Rising Above: Katharin Rice-Gillis

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Katharin Rice-Gillis has had her share of tragedy鈥攆rom having a grandparent murdered to losing a son鈥攂ut she hasn鈥檛 let that keep her from achieving her goals. Through ups and downs, she has managed to successfully wear many hats as a sailor, mother, soldier, wife, and student, and was able to complete her educational goals as a three-time Excelsior graduate. Now her life is headed in bright directions and she credits Excelsior with making it all happen.

Rice-Gillis, who is originally from Texas and currently resides in Lawton, Oklahoma, was born into dysfunction. She and her sibling spent quite a few years in foster care until they were adopted by their maternal grandmother. In 1996, when she was 18, Rice-Gillis joined the Navy where she spent nine years, then transitioned to the Army in 2005, under the Operation Blue to Green Program. She retired in October 2016 with 20 years of honorable active duty service.

Rising Above Tragedy

Unfortunately, in 1998, while Rice-Gillis was in the Navy and stationed in Italy, her grandmother was murdered by Rice-Gillis鈥檚 sister and her sister鈥檚 significant other. She relocated back to the U.S. to make funeral arrangements and attend criminal court proceedings. Rice-Gillis didn鈥檛 let the tragedy define her; she kept moving forward. In 2006, while stationed at Fort Drum with the 10th Mountain Division, an Excelsior College representative shared information about the college with the servicemembers. Rice-Gillis decided she would pursue higher education while simultaneously working to further her military career.

In 2007, Rice-Gillis became the first African American female warrant officer to successfully pass marine deck officer school and was assigned to the USAV聽MG Winfield Scott聽as a third mate, in Fort Eustis, Virginia. Rice-Gillis never forgot about her education goals. She earned an Associate in Applied Science (Business) in 2009, and a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 2013, but it was the pursuit of her master鈥檚 degree in a technological field that was Rice-Gillis鈥檚 real passion.

Changing Her Focus to Cybersecurity

Rice-Gillis has been drawn to cybersecurity ever since she was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010-2011. As an electronic warfare warrant officer with the 101st Airborne Division, she was responsible for frequency manipulation and for utilizing CREW equipment to protect servicemembers and civilians from IEDs. 鈥淎fghanistan really opened my eyes to the importance of protecting the information and systems that we rely on daily,鈥� she says. Her interest in cybersecurity was piqued from this experience and she began exploring the discipline.

Pursuing an online master鈥檚 degree in cybersecurity with Excelsior was a no-brainer for Rice-Gillis, since she had already earned her associate and bachelor鈥檚 degrees with the school. 鈥淢y opinion is Excelsior bridges the gap of the ever-evolving cybersecurity field with the shortage of skilled professionals, by offering challenging academics, coupled with educators who are the very best in their field of study,鈥� she says of her experience. She also notes faculty were helpful and knowledgeable: 鈥淓very instructor I had was the perfect instructor for that course. They knew their stuff, they were passionate, they interacted with all of their students鈥here was never a time where I was made to feel less than or belittled for asking a question.鈥�

Rice-Gillis earned a Master of Science in Cybersecurity in 2015 with a 4.0 GPA and was thrilled to walk across the stage at Commencement. Even more, she was happy her two sons and husband were able to share the moment with her. 鈥淎ll the days and nights of trying to balance school with work and obligations of being a wife, a mother, a soldier鈥itnessing me walk across the stage was everything for my children and my husband,鈥� she says. That same year, she was also awarded membership into Upsilon Pi Epsilon, the honor society for the computing and information disciplines.

Giving Back to Excelsior College

Rice-Gillis wasn鈥檛 finished with Excelsior after graduation, though. She was elected as a board member of the Alumni Leadership Council from 2015鈥�2016 and says, 鈥淚t was a wonderful feeling to represent the students and connect with them.鈥澛燬he also continues to give an annual monetary gift because, 鈥淚 believe in Excelsior College and am grateful for the way the educational institution positively changed my life, and desire to be a part of helping others succeed in their educational goals.鈥� The Alumni Leadership Council also surprised Rice-Gillis by honoring her mother by creating a one-time scholarship designated as the Nenie Marie Edward Ever-Upward Scholarship.

Rice-Gillis is the first in her family to graduate college and has inspired her children and husband to pursue higher education. In fact, her husband, who served 22 years in the Army, earned a bachelor鈥檚 degree in information technology from Excelsior in 2018. Her two sons鈥攁ge 18 and 20鈥攁re following in her footsteps and entering the Navy. Rice-Gillis believes that, thanks to Excelsior, she was able to show her family how higher education can positively change your life. She says, 鈥淚 believe Excelsior taught to me commit to my own dreams鈥here is no luck when it comes to success, you just have to be willing to believe in yourself…鈥�

 

 

Time Management for Busy Students

Posted on by Elaine Bontempi

At one time or another, we have all felt that there are simply not enough hours in the day to accomplish what we need to achieve. As we attempt to juggle responsibilities, our efforts are further frustrated by unanticipated interruptions such as phone calls, emergencies, or delays as we wait in lines or get held up in traffic. This leads us to feeling dissatisfied as we fail to reach our personal, professional, and/or academic objectives.

In order to accomplish our goals and live a more satisfying life, we must first learn to manage our time more efficiently. Technology offers many helpful tools ranging from alarm clocks, watches, apps, electronic calendars with built in alerts, project management software, etc., yet we may still find ourselves failing to meet important deadlines. Why does this happen when we have so many tools to assist us throughout the day? Part of the problem is procrastination, and we have all fallen victim to this at one point. However, an even bigger culprit is simply not being aware of how we spend our time each day. These time management tips for students will help you find a balance.

Time Management Tips for Students

Create a Time Log

Most of us waste time throughout the day without even realizing it, and a time log is one of the most effective ways of identifying where your time goes. The goal of time management is not scheduling every minute of your day, but rather, taking control of how you spend your time. There are a couple of ways of creating a time log, but the first approach is to design a spreadsheet that breaks each day down into hours. The cell next to the hour of day is used to identify how time is spent. Some people find it is more helpful to create additional columns identifying specific activities such as personal care, food, classes, work, studying, recreation, sleep, and other (specify as you fill in this column what exactly you were doing, such as watching television, going to the doctor, etc.).

After you have completed your log for an entire week, go back and ask the following questions:
1.聽 What did you spend most of your time on?

2. Did you accomplish the things you needed to do each day/week?

3.聽 Reviewing your time log, are there any areas where you seemed to spend excessive time?

4. Do you see any simple fixes to use your time more effectively? For example, can you cut back on your television time, internet surfing, talking on the phone, using social media, etc.?

Time Eaters

Some of the more common activities that consume our time include phone interruptions, the inability to say no, email, socializing, meals, children鈥檚 interruptions, texting, social media, waiting in lines or traffic, and perfectionism. After you have completed your time log and identified where your time goes, is there anything you can do to reduce these 鈥渢ime eaters鈥�? For example, can you turn your cell phone on mute or even leave it in another room while you are studying and working on homework? Can you save time by not opening up social media sites or closing browsers so you are not tempted to surf the internet while you are working on projects? Can you avoid long lunch lines by bringing your lunch to work or even taking your lunch breaks a little later, after the noon crowd has left?

A couple of helpful apps for keeping track of how you spend your time on projects and tasks are , and .

Creating Calendars

After you have identified where you spend your time, and areas where time is wasted, you will want to figure out how to best use your time by setting priorities. What are the things you want to accomplish? What time of the day do you tend to have the most energy? Each of us has a unique internal rhythm and while some people have a lot of energy in the morning, others find they are better able to concentrate at night when their children are in bed. Keep this in mind as you are scheduling your calendar.

By identifying your goals and obligations, as well as the times of day you have the most energy and focus, you can begin prioritizing these based upon deadlines and level of importance. I always recommend that students create calendars and time tables based on a daily, weekly, monthly, and semester basis. Start by creating a master calendar that shows all the weeks of the semester on one page. Next, break your semester down into months, weeks, and days. As you are creating your master calendar, keep in mind that it is important to try to keep a healthy work/life balance to reduce stress and burnout, so as you are planning your calendars, also schedule in free time. After you have completed your tasks for the day, week, and month, be sure to schedule in rewards such as time socializing, watching television, using social media, going on vacations, etc.

For example, at the beginning of each semester, go through your syllabi and identify all exams, major projects, and weekly activities. If you have multiple courses with exams or projects that fall around the same time, map out the assignment deadlines on your master calendar, color coding each for every course. If you have larger assignments or projects such as papers, break these down into smaller 鈥渄eliverables鈥� and assign yourself deadlines for each increment. For example, if you have a research paper due, you could break it down into smaller goals by first identifying a topic. Your next mini-goal might involve conducting the initial research in the database so that you can create an outline for our paper. Next, you may want to start reading the literature you have collected in more detail, and taking notes throughout the process. After you have organized your notes, start writing your rough draft. As you do this you may even find you still need to collect more research to 鈥渇ill in gaps鈥� along the way.

Because it is likely you will encounter some unanticipated event such as an illness or conflicting work deadlines, try to self-impose deadlines that are earlier than the actual due dates for your projects. This will give you more flexibility as well as allow more time to review and edit your work prior to submitting the final version.

After you have created your master calendar and identified major deadlines, try to keep weekly and daily lists as well, prioritizing each daily task. Sometimes it is easier to assign a weight or value to each task, maybe on a scale of 1鈥�5, with the higher priority activity receiving a rating of 1 and lower priority being 5. Assign a number beside each task of the day and make sure you focus on accomplishing the higher priority tasks first, saving the lowest rated tasks for last.

Finally, try to keep multiple copies of your calendar so that you always have one in plain sight wherever you are. For example, you might keep a calendar on your phone and computer, and use apps such as and even daily planners in your kitchen or some other visible area. If you know you are a visual person, you can color-code your calendars by level of importance so you have 鈥渧isual snapshot鈥� reminders.

Finding Your Flow

After you have identified how your time is spent and created a master calendar and prioritized lists, it is important to recognize your ideal study/work environment. If you prefer a quiet, well-lit room, then make sure you have an appropriate environment to do your homework. If you prefer soft music in the background, then create an atmosphere that provides this. Time of day is also important鈥攌now your best hours and take advantage of them. Sometimes it means getting away from it all and going to the library. Others may find it easier to work in a caf茅 or coffee shop. If you are unable to leave your home or office, you may find it necessary to turn off your phone, close the door, and even hang a 鈥渄o not disturb鈥� sign during certain hours.

Helpful Videos

There are many helpful time management resources available online, including templates, videos, and print material. , , and are just a few that offer insightful videos.

The Psychology Behind Personality Tests

Posted on by Raymond Brogan

What Are Personality Tests?

Personality tests are used for research and job placement but more often for personal entertainment. The good news is that the evidence-based personality tests are highly accurate when used in an appropriate manner. The bad news is that many personality tests the average person encounters are often used in ways that are not only inappropriate but also risky. Reliable tests can be developed around a faulty assumption, producing invalid results. Web-based tests should be labeled 鈥渇or entertainment purposes only.鈥� Unfortunately, netizens using the test results in making serious decisions on careers or relationships may end up heading in the wrong direction.

Common Personality Tests

Two well-known personality tests used in research and career planning are the and the personality test. Both tests are accurate measures of personality as defined by the underlying personality theory of each. The question the test user has to ask is, 鈥渄o I accept the underlying theory?鈥�.

Myers-Briggs

The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator was developed based on an approach to personality derived from portions of the Swiss psychologist and psychiatrist Carl Jung鈥檚 analytical psychology. Jung proposed all people could be described in relation to three sets of dichotomies: extraverted/introverted, sensing/intuition, and thinking/feeling. One more dichotomy, judging/perceiving was added by Katharine Cook Briggs and her daughter Isabel Briggs Myers who were the first researchers to successfully develop a measure of the Jungian personality. With four traits having two possible levels, a total of sixteen personality types arises. As a dichotomy, each trait has no middle ground; you are on one side or the other. It is interesting that the classification of these sixteen types has been comprehensive enough to satisfy most research questions related to personality. Still, the traits for most people would be best described on a continuum rather than a dichotomy. Relying on a continuum for each trait would result in an infinite number of personality types. Researchers have investigated measuring these descriptors as continuous measures rather than as dichotomies but found no practical improvement in results. Many of the continuum-produced types would have little distinction from the recognized sixteen types.

Big Five

The Big Five is a measure of personality perceived as a collection of relatively unchanging traits. These traits taken as a collection describe a person鈥檚 personality. Researchers have accepted and promoted trait theory in recent years, but the theoretical concepts are not new. Trait theory was established early in the 20th century but ignored for decades. Researchers have noted measuring traits can effectively predict a person鈥檚 success in school or on the job. However, predicting problems without offering solutions is little more than supporting self-fulfilling prophecies. The most practical use of Big Five tests has been found in helping workers adapt to school or jobs.

How are Personality Tests Used?

Personality tests can be misused. A company may expect that certain positions require a particular personality characteristic. Whether they hire a consultant or work in-house to develop a test, the test would be designed to identify that desirable characteristic in employees. If the expectation is false, the test might be reliable but not valid. One major retailer used an in-house test to determine which applicants would make the best sales associate. The test involved a series of statements to which the applicant responded agreement on a scale of 1 to 5. The foundational concept behind the test was that a sales associate should be emphatic. Thus, only those who consistently chose 1s and 5s (no matter the statement) were selected for further recruiting. Choosing the extremes demonstrated the desirable trait 鈥渂eing emphatic,鈥� so the test was reliable. However, the concept of desiring an emphatic sales force proved to be faulty when the company found too many of these recruits arguing with customers. An established test such as the Myers-Briggs or the Big Five could similarly be misused if the results are used to identify applicants for a position based on a personality trait rather than on actual competencies. For example, anyone pursuing the field of purchasing agent (in any field) requires the same competencies regardless of personality. However, some companies expect a certain personality for a purchasing agent who may be the only representative of the company among distributors. A newcomer seafood business wanted to look tough in front of the perceivably gruff fishermen and hired a gruff purchasing agent who did not have the demonstrated competencies. If the company had used a personality test, they would have looked for results corresponding to gruffness. The test would be efficient but used in an inefficient manner. A more appropriate use would be to identify personality traits that are more likely to support the necessary competencies.

The root word for personality is the Latin word persona which is the mask that actors used to wear. What we portray to our audience every day is our persona, suggesting the cognitive influence on personality. When we think about the manner of presenting ourselves, we can change how people perceive us by wearing a mask and playing to the audience. However, the basic manner for interacting with the world under situations where one presents a true self is what is thought of as personality and what is measured by those tests. One鈥檚 real personality is made up of meaningful, defining personal experiences throughout life with some distinct genetic component represented by temperament in early childhood. Everyone takes different paths in developing personality. Still, it is fascinating how personality tests demonstrate the similarities among us all. We just need to take off our masks every once in a while. If you are interested in learning more about the liberal arts, check out our Associate Degree in Liberal Arts.

MBA Investment Pays Off

Posted on by Shannon Ballard Gorman

Amanda Alfred MBA 鈥�17 began working for in Livingston, New Jersey, five years after graduating from Fairleigh Dickinson University. She came from a large family of nine children that had emigrated from Guyana. Education was very important to them, and she was fortunate to go to college, but couldn鈥檛 even think about continuing right on to graduate school.

Alfred instead poured her time into learning the ropes at Prudential. If a client on a group insurance policy is denied benefits, they can submit an appeal. As an appeals specialist, Alfred communicates with all parties involved to gather information, requests medical reviews or independent medical examinations and reviews policy provisions to determine whether a claim is supported.

As she built her reputation with the company, she was able to work with her manager to increase the days she worked remotely 鈥攗ntil she was working from home full-time. So, when she relocated to Groveland, Florida, for a more family-friendly community (and lower cost of living), she was able to take her job with her.

It was that job that ultimately helped Alfred achieve her goal of going to graduate school. She heard from several peers that they were working on their MBA through Excelsior College, which she saw had an excellent reputation, especially for working adults. When Alfred learned that Prudential had a partnership with Excelsior and would potentially reimburse up to 90 percent of the tuition, she knew it was her opportunity.

She enrolled in 2015. 鈥淭he program worked well with my schedule, even with a 4-year-old in daycare,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he flexibility of being able to log on at any time was helpful in getting discussion questions and assignments completed.鈥� Alfred worked for Prudential from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., so she would get up at 5 a.m. and do two hours of schoolwork, then do more in the evening after her daughter went to bed.

The time spent was well worth it. 鈥淓verything the MBA provided was in line with what I was doing for Prudential and was immediately applicable,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t definitely had a positive impact on my job.鈥�

鈥淚 work with clients of all kinds from many parts of the country. The MBA program gave me a greater understanding of diversity and the importance of tailoring my message to the client in order to communicate more effectively,鈥� Alfred shared.

Armed with this degree experience, she feels more prepared and confident when interacting with peers and offering her perspective to colleagues. 鈥淚 see now how my input and feedback in working groups can help achieve our common goals and minimize risks to our company,鈥� she reflected.

Earning her MBA gave her a better understanding of and respect for business practices, from both business and ethical perspectives. 鈥淭here are laws that govern how we do business at the national level and by state,鈥� Alfred said. 鈥淭he program helped me understand how they were created and why.鈥�

Alfred prides herself on bringing both compassion and a strong sense of doing what鈥檚 right to her work. 鈥淚t is my responsibility to follow the policy,鈥� she explained. 鈥淚f an exclusion applies to the client, I am careful to clearly communicate the reason to them, but I must administer the policy as it is written.鈥� She continued, 鈥淏y the same token, if someone is ill or disabled and meets the definition of coverage, I do my best to make sure they receive any benefits they are entitled to. I am empowered to apply my knowledge and experience and encouraged to do the right thing 鈥� for customers and for Prudential.鈥�

Alfred has remained in the same unit 鈥擜ppeals Review 鈥斅� since starting her MBA, but she has received two promotions. She believes that earning her MBA has a lot to do with that.

Alfred sees no end to the possibilities with Prudential. In addition to her regular duties, she coaches two individuals from other departments, responds to state complaints, and does investigative work with another department. Because of that exposure and experience, coupled with her education, she said, 鈥淚 know that if I ever want to make a change, Prudential offers many opportunities to stretch and grow by taking on new professional challenges.鈥�

Alfred has some advice for anyone considering going back to school for a graduate degree. 鈥淕o for it,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he feeling of accomplishment at the end is well worth every minute spent on assignments.鈥� She adds, 鈥淵ou鈥檙e not alone on the journey. The professors are there for you, to help you and push you, and the staff is there to answer your questions and make the process easier. Even your classmates are there for you. Everyone just genuinely wants to help each other succeed.鈥�

What Is a Magnet Organization and Why Is It Important?

Posted on by Marianne Brennan

What is Magnet status and what does it mean to nurses? Does having the designation improve the work environment? Does it mean recognition for staff? Better patient care and outcomes? How difficult is it to achieve? To maintain? What impact on my day-to-day responsibilities will there be in a Magnet organization?

What is Magnet Status?

Magnet status is an award developed and given by the . It was developed in 1990 as the Magnet Hospital Recognition Program for Excellence in Nursing Services and recognized 14 characteristics that create an environment that is conducive to attracting and retaining qualified nurses who promote quality care. These characteristics became known as the 鈥淔orces of Magnetism鈥濃�� later changed to the Magnet Recognition Program. When earned, this award indicates the hospital has satisfied a rigorous set of criteria designed to measure the strength and quality of nursing. While Magnet is largely recognized as a nursing-driven achievement, it requires a corresponding mindset and organizational culture to support the accomplishment.

Why Magnet Status is Important

Magnet signifies the valuing of staff nurses by their leaders and by the organization, and the strength of knowledge they contribute both individually and together for the advancement of nursing practice. It provides a roadmap for excellence. Nurse staffing, education, and work environment are the pillars that lend to the superior patient outcomes evident in Magnet hospitals. Magnet hospitals have a higher rate of nursing satisfaction, lower turnover, and a higher percentage of nurses with graduate degrees and national certification. Magnet status highlights an environment that supports delivery of excellence in patient care, staff nurse involvement in evidence-based practice, and decision making in support of optimal patient outcomes.

Magnet designation helps to provide direction to organizations in their approach to quality improvement interventions and measurable outcomes. It supports and provides a platform of shared governance and inclusion of leaders and staff in a collective vision. Leaders come together and bring ideas to the table that are in direct support of evidence-based practice in pursuit of positive patient outcomes. Magnet status navigates organizational culture, provides an energy for positive change in the work environment, and affords a venue for nursing to amplify and clarify the good work they are doing. It supports and develops accountability and higher order thinking.

The atmosphere in a Magnet organization is different: you can sense the feeling of pride when you enter the facility. It is usually first evidenced by the Magnet award displayed in a place of honor for all to see. Nursing units showcase boards highlighting their certified nurses, nurses who have recently achieved degrees, and other accomplishments. There is an air of solidarity in accepting nothing less than a baseline delivery of excellence in care, as well as cross departmental collaboration in outcomes achievement.

The bottom line for what Magnet is and what it means to me as a nurse is that Magnet provides an environment for nurses to be their best selves to work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team providing the very best experience and outcomes for their patients. It gives nurses a platform to explore possibilities, expand their own horizon, and make a difference in our patients lives.

 

Impacting Others: Walter Were

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

When Walter Were was young, he wanted to be a successful businessman and community leader when he grew up. Were says his definition of 鈥渟uccess鈥� doesn鈥檛 equal the material possessions he鈥檚 acquired, but rather how well he can answer the question: 鈥淲hat is your contribution to society?鈥� The 2005 Excelsior graduate has contributed much as an employee of and as an active member of the Excelsior College alumni community.

Were, of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, works for PDC Pharmacy, a subsidiary of Passavant Memorial Homes Family of Services (PMHFOS), a nonprofit organization based in Pittsburgh that supports persons with disabilities. PDC Pharmacy has locations in Erie, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, as well as in Colorado, and also offers services in Delaware, New Jersey, and Ohio. It is a long-term care pharmacy that caters to agencies and families supporting people with intellectual disabilities.

鈥淚n general, it is my job to grow the business by promoting high quality consumer driven services,鈥� says Were. His job requires him to travel often to different states to participate in conferences and conduct meetings with other companies in order to establish new partnerships. His path to his current position as the director of business development and marketing has been a long but accomplished journey made possible through hard work and an educational foundation built with Excelsior College.

In 2003, Were was a residential assistant with PMHFOS, in which he provided direct support to residents covered by the company. To advance in his career, he needed to further his education. While researching colleges and universities, Were came across Excelsior College and felt it would be the right choice for him. At the time, says Were, he could not find many reputable colleges that were offering flexible distance learning programs. With Excelsior鈥檚 independent study for credit-by-exam option, he maneuvered his way to graduation and earned a BS in Liberal Arts in 2005. In 2006, soon after receiving his degree, Were received a promotion to regional program director.

Were earned a MA in Adult and Community Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2007 and, received a promotion the following year, which he attributes to earning his degrees. In his new role, he oversaw one of the company鈥檚 four behavioral health programs. As the company continued to grow, so did the opportunities and, by 2012, Were was a program operations director, overseeing all behavioral health programs as well as billing processes of PMHFOS.

In 2014, Were became the assistant executive director, working directly under the executive director, in which he oversaw PMHFOS鈥檚 day-to-day operations. During this time, Were continued to share his educational journey with acquaintances and colleagues. 鈥淚 was encouraging them to continue their studies because they needed to be competitive鈥ou can鈥檛 really grow so much by promotions without also improving on yourself,鈥� says Were, adding how happy he was that one woman he told about Excelsior ended up enrolling and pursuing her degree with the college.

Were was invited to become an alumni ambassador and became more involved in the Excelsior College community. He says it was an even bigger opportunity to promote his alma mater and the unique ways in which it allows students to earn their degrees. 鈥淐ritical institutions like Excelsior are few and far to come by,鈥� he says, adding that he continues to advocate for the college any chance he gets.

Earlier this year, in Pittsburgh, Were attended a state gala for the Kenya Women in The USA where he shared his educational journey, including the credit-by-exam process. He also spent time explaining how students can gain credits at other accredited institutions and transfer them to Excelsior. 鈥淭he response was quite unexpected鈥攑ositively,鈥� says Were. He was so surprised by the flood of comments and questions he received that he decided to update a book he wrote in 2006, 鈥淕uide to Earning College Credits by Testing.鈥� In it, he describes the ins and outs of how students can use credit by exam to earn credits toward their degree. Were himself earned 117 credits through CLEP, DANTES, and Excelsior exams which were all applied toward his degree.

鈥淎fter speaking to members of the Kenyan immigrant community, I found that so many still had not heard how they could save money and stay in college by [the] independent affordable means of credit by exam.鈥� This time around, in addition to publishing as a paperback, Were published the guide in e-book form, which allowed for greater distribution through the web and social media channels. After spreading the word through social media, Were distributed more than 150 free copies.

In addition to his advocacy for Excelsior College, Were has also joined the Greater Pittsburgh YMCA board of directors. Participating on the board, being involved in the Excelsior alumni community, and sharing information about independent learning opportunities through his book and speaking opportunities makes Were feels like he is contributing to society.

The future holds many opportunities for Were. 鈥淚 see myself more involved in the community鈥 want to be more involved in a way that I volunteer my time. I want to have an impact that benefits other people.鈥� Though he can鈥檛 define what position it would be, he knows he wants to be in a leadership position that has a positive impact on the community. So far, Were has likely left a positive and lasting mark on those who have crossed his path.

Faculty Focus: Jim Holton

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Higher education has changed a lot since instructional faculty member Jim Holton attended college, especially in the realm of technology. For example, when he started college, students still used a card catalog and computers to search for items elsewhere in the library. Now, information is readily available at students鈥� fingertips. Holton understands that students communicate and learn differently today via online learning, and is always trying to make sure they have the best possible experience in this age of online education.

Holton, of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, has been a faculty member with Excelsior College since 2011. He teaches HIS 350 World War I, HIS 353 Holocaust, HIS 101 U.S. History, and the History capstone. Holton鈥檚 understanding of the Excelsior student and his creative teaching methods earned him a Distinguished Faculty of the Year Award in 2017. A three-time graduate of George Washington University, he earned a bachelor鈥檚 in international affairs in 1992, a M.Phil. in 1998, and a doctorate in history in 2002.

Holton was the course designer for the history capstone and says the revised course, 鈥渉elps students to see 鈥榖ehind the curtain鈥� of the historical profession and to analyze how we as historians see the past and how we recreate the past.鈥� Instead of just memorizing facts, he says, students analyze what it means to study and how we approach the past.

Holton knows students in his courses aren鈥檛 鈥渢ypical鈥� college students. In fact, he believes this term applies less and less; it鈥檚 no longer for the 鈥渦nder-22 crowd,鈥� says Holton. 鈥淓ducation is also much more flexible or casual than it once was. Students take courses for more reasons, and complete their curriculum at different paces and at different times,鈥� he says, adding that it isn鈥檛 unusual to have parents, career-changers, and lifelong learners in his classes.

Holton says he, 鈥渟trongly believes that a good online education should make the student feel connected to the course and to the institution.鈥� To better connect his students to his courses, Holton has developed a 鈥淗olton History Help Line鈥� for students to call him whenever they need help or want to connect with him. He also uses short videos he shoots at his home that cover anything from brief announcements to more complex topics. His calico cat will sometimes make an appearance, as well. Holton says, 鈥淪he certainly doesn’t add much to the historical discussion, but she certainly makes the videos stand out!鈥�

He also has some organizational tips for his students: setting up a personal schedule to follow and looking at the upcoming course schedule. 鈥淭his does the most to ensure that school work is a priority鈥ook at your module early in the week so you鈥檒l know what鈥檚 coming up and be able to plan for it,鈥� says Holton. 聽Holton believes that 鈥渟tick-to-it-iveness鈥� is most important for students working toward their degree. 鈥淎 student who can be involved in courses regularly will do well, and each course will seem more like a community of learners,鈥� he says.

Holton also advises students to be able to engage with other people in their subject area. 鈥淚f you can make it relevant, more people will be impacted by your research,鈥� he says. He adds some job hunting tips, such as keeping your resume and curriculum vitae current, applying to different places, and relaxing during phone and in-person interviews. It鈥檚 also important to be well-versed in your subject area. Holton wishes he had carved out an academic subject niche earlier than he had. He says, 鈥淐hoose to start becoming an expert in a field that you like and which has potential.鈥�

When he isn鈥檛 teaching, Holton can be found walking his husky mix and beagle-lab mix, watching science fiction movies, or exercising on his bike. He continues to be an innovative course designer and teacher and says his ability to be creative is thanks to Excelsior: 鈥淓xcelsior really gives faculty the tools to bring their own style and knowledge to a course.鈥�

 

Furthering His Career: Eric Potvin

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Eric Potvin has had a long, successful career in the military. To advance in a civilian career, however, he knew he needed to further his education. That鈥檚 when he discovered Excelsior College and earned a Bachelor of Science in National Security in 2018.

Potvin, originally from Middletown, Connecticut, entered the military after graduating high school. He started his military career as a signal support specialist with the Army but after five years without promotion, he decided to switch his focus to counterintelligence. During his time in counterintelligence, Potvin did six deployments, traveling to Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, and other countries. He was a platoon sergeant, first sergeant, and later became acting sergeant major for the 305th Military Intelligence Battalion out of Fort Huachuca, Arizona. 鈥淚t was an interesting time when I had about 2,000 soldiers every day out there doing work that I was trying to look after,鈥� he says of the responsibility.

Potvin retired from the military in 2017 after 20 years of service and decided to turn his attention to civilian careers. He realized he lacked some of education required for many jobs, however. 鈥淓ven though I had all that experience, I didn鈥檛 have the education to go along with it. I had an associate degree, but I didn鈥檛 have my bachelor鈥檚, so a lot of the positions I was looking at when I retired, they didn鈥檛 really want me,鈥� Potvin explains. He decided he needed to return to school.

Choosing a Bachelor in National Security at Excelsior College

鈥淚 looked at a few online degrees plans, and I found that most people directed me back to Excelsior,鈥� Potvin says, adding that Excelsior鈥檚 national security program particularly spoke to him. After speaking with academic advisors, he discovered he only needed 17 credits to finish his degree. He had previously completed an associate degree in Intelligence Operations with Cochise College in Sierra Vista, AZ in 2011.

Those credits, along with some from , Austin Peay State University, CLEP/DSST testing, City Colleges of Chicago, and military services credits, were all accepted by Excelsior. 鈥淏ut just having 17 credits left was amazing, so I was able to knock it [his degree] out in just four or five semesters of the 8-week classes,鈥� he says, adding that he wished he had thought about going back to school sooner. Potvin was able to use his GI Bill® benefits to pay for Excelsior, too. 鈥淚 wound up with the degree paid for, and I wound up with a little extra spending money鈥o it was nice to have all that plus books paid for,鈥� he says.

Excelsior鈥檚 online learning environment turned out to be beneficial to Potvin, who enjoyed how the course structure gave him the ability to develop and follow his own schedule. 鈥淚t was nice that I didn鈥檛 have to bind myself down in a traditional format; I was able to work on [coursework] while I was still working and while I was still doing my day job,鈥� he says. He notes it was also helpful to know deadlines for projects and assignments in advance [from the syllabi] so he could plan ahead.

Potvin currently works in Afghanistan as an intelligence advisor for Raytheon, a U.S. defense contractor and industrial corporation. He says it is a rewarding career and it wouldn鈥檛 have been possible without pursuing his degree with Excelsior. Potvin says, 鈥淚 attribute my ability to receive this position as a direct result of completing my B.S.鈥�

Potvin says there are many things that could come up in his life鈥攈e is currently in the MBA program at the University of Arizona鈥攁nd just having a bachelor鈥檚 degree has opened lots of doors. He hopes his degree will propel him into management positions. 鈥淚 have the degree, I have the professional experiences that I hope someone will look at and say this is the right person for this next career advancement,鈥� says Potvin. 鈥淎nd that鈥檚 what my real focus is now.”

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 .

Degrees at Work: Christine Robinson-Cooley

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Christine Robinson-Cooley remembers looking through her older brother鈥檚 criminal justice books when he was in college and liking the information. She says from that point, she was sure she would follow his path into the criminal justice field鈥攚hich is exactly what she did.

A Storied Career in Criminal Justice

Robinson-Cooley, of Rensselaer, New York, is an assistant re-entry manager with the She started working at the maximum-security Sing Sing Correctional Facility in 1999 as a corrections counselor. Since that time, she has been employed in a variety of roles in the field of criminal justice such as a corrections officer, corrections counselor, alcohol and substance abuse treatment program assistant, facility parole officer, field parole officer in victim services, and senior parole officer. 鈥淭he environment can be an adjustment because a correctional facility is its own community,鈥� she says, adding that there are many kinds of job opportunities in a facility such as teachers and security staff, as well as administrative and medical roles.

Robinson-Cooley鈥檚 days vary between her desk and attending meetings in the community. Her main job is overseeing the discharge planning of the mentally challenged returning to the community after prison. 鈥淚 assist in addressing barriers to successful re-entry such as housing, treatment, health care, and employment,鈥� she says. She makes sure all the pieces are in place prior to the person鈥檚 release.

In addition to working as an assistant re-entry manager, Robinson-Cooley volunteers her time to community mental health programs. She is an active volunteer as a family-to-family education teacher with the , a free, 12-session education program for family and friends of those with mental health conditions. NAMI is an evidence-based program taught by trained, experienced family members. Robinson-Cooley is also a crisis intervention volunteer with the Crisis Intervention Team, a collaborative program that creates better connections between law enforcement, mental health providers, hospital emergency services, and individuals with mental illness and their families.

Because she works so closely with people, it is important that Robinson-Cooley has the right skills to succeed in her roles. This includes the ability to communicate well verbally, write effectively, and have good organizational skills. These are some of the skills she picked up while at Excelsior College, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in 1997.

鈥淚t took me seven years to complete my undergraduate studies. The flexibility of Excelsior exams for credit allowed me to complete my last year of college at my own pace,鈥� says Robinson-Cooley. She adds that she is a strong believer in online learning and feels that having a family and job shouldn鈥檛 be educational barriers. The opportunity Excelsior provided enabled her to complete a degree that is exactly in-line with the work she does today.

What Does it Take to Have a Career in Criminal Justice?

To do the kind of work Robison-Cooley does, she suggests anyone interested talk to a person in the field to see whether it鈥檚 something that will work for them. 鈥淛oin many professional organizations and stay abreast of current trends. Attend annual conferences to keep meeting people that share your same interests and different ones,鈥� she adds. She also notes that to work in this field, one must know how to leave the job and home separate.

鈥淚t is imperative you have healthy coping mechanisms to deal with the vicarious trauma of the situations you are dealing with and the information you are required to process,鈥� she says. For her, this means family time is important. Her husband is a retired law enforcement officer, so it鈥檚 helpful that he understands what she goes through each day. With the support of her family, Robinson-Cooley has had a successful 25-year criminal justice career and she is excited to see what opportunities lie ahead. Learn more about our Bachelor’s Degrees in Public Service.

What is a Health Sciences Degree?

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

The term 鈥�health sciences鈥� covers a large variety of careers within health care. Those earning an associate, bachelor鈥檚, or master鈥檚 degree in health sciences may choose to specialize in clinical careers, health care management, or in specialized fields such as wellness or public health. It鈥檚 a degree increasingly in demand as the health care industry expands. The federal government 2.4 million jobs will be added in the health care industry by 2026. That鈥檚 an 18 percent increase over the number of jobs in 2016鈥攆ar faster than the average growth of about 7 percent for all occupations.

Earning a degree in health sciences prepares graduates for some of the most rewarding and satisfying professions in the health care industry. The evolution of online degree programs has made this easier than ever, offering students flexibility in how they earn their degree.

Careers in Health Sciences

  • Where can a degree in health sciences take you? Much of that depends on where you want to go and where you are coming from in terms of your career. Some students who earn degrees in health sciences go on to pursue clinical jobs like dental hygienist, physical therapy assistant, surgical technician, EKG technologist, veterinary technician, or radiation therapist, or may pursue non-clinical jobs like medical and health services manager, claims reviewer, health education specialist, or community health specialist. Alternatively, many of those who choose to enter a health sciences degree program already work in the health care industry. They want to earn a degree to move up into higher positions in their field or to switch into another job within health care.

Programs vary by school. To offer an example of the possibilities, here鈥檚 a look at health sciences degree programs at Excelsior College by degree level. This by no means covers every career option but gives an idea of how the program can support a career in health care.

Associate Degree

The associate in health sciences degree program can help students launch a career in allied health, support veterans and servicemembers who have medical training from the military but want to earn a degree, or help further the career of those in medical billing and coding.

Bachelor鈥檚 Degree

A bachelor鈥檚 degree in health sciences opens the door to specializing in jobs within health care. At Excelsior College, concentrations are offered in health management, health and wellness, and public health.

Master鈥檚 Degree

A master鈥檚 degree in health sciences prepare graduates for the top jobs in their chosen field, often in leadership and management roles. At Excelsior College, students can focus on public health or earn a master鈥檚 degree in health sciences with no emphasis. The school also offers a Master of Science in Health Care Administration .

What to Look for in an Online Program

Many students choose to enter an online degree program because of the convenience it offers. It鈥檚 especially beneficial for working professionals who otherwise might not have the ability to attend classes in a traditional setting. Online programs offer students the flexibility to watch lectures and do coursework around their busy personal and work schedules. Rather than having to drive to campus, they can attend class from wherever they have an Internet connection.

It鈥檚 important to only consider schools that have accreditation. Excelsior College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, an accreditation body recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. Excelsior also focuses on providing quality degree programs to working professionals, another attribute that health sciences students will value in a college.

With the rapid expansion of health care and the increased number of career opportunities, it鈥檚 never been a better time to earn a degree in health sciences. For those looking to improve their career, it鈥檚 an option worth investigating in. Pursuing a degree in natural sciences is also a great way to make your mark on the world as well as a successful career.

 

Faculty Helps Nursing Students with the CPNE and Classes

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Scheduled Calls Help Associate Degree Nursing Students Succeed

As a nursing student, going back to school can be difficult when you鈥檙e trying to juggle different roles and responsibilities like work, social life, and academics. It can be particularly hard because you need to practice expert knowledge and thoughtfulness in your current job while also working tirelessly in your academics to make it to the next level in your nursing career. Luckily, the Excelsior College School of Nursing offers resources like faculty phone calls to help you in your studies and the CPNE.

Faculty phone calls are nursing-centered talks that occur between nursing students and nursing faculty program directors (FPDs). They are 鈥渁 student鈥檚 opportunity to talk about whatever they want to talk about,鈥� says Karla Duffy, a faculty program director for the associate degree in nursing program. Students can call the School of Nursing to schedule a 30-minute phone call with an FPD. They can have a maximum of two phone calls scheduled at one time and are allowed one phone call per week.

The topics students want to discuss vary, says Duffy. Some students want to discuss a topic they are stuck on in their theory courses while others are looking for tips on how to be successful in discussions. Others call looking for best strategies in taking Excelsior College Examinations (ECEs) and the Focused Clinical Competency Assessments (FCCAs).

Faculty Calls Help Students Prepare for the CPNE

Duffy says the majority of students鈥� phone calls are about the Clinical Performance in Nursing Examination (CPNE). Students call looking for what resources are available to help them prepare for the exam, and faculty then direct them to the tutorial NUR 702 Navigating the CPNE, study guides, webinars, workshops, etc. Faculty try to inform students about what to expect at the exam, as well. Sometimes students seek to better understand a specific portion of the CPNE.

Many calls are about students鈥� fears concerning the CPNE, says Duffy. She explains that to ease students鈥� fears, she often tells students to come up with personal mantras, to hold special totems like stones or marbles in their pockets during the exam, or to practice writing 鈥淩N鈥� after their name in preparation of passing the exam. 鈥淚t鈥檚 all about the mindset,鈥� she says.

Part of that is also making sure the student, who is typically an LPN or a paramedic, draws on their previous learning and continues to transform their thinking into that of an RN. Duffy says she speaks with students who are LPNs or paramedics, which are skill-oriented jobs, and they need support as they continue to acquire the knowledge and skills required of the RN. RN鈥檚 are responsible for managing and coordinating care and it鈥檚 important to help students mentally transition into the RN role, Duffy says.

Nursing faculty also use faculty phone calls to dispel the rumors and fallacies that exist on social media and third-party preparation provider websites. Students often share inconsistencies that they have heard on social media such as specific critical element requirements that are not a part of the examination.

Schedule Your Faculty Call Today

The School of Nursing tries to tell as many students as they can about the phone calls, but they still run into some who just don鈥檛 know about them. Hopefully, the word gets out about this important service. 鈥淣ext to the resources in NUR 702, I feel the faculty phone calls are the most valuable resource to students,鈥� says Duffy. The amount of information a student can receive from these talks can be very beneficial; the faculty phone calls are certainly a good tool to help you prepare for the CPNE. To schedule your call, contact the School of Nursing at 800-533-3792.

Excelsior College Partners with a Non-Profit Agency and Businesses to Offer Energy Employees the Opportunity to Earn a Bachelor鈥檚 Degree in Nuclear Engineering Technology

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 2, 2019) – Excelsior College has partnered with the non-profit agency (EPCE), as well as energy industry businesses and other schools, to offer employees in the energy sector the opportunity to earn a nuclear engineering technology degree.

One company taking advantage of this program is , which has strengthened its workforce by joining EPCE and offering employees the opportunity to earn a Bachelor of Science in Nuclear Engineering Technology from Excelsior College. The school has been offering the program through EPCE since 2007.

Since the program鈥檚 inception with Exelon, 1,772 students have earned their degree through Excelsior College.

The program remains popular as demand grows in the field. estimates nearly 40 percent of the nuclear workforce reached retirement eligibility in 2018. That means opportunities in the field are expected to grow.

鈥淲e鈥檝e offered the nuclear engineering technology degree for years, but there鈥檚 never been a better time to enter the program,鈥� said Lisa Romano, Excelsior College鈥檚 regional director of government and workforce partnerships. 鈥淲e鈥檙e in an interesting time in the nuclear power industry where the older, experienced workers are beginning to retire out of the profession. That鈥檚 creating a remarkable opportunity for those who earn a degree now.鈥�

The program is a collaboration involving a network of education, business, and the nonprofit sector. EPCE works with more than 2,500 companies, connecting them with industry-inspired academic programs for employees. Exelon Corporation, a partner with EPCE, offers an excellent example of how the system works.

Exelon ranks among the largest competitive power generators in the United States. The Exelon family of companies represents every stage of the energy value chain. They include Electric, BGE, ComEd, Delmarva Power, PECO and Pepco subsidiaries. Exelon鈥檚 six utilities deliver electricity and natural gas to 10 million customers in Delaware, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia.

Through EPCE, Exelon offers employees access to enter the Excelsior College nuclear engineering technology degree program. The degree is accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), a national non-governmental organization that reviews and accredits programs that meet certain standards and successfully prepare graduates for jobs in engineering and technology fields.

Some of the students from Exelon have earned an associate degree from one of Excelsior College鈥檚 community college partners. Also, after earning their bachelor鈥檚 degree, some return to Excelsior College to earn their graduate degree as they rise through the ranks and need leadership and management skills.

Exelon is just one example of how Excelsior College works in collaboration with community colleges, nonprofits and industry. EPCE also promotes other Excelsior College programs with employers, including the Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology (ABET accredited), Bachelor of Science in Information Technology (ABET accredited) and Master of Business Administration.

鈥淭his program fits well with our values. We are always looking for ways to forge partnerships that help us achieve our goal of providing as many students as possible a chance to improve their lives by earning a college degree,鈥� said Lisa LaVigna, Excelsior College鈥檚 Director of Strategic Partnerships and Alliances.

 

Press Contact

Alicia Jacobs

Senior Manager, Internal Communications and Public Relations

ajacobs@excelsior.edu

Office: 518.464.8531

Cell: 518.410.4624

ajacobs@excelsior.edu

www.excelsior.edu

 

About Excelsior College

Excelsior College 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鈥攔emoving obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.