Degrees at Work: Briggs Orchestrates Success for Herself and Others

Posted on by Dana Yanulavich

Debi Briggs of Hanover, Pennsylvania, never imagined the music principles she learned as a voice major in community college more than 30 years ago would apply to her future career in health care administration. But the similarities are there: Just as a conductor brings out the best in each musician to create a harmonious blend, Briggs orchestrates her leadership and project management skills to help others succeed.

But her personal success wasn鈥檛 guaranteed. Initially, music served as a welcomed outlet for Briggs, who describes her formative years as being marked by adversity. Among her childhood challenges was growing up in the foster care system. She soon realized that despite her abundant talent, a music career was not something she wanted to pursue full-time. She admits it took time to accomplish her educational goals and to get her priorities in order. 鈥淣o one in my family even graduated from high school,鈥� the two-time Excelsior College grad explains. 鈥淚鈥檓 the first one who鈥檚 ever got a master鈥檚 degree. I鈥檓 truly blessed.鈥�

When a music career didn鈥檛 play out for Briggs, she fell back on the licensed practical nursing certification that she earned in high school. She credits nursing as being the mainstay in her life as she explored other opportunities. A self-described 鈥渆ntrepreneurial soul,鈥� she built her business acumen with several endeavors as owner and founder of a gift shop, a restaurant, and an aerial photography business.

Briggs credits a job at New Beginnings, a faith-based social work organization, with laying the groundwork to define her future goals. 鈥淚 got a lot of experience in leadership and in dealing with people there,鈥� she explains.

During her decades-long nursing career, she initiated several attempts to earn a degree in Excelsior鈥檚 nursing program. But she had already gained high-level experience in health care administration, working as a director of nursing. This led her to eventually shift gears and enroll in a Bachelor of Health Sciences program, which better matched her business background and innovative spirit. While she admits working as a nurse in a Level I Trauma Center was exciting, she has found greater fulfillment in a leadership role. Briggs explains, 鈥淚 get a lot of excitement by building people up and helping others achieve. And I think that鈥檚 what leaders do. And that鈥檚 kind of my heart. It鈥檚 not just strengthening the health care system but also helping people to become leaders. It鈥檚 very important to me.鈥�

While Briggs鈥� primary objective is to help others, there came a time when she had to focus on helping herself. Soon after she began her undergraduate studies, she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. But, she explains, 鈥淚 worked through that. Thank goodness the cancer was removed.鈥�

After earning her bachelor鈥檚 degree in 2017, Briggs explored graduate programs at other institutions. But when she discovered the curriculum in Excelsior鈥檚 Master in Science in Health Care Administration, she said, 鈥淚 ran back.鈥� She found the coursework to be the perfect match for her career aspirations and welcomed the user-friendly online learning environment she had come to love during her undergraduate studies. But once again, Briggs was challenged with a personal crisis. During her graduate work, she suffered an un-ruptured cerebral aneurism and underwent brain surgery to have it repaired. But Briggs, who had triumphed over obstacles big and small, was not deterred. It may be an understatement when she says, 鈥淚鈥檓 kind of driven. Even if I was busy or not feeling well, I would find a way to push through. It was very important to me to finish my goal. I didn鈥檛 know if I was going to live or die.鈥� The day after her brain surgery, she was in the ICU using her laptop to write a paper. She continued on to successfully complete her master鈥檚 degree in February 2020.

Briggs finds her Excelsior degrees closely match the skills needed in her contract and consulting work. In her most recent position as a risk manager at Hebrew Homes of Greater Washington, she tackled issues related to quality intervention and process improvement. She specifically cites the project and quality management courses as being integral to her profession and described her leadership class as a 鈥渒nockout.鈥� Briggs explains, 鈥淚 can鈥檛 think of a class that didn鈥檛 impact me, even with all the work experience I had. It [the curriculum] offered a lot of really good reinforcement in addition to a lot of new things. Excelsior gave me the tools.鈥�

Professional Advice from Debi Briggs

On Attitude

Go for it! Don鈥檛 be afraid. There are a lot of people to support you. I like the old clich茅, 鈥楾here鈥檚 nothing to fear, but fear itself.鈥� Step out in the water; don鈥檛 be afraid you鈥檙e going to sink. Anything can be accomplished if you set your mind to it.

Tips for Succeeding

When you鈥檙e an adult learner and working full-time, I think the important thing is time management. You really have to prioritize your schedule. There were mornings when I would get up at 5 a.m. so I could do a little bit of schoolwork. Don鈥檛 try to overdo the classes. It鈥檚 very manageable. Think about it: I had brain surgery and I worked through it.

Diligence helped me the most. I just made up my mind no matter what came in my life, I wasn鈥檛 going to quit鈥擨 would just persevere. I think you have to take a look at your values and decide what you want the outcome to be. The rewards of diligence, setting goals, and utilizing time management are so worth it because you can move forward in your career.

Networking Advice

I鈥檝e made a lot of positive contacts through LinkedIn. Keep connecting with your local network and expand out. Whatever your interest is in business, join organizations鈥攜ou meet people through those organizations and it gives you access to tools to help you grow.

Excelsior Experience

The structure of the classes was brilliant; it helped you with time management. For example, it helped that assignments are due on Sunday nights. It was very user-friendly. I never felt pressured that I wouldn鈥檛 get things done on time.

Leadership: Accentuate the Positive

A good leader sees people and their potential and builds on it. It鈥檚 important to help people feel that they can own something and to make them feel valued. Focus on the positives and usher in an atmosphere where weakness becomes less and less the center of attention.

 

 

 

 

 

Graduates Benefit from Health Sciences Degrees

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Laurie Cooper, of Rexford, New York, and Christa Stauder, of Kirkwood, Missouri, each chose to pursue a career in health sciences because they wanted to help people in need. Cooper and Stauder attended the Institute for Integrative Nutrition to gain a background in nutrition and then earned their health sciences degrees with Excelsior College before moving into rewarding careers. Cooper became a health and wellness coach, and Stauder works in the Safety Stop Program at St. Louis Children鈥檚 Hospital.

Cooper and Stauder both got started down the path to their current roles thanks to the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN), an educational partner of Excelsior College. The Institute is an online nutrition school that offers holistic education for students wishing to pursue a health coach training program. It provides students and graduates with the tools they need to become successful health coaches.

鈥淭heir academic schedule was a good fit for me, and the final item that clinched my decision was the fact that Excelsior accepted the studies as credit toward a bachelor鈥檚 degree. IIN became my first step toward accomplishing goals that fit my life vision,鈥� said Cooper, in talking about her decision to take nutrition courses with IIN.

Stauder also was happy with her decision to take IIN courses: 鈥淚 had looked into several wellness programs and wanted to get more information on nutrition to better serve my clients. It was much more than nutrition and was pretty life-changing,鈥� she says.

Following their time at IIN, Cooper and Stauder pursued health science degrees with Excelsior. When they applied, Cooper was able to transfer 26 credits and Stauder 15 credits from IIN toward their degrees, which helped them to save time and money. Cooper earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences in June 2020; Stauder earned an Associate in Science in Health Sciences in June 2020 and is enrolled in the bachelor鈥檚 program.

Cooper began her career in insurance and as she started to help people in her work as a resource specialist, she thought she might enjoy the world of coaching. That, together with her fascination about the effect of healthy living on chronic disease, made her realize that wellness coaching was the perfect way to use her skills to help others.

Now, Cooper is self-employed as a health and wellness coach, which has personal meaning for her. She has Type 2 diabetes and during some routine bloodwork a few years ago, she was diagnosed with splenic marginal zone lymphoma. Cooper dove head-first into learning about her diseases and prefers to help others instead of feeling helpless. 鈥淗ealth science and nutrition are personal for me, but I also want to give back to others who suffer from any malady or lifestyle challenge with the knowledge and skills I鈥檓 accruing,鈥� says Cooper.

Stauder is a doula, a certified childbirth educator, a prenatal yoga instructor, and a lactation counselor, and has an integrated health and wellness coaching certificate. She has always been interested in health and nutrition but became particularly interested in the field because of the changes she saw in school lunches from when she was a child to her children鈥檚 time. 鈥淚t really made me a little more passionate about our kids, and getting them healthier, and the diseases and the illnesses from the rates of diabetes and obesity in our children,鈥� she says.

Stauder鈥檚 passion for caring for children led her to her current position working in the Safety Stop program at St. Louis Children鈥檚 Hospital. The program is an injury prevention program designed to keep kids safe. In her role, she provides free car seats to parents in need and works with patients who have special needs who are unable to sit in traditional car seats and makes sure they can be transported safely.

Like Cooper, Stauder also opened a private health and wellness company. At Nourished From Within, she works with expectant mothers, teenage girls, and others using nutrition, exercise, meditation, empowerment classes, cooking classes, and yoga to help them reach their health and wellness goals.

Both Cooper and Stauder enjoyed their time in Excelsior鈥檚 health sciences programs, and their experiences affected their outlook in their current careers. Cooper says Introduction to Health and Wellness Coaching really 鈥渙pened her eyes鈥� to the theories behind coaching. 鈥淪uddenly I was beginning to understand the questions I鈥檇 had for over a decade about how people approach their wellness in such different ways,鈥� she says. Cooper says an instructor directed her to a coaching certification process through Real Balance Global Wellness, which she completed while also studying at Excelsior.

Stauder shares that the associate program gave her a great starting point on her career path, and the experience made earning a degree possible. 鈥淚t gave me a goal. And it didn’t seem like too far of a reach. So, you know, it felt so attainable to me,鈥� she says. Now that she has accomplished earning her associate degree, she thinks earning her bachelor鈥檚 is even more achievable. She feels she is on the right track to succeeding in her career.

Attending IIN and then Excelsior College were the first steps to successful careers for Cooper and Stauder. They agree that part of their success stems from having the courage to pursue their dreams. 鈥淕o for it,鈥� says Cooper. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 kind of what I鈥檝e done throughout; I kind of really pushed myself to go for my dreams.鈥�

More from Laurie Cooper and Christa Stauder听

What are some time management tips for students to succeed?听

Laurie Cooper: 鈥淢y time management was centered around the days of the week. I always read/watched as much of the assignments as I could on Monday and Tuesday. I followed every requirement on postings and kept track of some of the more involved discussions on a tally sheet. I also kept a sheet (I used the back of saved wall calendars) to graph the resources each professor provided and the questions for discussion. That way I could reference the page/paragraph of the article with the question for quick reference. For statistics, I had pages of notes and equations that I taped to the door of my office for quick reference. As for writing essays and papers, I mapped out a plan so that by Saturday I was revising and correcting grammar or double-checking references. Sunday was left to the final copy and hitting 鈥榮end.鈥欌��

Christa Stauder: 鈥淔or me, it was really important to sit down every Sunday night and look at the coming week, and write down what I had to do. I wanted to make sure I was on discussion boards on Monday, Wednesday, Friday. For me, to write it out was very helpful to have that visual and really schedule it out.鈥�

What鈥檚 the best business advice you鈥檝e ever received?听

Laurie Cooper: 鈥淢ost anything from Michael Arloski (of Real Balance) gets my attention, but one piece of his teaching, in particular, has helped me鈥攃oaching as 鈥榤indfulness in action.鈥� It takes a great deal of energy to participate on a call, but I鈥檓 reminded every day about how I must be always present at a heightened state to understand the nuances of conversation and enhance my ability to read a client without seeing them.鈥�

Christa Stauder: 鈥淢ake a vision board and hang it on the refrigerator. Now believe that anything is possible, follow your intuition, and trust the universe. Now go be great.鈥�
Learn about Excelsior’s Master of Science in Health Care Administration.

Excelsior College鈥檚 Amelia Estwick Recently Selected by the Department of Veterans Affairs for a 2021 Trailblazers Award

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, NY 鈥� Amelia Estwick, PhD, director of the National Cybersecurity Institute (NCI) at Excelsior College, was recently recognized by the 2021 Trailblazers: Women Veterans Leading the Way campaign. Estwick was one of 27 individuals selected and recognized for how their military service and experiences have contributed to their roles as leaders and advocates where they work and live.

Estwick is a seasoned cybersecurity professional with more than 20 years of combined military and government IT experience within the U.S. intelligence community. She has held multiple technical leadership positions within the federal government and spent 10 years directly leading strategic and tactical cyber operations at the National Security Agency. Estwick鈥檚 research in cybersecurity and computer science focused on global threat intelligence, network security, and information security. As the NCI director, Estwick provides thought leadership for Excelsior鈥檚 cybersecurity initiatives. She is passionate about educating the next generation of cybersecurity professionals.

Amelia Estwick
Amelia Estwick, PhD

Estwick shared, 鈥淚 am so humbled and honored to be selected for the 2021 Women Veteran Trailblazers initiative. As a woman veteran working in the cybersecurity industry for over 20 years, I鈥檝e seen how important it is to have various perspectives at the table to protect and defend our nation against cyber threats. I advocate for women, veterans, and under-represented groups because I believe it鈥檚 a national imperative to have a diverse, equitable, and inclusive cybersecurity workforce.鈥�

Estwick鈥檚 expertise in cybersecurity research, training, and academic initiatives was highlighted when she provided testimony on Capitol Hill, appearing before the U.S. House of Representatives鈥� Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection and Innovation in 2019 to discuss 鈥淕rowing and Diversifying the Cyber Talent Pipeline.鈥�

Beyond her many accomplishments, Estwick is a trailblazer at Excelsior College and in the field of cybersecurity. Provost John Caron said, 鈥淎melia鈥檚 expertise in the cybersecurity field has helped the College and helped NCI fellows pursue cybersecurity careers. She is passionate about solving the hard problems facing cybersecurity, such as how we process big data and how AI is changing the future of work. Amelia is also passionate about engaging with learners who are seeking pathways to careers in cybersecurity.鈥�

In addition, Estwick assisted Excelsior College in becoming a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE-CDE), a designation received from the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Schools meet rigorous requirements in order to receive CAE designation, and their degree programs are required to map to the National Institute of Standards and Technology鈥檚 National Initiative for Cybersecurity Education (NIST/NICE). Estwick also co-chairs the CAE-CDE which gives support to minority-serving institutions to build, grow, and sustain cybersecurity educational programs.

# # #

Media Contact Excelsior College:

Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu, 518-410-4624

ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is an accredited, not-for-profit online college focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. The college 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. Learn more at excelsior.edu.

 

A Role Model for Moving Forward

Posted on by Shannon Ballard Gorman

Wilfrido Abreu 鈥�20 decided to go back to school for his bachelor鈥檚 degree because he wanted to be a role model for his four children. 鈥淎s they reached the age where I had to talk to them about their grades, I needed to lead by example,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 want them to understand that we have to keep learning, keep pushing forward, and never give up. That鈥檚 what is going to separate us from the rest.鈥�

Abreu grew up going back and forth between the Dominican Republic and New York City. When he met his wife, they settled in New York鈥檚 Capital Region where he worked in production for uniform and workwear provider UniFirst. 鈥淚 hit a level in my job where I wouldn鈥檛 be able to advance without a bachelor鈥檚 degree,鈥� Abreu said, and he started looking for online business degrees.

He chose Excelsior College because the College offered a great program with the flexibility to allow him to continue working and an affordable per-credit cost. He got even more from his education than he expected鈥攔apid career advancement.

鈥淢y professors were very strategic about helping us obtain a better career,鈥� Abreu said. 鈥淲e learned about what鈥檚 trending in the business world and tips and tricks for how to open doors.鈥� For example, several professors encouraged him to increase his marketability through additional certifications such as Lean Six Sigma. This certification is a combination of lean manufacturing and Six Sigma quality improvement approaches that teach process optimization for maximizing quality and performance. Abreu was introduced to the system in Excelsior courses on Strategic Management, Global Business Environment, and Operations Management. He then completed an 18-hour online training program to earn Green Belt Certification.

Armed with new knowledge, he received a promotion to assistant production manager at UniFirst. Abreu was on his way up.

Originally enrolled in the combined BS/MBA program (another reason that had drawn him to Excelsior), Abreu decided to shift to the BS in Business program due to financial constraints. However, he was fortunate to receive three scholarships from Excelsior plus a private scholarship. With some of his financial burden alleviated, Abreu was able to enroll in the MBA program at Excelsior as soon as he finished his bachelor鈥檚 degree in March 2020.

His efforts to earn his degree paid off almost immediately when he applied for an opportunity with Target Corporation. He got the job and is now an operations manager at the Capital Region distribution center. 鈥淚 wouldn鈥檛 have gotten my current position without my bachelor鈥檚 degree, and I am applying what I鈥檝e learned at Excelsior every day.鈥�

Abreu is not stopping there. Currently, he is working toward his MBA and pursuing Six Sigma Black Belt Certification. 鈥淚鈥檓 taking courses that are helping me to become better at my job,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a degree that will add to my value as a professional, as well as my personal growth. With it, I will be more equipped for even better opportunities.鈥�

 

Overcoming the Odds

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Curnes Williams Jr. overcomes PTSD to earn his degree and start a post-military career.

graduate Curnes Williams Jr., a U.S. Army Medical Command employee and former Army medic, knows the toll PTSD can take but is also proof of the amazing things one can accomplish when overcoming the disorder.

Williams enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1991 as a senior in high school, thinking the military was the best path to lead him to better opportunities. By 2014, Williams鈥� more than 23 years in the military had taken its toll and he was being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder. In 2015, he started a new career in South Korea working as a civilian in the Army Community Hospital, was going to school online with Excelsior, and was transitioning to civilian society. It was a difficult time for Williams. 鈥淚t was extremely challenging for me to maintain motivation after working an 8- to 12-hour shift to transition into the role of student,鈥� he says, and adds, 鈥淢any days I struggled to summon the energy to tackle reading assignments, group discussions, weekly projects, and submit written essays on time.鈥�

Williams did not give up, though. 鈥淭he first thing I had to realize was that I couldn鈥檛 manage PTSD on my own,鈥� he says. Williams made behavioral health appointments, attended counseling, and took medications as prescribed. 鈥淎fter a few months, I saw a marked improvement in my moods, reduction in my anger, and was able to focus on living.鈥� Williams still suffers from PTSD but says he has learned better coping techniques and has learned to ask for professional help when he feels he is 鈥渟piraling out of control.鈥� 鈥淚 learned that [asking for help] is an example of strength and the most unselfish act that I can make, because it not only helps me, but it also helps those who care for me and interact with me on a daily basis,鈥� he says.

Just as he had found ways to cope with PTSD, Williams came up with some creative solutions for online learning. True to his disciplined military background, he trained himself to follow strict study habits in a creative learning environment. In the beginning, Williams set up a designated learning space, would nap or relax for 45 minutes, and then start his work. As he found his rhythm, he no longer needed the naps and shifted into a more comfortable automatic mode of doing his work. 鈥淚n my final years with Excelsior, I started to listen to classical music while drafting papers or posting to group discussions and found that it helped with my concentration and motivation,鈥� he recalls. Williams earned a liberal arts degree in 2019.

Overcoming PTSD has led to Williams鈥檚 current success at his post-military career. As a former health readiness coordinator for the Army Reserves in Mountain View, California, he maintained a close watch on the health of soldiers. 鈥淢y overall focus was to ensure our troops are healthy and medically fit; that means they are capable of deploying, attending vigorous Army training, and are current on all physical exams and vaccines,鈥� says Williams. He also would make the determination if continuing service is in the best interest of the soldier. He will soon start his new career as an electronic health systems instructor with the U.S. Army Medical Command at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Landstuhl, Germany.

Williams believes a successful transition to civilian life can be possible for any military servicemember鈥攅ven those battling PTSD. He encourages service members to seek help either from professionals or trusted family members or friends, even if they don鈥檛 think they need it. 鈥淚t takes real courage to admit you need help. You display both courage and strength when you seek that help, and there is therapy in that process,鈥� he says. He adds that finding positive venues to occupy your time and explore your talents is a beneficial way to add to the healing process. 鈥淧ursuing a college degree or certification is highly beneficial and such a creative outlet to challenge yourself academically,鈥� he says. In addition, the human interaction aspect of higher education can be highly therapeutic. 鈥淓xcelsior College and its professors foster that positive academic environment, while richly challenging your thoughts, beliefs, and values,.鈥�

The most important thing, Williams says, in overcoming PTSD and successfully pursuing your education, is to never give up on yourself. 鈥淏elieve in yourself! Truly understand that [your] academic journey is unique, be honest about your circumstance, reevaluate as needed, but commit to its completion!鈥�

 

 

Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management Jobs for Graduates

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Health care management jobs continue to multiply across the United States as the health care industry expands. Driven by the medical needs of an aging population, health care has become the biggest employer among all industries in the United States.

That explosive growth has led to the need for qualified leaders. The online Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management program from Excelsior College prepares graduates for leadership positions by providing a strong foundation in the skills necessary for health care management success.听This includes expertise in project management, quality assurance, and overseeing medical offices and patient records. Graduates also gain practical knowledge in areas such as staffing, operational needs forecasting, budgeting, insurance payments, regulations compliance, and data systems.

Gaining Health Care Management Skills and Knowledge

Excelsior College鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management helps you gain key industry skills and knowledge, including the following.

  • Theories of leadership and organizational behavior to define and implement management practices in health care settings;
  • Principles of budgeting and finance to effectively plan and manage resources within a health care organization;
  • Knowledge of health and illness, health care systems, and health care consumers to guide decision making and promote quality within health care environments;
  • Understanding of the manager role using a legal and ethical framework;
  • Multiple strategies of communication to establish collaborative relationships with members of the leadership team and other stakeholders;
  • Evidence-based practice to guide human resource, clinical, and administrative decisions;
  • An understanding of how to manage a diverse workforce tasked with providing health care for an increasingly heterogeneous population; and
  • A commitment to lifelong learning in pursuit of excellence in managing and leading with the health care environment.

The program is designed to produce graduates who are ready to take on the challenges of a health care management job. It鈥檚 a smart step for ambitious professionals ready to take their health care career to the next level.

Design Your Health Care Management Career for Growth

Excelsior College鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management program is designed for people new to or already working in the health care industry who want to take the next step into a health care management job. This includes growing and advancing their careers in:

  • Accounting
  • Marketing
  • Human resources
  • Organizational culture
  • Health care law and government regulations
  • Medical terminology
  • Health care economics

What Jobs Can I Get with a BS in Health Care Management?

Health care management jobs are available at every medical facility in the industry, as well as with government agencies, nonprofit organizations, community clinics, and research laboratories. 听In April 2020, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projected an 18 percent increase in medical and health services manager jobs between 2018 and 2028. That translates into 71,600 new jobs.

Examples of jobs in the industry* you can apply for with your new degree include:

  • Manager clinical operations, women鈥檚 health program 鈥� $88,974
  • Health care facility manager 鈥� $70,464
  • Health care quality improvement coach 鈥� $68,692
  • Practice manager 鈥� $66,042
  • Health care operations assistant manager 鈥� $58,100
  • Risk coordinator 鈥� $50,000

*with an average annual salary

With careers in human resources, accounting, economics, government, and much more, the health care industry is broad and welcoming for graduates of Excelsior鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management program. With a strong foundation of the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed, graduates of the program are ready to enter or move up in the health care management workforce head-on.

Learn more about Excelsior鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management program.

 

Q&A With Jamie Hicks-Furgang, Executive Director of Development and Alumni Engagement

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin
    1. What are you bringing to your new role as director of alumni and development?

I bring 20 years of community building and external relations expertise. I am a thinker, a sharer, and a connector. I love people, and I love school, so combining those two passions together each day keeps my brain and heart in lockstep with one another. For Excelsior, I bring a fresh perspective and an abundance of positivity. I will try new programs, share ideas, and I will listen.

    1. What鈥檚 your vision for the future of the Alumni Association?

My vision for the Alumni Association is for all 182,000 Excelsior alumni to be connected in a way that feels right for them. Excelsior alumni have experiences鈥攂oth as a student at Excelsior and after they earned their degree 鈥� that are worthy of sharing. So many alumni want to share their time and talent with the College, and we want to pave the way for that to happen.

    1. What are you most excited about?

I am most excited to meet and connect with alumni all over the world who want to share their Excelsior story. I have quickly learned that no two alumni are alike, and that Excelsior has been a game-changer in the lives of so many.

    1. What role do you think the Alumni Association should play for alumni?

The role of any Alumni Association should be a place of belonging. It is a group of people with one special thing in common鈥攖heir Excelsior degree. The Alumni Association encourages alumni to stay connected, share their successes, and serve as advocates for the College, its programs, and future generations of students and graduates. All Excelsior graduates are members of the Excelsior College Alumni Association. There are no special fees or exclusive events. It is open and accessible to all. The Alumni Association is the next step in a student’s Excelsior journey and should embody the mission and values of the College.

    1. How do you foresee alumni to be involved in the Alumni Association?

Alumni can be involved with the college in so many ways, and we hope to share more about these opportunities this spring/summer. For now, I would say spreading the good word of Excelsior is top of mind. There is no better way for alumni to show their pride than to refer a friend or family member. Share your story and share our stories! Tell us what you are up to and share our social posts, so others know what we are up to. Make your connections our connections. Career mentoring and advancement opportunities are also top of mind. Are you hiring? Do you need a job? Use the Excelsior network. And, of course, donating to our scholarship programs to pay it forward has both immediate and lasting impact.

We strive for alumni to be connected to each other and to the College, to keep Excelsior top of mind, and to give back in ways that fill their hearts!

 

Excelsior College Partners with The Cyber Security Forum Initiative (CSFI)

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, N.Y. 鈥� Excelsior College is proud to announce a partnership with ). CSFI is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Omaha, Neb., and Washington, DC.

CSFI assists cybersecurity professionals from different fields, including the military, private, and government sectors. The partnership gives CSFI employees, fellows, advisory board members, and their spouses/domestic partners a savings of up to 20 percent on tuition at Excelsior College

Amelia Estwick, PhD, director of the National Cybersecurity Institute at Excelsior College, stated, 鈥漌e are excited about the CSFI partnership and the opportunity to help support their mission of providing training and education to individuals pursuing a cybersecurity career.鈥�

Paul de Souza, founder of CSFI The National Cybersecurity Institute at Excelsior College is dedicated to assisting individuals pursuing cybersecurity from various sectors to meet the challenges in cybersecurity policy, technology, and education. In addition, Excelsior College is designated by the National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. Excelsior offers a Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program as well as a Master of Science in Cybersecurity program.

鈥淭he Cyber Security Forum Initiative (CSFI) is delighted to have an educational alliance with Excelsior College to support a more robust cybersecurity workforce,鈥� said Paul de Souza, the founder of CSFI. 鈥淓xcelsior College demonstrates an exceptional mastery in the field of cybersecurity. Working with this fine institution will enhance CSFI mission capabilities in support of the cyber warfighter and industry. This effort is a clear example of what the right leadership can accomplish.鈥�

 

 

 

CSFI logo CSFI鈥檚 collaboration with Excelsior College can help individuals currently working in the cybersecurity field and individuals looking to pursue a cyber career by providing them with both practical experience and knowledge to protect against cyber-attacks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

#听听 #听 #

Media Contact: Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu, 518-410-4624

杏吧原创 Excelsior College
Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is an accredited, not-for-profit online college focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. The college 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. Learn more at excelsior.edu.

Media Contact: Paul de Souza, pdesouza@csfi.us

杏吧原创 CSFI:
The Cyber Security Forum Initiative (CSFI) is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Omaha, Neb., and in Washington. DC, with a mission “to provide Cyber Warfare awareness, guidance, and security solutions through collaboration, education, volunteer work, and training to assist the US Government, US Military, Commercial Interests, and International Partners.” CSFI was born out of the collaboration of dozens of experts, and today CSFI is comprised of a large community of nearly 81,000 cyber security and cyber warfare professionals from the government, military, private sector, and academia.

CSFI Disclaimer: Although CSFI strongly supports the defense of the United States and U.S. allies through the provision of cyber security-oriented educational and training programs in the United States, in other NATO countries, and in countries that are identified as 鈥渘on-NATO major allies,鈥� CSFI is neither a part of, nor represents in any capacity, any U.S. Government agency, including any of the agencies of the U.S. Intelligence Community (IC), nor any other governmental entity in the U.S. or in any other country.

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The Importance of Mentorship

Posted on by Tammy Spenziero

Whether you are an adult learner, a teenager in high school, an only child, grandma, CEO, start-up entrepreneur, accomplished artist鈥� (the list goes on), a mentor is important to anyone at any age or phase in life. Often, mentorship includes folks who must meet in person, a structured plan, an issue or problem that needs fixing, or deliverables and action items to check off a list and accomplish. This can be mentoring for you but there is no one way or best practice because it is dependent on the individuals involved. Everyone鈥檚 needs differ, and a mentoring relationship does not need to follow a structure.

The best mentoring relationships happen and grow organically. You may have someone you have always leaned on for advice or someone you have looked up to and asked for tips鈥� this is your mentor. Many times, we don鈥檛 think of these people in our lives as 鈥渕entors鈥� because the word mentor sounds so formal, like a job. What you need or seek out of a mentor and how often you connect or share information is completely up to you.

It is a great idea to have more than one mentor to allow for a variety of opinions, experiences, information, and sharing that you can learn and grow from. Is there a career you desire? A hobby or skill that you want to master? Do you want to connect with someone to help provide positive affirmations in your life? Do you need companionship and feel disconnected or alone? Reasons for mentoring relationships are all different. The formal definition of a mentor is described as 鈥渁 formal and trusted advisor.鈥� There are also similar words associated with the word mentor: guide, confidant, counselor, consultant, therapist, and guru. Mentoring is sharing wisdom, knowledge, and providing support.

Having a mentor is invaluable for adult learners. A mentor can offer knowledge and experience because they have achieved and accomplished a goal that the adult learner is working toward.听 Particularly in higher education, students and alumni paired together can be a good match.听 As a student you are working toward a goal that your mentor (the alum) has achieved. The mentor can provide you with so much insight based on their academic experience, career achievements, and life goals. This wisdom and knowledge from another person鈥檚 experience is invaluable to the less experienced.

Great student and alumni mentoring relationships include mutual similarities, trust, and boundaries, as well as an agreed way of communicating and building the connection. Titles, seniority, and age are all irrelevant when it comes to a mentoring partnership. All that matters is learning something from your mentor. Many times, formal mentoring programs take place at work or in a school where mentees are assigned a mentor match. Informal mentoring is when the mentee selects their mentor based on a common interest and the two agree on working together in a way that is beneficial for both of them.

A mentor is different from someone who is in a coaching capacity. For example, in my role as director of career services, I help provide students the tools, resources, and personal connections to help them improve a skill for a job and I offer continuous support through career development phases. In addition, there is a difference between mentoring and academic instruction. Faculty instructors teach to transmit knowledge through assignments and assessments.

Research shows excellent mentors are those who are committed to your success; are trusting, patient, and amazing listeners; are knowledgeable, nonjudgmental, and provide feedback; and are leaders and have common sense. Sounds like the perfect date to bring home to the parents, right?

Having a mentor is important to achieving goals. Mentors can connect you to others in their network, allowing you to grow and learn from a variety of people with similar interests. When it comes to finding a mentor, take your time, do your homework, and connect with like-minded people with similar experiences. For students, finding an alumni mentor is an excellent source when it comes to academic and career goals. Alumni were once in the same shoes as the student and can provide guidance based on experience and resources used to achieve their goals. This also allows alumni to connect with their alma mater and give back in a meaningful way. In addition, this can also assist alumni in finding recruits for their own organizations. Students want to know what it takes to be successful in the industry. Alumni associations, career services departments, and academic advisors can work together to develop students鈥� career interests and goals through student/alumni mentoring programs that are beneficial. Interested in a liberal arts degree? Learn more.

 

 

Dead Men Do Tell Tales

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Kathryn Komdat, a forensic autopsy technician and funeral director, makes sure they鈥檙e heard

When many people hear the word 鈥渕ortuary,鈥� 鈥渇uneral home,鈥� or 鈥渕orgue,鈥� they might think of horror movies and crime shows, and the hair on their arms may even stand up. For Kathryn Komdat of Averill Park, New York, it鈥檚 daily life. Komdat is a New York State-licensed funeral director and a forensic autopsy technician at Albany Medical Center, and her jobs are nothing like the movies or tv shows.

As Komdat puts it, she grew up around death. Her father has owned Perry-Komdat Funeral Chapel Inc. in Averill Park for 40 years, and Komdat has witnessed many wakes and funerals. She says that鈥檚 why she decided to pursue a degree in mortuary science from Hudson Valley Community College. While attending school, she worked in the ER at Samaritan Hospital in Troy, New York, from 2011 to 2016, but she found it hard to see people in dire situations. 鈥淚 hated seeing people in pain, like in cardiac arrest. I hated that. I hated the in-between struggle,鈥� she says. That realization led her to make a move to working in the Anatomical Gift Program at Albany Medical Center.

Albany Medical Center鈥檚 Anatomical Gift Program allows individuals to donate their bodies to medical science when they die. Komdat鈥檚 responsibility was to set up cadavers for dissections. After she began doing that, she discovered she had a real interest in it and wanted to pursue a new career. 鈥淥nce I was dissecting bodies, I was like, wow, I want to do this in a forensic setting, because they鈥檇 do cases like murders, suicides, all that,鈥� she recalls.

To make the career change, Komdat needed to go back to school to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree. She learned about Excelsior College while researching online schools and discovered many of her credits from Hudson Valley Community College, would transfer to Excelsior. She earned a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice in May 2019 and took a job as a forensic autopsy technician at Albany Medical Center. 鈥淲ithout my bachelor鈥檚 degree, I probably wouldn鈥檛 have gotten this job,鈥� she says.

In the Anatomical Gift Program, the cadavers were from adults 18 and older who willingly donated their bodies, but Komdat quickly learned that in the Albany Medical Center morgue, bodies came in from people, including young children, who didn鈥檛 have a choice in their death and sometimes met tragic ends. Surprisingly, although the job was new for her, the transition wasn鈥檛 difficult. 鈥淚鈥檝e been around death my whole life: being in the mortuary, then doing the anatomical gift program, and now this鈥擨鈥檝e had steps to guide me. I feel like I wasn鈥檛 just thrown into it. Some other people get thrown into it,鈥� she says.

Komdat enjoys working as a forensic autopsy technician because in some situations, such as with murders, examining a body is like solving a mystery. She works with the police often and sees many crime scene photos. That is part of what Komdat enjoys so much about her job: she likes learning the backstory of the people she comes across. As a result, she feels empowered as a final voice for the deceased victim.

In addition to her job at Albany Medical Center, Komdat works at her father鈥檚 funeral home and at both the funeral home and the morgue, she has seen an increase in volume. Komdat speculates this may be not only because of deaths due to the coronavirus but also due to drug overdoses.

Komdat says she wishes people knew more about what her jobs entail. She thinks that what is portrayed on television and in movies isn鈥檛 correct and says that a forensic autopsy technician and funeral director are underappreciated jobs. Komdat wants people to know that they鈥檙e important, albeit perhaps undesirable, jobs. She recommends that those interested in the field try them first to know for sure whether they are a right fit. Komdat knew they were the right fit for her after growing up in the field and having years of experience. Even though she explored other career paths, she knows with certainty that she was meant to work in this field.

 

Excelsior College鈥檚 Tuition Payment Plans Help Adult Learners Achieve Academic Goals

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

The cost of college need not prevent adult learners from reaching their academic goals. Potential students who are concerned about financing their education should know about the many payment options available, including tuition payment plans that make paying for college fit into any household budget.

Excelsior College works with students interested in tuition payment plans through a variety of options. Each is designed to ease financial burdens that students feel may prevent them from earning their degree.

Excelsior College makes college affordability part of the school鈥檚 mission. That mission also includes a focus on providing educational opportunities to those historically underrepresented in higher education. In many cases, adult learners at Excelsior College are the first in their family to attend college. Tuition costs should not become a roadblock in their path to academic success.

Online College with Low Monthly Payments

In some cases, adult learners attend school while also working full-time. They may already have started a family and taken on other financial obligations. For them, pay-as-you-go college tuition is better than paying a large sum upfront.

Excelsior College provides students payment options on their online accounts. Every option offered by Excelsior College is interest-free but does require a $25 set-up fee ($15 for the exams payment plan). The options include tuition payment plans as well as exam and fee payments.

Payment options offered by Excelsior College include:

  • Exams. Two payments. Students make a test appointment after the final payment is made.
  • Undergraduate and graduate tuition. Two to six monthly payments made while completing courses. The number of payments available is based on the registration date.
  • Multi-Source Enrollment. Two to six payments. The agreement admits a student into a degree program.
  • Student Services Annual Fee. Two to six payments. The agreement extends enrollment services for a year.

Students pay the set-up fee and first installment when starting a payment plan. They also receive a schedule for remaining payments. For students who use a pay-as-you-go college tuition plan, Excelsior College grants students the option to ask for one payment plan deferral per plan.

Advantages of Tuition Payment Plans

A good place for prospective students to start investigating their payment options is to use Excelsior College鈥檚 tuition cost calculator that estimates the time and cost to complete a degree.

Students who decide to use a tuition payment plan enjoy many advantages. The set-up fee is small and no interest accumulates on the amount owed. That makes a tuition payment plan less costly than a student loan. There is no large upfront payment to make before starting classes.

For Excelsior College, affordability ranks among the school鈥檚 other core values that include accessibility and completion, excellence, trustworthiness, collaboration, and equity and inclusion. Students should not let cost block them from earning a degree. A tuition payment plan offers them a viable option to attain their academic goals.