Are You Looking for a High College Credit Transfer Program?

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

For many students, life can get in the way of completing a degree. Students may pause their schooling because of a job or personal obligations, or both, and they may have many credits but no degree.

Online education, coupled with a generous college credit transfer policy, makes it easier for adult learners returning to school to complete their degrees.

Excelsior ranks among the best colleges in these important areas. In addition to offering a wide variety of online degree programs, Excelsior also accepts up to 113 credits depending on the specific program.

Students can receive credits from Excelsior College for a variety of learning accomplishments, including college-level exams, professional training, military training, health care credentials, and industry certifications.

鈥淓xcelsior College is incredibly transfer-friendly,鈥� says Rebecca S. Schenck, director of academic evaluation at Excelsior College鈥檚 Transcript Analysis Center. 鈥淥ur dedicated team of 30-plus academic evaluators are trained to maximize the number of transfer credits each individual student presents, and they work to build a degree MAP (My Academic Plan) that gets students to the finish line as quickly and efficiently as possible.鈥�

The Residency Requirement at Excelsior College

The college credit transfer policy at Excelsior College makes the school a great choice for those who have started degrees at other accredited institutions or have an associate degree and want to move on to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree.

The policy, which ranks among the , also can result in cost savings for students who can transfer credit from other schools and earn their degree sooner.

To earn a degree from Excelsior College, students must meet the standards of the school鈥檚 residency requirement. These standards mandate that all students complete three specific courses at Excelsior College:

  • A Cornerstone course at the beginning of their time at Excelsior College
  • A Capstone course at the end
  • A 1-credit Information Literacy course

A Generous Transfer Expiration Policy

Excelsior College also designed its college credit transfer policy to provide a generous expiration period for courses taken in the past. According to the college鈥檚 transfer credit guidelines, students may still be able to transfer credits earned decades ago. 听Guidelines vary based on the degree program.

For example, the health sciences transfer credit policy allows students in the Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management/MBA dual degree program to claim credits earned within 20 years to the date of enrollment in the undergraduate component and within 10 years of the date of enrollment in the graduate component.

For the Master of Science in Health Sciences specializations, students must earn the credits within seven years of enrollment.

The Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts and Associate in Science in Liberal Arts programs have no time limit on credits earned. In theory, a student could transfer 113 credits and then complete a Cornerstone, Capstone, and Information Literacy course to graduate.

鈥淭his means that credit a student completed in the 鈥�70s,鈥�80s,鈥�90s or last month could be used to fulfill degree requirements, depending on what type/level of credit the student presents to us,鈥� Schenck says.

Excelsior College provides a list of time limitations on transfer credit for all online degree programs. The Academic Evaluation team is divided into specialties, says Schenck. This gives each degree area a group of dedicated experts to support students.

Prospective students must first apply to the College to have their transcripts reviewed. Students currently pay a $50 application fee.

With the potential of transferring so many credits, it鈥檚 worthwhile for prospective students to determine what credits they will receive. Many may find they are closer to completing their degree than they imagine.

For more information, and to see how much credit you can transfer, visit /start-with-more-credit/ on Excelsior鈥檚 website.

States Leading the Way in Cannabis Legalization

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

As cannabis legalization spreads from coast to coast, each state takes a different approach to how they use their cannabis profits and revenue. Some states in particular are making huge impacts with money collected from legal cannabis, setting the stage for other states and showing them how they can benefit communities through legal cannabis profits.

Colorado

Colorado has been, perhaps, one of the most progressive states when it comes to benefiting from cannabis legalization. As of 2020, the taxes that came from Colorado cannabis businesses have funded programs for cleaner roads, with 51 cannabis companies sponsoring 66 percent of the roads covered by the 鈥淐lean Colorado.鈥� Tax revenue has also gone into anti-bullying programs for schools, which helped teachers and school staff teach over 34,400 students.

Another way Colorado is using its cannabis tax revenue for good is by helping the homeless. In 2018, The Denver Post reported that Aurora, in the Denver metro area, spent $7.3 million on homeless services and housing. Cannabis tax revenue has also been used to fund scholarships. In 2019, the Pueblo Chieftain published a story about Pueblo using its cannabis tax revenue to award $700,000 in scholarships for the 2019鈥�2020 school year.

California

Just like Colorado, California has been progressive with its cannabis programs, putting cannabis tax revenue toward programs that benefit the community. According to the news outlet Leafly, the Golden State received an estimated $635 million in state and local cannabis tax revenue in 2019, which went toward youth anti-drug programs, the environment, and public safety grants.

California鈥檚 money from tax revenue is spent in various ways, such as childcare for low-income families, safer roads, cannabis science and policy research, and more. Most recently, the news outlet Marijuana Moment reported that California will provide $30 million in grant funding for individuals who have been disproportionately impacted by the drug war, an initiative from the Bureau of Cannabis Control and Governor鈥檚 Office of Business and Economic Development.

Nevada

The most recent in this list to legalize cannabis for adult-use, the Nevada cannabis industry 8,300 full-time jobs once it was legalized. In May of 2019, lawmakers introduced a bill that would move all money that was collected from the state鈥檚 10 percent excise sales tax on cannabis toward education. The same year, Clark County commissioners decided to divert $1.8 million of cannabis licensing fee revenue to fight homelessness.

Of the $1.8 million going toward the , Clark County directed $855,000 to expand services at HELP of Southern Nevada鈥檚 Shannon West Homeless Youth Center, a facility that can house up to 166 at-risk youth from ages 16 to 22. In addition, $930,000 will be allocated to go toward rehousing homeless individuals who have been discharged from the hospital.

A common theme throughout these states leading the way for cannabis legalization is that the cannabis tax revenue goes toward programs that benefit communities, usually through education. We鈥檙e happy to see these states taking the initiative to create better communities with money raised from cannabis legalization and hope that other states follow suit.

A common theme among these states that have legalized cannabis is that they put cannabis tax revenue toward programs that benefit communities, usually through education. They are taking the initiative to create better communities with money raised from cannabis legalization, setting an example for other states to follow.

Education is an important component of understanding an environment where cannabis legalization has been expanding, which is why we created our Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control. Learn more about our program and see how it can help you achieve your cannabis career goals.

Excelsior College Hosts Virtual Fraud, Forensics, and Cybersecurity Executive Panel on November 18 with Siena College

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, N.Y. 鈥� Excelsior College will host a virtual panel discussion focused on emerging trends and careers in the fields of fraud, forensics, and cybersecurity on Wednesday, November 18 from 8:30鈥�9:30 a.m. ET. This event, in collaboration with Siena College, will be moderated by Chelsea Diana, a reporter from the Albany Business Review.

The public is invited to join top leaders in the field as they discuss current trends and issues in fraud, forensics, and cybersecurity. Discussions will cover:

  • Major developments and issues in the fields of fraud, forensics, and cybersecurity, and how they impact different industries;
  • How organizations and individuals respond to changes within the fields;
  • Skills and competencies required for success in fraud, forensics, and cybersecurity careers; and
  • How market trends impact the labor force.

Panelists include:

  • Richard Peters, Senior Information Security Advisor, UHY LLP
  • John Roman, CIO, The Bonadio Group; President and COO, Bonadio鈥檚 Information Risk Management and Cybersecurity Division, FoxPointe Solutions
  • Matthew Miller, Principal in the New York Office of KPMG LLP鈥檚 U.S. Cyber Security Services Financial Services
  • Amelia Estwick, Director, National Cybersecurity Institute at Excelsior College

鈥淲e are pleased to again participate with Dean Scott Dolan and Excelsior College to present a panel discussion on听topics of global concern: fraud, forensics and cybersecurity,鈥� said Chester Brearey, professor of accounting and director, Master of Science in Accountancy with Data & Analytics at Siena College. 鈥淚ncidents of fraud are escalating in frequency, duration, and complexity. Hardly a day goes by without a news story about another breach. Our panelists and moderator will elicit not only conversation but will offer statements and questions for the purpose of eliciting a spirited dialogue.鈥�

鈥淭he job market for people with skills in fraud, forensics, and cybersecurity is expected to grow dramatically over the next few years. Even prior to the pandemic, the world economy was going through a radical restructuring brought on by the development and increased adoption of emerging technologies,鈥� stated Scott Dolan, dean, School of Graduate Studies, Excelsior College. Dolan continued, 鈥淢obile and cloud, advancements in computing power, the growth of big data, along with the emergence of robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and the Internet of Things are changing how we consume, produce, and distribute goods and services. And they have radically changed the amount of data at our disposal, and how we collect and manage information. But the access to this information has raised corresponding organizational and individual concerns about how we protect our data, ensure our privacy, and ethically manage information. We are excited to offer a panel series focused on how these trends are impacting various industries, and what is needed for people to gain access to careers in these high-demand fields.鈥�

To register to attend this event, visit听

 

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Media Contact Excelsior College:

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

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Media Contact Siena College

Lisa Witkowski, lwitkowski@siena.edu, 518-859-8632

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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.

 

ABOUT SIENA COLLEGE

Siena College is a private, co-educational liberal arts college in the Franciscan and Catholic tradition. Siena is committed to offering the Education for a Lifetime for a new generation of leaders eager to create a more just, peaceful and humane world. This education empowers them through a transformative journey of intellectual, spiritual and personal discovery.

Founded in 1937, Siena offers 36 majors, 80-plus minors and certificates, and prestigious joint-degree programs in liberal arts, science and business. A wide range of student activities join with immersive service learning, research opportunities, extensive study abroad options and an NCAA Division I athletic program in providing more than 3,000 students the opportunity to prepare for a lifetime of making a difference.

Excelsior College Evaluates FEMA Training for College Credit to Lower Tuition Costs for Federal Employees

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Excelsior is a member of the Federal Academic Alliance formed by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

ALBANY, N.Y. 鈥� Through a new agreement, Excelsior College, an accredited, not-for-profit online college, has worked with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)鈥檚 Emergency Management Institute to evaluate the Emergency Management Professional Program (EMPP) for college credit.

This expansion of the Federal Academic Alliance, an educational partnership between the federal government, colleges, and universities, will support the professional development of FEMA employees. FEMA employees who complete the EMPP can apply this valuable training as 4 upper-level credits toward an undergraduate degree program at Excelsior College. FEMA employees can also apply credits awarded through other FEMA training evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE).

鈥淎s an Excelsior College alumnus, it is very gratifying to have worked together to award college credit to the students who complete courses in the Emergency Management Professional Program. The three academies of the Emergency Management Professional Program have evolved into a school of continuing and professional studies for the education and professional development of emergency management professionals across the nation,鈥� stated Kelly E. Garrett, EdD, director, EMPP Branch, Emergency Management Institute. He continued, 鈥淥ur curriculum is designed along a continuum of learning which serves emergency managers throughout their careers, so we鈥檙e excited to partner with Excelsior College to help our students achieve their educational goals.鈥�

The evaluation of FEMA training for credit represents thousands of dollars in savings for individual FEMA employees 鈥� and potentially a significant overall cost reduction in educational benefits provided by the federal government. That鈥檚 because employees will be able to transfer in credit for FEMA training, which translates to fewer courses to take at Excelsior to complete their degree. Coupled with the Federal Academic Alliance tuition discount, employees can earn a degree from Excelsior at a significantly lower cost.

鈥淔EMA employees will now have an accelerated pathway toward completing their degree at Excelsior College. This will enhance their credentials and bolster their expertise in responding to emergency situations across the country,鈥� said David Schejbal, PhD, Excelsior College鈥檚 president. 鈥淭his benefit to FEMA employees provides validation of their experience and skills from trainings to help them earn a degree in less time while saving money.鈥�

For nearly 50 years, Excelsior College has supported the adult learner through flexible learning options and by offering a generous transfer credit policy. Excelsior also translates government and corporate training into college credit through its extensive internal review process and assesses training that has been evaluated by the American Council of Education (ACE) or accredited college institutions for credit.

鈥淚mportantly, this new agreement with FEMA provides the opportunity for FEMA employees to continue propelling their career,鈥� says Lisa Romano-Arnold, director of business development for Excelsior College. 鈥淚n its work to strengthen workplace culture while supporting employee recruitment and retention, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management created the Federal Academic Alliance (FAA) to combat workforce shortages and offer tuition savings for federal government employees, spouses, and domestic partners. This extension of the alliance is an example of how the Federal Academic Alliance was intended.鈥�

The EMPP has been reviewed and evaluated, and employees may apply the undergraduate credit toward Excelsior degree programs such as the Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security and Emergency Management, Bachelor of Science in National Security, and Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts. They can also transfer credits earned during previous college experience and receive credit for military training.

For more information, visit /partner/feducation/.

 

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Media Contact:

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

听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 Reflection on Election Day

Posted on by David Schejbal

The 2020 elections are before us and ensuring that your voice is heard and your vote is counted is critical to the democratic process. Voting is both a right and a responsibility, and I strongly encourage you to exercise it fully.

As I am an immigrant from the Communist Block and a naturalized U.S. citizen, voting has a special significance that I do not take lightly. When my parents brought me to the U.S. in 1968, we left Czechoslovakia during a brief interlude in communist totalitarian rule. The period is known as the Prague Spring. Alexander Dubcek was the president of the country at the time, and he believed deeply in democratic government. He tried to create what he called 鈥渃ommunism with a human face鈥� that included freely elected political leaders. On August 20, 1968, the Soviet Union responded to Dubcek鈥檚 effort by invading the country with 600,000 Warsaw Pact troops. I remember my parents crying as we watched tanks roll through Prague on the nightly news. Dubcek was replaced, and for the next 20 years, political leadership in Czechoslovakia was determined by the Soviets. The collapse of the Communist Block finally brought that period to an end in 1989.

Czechoslovakia was formed as a country in 1918 and codified in the Treaty of Versailles. From then until the invasion by the Nazis in 1939, Czechoslovakia was a democratic country. In 1945, as World War II was ending, Russian troops and American troops were driving Nazi occupation forces from Europe. American troops arrived in Czechoslovakia before Russian troops but eventually ceded the country to Russian oversight.

My father was in his late teens and early 20s during World War II. He was forced to work in a Nazi labor camp during the Nazi occupation of Czechoslovakia and then was significantly limited in his professional work during Communist rule. He is 98 years old now and frail, but his mind is as sharp as ever. He frets about politics a lot, and he has been closely following immigration policy, deportation cases, and racism.

Unless your heritage is Native American/American Indian, you too are an immigrant or a descendant of immigrants. My parents brought me to this country for a better, freer life. If you, your parents, or their ancestors came to this country voluntarily and not as slaves, I imagine that the same is true for you. John Locke, upon whose writings the Declaration of Independence is largely based, wrote that we are free most directly when we vote. Voting is the expression of liberty in its most direct and natural form.

I hope that you value the right to vote as much as I do. The majority of people on this planet do not enjoy the same privilege. It is now time to express our hard-fought right to liberty in the most direct way. It is time to vote.

As you prepare to go to the polls or perhaps reflect on the ballot that you already cast, it is worth reflecting on Langston Hughes鈥� poem

 

Defending Against Hackers

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Dustin Van Dame uses his degrees to protect his company鈥檚 IT infrastructure

Like many millennials, Dustin Van Dame, of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, grew up with the MS-DOS computer operating system, which is where his love of computers developed. He spent 10 years in the Navy, but it was his interest in technology that led him into cybersecurity. He completed Excelsior College鈥檚 dual degree Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology to Master of Business Administration program in November 2019 and his degrees have already opened up new opportunities for him in his career at a nuclear powerplant.

Van Dame had been finishing up his associate degree when he decided his academics weren鈥檛 stimulating enough and he wanted more challenges. That鈥檚 when a friend suggested he enlist in the Navy鈥檚 nuclear power program. Van Dame joined in 2004 as a nuclear engineer for chemistry and radiological controls where he maintained and operated the equipment in the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. After 10 years, Van Dame began hearing about companies that hired trained professionals to try to hack their computer defenses and the job appealed to him. He was beginning to think about his post-Navy career and that kind of job fit with his interests, stemming back to his love of tinkering with computers when he was younger. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a lot of troubleshooting and thinking outside the box,鈥� he says.

When he heard about Excelsior鈥檚 combined bachelor鈥檚 in nuclear engineering technology /MBA program, he thought it could be a potential opportunity to bring his love and knowledge of computers to the nuclear industry. The MBA part of the program has a concentration in cybersecurity. So, he was happy to learn his military training translated into degree credit. Van Dame later used a portion of his GI Bill® to pay for his master鈥檚 degree.

Van Dame completed his enlistment and transitioned from the Navy in 2014 and began working full-time at the Beaver Valley Nuclear Power Plant of Energy Harbor Corporation in Akron, Ohio. He was promoted to the radiation protection superintendent and monitored the workload and manpower of the department but earning his MBA with a focus in cybersecurity allowed him to move into cybersecurity. Now he is a cybersecurity specialist, working on the plant鈥檚 cybersecurity infrastructure. He tests the plant鈥檚 new computer systems, essentially trying to break through the firewalls before hackers can.

The education and degrees Van Dame earned from Excelsior and the experience he gained in the Navy all play into his role at the nuclear plant. Van Dame often uses the leadership and interpersonal skills he learned in the Navy in his job, as well as many things he learned in the various Excelsior business courses, like IT Risk Analysis and Management. He also participated in the spring season of the National Cyber League, the cybersecurity competition that uses defensive and offensive puzzle-based and capture-the-flag style challenges. Van Dame鈥檚 team, Excelsior_FTW, achieved 84.11% accuracy and Van Dame says the competition was a unique experience he would recommend to anyone. It also helped him decide that he was making the right decision for his career. 鈥淚t kind of solidified that鈥檚 what I wanted to do and that I wanted to finish my degree,鈥� he says.

What Van Dame likes most about his job is 鈥渂eing able to apply what I鈥檝e learned at Excelsior and my external training to strengthen our cybersecurity.鈥� Sometimes it鈥檚 hard to keep track of the different computer systems and to keep up with the new vulnerabilities to systems, but testing the security is a big responsibility that he doesn鈥檛 mind.

Van Dame has also begun training to earn several certifications necessary and required for his job. He鈥檚 taking the penetration testing course offered by the International Council of E-commerce Consultants and is working on the certified ethical hacker certification. With these certifications under his belt, he will be able to move up in his career as well as better defend his company鈥檚 infrastructure.

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 .

Excelsior College To Co-Lead in Initiative to Establish Cybersecurity Pipeline

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, N.Y. 鈥擜melia Estwick, PhD, director of the National Cybersecurity Institute at Excelsior College, was recently named co-lead of the national Cybersecurity Education Diversity Initiative (CEDI) Coalition along with Thaier Hayajneh of the Fordham Center for Cybersecurity at Fordham University. CEDI is a national workforce development initiative that aims to close the gap in cybersecurity talent through a partnership with the National Security Agency (NSA), Maryland Innovation & Security Institute (MISI), and the Department of Defense Office of Small Business Programs (DoD/OSBP). This partnership provides an academic path and pipeline for cybersecurity students to enter the field of cybersecurity equipped with the knowledge, skills, and training necessary to fill critical cybersecurity jobs.

Amelia Estwick

鈥淥n behalf of Excelsior College, I am excited to co-lead this initiative with academic and industry peers to help address the nation鈥檚 critical cybersecurity talent gap and provide equitable access to cybersecurity education, training, and jobs,鈥� stated Estwick. Estwick is also an educator and cybersecurity professional with more than 20 years of experience working in research and federal cyber operations.

Excelsior College is 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). Excelsior鈥檚 fully online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program maps to the NICE standards and prepares students with the technical knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the cybersecurity industry. Excelsior also offers a master鈥檚 degree in cybersecurity to prepare students for mid-career and senior-level leadership positions in the growing field.

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Media Contact:

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

听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.

Navigating the Landscape of Assessment Tools and Resources Panel at the IUPUI Assessment Institute Virtual Conference 2020

Posted on by Andr茅 Foisy

https://iu.mediaspace.kaltura.com/media/1_hl7ty0e2

There is a wealth of available resources across the higher education landscape to assist institutions with their assessment processes and practices. However, it can be overwhelming to find these resources, know where to look, or how to filter through the information to find those that are helpful. This session brings together representatives from various organizations deeply engaged with assessment who offer free resources to both student and academic affairs that can inform your work. Join us to learn about the useful tools available from Student Affairs Assessment Leaders (SAAL), the Association for the Assessment of Learning in Higher Education (AALHE), the Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS), and the National Institute for Learning Outcomes Assessment (NILOA). In addition, this session will cover free educational materials that can be used for professional development such as the Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) 鈥淎pplying & Leading Assessment in Student Affairs鈥� and the Assessment Modules from the Learning Assessment Research Consortium (LARC).

Excelsior College Hosts October 21 Webinar on Election Cybersecurity

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, N.Y. 鈥� Excelsior College will host a webinar on Election Cybersecurity in New York State on Wednesday, October 21 at 2 p.m. ET. Many election commissions and agencies are working on ways to be better prepared to prevent and handle election security threats. States across the country are implementing efforts to combat cyber risks and ensure this November鈥檚 local, state, and federal elections are conducted safely. In current news, the , which threatens to disrupt the upcoming elections.

Join chief information security officer for the New York State Board of Elections and director of the Secure Elections Center, to learn about how the State Board of Elections is addressing and remediating cyber risks to ensure we have secure and reliable elections. To register, visit

Jeffrey BaezBaez is a cybersecurity expert and certified information systems security professional. He participated on a panel at the 2nd Annual CISA Cyber Security Summit where he spoke with the secretaries of state from Michigan and Ohio and other elections officials and addressed senior leaders in both the private and public sector on emerging technologies, vulnerability management, incident response, risk mitigation, and other issues related to protecting elections systems.

Baez has spoken at many conferences in North America and Europe. He is a graduate of the University at听Albany, where he earned a Master of Science in Information Science. Baez is an adjunct professor and PhD student at the University at听Albany,听teaching courses on cybersecurity, information technology, elections, and business resilience.

Excelsior College has been recognized as a Center for Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense (CAE IA-CD). Excelsior College鈥檚 fully online Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program provides technical knowledge and skills in cybersecurity. The program also supports the belief of the NSA that cybersecurity should be integrated into all aspects of a person鈥檚 career.

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Media Contact Excelsior College:

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

听

听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.

 

Excelsior College Hosts 鈥淭he Political Candidates on Cannabis鈥� Webinar on October 20

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, N.Y. 鈥� Excelsior College will host a webinar focused on 鈥淭he Political Candidates on Cannabis鈥� next Tuesday, October 20 from 4鈥�5 p.m. ET. The webinar will be moderated by Mona Zhang, a long-standing cannabis reporter who has been with Politico since 2019.

Attendees will hear from two industry experts, Kris Krane, president of 4frontventures.com, and Tahir Johnson, membership manager and diversity, equity, and inclusion manager at the National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA). These experts understand both presidential candidates鈥� stances on legalization and what changes are predicted to happen to the cannabis industry under each administration. They also serve on Excelsior College鈥檚 Industrial Advisory Committee.

Many important issues are at stake with the upcoming presidential election. 鈥淭here have been some significant legislative developments in the legal cannabis space over the last couple of months鈥攚ith the introduction and ultimate delay of a vote on the MORE act. Much of what happens in the sector will be impacted by what happens in the upcoming elections, not only at the presidential level but also in House and Senate races. We are absolutely thrilled to be joined by industry leaders to learn more about the impact of the elections on policy and legislation at the federal level,鈥� stated Scott V. Dolan, dean of the School of Graduate Studies at Excelsior College.

In September, Excelsior College launched the first course in the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control program. The program includes three 3-credit courses to support career success in a relatively new but rapidly expanding legal cannabis industry.

#听 #听 #

Media Contact:

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

听

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.

How Cannabis Can Help the Economy

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

The cannabis industry has grown exponentially over the past few years, bringing more jobs to local economies and creating tax revenue that often gets redistributed to programs that benefit local communities. There are many benefits to legalizing cannabis, and aside from the medical benefits, there are huge economic benefits.

Cannabis Tax Revenue

According to the Washington Post, if cannabis were federally legal, it鈥檚 estimated the industry would amass $131.8 billion in federal tax revenue between 2017 and 2025. This money could go toward programs that benefit communities, especially those disproportionately affected by the war on drugs.

For instance, the Denver Post reported that Colorado used from cannabis tax revenue on homeless services and housing. If the U.S. legalized and regulated cannabis and took the same approach as Colorado and other states, the tax revenue generated would generate significant impact on programs across the country that help the less fortunate.

Creation of Cannabis Jobs

The cannabis industry is arguably the fastest growing industry to date, doubling in size over the past four years and, according to Leafly, an online source for cannabis information, 121,000 full-time jobs. It鈥檚 expected that legal cannabis jobs will by 250 percent over the next 10 years, more than any other industry. In some states like Massachusetts, for instance, cannabis jobs already surpass other , such as hairstylists and cosmetologists.

The creation of new jobs as a result of the cannabis industry is no doubt exciting and a source of optimism for those looking for work, especially considering the range of job options available, from budtenders, farmers, and botanists to compliance managers, marketers, accountants, and more.

Redirect Prohibition Spending

The American Civil Liberties Union estimates that is spent per year to enforce the war on drugs. A portion of this large budget could be repurposed for programs to help communities affected by the war on drugs, as well as for cannabis education and regulation. If taxed the same as tobacco and alcohol, cannabis could bring in as much as

The ineffectiveness of prohibition has negated the need for such a large budget, and this money can instead be redirected in the form of reparations to communities disproportionately affected by the program. Aside from this, the amount of money that federal legalization is capable of producing is enough to stimulate the economy, a plausible reason as to why cannabis should be federally legalized.

Interested in seeing how you can make a difference? Enroll in our Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control program and gain all the tools necessary to break into the cannabis industry and start making a change!

Excelsior College Welcomes Our Cannabis Industrial Advisory Committee of Leading Industry Professionals

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

Albany, N.Y. 鈥� Excelsior College welcomes leading industry professionals to our inaugural Cannabis Industrial Advisory Committee (CBC-IAC) within the School of Graduate Studies. Thirteen members met recently, representing various states from the East Coast to the West Coast, and from as far away as Hawaii.

In September, Excelsior College launched the first course in the Graduate Certificate in Cannabis Control program. The program includes three 3-credit courses to support career success in a relatively new but rapidly expanding legal cannabis industry. The CBC-IAC members provide perspectives from business operators, regulators, and the industry along with market expertise related to the program curriculum. The Committee鈥檚 input is vital to creating thought leaders in the legal cannabis industry and its regulatory environment.

The members of 2020 Cannabis Industrial Advisory Committee (CBC-IAC) will serve a one-year term, with opportunity for renewals. Members include:

 

  • Tessa Adams (CA), Head of Marketing, MOXIE
  • Solonje Burnett (NY), Founder, Humble Bloom
  • Paul Coble (AZ), Founder & CEO, Thalo
  • Robert Hunt (CA), Founder & Managing Member, Linnaea Holdings
  • Tahir Johnson (MD) Membership Manager & DEI Manager, National Cannabis Industry Association (NCIA)
  • Kris Krane (IL), President, 4Front Ventures
  • Marion McNabb (NC), President, Cannabis Center of Excellence
  • Amanda Ostrowitz (IL), Senior Vice President & Founder of CannaRegs
  • Ashley Picillo (CO), Founder, Point 7 Group
  • Amanda Reiman (CA), VP of Community Development, Flow Kana
  • Kathryn Reiter (CA), Compliance Manager, Natura Life + Science
  • Dylan Shropshire (HI), Founder & COO, Big Island Grown
  • Danniel Swatosh (NY) Founder, Humble Bloom

 

鈥淲e are extremely honored to be working with a prestigious group of well-respected leaders and experts who approach the sector from various perspectives,鈥� stated Scott V. Dolan, dean of the School of Graduate Studies at Excelsior College. 鈥淭he guidance and input from this committee is key to the goal of ensuring our program remains current and relevant to the needs of the market. Additionally, we are excited to work with this group to expand opportunities for our students to connect with industry beyond the classroom鈥攖hrough internships, course projects, networking events, webinars on topical issues in the regulatory space, and more.鈥�

Some economic forecasts predict that legal cannabis will be a $73 billion industry by 2025, and recent analyses show employment opportunities expanding in concert with industry growth.听 Leveraging a fully online delivery model, the Excelsior College Cannabis Control Program will provide high-quality, academically rigorous courses to support adult learners from diverse academic, geographic, and cultural backgrounds.

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Media Contact:

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

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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.