to develop a profile that the mentorship program committee used to form matches. Mentees and mentors were matched using algorithms built on mutual areas of interest, including career and program areas, and other preferences sourced from their profiles.

During the pilot program, mentors were expected to share knowledge about an industry, discuss experiences they have faced and overcome, serve as a career guide (but not help the student find employment), and give direction as a trusted individual. Though not required, mentees could log their mentoring experiences by keeping a journal and they could periodically check in with Tammy Spenziero, the director of the Career Readiness Center. Spenziero worked with Scott Dolan, dean of the School of Graduate Studies, and representatives from Alumni Engagement to develop and now lead the mentorship program.

Dolan remarked about the success of the program, saying, 鈥淥ur students often come to us with the goal of advancing or changing their careers, and mentorship can play an important role in career development. Mentors provide valuable advice, help students develop their skills, act as a sounding board for students to test ideas, and enable students to expand their networks. This particular pilot program enabled us to engage with our alumni in new ways. Who better to provide advice to our existing students than our alumni who have translated their Excelsior degree into successful careers themselves.鈥�

鈥淢entors play an important role in the academic and professional growth of students鈥�Engaging with a mentor can help increase their confidence, align their expectations with the realities of life and work, and further their growth and development鈥�No student should go without the critical human connection and opportunities that mentorship provides,鈥� says Spenziero.

One mentor who has played such an important role in a student鈥檚 life is U.S. Navy veteran and retired teacher Thomas Snee, who graduated in 1998 from Regents College with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in liberal arts. He volunteered to participate in the mentorship program with several goals in mind. He wanted to share his background, maintain regular contact with his student mentee, and help ensure the student鈥檚 success. Snee was paired with Ashley Gammon, a loan officer who was in the final months of the Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts program. She earned her degree in November 2020.

鈥淚 suggested she take the futuristic view in the value of her Excelsior degree鈥攈ow and where it will lead in the future, short- or long-term. In short, giving assurances that time spent on the numerous papers, in 鈥榤eetings,鈥� and other factors enhances her persona as a person,鈥� said Snee.

Snee and Gammon kept in close contact, sharing emails and frequently talking on the phone. Gammon recalls the relationship as being very beneficial and friendly, saying she enjoyed having the opportunity to bounce ideas off Snee and having his wisdom and guidance available.

鈥淲hile there is quite the age difference between us, he gave me such great insight and wisdom,鈥� says Gammon. 鈥淚 loved [that] I had someone who was so intelligent and a published author to look over my resume and give gentle guidance on it. I gained a friend. We now email all the time and talk on the phone about once a month.鈥�

The pilot of the mentorship program completed successfully with most of the mentees and mentors having positive reviews. The committee plans to continue the three-month model of the program, which is open and running for anyone interested. The committee has also incorporated Excelsior Connects, the alumni engagement platform, to allow mentees and mentors to seamlessly correspond during the mentorship experience.

鈥淲e have witnessed Excelsior alumni open doors to expanded job opportunities and new professional pursuits for each other and for current students through mentoring,鈥� says Jamie Hicks-Furgang, executive director of development and alumni engagement. 鈥淣ow, with Excelsior Connects as our platform, we are increasing opportunities for more formal mentorship and even greater connection among the alumni and student body鈥�These types of connections are incredibly valuable for career and personal growth and are also personally rewarding for both alumni and students alike.鈥�

 

The newly added LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program offers licensed practical nurses and licensed vocational nurses a pathway to career advancement. By enrolling in this program, LPNs and LVNs can earn both an Associate in Applied Science and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing in less time than it would take to complete each degree program separately.

After earning the associate degree in nursing, students are eligible to sit for the NCLEX-RN, become licensed, and begin their professional nursing practice before conferral of the bachelor鈥檚 degree. With the opportunity to become RNs midway through the program, students will be able to take advantage of different employment opportunities and take on the new role of a professional nurse while earning their bachelor鈥檚 in nursing. They can also gain a significant increase in wages that comes with RN licensure.

Registered nursing is one of the fastest-growing occupations, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics鈥� projections through 2029. The RN workforce is expected to grow from 3 million in 2019 to 3.3. million in 2029 due to an aging population, nurse retirements, health care reform, and other factors.

The LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program provides LPNs and LVNs with the clinical skills and practice experiences they need to grow their nursing careers and expand their role in the delivery of quality patient care. All courses are online, except for two hybrid courses in which students engage in online course activities and complete a live clinical experience. This structure makes the program a good fit with the work schedules of LPNs and LVNs who are looking to balance the pursuit of a degree with their professional and personal responsibilities.

In the combined degree program, students earn an Associate in Applied Science in Nursing after completing all associate degree requirements and proceed seamlessly to the bachelor鈥檚 nursing component. They must have an active RN license to complete the bachelor鈥檚 degree requirements.

鈥淚n many instances, employers have expressed a preference to hire baccalaureate-prepared nurses or nurses who are enrolled in a baccalaureate program, and Excelsior鈥檚 LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing program expands career opportunities for LPNs and LVNs,鈥� says Mary Lee Pollard, dean of the School of Nursing.

 

Four alumni were honored for their outstanding achievements on July 8, during the Alumni Association Annual Meeting hosted by the Alumni Leadership Council. The meeting was held online to allow the broadest possible participation by Excelsior alumni.

The alumni award recipients, Lloyd Conway, Cynthia Wanek, Scott Meier, and Gregg Smith, accepted their awards virtually.

Lloyd Conway was selected as the recipient of the Alumni Achievement Award, which recognizes outstanding academic, professional, personal, and community contributions that are representative of our graduates. 鈥淏eing chosen for this honor gives me a feeling of connectedness to the community of like-minded souls whose academic pilgrimage brought them to Excelsior鈥�Our journeys would not have been possible without Excelsior, and I am sure that all of us are as grateful as I am for our alma mater,鈥� he says about the Alumni Achievement Award.

This Carrie B. Lenburg Award is presented to an outstanding nursing graduate in recognition of the accomplishments and vision of Dr. Carrie Lenburg, coordinator of the Regents College Nursing Program from 1973 to 1990. The award is presented to a nurse who demonstrates a commitment to nursing education as well as to academic and professional accomplishments in the field of nursing. This year鈥檚 recipient, Cynthia Wanek, is a lifelong learner and credits her achievements to living by the motto 鈥淓ver Upward.鈥�

Scott Meier was selected as the recipient of the C. Wayne Williams Award, which is named after the College鈥檚 first president and presented in recognition of outstanding public service and community involvement by a graduate. Meier believes that the legacy we leave is greater defined by those we help rather than by what we鈥檝e acquired. 鈥淭hey [Excelsior College] took all my various experiences and validated them, and in turn, valued me,鈥� he says. 鈥淚鈥檓 forever grateful for Excelsior College and the alumni that keep the school鈥檚 mission of supporting adult learners at the heart of their culture.鈥�

Alumni Service Award recipient Gregg Smith has been giving back to Excelsior for many years, in a variety of ways, including his longstanding service as member of faculty from 1983 to present and the establishment of the Gregg and Lisa Smith Technology Scholarship Fund. The Alumni Service Award recognizes outstanding service to Excelsior College, including efforts in advocacy, recruitment, or outreach and service as a role model to others in helping the College achieve its overarching goals.

Reflecting on his contributions, Smith says, 鈥淚t all counts. The key is to start, succeed with that first goal, and then build on it to the next. It鈥檚 not a sprint, it鈥檚 a marathon.鈥�

Read more about the recipients:

Lloyd Conway: Alumni Achievement Award

Lloyd Conway, of Lansing, Michigan, is from an Army family dating back to the American Revolution and is the first in his family to graduate college. Conway鈥檚 Excelsior degree made him eligible for the MI Civil Service test (on which he scored in the 100th percentile) and a 20-year career in public service that would have been otherwise denied. Conway has been selected for many honors and awards and has dedicated his life鈥檚 work to the improvement of his community. Conway鈥檚 post-Excelsior career has included being an adjunct college instructor in a nontraditional degree-completion program. His commitment to nontraditional education continues to be a driving force in his life and career. In addition to a Bachelor of Arts from Excelsior, Conway earned a MAT from Wayne State University.

Cynthia Wanek: Carrie B. Lenburg Award

While some announce retirement at age 62, Cynthia Wanek, of Crete, Nebraska, announced her new position at a Magnet status medical center. Wanek enrolled at Excelsior on the phone from a cancer treatment hospital while supporting her father. After his passing, her mother鈥檚 lifelong heart condition required more of her time and Wanek took over most of her parents鈥� affairs. She persevered against the odds as a nontraditional student to become a nurse. Her goal was a nursing job at her local critical access hospital, and she was ultimately hired in a small hospital. Wanek holds advanced licenses and finds meaning in direct, bedside patient care. She prides herself in giving comfort, hope, and courage through the end of life. A graduate of Excelsior with an associate degree in nursing, she earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Nebraska.

J. Scott Meier: C. Wayne Williams Award

From his first job delivering newspapers to working in agriculture while growing up and later in the food service industry, to his career in the Navy and all that has followed, Scott Meier, of Austin, Texas, has been in roles where he has served others. He is a steadfast volunteer through civic involvement, churches, community theater, fundraisers for cancer, and youth coaching. Meier did not plan his life around serving but understood the value that was modeled in the small community in which he was raised and instilled in him at a young age. Meier is involved in many activities outside of his professional position to advance the capabilities of the Department of Veterans Affairs and other federal departments. Meier earned a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology from Excelsior and a Master of Business Administration from University of Missouri.

Gregg Smith: Alumni Service Award

Gregg Smith, from Idaho Falls, Idaho, has been affiliated with Excelsior since 1983 when he secured a six-figure grant to start development of technology degree programs at Regents External Degrees Program (now Excelsior College). Smith is an active member of several advisory boards, including New Jersey Institute of Technology, Hudson Valley Community College, and National Program on Non-Collegiate Sponsored Instruction. He also founded a nonprofit organization that conducts several charitable events in the community and has raised more than $150,000 per year. A graduate of Excelsior with a Bachelor of Science, Smith encourages students and alumni to give back to the College in any way that they can.