Q & A with Tessa Adams, Chief Marketing Officer of MXY Holdings and Advisor for the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Our next blog post that spotlights members of the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control鈥檚 Industrial Advisory Committee is about Tessa Adams, chief marketing officer of MXY Holdings. Read on to learn more about her.

About Tessa Adams

Tessa Adams has more than 10 years of consumer packaged goods experience in the beverage industry, in both wine and spirits and non-alcoholic. She entered the cannabis industry in 2019 with MXY Holdings, known mostly for their concentrate products called Moxie. Adams has been integral in developing the Moxie brand as the company鈥檚 chief marketing officer.

Q&A with Tessa Adams

What role have you played in the creation of the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control program?
I had a call with the certificate team to discuss marketing strategies.

In your own words, how do you think this program will benefit students?
It will help prepare them for an ever-changing industry and drive success in cannabis by closing the education gap prior to one starting in the business.

What do you hope students will take away from this program?
Knowledge of a complex industry

Please tell us how you started in the industry.
I transitioned from CPG beverage into what I believe to be the next largest industry worldwide.

Do you hold any certifications? If so, which one(s)?
CSW

Please mark your area(s) of expertise within cannabis.
Finance/Business, Marketing

What is a piece of advice you鈥檇 offer someone getting into the industry?
Buckle up; it鈥檚 a wild ride.

What is one thing you wish you had known before entering the industry?
The volatility of the market.

Do you have anything else you would like to mention regarding your work in the cannabis industry that we didn’t ask?
I think it鈥檚 essential to consider how the market and consumer is ever-changing/adapting.

What Is SHRM at Excelsior?

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Excelsior鈥檚 student chapter of the Society for Human Resource Management offers educational webinars and information in all aspects of human resource management, including recruitment, training, performance management, health and safety, talent management, and employment law.

With more than 300,000 members in more than 165 countries, SHRM is the world鈥檚 largest association devoted to human resource management. Members of a student chapter, such as Excelsior鈥檚, can receive mentorship and advice from professionals in the business: people who have applied human resource principles and laws on the job.

We sat down with Chapter Advisor Michele Paludi, the senior faculty program director of business graduate programs and human resources and leadership, to learn more about SHRM and the student chapter at Excelsior.

Q: What is SHRM?
A: The Society for Human Resource Management is the major thought leader on topics impacting employees and employers. SHRM has the following as part of its mission:

1. to elevate the HR profession.
2. to empower people and workplaces by advancing HR practices and by maximizing human potential.
3. to build a world of work that works for all.鈥�

SHRM has student chapters that focus on HR issues for undergraduate and graduate students wishing to learn about workplace concerns. These chapters are student-run and include a chapter advisor. Online campuses may have virtual chapters.

Q: How long has Excelsior been a member of SHRM? What does it entail?
A: Excelsior鈥檚 student chapter has been active for six years. The chapter has been the recipient of awards from SHRM, including being named an Outstanding Chapter and most recently a Superior Chapter. Excelsior鈥檚 student chapter facilitates webinars on employment issues, including careers in HR, HR law, diversity, equity and inclusion, and distributed workplaces. We also offer students the opportunity to be mentored by human resource professionals and information about careers in all aspects of human resource management, including: recruitment and selection, training and development, performance management, health and safety in workplaces, talent management, and employment law.

Q: How do students get involved?
A: Students can become involved by contacting me, as the advisor of the student chapter, at mpaludi@excelsior.edu. Information about the Student Chapter may be obtained from its webpage. Information may also be obtained from the current president, Megan Salavantis, at msalavantis@excelsior.edu.

Q: Can anyone join SHRM?
A: Yes. Membership in Excelsior鈥檚 chapter is open at no charge to any undergraduate and graduate student who is carrying at least a 6-credit course load per term.

Q: What is the importance of co-curricular activities to an online graduate program?
A: SHRM, for instance, helps with students鈥� career development by exposing them to real-world experiences and networking with experts in the field. Additionally, it: helps improve students鈥� learning experiences and helps students develop public speaking skills, collaborative relationships, and improve organizational skills.

Q: For a student, what does being a member of SHRM show employers?
A: As a member of SHRM, students demonstrate interest in the field of human resource management, wanting to explore a career in this field, wanting to be a voice for employees and employers, and interest in legislation.

Q: Is there anything you鈥檇 like to add about the importance of SHRM to students?
A: SHRM has acknowledged that the concentration in Human Resource Management in the
BS in Business, MBA, and MS in Management programs fully aligns with its HR Curriculum Guidebook and Template.

Excelsior鈥檚 undergraduate and graduate business programs were renewed by SHRM through December 2025. Our programs fully align with the SHRM Curriculum Guidelines.

The HR Curriculum Guidebook and Templates were developed by SHRM to define the minimum HR content areas that should be studied by HR students at the undergraduate and graduate levels. The guidelines are part of SHRM鈥檚 Academic Initiative to define HR education standards taught in university business schools and help universities develop degree programs that follow these standards.

Career Spotlight: Regulatory Affairs Specialist

Posted on by Mary Kate Weaver

How to Start a Career in Regulatory Affairs

What Is a Regulatory Affairs Specialist?

Regulatory affairs is a unique industry directly related to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). If you鈥檝e ever used makeup products, taken prescription drugs, or eaten a bag of chips, those products have gone through rigorous regulatory checks before people are able to use them. In addition to its role in the food and drug industry, regulatory affairs extends to medical technologies, including medical equipment, biotechnological advances, and implanted devices. This is to ensure all products and machines are safe, efficient, and perform the way they are supposed to before they can be purchased or used by the public.

A regulatory affairs specialist can work in a number of industries to make sure regulations are met at all levels. At the state, federal, and international levels, there are many regulations to ensure products, food, and drugs are safe to use or consume. However, with the increased accessibility of food from around the world and the rapid development of new technologies, new risks are introduced almost daily. Because of this, regulatory affairs specialist positions are increasing across the globe. Demand is expected to increase 88 percent by 2029.

What Does a Regulatory Affairs Specialist Do?

The job duties of a regulatory affairs specialist vary depending on the industry in which they work. Check out some of the most common responsibilities:

鈼� Stay up to date with new and existing regulations that may impact an organization鈥檚 products and processes.
鈼� Standardize all business operations to establish clear and documented protocols.
鈼� Maintain data and files of all regulations.
鈼� Create marketing, legal, and technical documents to ensure compliance.
鈼� Work with other employees to ensure their knowledge of regulations, procedures, and policies are accurate.
鈼� Research and recommend courses of action to help a company achieve the necessary levels of compliance.
鈼� Report on compliance status to internal and external parties.
鈼� Act as a liaison between an organization and state, local, and federal agencies.

Regulatory affairs specialists are also brought in early in product development process to ensure compliance at each step. This includes monitoring the research and development of a product, creating and manufacturing the product, marketing the product, and final approval.

Why Are Regulatory Affairs Specialists Needed in Nutrition?

The nutrition field must stay up to date with research and compliance to be successful. People need to trust that what they read on food labels and what they hear from nutritionists and dieticians are correct. Regulatory affairs specialists help to make this possible by continuing to build trust between the nutrition world and the general public.

Regulatory affairs specialists can help to regulate food under the current protocols set forth by monitoring serving sizes, what goes into processed foods, and much more. They are responsible for making sure all food that can be purchased by the public is compliant, assuring the public that food is safe to consume.

How to Get into Regulatory Affairs

Many regulatory affairs positions are considered entry-level and will give you a deep understanding of the field. A bachelor鈥檚 degree in health sciences, public health, biology, or another related discipline is a great step toward working as a regulatory affairs specialist. As the field grows, organizations are looking for applicants who have a graduate degree as well. The Graduate Certificate in Nutrition at Excelsior College will set you up for a successful career in this field, especially if you are interested in the food and drug industry. Besides education, other important factors to become a regulatory affairs specialist include the following:

鈼� Work experience. Hands-on experience is key to moving up the ladder.
鈼� Continuing education and professional development. Due to the constant changes in this field, it is critical that people in the regulatory industry stay up to date.
鈼� Your network. Knowing the right people in this industry can have a huge impact on your career. Make sure to network, connect with other professionals, and continue looking for career advancement opportunities.

On average, regulatory affairs specialists earn $74,663 per year in the United States. A regulatory affairs specialist can earn well over $100,000 per year, depending on the state or industry. If you are passionate about what goes into your products, food, and drugs, a position as a regulatory affairs specialist might be the right fit for you!

IUPUI Leading Improvements in Higher Education Podcast Episode 2

Posted on by Andr茅 Foisy

https://assessmentinstitute.iupui.edu/overview/podcast-files/podcast-episodes-copy.html

One of twelve inaugural episodes profiling partner associations and organizations of the Assessment Institute, this episode features two leaders from AALHE, the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education. Jane Marie Souza is associate provost for academic administration, chief assessment officer, and accreditation liaison officer at the University of Rochester. She served as the 2019-2020 president of the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education. Andr茅 Foisy is currently serving as president, and he is also Executive Director of Institutional Outcomes Assessment at Excelsior College.

Corey Kerzmann, MS in Management, 2022

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Corey Kerzmann began his educational career in 1990 at Ramapo College in New Jersey. He served in the military, where he was able to complete his AS in Liberal Arts with Excelsior in 2006. After leaving the military, Kerzmann began working as a civil servant and completed his BS in Liberal Arts with Excelsior in 2020. He has worked for the federal government鈥攊n both military and civilian roles鈥攆or the past 25 years. He earned an MS in Management in 2022 and works as a strategic planner for the U.S. Army in Vicenza, Italy, applying all the knowledge gained while working toward completing his three degrees.

Kelvin Childs, BS in Liberal Arts, 2000

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

On January 31, 2022, Kelvin Childs joined Howard University in the division of Development and Alumni Relations. As a development writer, he writes a variety of materials used for university fundraising efforts, including donor stewardship materials and reports, campaign case statements and public documents, and other materials. Childs earned a BS in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College in 2000.

Q & A with Amanda Reiman, Vice President of Community Development for Flow Cannabis Company and Advisor for the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Our next blog post that spotlights members of the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control鈥檚 Industrial Advisory Committee is about Amanda Reiman, vice president of community development for Flow Cannabis Company, which engages in distribution, manufacturing, and white label production of sun-grown cannabis products. Look for some of her upcoming articles in these publications: https://www.forbes.com/sites/warrenbobrow/2020/06/03/dr-amanda-reiman-digs-deeply-into-5-questions-about-the-endocannabinoid-system/#28538c3429e9; https://tokeativity.com/connect/calendar/event/435-haus-of-jane-women-in-plant-medicine-summit/

Read on to learn more about her!

About Amanda Reiman

Amanda Reiman is the vice president of community development for Flow Cannabis Company. She is also the founder and CEO of Personal Plants, an online platform that supports the home cultivation and processing of therapeutic plants and fungi. Reiman is a board member for the California Cannabis Tourism Association, the Mendocino Cannabis Alliance, the Mendocino County Fire Safe Council, and The Initiative, the first incubator/accelerator for women-owned cannabis businesses.

After earning a PhD from UC Berkeley, Reiman became the director of research and patient services at Berkeley Patients Group, one of the oldest dispensaries in the United States, and the manager of marijuana law and policy for the Drug Policy Alliance, a national nonprofit organization that was engaged in the drafting and campaigns of legalization initiatives across the country and abroad. She also taught courses on substance abuse treatment and drug policy at UC Berkeley for 10 years and has published several research articles and book chapters on the use of cannabis as a substitute for opiates and the social history of the cannabis movement.

Q&A with Amanda Reiman

Q: In your own words, how do you think the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control will benefit students?
A: The legal cannabis industry provides a variety of job opportunities across sectors. Providing evidence-informed education is key to preparing students for the opportunities that await them in this growing industry.

Q: What do you hope students will take away from the program?
A: That the cannabis industry is not that different than other alternative medicine/plant medicine industries and that there is an opportunity for well-paying, long-term employment in an exciting environment.

Q: Please tell us how you started in the industry.
A: I am a social worker and public health researcher who began studying the relationship between patients and dispensaries in 2002. Since then I have studied the use of cannabis as a substitute for alcohol and other drugs and how cannabis fits into the broader community.

Q: What鈥檚 something unique about you that others would find interesting?
A: I used to be a professional dog walker.

Q: What is a piece of advice you鈥檇 offer someone getting into the industry?
A: Liking cannabis is not enough. The jobs in the industry today require skills outside of knowledge of the plant and its uses.

Q: What is one thing you wish you had known before entering the industry?
A: Well, when I started it was not an industry, but a movement. It grew up as an industry while I was already in it.

Q: Do you have anything else you would like to mention regarding your work in the cannabis industry?
A: One of my roles in the industry has been to preserve the culture and activism that was front and center prior to legalization.

Which Companies Are Hiring? Get the Education You Need to Apply

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

As the country moves out of the economic downturn caused by the pandemic, professionals are seeking ways to get an edge against the job-hunting competition and become more attractive job candidates. One sure method is earning degrees and certificates online, which can better position graduates to either change careers or move up in their current one.
The question is: which companies are hiring? The answer depends on which industry you鈥檙e looking to enter, and the type of degree or certificate you earn could give you an edge. Excelsior College understands that the foundation of professional expertise rests on relative and applicable education. To that end, Excelsior recently added new degree programs to better prepare graduates to meet the challenges in today鈥檚 business world. They are:
鈼� LPN to Bachelor of Science in Nursing
鈼� Master of Science in Human Resource Management with an Emphasis in Diversity and Technology
鈼� Master of Science in Organizational Leadership with an Emphasis in Technology and Data Analytics
鈼� Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics
鈼� Graduate Certificate in Distributive Workforce Management
Each offers graduates the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen profession. The following looks at where these degrees and certificates can take those who earn them.

Companies Hiring By Degree

Each of these degree programs prepares students for a career in growing industries, with higher-than-average hiring rates Or, as with nursing, some parts of the United States are hiring at a faster rate than others (All salary figures and job projection numbers shown below come from the ).
While hard skills are essential for professional competency, soft skills are increasingly important for employers. Soft skills include clear communication, guiding and mentoring teams, a strong work ethic, digital literacy, and intercultural fluency.

LPN to BS in Nursing

Nursing ranks among the best careers for growth in the coming decades. The National Center for Health Workforce Analysis that the demand for RNs will reach 3.6 million by 2030, a 795,700 increase from 2014. At least seven states are projected to have a nursing shortage: California, Texas, New Jersey, South Carolina, Georgia, South Dakota, and Alaska.
The report names factors driving the nursing shortage trend, including population growth, economic conditions, expanded health insurance coverage, changes in health care reimbursement, location, an aging population, and health workforce availability.

MS in Human Resource Management

A degree in HR management provides skills that transfer across all industries. Every type of business needs HR professionals. Some industries hiring the most HR professionals include healthcare, government, technology, financial services, hospitality, and non-profit organizations.
Pay for HR managers reached a national average of $134,580 in May 2020. States that employ the most HR managers include California, Illinois, New York, Texas, and Florida.

MS in Organizational Leadership

Earning a master鈥檚 degree in organizational leadership provides graduates with the skills needed within any organization. People with expertise in organizational leadership can apply their expertise in a variety of ways. Examples of job titles include senior director of leadership development and organizational change, director of organizational effectiveness, organizational learning manager, and director of organizational development.
Graduates from a master鈥檚 program may also work as consultants, helping businesses streamline organizations, increase profits, and provide higher-quality products. Some industries hiring the most organizational leaders include healthcare, universities, government agencies, and financial services.

Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics

Data analytics are now used in business across industries, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations. Big data drives better decision-making for business leaders, more accurate healthcare records for patients, and more accurate return-on-investment projections for investors, to name a few examples.
The BLS lists two categories in data analytics. The projections call for a 25% increase in operations research analysts by 2029 and an 18% increase in market research analysts.

Graduate Certificate in Distributive Workforce Management

A distributed workforce鈥痠nvolves employees who work in a variety of locations, including home and satellite offices. This is sometimes referred to as 鈥渢elecommuting.鈥� It鈥檚 a trend that increased out of necessity during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, but it鈥檚 one expected to continue moving forward.
Earning a Graduate Certificate in Distributive Workforce Management prepares managers to oversee a remote team successfully. It鈥檚 a certificate that applies to the work of people at all levels鈥攎anagers, directors, vice presidents. Topics include maintaining employee productivity and morale long distance, ensuring secure remote access to business systems, and remote conferencing.
Skilled specialists are highly valued in today’s job market. Any of these degrees and certificates can help make professionals a highly attractive target for recruitment. And with the availability of online classrooms, it鈥檚 more convenient than ever for professionals to attain their educational goals and boost their careers.

A Lifelong Career

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Rick Collinwood, of Pensacola, Florida, has worked for Pizza Hut for 30 years, starting as an entry-level manager and working his way up to his current position as a territory coach. Thanks to the Yum Brands partnership with Excelsior College, Collinwood was able to complete his lifelong dream of earning a Bachelor of Professional Studies in Business and Management in November 2020.

Collinwood joined the Pizza Hut family in 1991 when he was starting a family, and over the next 13 years, he moved from being a store manager to an area manager. It was also during this time that he started his college career by attending an in-person program for working adults. Collinwood accumulated some credits but did not complete a degree. 鈥淚t was difficult to find time between working 60鈥�70 hours a week and kids鈥� activities and all of that stuff,鈥� he explained.

In 2006, Collinwood moved into a traveling role overseeing inspectors, which made attending college difficult. In 2013, he moved to Mississippi to oversee 40 corporate stores and he heard about Excelsior College. 鈥淏ut the thing about Excelsior was that they were going to take all of my Pizza Hut training over the 20 plus years that I鈥檇 been with Pizza Hut and all of the management training classes I鈥檇 been to, and they were going to be able to convert those into college credits,鈥� Collinwood recalls about what drew him to the online college. His credits from the University of Phoenix also transferred to Excelsior. Collinwood still needed to take some courses to complete a degree, and he again put his education on pause when he moved to Pensacola for a new position as a territory coach with Pizza Hut.

It wasn鈥檛 until a conversation with his grandson that Collinwood decided it was time to buckle down and complete his degree. 鈥淲e were talking about college and he looked at me, 鈥榖ut Grandpa, you鈥檙e a college dropout. And I want to go to college.鈥� And I鈥檓 like, my eight-year-old grandson is asking me if I鈥檓 a college dropout. I was like, 鈥榙ang, I better finish.鈥欌�� Collinwood immediately picked back up his studies and earned his degree four years later, in 2020.

Collinwood uses what he learned from pursuing his Excelsior business degree in his current job, but he also found that his Pizza Hut experience helped him in his Excelsior work. 鈥淢y experiences actually helped me be able to write better papers and communicate better鈥ut my school also helped with my work. It has helped me to fine-tune some of those communication skills,鈥� he says.

Communication is a big portion of Collinwood鈥檚 job. He regularly meets virtually with franchise owners鈥攁bout 1,500 stores鈥攁nd discusses strategies that are working and offers advice. 鈥淚 just want them to succeed, because if they succeed, then that helps me be successful in my job鈥 enjoy working with franchisees and helping them figure out ways that they can make more money, be profitable, and take care of their employees, which ultimately, you know, all of that鈥檚 taking care of their customers,鈥� Collinwood explains, talking about his favorite part of his job.

After a long career and the pauses in his education, Collinwood used Pizza Hut鈥檚 partnership benefits with Excelsior to earn a degree, which ultimately helps him in his job. He advises others to look into Excelsior to pursue their educational goals. 鈥淵ou got to take that first step, and you got to reach out, reach out to a program, reach out to the school 鈥�, he says. 鈥淩eally, the best advice I can give is to put it on your calendar.鈥�

Empire BlueCross Donates to Excelsior鈥檚 Nursing Scholarship Fund

Posted on by Erin Coufal

Albany, New York鈥� During Nurses Week 2022, Excelsior College thanks Empire BlueCross for its $10,000 donation to support Excelsior鈥檚 Nursing Scholarship Fund. This generous donation will fund scholarships for Excelsior鈥檚 nursing students in New York state.

鈥淲e are honored to announce this significant donation from Empire BlueCross during Nurses Week as we honor Excelsior鈥檚 nursing alumni and show support to future generations of nursing professionals,鈥� said David Schejbal, president of Excelsior College. 鈥淓xcelsior is committed to educating nurses and delighted to apply 100 percent of the donation to scholarships which offer much needed financial support to help nursing students reach their educational and professional goals.鈥�

Excelsior has a long-standing history of educating and supporting nursing students. Today, the Associate Degree in Nursing program is the College鈥檚 largest degree program and Excelsior鈥檚 commitment to those in the nursing profession remains steadfast.

鈥淎t Empire, we are on a mission to materially and measurably improve the lives of all New Yorkers,鈥� said Karen Generali, director, sales at Empire BlueCross. 鈥淭o bring our mission to life, we rely on the work of nurses who are on the front lines with people during the most personal and vulnerable moments in their lives. Given this, it is our privilege to support Excelsior College with scholarships for aspiring nurses.鈥�

In honor of Nurse鈥檚 Week 2022, which runs May 6鈥�12, Excelsior is dedicating its fundraising efforts to honor nurses. As a tribute to nurses, this initiative will raise important funds for the Excelsior College Nursing Scholarship Fund. Empire BlueCross鈥� donation is key to kick-starting this initiative.

# # #

Media Contact Excelsior College:
Erin Coufal, ecoufal@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8498

ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE
Excelsior College 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.

About Empire BlueCross
Serving the 11 northeastern counties of New York State, Empire BlueCross (Empire) is on a mission to materially and measurably improve the health of New Yorkers. Empire is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Empire is committed to improving lives and communities, and in 2020 and 2021, Empire BlueCross was named one of Albany Business Review鈥檚 Best Places to Work. Additional information about Empire is available at www.empireblue.com.

Excelsior鈥檚 Nursing & Health Sciences Educational Institute

Posted on by Erin Coufal

Albany, New York鈥擡xcelsior College鈥檚 annual Nursing and Health Sciences Educational Institute highlights the importance of undoing societal barriers, so all individuals are treated fairly, equitably, can have a sense of belonging, and can live full and dignified lives.

With nearly 750 attendees registered, this event offers riveting speakers, learning activities, and continuing nursing education contact hours awarded by Albany Medical Center.

鈥淭he COVID-19 pandemic clearly demonstrated the inequities in access and treatment within our healthcare system,鈥� said Mary Lee Pollard, dean of Excelsior College鈥檚 School of Nursing. 鈥淎s an institution preparing the next generation of nurses, nursing faculty, and health professionals, we feel it is our responsibility to provide education as a basis for change.鈥�

To embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), this event will explore the social determinants of health and how educators can promote inclusivity through empathetic instructional design, the integration of DEI into a variety of learning environments, the importance of student mental health, and the importance of self-care, which promotes resiliency and conveys to others the value of oneself. Speakers include a DEI keynote by Daniel Pascoe Aguilar, Excelsior鈥檚 chief diversity officer; Larry Purnell, emeritus professor at Excelsior College; and several faculty from Excelsior College鈥檚 School of Nursing.

The Institute is hosted this year by Excelsior College and Albany Medical Center. The takes place on Friday, April 29, 2022 from 10 a.m.鈥�4 p.m. ET.

# # #

Media Contact Excelsior College:

Erin Coufal, ecoufal@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8498

听ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College 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.