Requirements for a Career in HR

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Courses Reflect the Nine Components of the SHRM Competency Model

Have you wondered how Excelsior faculty decide what content, assignments, and discussion questions to include in our courses on human resource management? Or, how we select the textbooks and articles for you to read for courses?

Part of the explanation is that we listen to you and read your course evaluations. Your comments are helpful in assisting our HR faculty with improving courses to better suit your career goals. Thank you for that!

The other part of the explanation is that we adhere to the Competency Model. This model, shown below, is a set of competencies that define what is required for a career in human resource management. We want to ensure you have the expertise and opportunities needed for an HR job鈥攂oth as a generalist and a specialist.

SHRM has identified two types of competencies:听 behavioral and technical. Technical competencies reflect the HR knowledge, including laws, that are required to be an effective HR practitioner. We have built technical competencies into our HR courses (such as BUS 504 Human Resource Management), and we offer technical competencies in stand-alone courses such as BUS 517 Employee Staffing and Development, BUS 518 Leading Teams, and BUS 554 Change Management.

Behavioral competencies refer to the ways HR professionals apply the knowledge they gain from studying and practicing HR. Discussion questions and case studies in our courses ask you to apply the theories and research you have read to resolve real-world HR challenges.

 

Leadership & Navigation The ability to direct and contribute to initiatives and processes within the organization.
Ethical Practice The ability to integrate core values, integrity, and accountability throughout all organizational and business practices.
Business Acumen The ability to understand and apply information with which to contribute to the organization鈥檚 strategic plan.
Relationship Management The ability to manage interactions to provide service and to support the organization.
Consultation The ability to provide guidance to organizational stakeholders.
Critical Evaluation The ability to interpret information with which to make business decisions and recommendations.
Global & Cultural Effectiveness The ability to value and consider the perspectives and backgrounds of all parties.
Communication The ability to effectively exchange information with stakeholders.
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HR Expertise (HR Knowledge)

 The knowledge of principles, practices, and functions of effective human resource management.

 

According to the , employment of HR managers is projected to grow 9 percent by 2026. The Bureau projects strong competition for these positions in both public and private sectors.听 At Excelsior College, we are committed to ensuring you are ready for a new job or promotion at your current place of employment. Our business degree programs will help you gain knowledge and skills you can use in the workplace.

 

 

Go Back to School with the GI Bill

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

If you are transitioning from military to civilian life, you may be wondering what鈥檚 out there for you. Where do you fit in?

But the real question is how do you stand out? Maybe it鈥檚 time you showcase your talents. An education can give you unlimited opportunities to pursue a new career.

At , we want you to realize your dreams, and we help you every step of the way. Once you鈥檙e ready, we get to work gathering your information and apply credits you鈥檝e earned just by being in the service toward your degree. To find out how many credits you have earned, call for a free credit evaluation at 844-843-9299. You can also visit Excelsior鈥檚 website at www.excelsior.edu.

Many service members don鈥檛 realize how beneficial the GI Bill® is and leave the military without understanding their real value in the civilian workforce. Your skill sets are valuable, and employers actively seek veterans because they can learn new skills and concepts and apply them under real-world pressure. For instance, a BS in National Security is a great program for veterans.

Preparation for Your Education

Your ability and skills, coupled with education, will give you an advantage over most applicants. You already practice what employers look for in an employee. For example, veterans have a demonstrated ability to lead by example, work within a team, perform under pressure, and respect policy and procedure.

Knowing what you have to offer can help you determine what type of career you want outside of the military, and college can help you secure your place in that industry. You earned money toward an education, so you should put it to good use and get your degree.

鈥淚 did use my GI Bill to return to school,鈥� says Eric Potvin, a veteran who choose Excelsior College. 鈥淎s I recall, the process was fairly simple. I filled out a form on the VA website and designated Excelsior College as my school for GI Bill purposes. After that, I don鈥檛 remember having to do much else. The school was paid automatically, and I received my monthly stipend for housing and my annual stipend for books. Too easy!鈥�

Potvin鈥檚 veteran counselor recommended the Bachelor of Science in National Security because it aligned with his military experience and career goals. Eric successfully completed the program in 2018 and is now working as the principal instructor for Raytheon, a U.S. defense contractor and industrial corporation.

The GI Bill is a Department of Veterans Affairs education benefit earned by people like you who have served active duty, reserve, and National Guard duties. The goal of this benefit is to help servicemembers and veterans cover the costs associated with getting an education.

Excelsior College, a not-for-profit, regionally accredited online institution, offers more than 40 programs at the associate, bachelor鈥檚, and master鈥檚 level, helping almost 200,000 students 鈥� including 72,000 servicemembers and veterans 鈥� earn their degrees since 1971. Excelsior鈥檚 dedicated veteran admissions counselors work with veterans every day and are available to answer any questions you may have about benefits and resources. They help you apply your GI Bill and other educational benefits toward your degree.

In addition to receiving credits for your military training and experience, you can apply credit from CLEP and DSST exams, and courses from other accredited colleges and universities, toward your degree program, which allows you to complete your degree sooner.

GI Bill Overview

Under the GI Bill, qualifying veterans鈥攁long with their family members鈥攃an get money to cover some or all the costs for school.

If you were awarded Post-9/11 Bill education benefits, you can review how much of your benefits you鈥檝e used by reviewing the GI Bill of Benefits. If you have unused Post-9/11 benefits, you may also transfer them to your spouse or dependent children.

The GI Bill has additional benefit options like:

  • The Tuition Assistance Top-Up 鈥� A program that may cover the cost if your college tuition costs more than what鈥檚 covered by the GI Bill.
  • The $600 Buy-Up 鈥� A program that allows you to get more money each month through your GI monthly payments.
  • Tutorial Assistance 鈥� If you are struggling with your coursework and are using VA benefits, you may qualify for help paying for a tutor.

You鈥檙e never too old, and it鈥檚 never too late, to get an education. Excelsior College makes it easy for you to jump right in. It specializes in optimizing your benefits, so you can pursue your dream鈥攚hatever it may be. Learn about Excelsior College’s undergraduate degree programs.

GI Bill庐 is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government Web site at .

Eric Potvin talks about using his GI Bill to go back to school

Excelsior College Recognized with CAE Re-Designation for Robust Cybersecurity-Related Program

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Excelsior College is one of 13 schools in New York State with designation, cited for its Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program

Albany, NY 鈥� Recently, Excelsior College received re-designation as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education. Excelsior was of 10 institutions earning this re-designation.

Excelsior College received the CAE-CD re-designation for mapping curricula to a core set of cyber defense knowledge units. With the ,, colleges and universities are formally recognized by the National Security Agency and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security听 for their robust cybersecurity-related programs. These institutions had an in-depth assessment and met rigorous requirements for this designation. Excelsior College was first awarded this four-year designation in 2015. The re-designation extends through 2023.

鈥淲hile there are many job opportunities in cybersecurity open to students who have acquired trainings and skills from either traditional or non-traditional learning paths, earning a cybersecurity degree or any other type of credential from a CAE-CD school has extra value,鈥� says Lifang Shih, PhD, dean of Excelsior College鈥檚 School of Undergraduate Studies. 鈥淭his designation assures students are learning cybersecurity concepts and practices aligned with the standards validated by the nation鈥檚 two largest employers in cybersecurity, the National Security Agency and the Department of Defense. It also shows employers that students are getting the most relevant and valuable knowledge and skills in cybersecurity.鈥�

All regionally accredited two-year, four-year, and graduate level institutions in the United States are eligible to apply for CAE-CD designation. There are more than 270 designated institutions in 48 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

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Media Contact: Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu听 听(518) 464-8531听

ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is a regionally 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.

Excelsior College Announces Partnership with NY鈥檚 Largest Private Employer and Health Care Provider, Northwell Health

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, NY 鈥揈xcelsior College, an accredited, not-for-profit higher education institution that focuses on helping adults reach their educational goals, announces a new corporate partnership with , New York鈥檚 largest private employer and health care provider.

northwell health logo

Through this partnership, Northwell Health employees and their spouses or domestic partners receive up to a 20 percent discount on tuition and pay no fee when applying to one of Excelsior College鈥檚 more than 40 degree programs.

with locations in Long Island, Manhattan, Queens, Westchester, Staten Island, and Brooklyn, includes 23 hospitals and more than 750 outpatient facilities.

This partnership will provide each of Northwell Health鈥檚 69,000 employees and their spouses/domestic partners educational benefits to complete an associate, bachelor鈥檚, or master鈥檚 degree at Excelsior College. Excelsior helps working adults to fit education into their busy work and life schedules with online courses and credit-by-exam options.

Kathleen Gallo, senior vice president and chief learning office of Northwell Health stated, 鈥淚 think for the right employee with the right learning style that matches Excelsior, it [our partnership] will be wonderfully successful.鈥�

鈥淭his partnership is even more important today as New York state has to improve patient safety by ensuring nurses secure their Bachelor of Science in Nursing within 10 years of their initial licensing.听The additional education the future generation of nurses will receive helps them think critically and ultimately improve the patient experience,鈥� shares Mary Lee Pollard, dean, Excelsior College School of Nursing.

Northwell Health strives to improve the health of its communities. It is committed to providing the highest quality clinical care, educating the current and future generations of health care professionals, searching for new advances in medicine through bio-medical research, promoting health education; and caring for the entire community regardless of ability to pay. Northwell Health has more than 13,600 affiliated physicians, more than 16,000 nurses, and more than 5,000 volunteers to help deliver care.

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Media Contact:

Alicia Jacobs, ajacobs@excelsior.edu听 (518) 464-8531

ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is a regionally 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.

What You Need to Know 杏吧原创 New York State BSN in 10 Law

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

In 2017, New York became the first state to mandate that registered nurses earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing. Called the BSN in 10 law, it requires nurses to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing within 10 years after first getting their RN license.

Signed into law on Dec. 19, 2017, BSN in 10 addressed findings in research that shows patient outcomes are improved with higher levels of education for bedside nurses. It鈥檚 led to many nurses to enter RN to BS in Nursing programs and earn their bachelor鈥檚 degree.

The requirement goes into effect in June 2019, 18 months after the bill was signed into law. The law grandfathers in those who already have a New York state nursing license or who had entered a degree program at the time the bill became law.

However, it will impact thousands of new nurses. To offer some idea of the numbers, the state of New York between about 14,000 and 18,000 RN licenses every year between 2014 and 2018.

Why Did New York Pass the BSN in 10 Law?

State lawmakers鈥� decision to mandate a BS in Nursing for all new nurses is in line with a position held by many organizations in the nursing field for years. For example, a committee for the American Nurses Association first proposed the idea that nurses earn a baccalaureate degree .

Also, in a , the American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) reiterated a long-held position that the organization 鈥渟trongly believes that registered nurses should be, at minimum, prepared with the Bachelor of Science in Nursing or equivalent baccalaureate nursing degree offered at an accredited four-year college or university.鈥�

The AACN noted research that shows lower mortality rates, fewer medication errors, and more positive patient outcomes at medical facilities with nurses 鈥減repared at the baccalaureate and higher degree levels.鈥�

Those findings match what was found in led by researchers at the University of Pennsylvania. It was this study that set New York lawmakers on the path to creating the BSN in 10 law. The study found that in hospitals with a higher percentage of nurses with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or Master of Science in Nursing, surgical patients experienced lower mortality and failure-to-rescue rates.

How the BSN in 10 Impacts New York Nurses

It鈥檚 important to note that the new law does not phase out other degrees. There remain two pathways for a nurse in New York to become eligible to take the RN licensing exam. They are:

  • A two-year Associate Degree in Nursing
  • A four-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing

The change is that those who become RNs through these pathways must now earn a BS in Nursing within 10 years.

The law also creates the nursing program evaluation commission, which is tasked with identifying barriers that block students from earning a BS in Nursing. Those include:

  • Cultural barriers
  • Economic barriers
  • Compliance barriers
  • Financial barriers
  • Access for non-traditional students, rural students, and students of diverse cultural backgrounds

That last area is one of interest to administrators at Excelsior College. A large part of the school鈥檚 mission is to provide educational opportunities to diverse and non-traditional students in often underserved communities.

 

Excelsior College Nursing Programs

Excelsior College offers four online nursing degree programs, all of which would allow those who earn the degree to meet the BS in Nursing requirements for RN in New York. All Excelsior College nursing programs are accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing (ACEN).

They are:

BS in Nursing for RNs. This RN to BS in Nursing program allows those with their RN license to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree in nursing sooner than they might expect due to a generous credit transfer policy that gives students credit for already learning important skills.

RN to MS in Nursing Leadership and Administration of Health Care Systems. This program is one of three dual degree bachelor鈥檚 to master鈥檚 programs. This one focuses on preparing graduate nurses for leadership positions.

RN to MS in Nursing Education. This dual degree program prepares graduates to become nursing educators in academic and health care settings.

RN to MS in Nursing Informatics. This dual degree program prepares graduates to take leadership positions in the emerging field of data-driven healthcare.

Advantages of Excelsior Programs

Excelsior College focuses on nursing education that emphasizes a holistic approach to patient care. That includes an understanding of how disease affects the entire body and how health outcomes are interconnected with life circumstances.

The college also partners with a variety of organizations in offering its online degree programs to reach non-traditional students who might otherwise not enter a BS in Nursing program.

Those partnerships include nurses鈥� associations, hospitals, and community colleges. Members, employees, and students with such organizations benefit by receiving tuition assistance, fee reduction, and generous credit-transfer policies.

Earning a bachelor鈥檚 degree will allow nurses in New York to meet the mandate of the BSN in 10 law. Online courses from quality institutions also allow nurses to earn their BS in Nursing or MS in Nursing more conveniently than ever.

 

What Will You Learn in a BS in Cybersecurity Program?

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Earning a BS in Cybersecurity prepares graduates to enter one of the fastest growing career fields. Students graduate with the ability to develop plans that protect information systems and to detect and respond to cyber attacks on networks and computer systems.

It鈥檚 a job that鈥檚 in high demand. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics the number of information security analysts (the agency鈥檚 term for cyber security professionals) will increase 28 percent by 2026. It also a mean annual wage of $102,470 for cyber security experts.

With online BS in Cybersecurity programs, such as the one from Excelsior College, it鈥檚 now easier than ever to earn a degree in this growing field. Online degree programs allow students the opportunity to schedule coursework around their busy personal and professional lives.

Expertise in Cybersecurity

A BS in Cybersecurity prepares graduates for some of the most complex challenges in cyber security. Students leave the program with high-level skills in areas that make them attractive job candidates. These include:

  • Describing defensive network architecture that uses multiple layers of protection
  • Analyzing technologies and processes that monitor, maintain, and protect the data of an institution
  • Evaluating and applying industry tools to respond to cyber incidents
  • Creating and disseminating cybersecurity reports to stakeholders
  • Conducting risk and vulnerability assessments of existing and proposed security systems
  • Developing and implementing organizational cybersecurity policies and procedures

Degrees in Cybersecurity Available

Students can earn a cybersecurity degree at the bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 levels. For example, Excelsior College offers bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 programs in cybersecurity, both available online. The programs align with the requirements for a cybersecurity education as defined by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Both agencies have designated Excelsior College as a .

Degree programs include the following:

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity

This 120-credit hour bachelor鈥檚 degree program offers a general concentration that students can customize or a concentration in cyber operations.

The general concentration features courses such as Introduction to Microprocessors or Computer Systems Architecture; Introduction to Cybersecurity; Governance, Legal and Compliance; Cybersecurity Defense in Depth; and Cyber Attacks and Defense. The capstone project requires students to complete a research project that takes on real-life scenarios in cyber security.

The cyber operations concentration offers the opportunity for students to specialize in operations, particularly in the handling of cyber attacks and responding to them as part of a cyber team. Graduates understand system vulnerabilities and learn to design systems using fundamental security design principles. Courses include Introduction to Homeland Security, Reverse Engineering, Secure Software Development, and Large-scale Cybercrime and Terrorism.

Master of Science in Cybersecurity

The master鈥檚 degree with either a general or information assurance concentration prepares graduates for cybersecurity leadership positions with government agencies, private companies, or nonprofit agencies. The curriculum focuses on data communication, ethics, legal and compliance issues, operational processes, software security, project management, and risk management.

Graduates from these programs are prepared to enter or advance in the world of cybersecurity with the latest strategies and tools. For those with ambition and drive, these degree programs can provide the skills needed to succeed in the cyber security field.

Crafting the Perfect Pitch

Posted on by Maribeth Gunner

7 Tips to Create a Successful Elevator Speech

An effective elevator speech is a personal branding statement that highlights your professional background, knowledge, and skills. Typically no more than 30鈥�60 seconds (the estimated time it takes to ride an elevator to desired floors), it quickly and clearly identifies who you are, why you are unique, and what benefits you can offer 鈥� in short, why you are the ideal candidate for a desired position.

Being prepared with a polished elevator speech is a perfect way to spotlight your experience, skills, and accomplishments anytime, anywhere. Professionally, it can be used when meeting with leadership in the workplace, conversing at networking events, or introducing yourself at a job interview. Personally, there are ample opportunities to use your speech through casual conversations at the gym, kids鈥� sports events, or at a neighborhood gathering.

Before you can soundly convince someone that you are the ideal candidate, you鈥檒l need to prepare. Use these tips to help craft a successful, customized elevator speech:

  • Add an attention-getter. Incorporate an interesting fact or stat to use at the beginning of your speech. Your goal is to immediately engage someone so that he or she is intrigued and wants to learn more.
  • Know yourself. Draft an inventory of your best personal attributes, key strengths, and accomplishments. Define what contributions you can make, and what problems you can solve.
  • Identify your unique selling proposition. Determine your competitive advantage in the workplace. What do you offer that others do not?
  • Know your purpose. What is your goal? Are you seeking a new job, changing careers, or in search of advancement?
  • Tailor your speech. Focus your message on the needs of the potential employer or targeted industry. Your audience will want to know what鈥檚 in it for them.
  • Wrap up your speech with a call to action. Express your purpose in relaying your information, be it a request for a referral, a future meeting, or a job interview. Provide your contact information and thank them for their time.
  • Read your pitch aloud. Your delivery should be natural, conversational, and sincere. Try rehearsing in front of a mirror, or with a friend or family member. Ensure your speech is within the 30鈥�60-second parameter.

A well-honed elevator speech can leave a memorable first impression and open the door to your next job or career. Be ready with your elevator speech when the opportunity presents itself. Remember, too, as your career progresses, you鈥檒l want to update your speech to reflect your most current experience and credentials.

For more tools and tips on how to land your next job, visit .

MPA Student Creating a New Future for Herself from History

Posted on by Shannon Ballard Gorman

Bonnie Schoonmaker is creating a second act career that works for her family鈥檚 unique needs and circumstances, while honoring her own passion and interests.

An office manager for 22 years, Schoonmaker was laid off when the company was sold. She devoted her time to caring for her husband, who was injured in the military in the 1980s and had become completely physically disabled, and home schooling her granddaughter.

鈥淎t some point, I realized that I had to think about my own future,鈥� she said. 鈥淚 decided that if I was going to go back to school, it would be for something I鈥檓 truly passionate about, and that is history.鈥�

It had been 30 years since she was in a classroom when she enrolled in Excelsior鈥檚 bachelor鈥檚 program in History. 鈥淚t was a little intimidating to think about the first course, but I had a professor who was very understanding. I was a bit rusty, but the skills came back fairly quickly.鈥� She discovered that she was not alone; many Excelsior students are returning to college after years away from school.

Her favorite courses were Introduction to Public History, History of Women in America, and Colonial America. She is from Columbia County, NY, and the program gave her a deeper respect for the roots of the area. 鈥淏eing raised in such a historically rich area as New York鈥檚 Hudson Valley, it is easy to take for granted the wonderful history that is right under your nose.鈥�

She took a business course as an elective and did her final project on the business of history. It addressed how the expansion of technology relates to history and has enabled people to access history more easily. 鈥淧eople can relate to history so much better because they have it right at their fingertips. It鈥檚 exciting that those connections can be made.鈥�

She appreciates this from another perspective, having been an independent home educator since she home-schooled her daughter in the late 1990s. Now she co-home-schools her granddaughter with her daughter, who works nights. 鈥淲e no longer have to hop on a train and go to the city to see history!鈥�

After finishing her degree in 2017, she considered going on for a master鈥檚 right away, but encountered complications in her personal life and decided to take some time to consider her next step.

She kept thinking about the business side of history and the importance of protecting and preserving it. In fact, during her undergraduate program, she had sought permission to take a graduate-level course in Grant Writing for that reason. Unfortunately, the course was cancelled, but her interest in writing grants to support history remained. She thought she might want to work for a nonprofit related to history. So she decided to pursue the Master of Public Administration and re-enrolled in Excelsior this past fall.

She draws from her own experiences with public administration to inform discussions, having served a term on the local planning board. 鈥淚 find that a good basis of information on which to reflect,鈥� she said. 鈥淧articularly with a local board, you see firsthand how decisions affect people; you run into them on the street. You know you can鈥檛 keep everyone happy, but try your best within the confines of the law.鈥�

She also has more than 30 years of personal experience dealing with the Veterans Administration. 鈥淢y husband going from active duty to a disabled veteran was not a seamless process. It was a several-year path,鈥� she recalled. 鈥淚 have known parts of the system I wish I didn鈥檛, but you have to have knowledge of the system to get what you want. It鈥檚 frustrating to see people who don鈥檛 have that knowledge have such difficulty getting what they need.鈥�

She thought about getting involved in educating people about the system and encouraging them to be persistent and speak up about what doesn鈥檛 work and what they need. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 the only way policies and procedures will change,鈥� she said.

She found herself less interested in working in these organizations and leaning more toward education. So while pondering ways to utilize her degrees and work from home, she thought of teaching online. 鈥淚t would give me the opportunity to work with something I have a passion for, like history, while fulfilling my family obligations, which I am equally passionate about.鈥�

She is surprised the option didn鈥檛 occur to her earlier. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a natural extension of what I鈥檓 already familiar with; as an independent home educator, I am responsible for developing my own curriculum and keeping academic records as well as hands-on teaching.鈥�

She is on target to complete her master鈥檚 program next spring and is already exploring how to get started in online teaching 鈥� perhaps with a course on the business of history.

Schoonmaker offers practical encouragement to adults considering a degree. 鈥淚 would encourage them to take the first step, because that鈥檚 the hardest. Sometimes there is anxiety about making all the necessary connections and getting the technology to work right. But just take that first step and then create a routine that works for your life.鈥� The biggest mistake, she says, would be not trying.

Higher Education at an Inflection Point

Posted on by James Baldwin

A national conversation swirls around the value of a degree and student borrowing and debt. College leaders grapple with the financial pressures of changing demographics and lower enrollments. Public confidence in higher education has declined to disconcerting levels (An October 2018 survey by the Gallup Organization found the percentage of adults 鈥淐onfident in Higher Education鈥� stands at just 48 percent 鈥� an 11 percent drop since 2015).

As these issues are discussed on campuses, in capitol buildings, and at kitchen tables across the country, what seems lost is a focus on how we ought to be treating our students, the public purpose of higher education, and what it is that all institutions owe their students.

While institutions wrangle over what is too much or too little government regulation 鈥� and policymakers are seemingly deadlocked when it comes to addressing our most pressing issues 鈥� we risk a race to the bottom when it comes to our students and how they are treated in our various institutions. Students are not just 鈥渄ata points鈥� or units of measure in institutional 鈥渞evenue centers.鈥�

Consider this: A September 2017 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that one in three students transfer from one college to another and, when doing so, lose an average of 43听percent of their prior credits upon enrollment in their new school. This common practice of requiring students to 鈥渟tart over鈥� belies our professed commitment to degree completion and student success 鈥� and begs the question, what is the currency of a college credit earned in an accredited institution of higher learning?

Requiring students to duplicate coursework is an onerous and costly barrier to degree completion. Addressing that problem was a driving force in the founding of Excelsior College nearly 50 years ago by the State of New York. Our generous credit transfer policy, coupled with prior learning assessment and the options to learn independently and test your way to a degree, allows our students to keep degree completion costs low and shorten the time to degree attainment. This, in addition to our focus on personalized interaction with our students, is why Excelsior鈥檚 completion rates have been historically among the highest in the sector.

The challenges facing college students today extend beyond issues of access, affordability, and completion. To the extent our current system of higher education fails to recognize the value of what is learned and earned outside of the walls of one or any academy, we exacerbate those challenges. And it raises in the minds of our students the question of whether our primary goal is helping them achieve educational self-actualization or selling credits and degree programs. And this question may be at the root of that crisis in confidence.

The erosion of public confidence in higher education suggests the need for a fiduciary standard in higher education, regardless of our corporate configuration. That will mean we always act in students鈥� interests 鈥� even when it may not be in our own.

 

CPNE Conversations

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin
Conversational-style webinars prepare nursing students for the Clinical Performance in Nursing Examination

For Excelsior associate degree nursing students, the Clinical Performance in Nursing Examination (CPNE) 鈥� the capstone requirement 鈥� is the culmination of the program. Excelsior has long offered study guides, one-on-one support, and tutorials to help those preparing for this important exam, and recently, the School of Nursing began holding a series of webinars to help students. So far, they have been a valuable tool in preparing for the CPNE.

Kim Hedley, assistant dean for the associate degree in nursing program, and several other nursing faculty members began discussing webinars in November 2016. Hedley says a team member suggested the group conduct monthly webinars covering different topic areas, and provide students the opportunity to connect with the faculty in a new way.

鈥淥ur overall goal is to be accessible to the student; to allow them an opportunity to find a means to get their questions answered; that meets them where they are 鈥� to help them with their success meeting their CPNE requirements.鈥� 鈥揔im Hedley

The group decided to host one type of webinar with predetermined topics and other webinars as an open forum in a town hall format. The series kicked off on December听7, 2016, with the town hall-style webinar titled 鈥淐onversations with Kim鈥� and encouraged question-and-answer interaction. During a 鈥淐onversations with Kim鈥� webinar, a moderator monitors questions in real-time so student questions can be answered immediately. Other webinars, created and presented by the nursing faculty, address specific components of the CPNE and use presentations, demonstrate patient scenarios, and ask thought-provoking questions to help students reflect on their personal learning needs as they prepare for the exam. So听far, all webinars are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays between 9:30 and 10:30听am听or from 3:00 to 4:00听pm, but times are flexible based on student feedback.

鈥淥ur overall goal is to be accessible to the student; to allow them an opportunity to find a means to get their questions answered; that meets them where they are 鈥� to help them with their success meeting their CPNE requirements,鈥� says Hedley referring to the webinars.

Surveys are sent to students after each webinar session to determine whether they have met student expectations and to gather new ideas. Student feedback directs the focus of the upcoming ones. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all based on feedback from our students,鈥� says Hedley, referring to what is covered in future webinars.

The webinars have an impact. Live webinars generally have 19鈥�20 students attending. For those who are unable to make it, recordings are archived, and as of October 2018, the recordings had been accessed more than 1,000 times.

Student remarks have been positive. Many have commented that the webinars have been 鈥渁 lifeline,鈥� and that they enjoy being able to ask questions and get immediate feedback. Some students have said they also feel less anxious about taking the CPNE. One overwhelming sentiment culled from the survey findings reveals students mostly select the following statement: 鈥淎s a result of this webinar, I will be able to apply the knowledge and skills I learned from this webinar to the CPNE鈥� as their takeaway from the interaction.

Deciding the topic of upcoming webinars mostly depends on student feedback, says Hedley. 鈥淲e鈥檙e trying to meet the different needs of the students,鈥� she explains. Connecting with students enrolled in a distance education program requires a willingness to try new ways to do so. The success of the webinar series suggests faculty and students have embraced this new idea, and it lays the groundwork for additional novel approaches.

Arrow up
Assistant Dean Kim Hedley leads a recurring, conversational-style webinar during which students ask questions about the Clinical Performance in Nursing Examination. This听鈥淐onversations with Kim鈥� webinar prompted other online presentations to help prepare students for the CPNE. Photo: Mike Hemberger

Excelsior College Welcomes New Trustees

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

In January, three new members joined the Board of Trustees: David Baime, Jeanne Meister, and Clar Rosso.

David Baime is the senior vice president for government relations and policy analysis for the American Association of Community Colleges. He directs the national advocacy efforts for the nation鈥檚 close to 1,200 community colleges and their students. He has made many radio, television, and web appearances, including on CNN, MSNBC, C-SPAN, and National Public Radio. He is frequently quoted in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Inside Higher Ed, and other publications covering higher education. Baime earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree from Haverford College and a master鈥檚 degree in economics from the London School of Economics.

Jeanne Meister is a founding partner of Future Workplace and is a best-selling author. Meister鈥檚 most recent work is 鈥淭he Future Workplace: 10 Rules for Mastering Disruption in Recruiting and Engaging Employees.鈥� Meister鈥檚 books have been translated into Spanish, Portuguese, Chinese, and Estonian. She has written more than 100 articles on the future of learning, the future of work, and the impact of artificial intelligence in the workplace. She has appeared in CIO, CNBC Power Lunch, CBS, CNN, Fast Company, Fox Business, Harvard Business Review, NPR, SHRM Magazine, Market Watch, Time magazine, The Globe and Mail, and WPIX, New York. She is a graduate of the University of Connecticut and Boston University.

Clar Rosso is executive vice president of engagement and learning innovation for the Association of International Certified Professional Accountants. She leads the development and execution of strategy to support global competency development and lifelong learning for the finance and accounting profession. Prior to joining AICPA, Rosso worked as COO of the California Society of CPAs (CalCPA) and the CalCPA Education Foundation, where she drove membership growth of more than 30 percent. She earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in rhetoric and communications from the University of California, Davis and a master鈥檚 degree in special education from San Francisco State听University.

 

Brand Awareness Campaign

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Excelsior College developed a brand awareness campaign that introduced the new advertising tagline, Life Happens. Keep Learning., to audiences in the greater Albany, New York, and San Antonio, Texas, areas for several months in late summer/early fall 2018. The campaign was undertaken to increase awareness of Excelsior College as an online, not-for-profit, regionally accredited institution that helps adult learners complete their degrees. Excelsior was promoted through billboards on well-traveled commuter routes, advertising on bus shelters and buses, 30- and 60-second radio ads, and a video that appeared on streaming media. The advertising focused on the feasibility of fitting degree completion into a busy life, the acceptance of military and professional training as academic credit, and the ability to transfer credit and earn a degree sooner. The video produced for this campaign can be seen on the Excelsior College Facebook page.

A second phase of the campaign launched in March 2019 in the Albany area to continue to raise brand awareness. The campaign highlights the College as an accredited, not-for-profit online option that enables learners to fit learning into their busy lives.