A Passion for People

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Deloise Whitfield plans to use her master’s degree in public health to help underprivileged communities

Deloise Whitfield’s passion is in helping other people. While in the military, she taught nutrition classes so others could better themselves, and now that she is a retired veteran working with the Department of the Army, she helps others through her job in human resources. The experience of helping others achieve their goals led her to earn a master’s in health sciences from Excelsior College, so she can transition into a career in public health.

Whitfield, of Evans, Georgia, retired from the Army in 2010 after spending 23 years as the senior southeast regional equal opportunity advisor where she was responsible for overseeing equal opportunity programs. She also taught nutrition classes at Patterson Army Medical Center in Fort Monmouth, New Jersey. While at the medical center, she was part of a medical team that oversaw the nutritional health of patients and inspected local child development centers to ensure proper nutrition and sanitation guidelines were in place. When she retired, Whitfield became a management support assistant in human resources for the Department of the Army. Much of her time is spent carrying out personnel tasks, including speaking with the public, and she says one of the greatest joys she gets from her job is interacting with people.

She has always considered herself a people person, and her background in nutrition and current experience in human resources inspired her to pursue a career in public health. Her dream job would be working to improve the health of underprivileged communities as an employee of the Department of Health or the Centers for Disease Control. “I would love to be able to make a difference in their [peoples’] lives by educating them with nutritional tools to help build a less obese community,” she says.

Whitfield knew she wanted to pursue her master’s degree with Excelsior, having already earned a bachelor’s in liberal arts with the college in 2007. “Online has been heaven for me. Just being able to complete my degree while I’m still able to work and be a mom and so forth,” she says, adding that Excelsior’s academic advisors were a big help on her educational journey, responding timely to any questions she had.

Some courses at Excelsior have even stuck with her and play a part in her day-to-day work. Epidemiology was a particularly interesting course to Whitfield, but statistics was both challenging and beneficial to the career field she wants to enter. “Dealing with biostatistics, epidemiology, or anything… it [statistics] helps with public health, dealing with the different areas. What are the statistics of this particular disease or something? And how it affects this area, and so forth,” she suggests.

Whitfield earned a Master of Science in Health Sciences in May 2019 and with the new degree, she intends to soon make a career change into the public health sector so she can accomplish her goal of helping underprivileged communities.

She also encourages veterans and non-veterans to pursue their educational dreams. “I would say, go for it…If you’ve been in the military, another veteran, and you’re thinking about going to school, I would say go for it,” she says, but cautions that people should be confident that going back to school is something they are truly ready to invest their time in.

She is positive she’s meant to help people and she isn’t going to let anything stop her from reaching her goals. “Don’t let no one tell you that you can’t do it, because you can. And with the understanding that you can, continue to move on and move toward that goal that you’ve set for yourself.” A social science degree can be a great way for those with a passion for helping people to bring positive change to the world.

Your Federal Government Training Could Be Worth College Credit

Posted on by arandazzo

If you work for the U.S. federal government, you should be proud to be a part of one of the country’s most highly skilled workforces. Your rigorous agency training courses have prepared you with the knowledge in technology, management, and communications needed to serve our communities, and you deserve credit for being part of the foundation that keeps our nation running.

Now you can apply that training toward college credit as well! There’s no better way to accelerate your career and add more value to your organization than by advancing your education. Going back to school to earn your bachelor’s or master’s degree is a big decision. But with statistics showing boosts in personal growth, professional credibility, and above all, salary, it’s one that could be well worth it. Programs such as cybersecurity, business, and public service are in especially high demand, and an advanced degree can dramatically improve your earning potential and your career options.

As a federal employee, you have a head start. The valuable experience and skills you’ve acquired during training at the Defense Cyber Investigations Training Academy (DCITA), Defense Institute of Security Assistance Management (DISA), Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Academy, Federal Aviation Administration Center for Management and Executive Leadership (FCMD), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), or during your Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Training can provide you with the advantage you need to earn your degree in less time.

Excelsior College is proud to be an official education partner of the federal government as one of 15 schools that are part of the Federal Academic Alliance to provide online, continuing education to federal employees. We recognize federal training courses often align with the learning outcomes of college-level courses, which is why we allow you to apply that training directly toward your degree. Federal employees are able to transfer up to 113 credits toward a bachelor’s degree. We accept college-level credits from other accredited institutions, credit for military and professional training, credit earned through examinations, and other types of real-world experience.

For many students, Excelsior’s generous credit acceptance policy and the ability to finish their degree while saving both time and money has been an invaluable investment in their future. “Excelsior accepted all my previous college credits and allowed me to take CLEP exams and competency exams…Because I was able to complete my bachelor’s degree at Excelsior, not only was I able to retain my commission and was competitive for promotion, it allowed me to get two master’s degrees, a doctorate, and retire from the Army as a colonel…all of that ultimately led to me pursuing a career with the federal government,” said Kelly Garrett, a 1991 graduate and Department of Homeland Security employee.

Government employees and their spouses or domestic partners are eligible for additional benefits at Excelsior College, including up to a 20% tuition discount and a $50 savings with a one-time waived application fee. Excelsior also offers added resources and benefits for active-duty military and veterans through the Center for Military and Veteran Education.

There’s no better time to give yourself some credit for what you already know and no matter what your educational goals are, there’s a path to help you get there. Whether you’re interested in completing your associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree, you’ll receive personalized advising and support from dedicated academic advisors and faculty, and an engaged online community of adult learners just like you. Learn more about Excelsior’s online degree programs and find out how you can take advantage of your federal government training and start on the path to your degree today.

Learn more at excelsior.edu/partner/feducation/

Office Support

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Robert McCormick Uses His Management Degree to Meet the Needs of His Co-workers

Robert McCormick, a yeoman with the U.S. Navy centered out of Newport, Rhode Island, is what many might consider an “Office Manager,” but he’s forged a role far greater than maintaining filing systems or preparing payroll. McCormick has gained a valuable understanding of business administration and with a Master of Science in Management from Excelsior College, he has been able to become a more capable and compassionate leader.

McCormick, of South Kingstown, Rhode Island, joined the Navy largely because military service is a proud tradition carried throughout each generation of his family. He remembers the exciting and admirable stories from his father’s and grandfather’s times in service and says, “I wanted to not just carry the torch of service in my family, but create stories for myself to tell future generations.”

While serving as active duty, McCormick decided to take college courses to further his education. He heard about Excelsior through a service educational advisor and decided to pursue a bachelor’s degree with the college. “I just thought it was good to go to school and become a more knowledgeable person,” he says. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Liberal Arts in October 2016. While taking courses for his bachelor’s, he realized his passion for management and the human aspect of business and chose to pursue management, earning a Master of Science in Management in May 2019.

Now, McCormick, along with a team, supports more than 600 military members with their travel and pay needs, in addition to carrying out staffing needs and other necessary corporate administrative functions. Sometimes it can be hard to work with so many different personalities, but that’s what makes it worthwhile, says McCormick. “You get to know them. And you genuinely care about them and want to do the right thing. It’s really a rewarding thing to do,” he says.

His time is split between answering trade-specific questions from customers and from coworkers, and with projecting future business leads and assigning appropriate actions to meet them. McCormick says, however, that sometimes business administration comes with little reward and high expectations. “I find validation in watching those who I’ve helped develop professionally become experts at their craft and eventually receive public recognition or a promotion,” he says, noting that seeing others succeed is his greatest source of fulfillment.

McCormick says he wouldn’t be where he is today unless he had pursued his degrees and adds that he has no intention of stopping. “I still want to keep going. I want to keep learning,” he says. His father pushed him to keep studying, and his wife and 7-year-old son were his reasons for not giving up, because he wanted to make the best life for them. He says, “The best way that you can plan for your future is investing in yourself and making yourself better. And I want to make myself better for my kid.”

McCormick has advice for fellow servicemembers and veterans who want to invest in their futures, too. If they are looking to return to school with Excelsior College, McCormick reminds them to have the internal drive to do so. “You have to have that drive to really pace yourself and keep up with it and not have someone there telling you to do the next thing,” he says adding that it’s important to understand going back to school is a challenge, but you must remain motivated.

Thanks to his motivation, McCormick has been able to complete a degree that’s allowed him to better perform in his job and now, he’s looking to the future. He thinks he would have a positive impact as an educator, so he’s looking to earn his teaching certificate to teach high school students. He sees similarities between managing and teaching. “It’s dealing with people and getting them ready to perform and be a better person,” he says.

Being the Change

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Zachary DeBartolo uses his nursing informatics degree to offer innovative ideas in health care

To Zachary DeBartolo, nursing is more than a job or a career, it is a calling. He believes nursing is a way to not only care for others, but to also deliver cutting edge information that can be used to change the way we look at and function in the medical community. With such a unique perspective, DeBartolo decided to pursue a Master of Science in Nursing Informatics with Excelsior College and intends to inspire change in health care.

DeBartolo, of Glenmont, New York, has been a jack-of-all-trades, which he says has made him choose the path he has and has allowed him to develop skills necessary for what he does. “I’ve honed the skills over time, but I’m always on…to find solutions to problems and see things in a completely different way than most,” he says. He has been a dishwasher, short order cook, farmer, excavator operator, and singer at Carnegie Hall, but the most impactful opportunity came when he was a missionary in South Dakota working with the Blackfeet, Arapaho, and Lakota Sioux Native American tribes. It was when doing missionary work that DeBartolo realized he had a bigger calling to help people and decided to begin pursuing nursing.

DeBartolo’s path into the world of health care was not easy. While he initially received a scholarship to study nursing, when he was diagnosed with Chrohn’s disease and nearly died, he was unable to continue with school and lost his scholarship. As he recovered from his illness, he was forced to look for educational opportunities elsewhere and moved to Alaska, but a poor economic climate forced the college to rescind a new scholarship. He decided to return to New York, finish his LPN, and then earn an associate degree in nursing at Maria College in Albany, New York.

He became a 24-hour, round the clock nurse, as he found various concurrent positions within multiple organizations and institutions as a bedside chronic vent unit RN, ICU RN, night RN supervisor, RN unit manager, product specialist for respiratory devices, and an RN consultant. With such a diverse background and complete continuum of care experience, he decided there must be more to be done to address the issues in the health care system. This moved him to pursue a master’s of nursing informatics degree with Excelsior College in 2016, which he earned two years later.

Excelsior’s Master of Science in Nursing Informatics is designed for RNs who wish to the improve the health of people and communities and improve patient safety by using information technology, computer science, and nursing science. Excelsior’s online courses, practical experiences, and curriculum prepare students to know how to use data and information to respond to health care problems, improve client care and organizational operations, and make and communicate information-based decisions in a variety of health organizations.

This online program was perfect for DeBartolo, who had begun working night shifts in the ICU at Albany Medical Center and rotating shifts at other various institutions, all while caring for his daughter with special needs. With such a hectic and sporadic schedule, the “learn on your own time” idea was just what DeBartolo needed. And he says Excelsior’s informatics program was extremely beneficial: “I loved the informatics program. I would say best value for the dollar on my education. I can’t even express, again, the amount of cognitive change on my perspective of everything…It explained many of the intricacies as to why health care is what it is, how we got here, and where it might potentially go. It opened my eyes to more possibilities and a bigger picture.” He considers himself a nurse innovator and explores nursing trends, like new technology that could help in the ICU, for example.

Nursing encompasses all areas of health care, from bedside to management, he says, with informatics being the connective tissue. DeBartolo explains, “Behind the scenes, we’re innovating the processes that nurses need to do in the day to day…So aside from bedside and aside from working behind the computer, you use [nursing informatics] in management, taking all of those tools that you’ve used throughout the years of experience, to learning how to manage people, how to manage the patients, how to actually run the unit, the best way possible.”

DeBartolo has implemented new initiatives in various areas of radiology, maternity, fetal medicine, clinics, outpatient, chemistry and laboratory microbiology, and pharmacy. Furthermore, with a personally developed analytics program he has identified ways medical institutions can save upwards of a million dollars. So far DeBartolo has kept the rights to his intellectual property but hopes to sell his ideas to local interested facilities.

DeBartolo says his thought process has changed since he has completed the nursing informatics program. He says he better understands how educational and governmental systems work in relation to health care and believes he has a larger role to play in the world of nursing care. He feels that now he must be a catalyst for change, which he says is through innovation. He says to think bigger, be the change you want to see in the world, and don’t limit yourself. “If you make yourself unlimited, you’ll be unlimited; if you’re seeing there isn’t an opportunity created, then fill the opportunity and create another.”

 

 

Moving Up: Missy Washington

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Missy Washington Uses Her Master’s in Health Care Administration to Advance in Her Career

Missy Washington says that crossing the stage at Commencement in July 2019 was one of the happiest times of her life. She not only achieved a goal of pursuing higher education, but also earned the degree that would enable her to better help veterans like herself in her role at the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Washington, of Colorado Springs, Colorado, retired from the Army in 2015 after more than 23 years serving as a flight operations specialist and administrator. In these roles, she carried out tasks like tracking pilots’ flying hours and the weather, communicating with pilots on the radio, and coordinating flights. She later became an inspector general, resolving conflicts and conducting trainings.

Washington knew she wanted to work for the Department of Veterans Affairs when she retired. She had heard of the negative stigma surrounding the department and wanted to do her part to change the rumors and help support veterans. But because she only had a bachelor’s degree and no medical background, Washington started in an entry-level position. It was a great way to get her foot in the door though, she says, and it was meaningful to help people. “I think just me, one little bitty person, a little country girl from North Carolina, I feel like I’m making a change that other people can see so they want to be a part of that change as well,” she says.

To advance in her career at the Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington knew she needed a more advanced degree than the Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies she earned in 2017 from Excelsior, so she re-enrolled at Excelsior College to earn a master’s in health sciences. Washington earned the master’s degree in 2019 after a rigorous two years of studies. “I pushed myself because I was so excited and proud of myself that I was actually accomplishing that goal. I went pretty much bachelor’s, master’s, all the way through with, I think I only had a two-week break,” she recalls, noting how determined she was to earn her degree. She adds that she is a first-generation graduate student and hopes that by earning her master’s, her three boys see that with grit and determination, you can accomplish anything.

Since earning her degree, Washington has become a supervisor of 50 schedulers at the Colorado Springs Department of Veterans Affairs. She oversees administrative duties such as appointment scheduling and coordination, and also makes sure veterans have access to care even if it isn’t with the Department. Oftentimes, Washington’s job entails speaking directly with veterans who might be upset and disgruntled—like if their appointment is canceled, for instance. “If you relate to them, and you communicate with them, and you have empathy for what they’re going through, a lot of times, even though they don’t get what they want, they’ll walk away thanking you,” she says, and adds that it helps she is a veteran and can relate to those who come into the VA. Because of Excelsior and the education she received, says Washington, she has been promoted four times since 2015. “When I actually found my niche in health care and got the job here and started moving up the ladder, I was just grateful that my education I was pursuing was lining up with what I’m doing, and definitely where I plan to go,” she says.

Washington sees a future for herself as a director at the Colorado Springs Department of Veterans Affairs because she feels that’s where she is meant to be. “I want to be the one to make some changes on how people perceive the care in the VA…and I think, with health care administration, I can do those things. I’m taking care of the employees and taking care of the veterans; I’m that middle person, being the voice,” she says.

Excelsior College Welcomes New Members to Board of Trustees

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, N.Y. — The Excelsior College Board of Trustees, the governing body for the College, welcomes four new members. The board comprises 17 individuals from across the United States who are prominent in the fields of business, education, government, and the professions. The newest members are Kent Clark of Springfield, Va., Jennifer M. Gentry of Portland, Ore., Karen Kocher of Seattle, Wash., and Quintessa Miller, of Destin, Fla.

Kent Clark is a chief executive officer and military veteran with experience leading the strategy, finance, operations, personnel, and logistics of diverse organizations to drive efficiency, profitability, and risk reduction. He is president and chairman of the board, Clark Advisory Group. A veteran of the U.S. Army, he held progressive senior ranks, retiring as a lieutenant colonel. During his service, he advised U.S. Armed Forces leaders across multiple geographical locations, both domestic and abroad, on strategy, logistics, and resource planning. He also specialized in the deployment of large overseas logistical operations during combat, working with allies, foreign militaries, governments, and inter-agency partners. Clark is certified in board and advisory work across the spectrums of cybersecurity, governance, finance, audit, strategic planning, and development for both for-profit and nonprofit organizations. Clark earned a Master of Arts in Public Policy Management from Georgetown University, a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts from Regents College (now Excelsior College), and associate degree in industrial technology and business from Pierce College.

 Jennifer M. Gentry brings nearly 20 years of nursing experience to her role of chief nursing executive at the Providence Portland Medical Center in Portland, where she is responsible for nursing strategic plans, quality outcomes, and caregiver wellness. Previously, Gentry worked within the Christus Spohn Healthcare System, headquartered in Corpus Christi, Texas, holding progressive nurse leadership positions before reaching the title of chief nursing officer. In this position, she reported directly to the facility president and held responsibility for all strategic, budgetary, and operational aspects of the nursing enterprise. Since 2015, Gentry has worked as an adjunct faculty member for Excelsior College’s Associate Degree in Nursing program and as a clinical examiner for the program’s Clinical Performance in Nursing Examination. She partnered with Excelsior to set up a new test site for the exam. Gentry is a three-time graduate of Excelsior College. She earned her Master of Science in Nursing, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, and Associate in Science in Nursing from Excelsior.

 Karen Kocher is the global general manager of 21st century jobs, skills and employability for Microsoft. Kocher previously held senior human resources, health care, and sales leadership roles in insurance, information technology, consulting, and business outsourcing across the United States, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Kocher served as the chief learning officer and talent executive for Cigna Corporation and worked for IBM as the global content executive, Software Division, designing and implementing IBM’s social learning product strategy. Kocher earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Strategy and Communications from DePaul University.

Quintessa Miller is a highly experienced plastic surgeon practicing at Fort Walton Beach Hospital NWF Multispecialty Physicians LLC. Her areas of specialty include breast reconstruction, elective hand surgery, wound care, body contouring, facelifts, blepharoplasty, Mohs reconstruction, generalized reconstruction, and injectables. She is also a decorated member of the U.S. Air Force, having achieved the rank of colonel, and serves as staff plastic surgeon at Eglin Hospital at Eglin Airforce base in Florida. She has served as commander, 96th Surgical Operations Squadron. A graduate of the U.S. Air Force Academy, Miller earned a Doctor of Medicine from Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta and completed residencies at the Kessler Medical Center, Louisiana State University, and Wright State University.

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Media Contact:

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

ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is a regionally accredited, not-for-profit online college focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. The college contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — 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.

Landing the Right Job at the Right Time

Posted on by Tammy Spenziero

Director of Excelsior Career Services asks experts common staffing and recruiting questions

Based on student Google search statistics, staffing and recruiting firms were top key word searches. Excelsior’s career development director reached out to her network of key experts in this field to ask their opinions about some common student concerns.

Meet Our Experts:

Renee Walrath

Renee Walrath, President of Walrath Recruiting,

Miriam Dushane, Managing Partner of Alaant Workforce Solutions,

Patricia Fusco, President/CEO of Fusco Personnel,

Miranda VonFricken, Technical Recruiter and Career Coach with CPS Recruitment.

 

Tammy Spenziero: What myths and truths exist regarding recruiting/staffing firms?

Renee Walrath: One common myth regarding recruiting is there is a fee if a candidate wants to work with a recruiter. However, our recruiting services are free for candidates. Another myth is recruiting companies only have positions that are currently, or have previously been, posted online. However, some companies do not post for their own positions (whether it be on their own company website or on job boards). Their goal is to save time and effort, so they pass on that responsibility to the recruiting company.

 Miriam Dushane: There is a myth that candidates can only work with one firm. In reality, you are under no obligation to work exclusively with one agency. In fact, every firm has its own network of HR leaders and corporate clients, and as a result, each may offer unique career opportunities. Another myth is that we can find a job for everyone. While we are confident in the expertise and resources we provide to assist an individual’s job search, we can never guarantee a placement will be made. What we can guarantee, however, is our commitment to seeking the right fit for both the candidate and the employer, rather than simply filling a position. Lastly, there is a myth that recruiters don’t offer any advantage. In truth, recruiters offer several advantages to job seekers. With our huge network of exceptional contacts within the HR and employer communities, we have access to a variety of career opportunities, including many desirable job openings that may not be public. Recruiters can assist candidates throughout the job search process, from resume and interview preparation to serving as your advocate with an employer. And, our reputation is built on providing strong candidates to the employers we work with, so we have a vested interest in grooming candidates to ensure they are at their best during their job search.

Miranda VonFricken: Myths regarding agencies are endless… but so are the ones about carbs! It’s best to do your own research, find what works for you, and utilize what you think will benefit your career. Personally, I got my professional start with a staffing firm and because of the great experience, decided to join one shortly after. They are a great resource! I’m a strong believer in students utilizing agencies to gain access to opportunities they may not have had the chance to find on their own!

 

Tammy Spenziero: With the rise of technology, the use of recruiting and staffing firms has increased. What is your experience and perspective on this?

Renee Walrath: The unemployment rate has gone down 0.5% since January 2019, indicating that more people are securing jobs, making it difficult for companies to find new hires independently. In our experience, we have noticed more companies are outsourcing to recruiting companies to save time, decrease turnover, and hire the best possible candidates for their open positions. We take on this process for employers, assess our existing pool of candidates/seek out new potential candidates, examine their current employment situation, conduct the interview only if they match our client’s criteria for the role, and if applicable, offer a new job opportunity.

 Miriam Dushane: When technology in the form of job boards hit the scene, there was a lot of talk that they would put recruiters out of business. In fact, the opposite has happened: recruiters that can effectively use new technologies are even more in demand. Skilled recruiters are leveraging innovative technologies to help job seekers find more and better opportunities, and help companies attract more candidates, increase the efficiency of the hiring process, and make better hires faster. We save employers the expense of having to purchase technology we have and know how to use—from online reference checks to video interviews—and free them up to work on mission-critical objectives. As technology continues to evolve, it is our job to be the experts who can help both employers and job seekers use it to their benefit.

 

Tammy Spenziero: When it comes to screening and selection, what do candidates need to stand out?

Renee Walrath: Composing a strong resume that details work history, internships, and skills is essential. This is ultimately the first step where the relationship and the initial first impression begins. So, ensure you tailor your resume to the position you are applying to. Include as many key words that relate your experience to the job requirements. If there are parallels, make a clear connection for the party reviewing your resume with those key words. Once you demonstrate that you have experience relating to the position, that’s when the next steps take place.

Miriam Dushane: Candidates should keep in mind they are marketing their most important product: themselves. Everything you do needs to present you and your qualifications in the best possible light. Your resume is your personal marketing brochure; make sure it includes relevant experiences and accomplishments that demonstrate your value and generate interest from a potential employer. Research not only the job, but also the company and its culture, and be sure to communicate your interest in both. Job skills are critical, but passion and enthusiasm can give you an edge over the competition.

Patricia Fusco: Candidates who are prepared and have the right attitude! Candidates can be entry level or have extensive experience, however, the soft skills are more important in 99 percent of our hires. Our clients will weight stronger on the soft skills than hard skills/experience.

Miranda VonFricken: Aside from a well-crafted resume, I look for great communication skills. Starting with the email, to the phone call, to the on-site interview. I want to know you have the confidence to speak to your skillset and the ability to ask great questions. It’s also a bonus during a screening if we end up laughing!

 

Tammy Spenziero: Any advice or tips for our online adult learners looking to advance in their current career? How about for those transition roles within their chosen field and those making a career change?

Miriam Dushane: Whether you are an experienced employee pursuing a new career, a professional seeking advancement in your current field, or a person getting back into the job market, your timing is excellent. Amid the tightest employment market in decades, employers are keeping all options open when it comes to hiring. Use your previous experience, record of achievements, and passion for a new career path as selling points but also be realistic when it comes to compensation and the opportunities available. Aside from that, the tried-and-true principles still apply: create a strong resume, develop and tap into your professional network, advocate for yourself, and don’t be afraid to reach a little. As the famous quote goes, “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.”

Patricia Fusco: Career changes can be scary and exciting to a candidate. If someone has solid experience and skills, that is the first step. Many skills are transferrable into other industries and roles. Knowing what you want to do and enjoy doing is half the battle. Having an open mind, thinking outside the box, and exploring all avenues will open doors you may not have expected.

Miranda VonFricken: Get on LinkedIn and connect to professionals in the industry you want to be a part of. Notice their career transitions, see what they’re posting, and if comfortable… contribute to the conversations. LinkedIn is a wonderful way to show off your personality and skillset at the same time.

Tammy Spenziero is director of Excelsior’s Career Services Center.

Renee’s Fun Fact:

“One interesting fact about Walrath Recruiting, Inc. is we published our first book, The Ultimate Job Search Guide in 2019!”

Check Out: www.walrathrecruiting.com

Miriam’s Fun Fact:

“I once pitched in the minor leagues…. I threw out the first pitch at a Tri-City ValleyCats game and I own a Schoolhouse in the Adirondacks.”

Check Out: www.alaant.com

Patricia’s Fun Fact:

“Recently, all three of my daughters have joined my business!”

Check Out: www.fuscopersonnel.net

Miranda’s Fun Fact:

“I danced for Albany’s Arena Football team, have a motorcycle license, and a master’s degree in Motivation!”

Check Out: www.CPSRecruiter.com & www.MirandaVonFricken.com

Soldier to Civilian

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Micky Brooks uses his master’s in criminal justice to transition to a new career

After more than 20 years working as a military police officer in the Army, Micky Brooks decided it was time for a change. In 2015, Brooks began transitioning out of the Army at the same time he started pursuing a degree in criminal justice with Excelsior. It was a difficult situation. His three children were also transitioning into new schools, and so his household was already stressful. It was worth it, because he earned a Master of Criminal Justice with a concentration in Homeland Security and Emergency Management in 2019. Brooks’ post-military plans don’t stop there; he wants to be a college professor.

In his current position as a law enforcement program manager with the Army, Brooks oversees funding, does assessments, and organizes Army civilian training to make sure workers earn their necessary certifications. As a physical security specialist, Brooks is responsible for assessing Army installations to make sure they are properly secured and are following all Army and Department of Defense guidelines. He is used to the high level of responsibility that comes with his roles; for 22 years, he was a military police officer with the Army.

Brooks had wanted to be a police officer since he was a young child, watching the television shows CHiPS and Magnum, P.I., but he never really knew how he was going to get there. If you had told a teenage Brooks he was going to join the Army military police, he would never have believed you. He didn’t want anything to do with the military, but after attending Adirondack Community College in Queensbury, New York, he realized he didn’t have any way to pay for a bachelor’s degree. “I looked at the Army as a way of getting not only training in the criminal justice field but also as a means to pay for my bachelor’s degree,” he says, adding he thought he would stay in the Army for five years but that quickly turned into 20. “It was probably the best decision I made in my life.”

Brooks earned a Bachelor of Science in Homeland Security from Austin Peay University while in the Army, but he had no intention of stopping his education after earning that degree. He heard about Excelsior and decided the online master’s in criminal justice program fit with his goals of becoming a college professor.

It helped to have supportive employers and to have his oldest daughter begin her college career at the same time he was re-starting his. He says it was fun to compete with her about who got the better grades, but Brooks predominantly looked at it as a challenge. “I wanted to be a good role model for not only my oldest in college, but also my two younger kids—one starting high school and one starting middle school—to say, hey, look, Dad can do this. Stay focused, and you can get it done,” he says.

Brooks jokes he’s too old now to “chase around” young kids as a military police officer, so he wants to share his knowledge and experience as a professor. He says, “I can very easily stand up at a classroom and share my experiences, my knowledge, and pass that down to the young law enforcement personnel coming up now and give them a head start on lessons that I’ve learned.” Brooks is looking into temporary, part-time teaching positions, perhaps even getting his feet wet by applying to online faculty positions. He says his learning is definitely not over, and though he doesn’t have immediate plans for pursuing a PhD, the idea is prominent, especially since being a college professor is the finish line.

Brooks has had becoming a professor at the forefront of his mind for some time now and knows it’s important to pursue this goal. He often tells his kids to do what they want because it’s their passion, not because someone told them to. That advice goes for veterans, too, he says. If you have passion in something, it won’t feel like work, he says. “The ultimate goal is what you’re chasing. And that’s your dream. So, chase your dream.”

 

Trainer of First Responders

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Kelly Garrett helps educate the next generation of emergency management professionals

Emergency management professionals are tasked with the difficult job of organizing and managing support efforts following natural disasters so that survivors have access to food, water, shelter, clothing, and transportation. As director of the Emergency Management Professional Program at the Emergency Management Institute—housed within the Department of Homeland Security—, Kelly Garrett’s job is to prepare these professionals so they can do their jobs successfully.

Garrett, of Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, served three years’ active duty with the Army Reserve after graduating high school in 1975. He learned he needed to obtain a bachelor’s degree to be eligible for promotion to captain, so he began taking courses at various institutions. While living in Poughkeepsie, New York and working at a paper company, he heard about Excelsior College. “Excelsior provided me with the means to be able to do that [earn a bachelor’s] because it accepted all my previous college credits and allowed me to take CLEP exams and competency exams,” he says. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science with a major in history in 1991.

Garrett also earned a master’s degree in leadership in 2006 from Duquesne University and a master’s in education in 2014 from the University of Pennsylvania. He went on to complete the Chief Learning Officer Executive Doctoral Program at the University of Pennsylvania in 2017. Garrett credits Excelsior with his successful path: “Because I was able to complete my bachelor’s degree at Excelsior, not only was I able to retain my commission and was competitive for promotion, it allowed me to get two master’s degrees, a doctorate, and retire from the army as a colonel…all of that ultimately led to me pursuing a career with the federal government.”

Garrett has been the director of the Emergency Management Professional Program at the Emergency Management Institute (EMI), in Emmitsburg, Maryland, for the past three years. In that role, he oversees staff in charge of each EMI academy— National Emergency Management Basic Academy, National Emergency Management Advanced Academy, and National Emergency Management Executive Academy—and is responsible for curriculum design, course development, and recruiting and maintaining adjunct faculty. “Our goal is to better prepare the nation’s emergency management professionals to prepare for and manage catastrophic disasters so that communities can recover more quickly with less destruction in everyone’s lives,” says Garrett, adding that EMI’s goal is to become the preferred school of continuing and professional studies for emergency managers.

So far, 38 states have adopted EMI’s Basic Academy as the fundamental training center for their emergency responders. “More and more states around the country are adopting our program as the primary professional development tool for the emergency managers in their jurisdictions,” says Garrett He adds that there is no cost for students to attend EMI’s programs and in many cases, EMI provides a stipend that pays for travel as well as for room and board. EMI also offers field delivery, which brings courses directly to students, such as first responders in smaller, more rural communities.

The Emergency Management Institute also partners with organizations and universities to better serve the community of emergency responders. The Homeland Security Institute of the National Guard Bureau, for instance, has adopted the Institute’s basic and advanced academies as their primary professional development tool for members of the Army, National Guard, and Coast Guard. EMI also collaborated with the International Association of Emergency Managers to make sure those who graduate the academies meet the criteria to be an emergency manager.

Garrett enjoys “knowing that we’re contributing to making a difference around the nation for a profession that helps people on the worst day of their lives when a disaster strikes.” He also likes that he can help the public understand what the emergency management role entails because there is a common misconception that fire departments or police departments handle disaster emergencies. Police and fire are usually first on-scene, but it’s the emergency managers that coordinate survivor support such as the logistics surrounding food, water, shelter, clothing, transportation.

Garrett has more than 20 years’ experience in adult learning and development, and teaching. He was also a faculty instructor at the U.S. Army War College during his last few years with the Army Reserve and, for the past 10 years, he has been an adjunct faculty member at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania and Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. At Elizabethtown College, he teaches in the Master of Science in Strategic Leadership program and at Mount Saint Mary’s, he teaches in the Master of Health Administration program.

Garrett likes interacting with adult students. “They have full-time jobs; most of them have families; but they’re looking to be lifelong learners and to get an advanced degree to further their careers and further their knowledge,” he says. When he retires in the next three to four years, Garrett plans to continue teaching and consult in leadership development. He enjoys teaching the next generation of emergency management professionals and says, “that’s my way of being able to give back, because somebody made that sacrifice of their time in order to do that for me as a student.”

 

 

 

IT Master

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Rob Gorhum Combines Resilience and Multiple Degrees to Thrive in Career

Rob Gorhum has held many jobs throughout his life and been faced with many personal obstacles, all of which have prepared him to be ready for whatever comes his way. His tenacity coupled with three degrees from Excelsior College, has helped him to excel in his IT management career.

Gorhum, of League City, Texas, began his college career by taking classes at his local community college after he graduated high school. He didn’t complete the program, however, because he decided to join the Army. He quickly learned that to move into an officer or warrant officer position, he needed a college degree.

Gorhum researched online schools to find one that would accept his credits and military training and experience and came across Excelsior. “Excelsior was able to consolidate most of my credits into an associate degree, allowing me to finish my degree,” he says. After earning an Associate in Applied Science in Technology in 2008, Gorhum left the military, married, and began pursuing a bachelor’s degree in information technology. He finished that degree in 2012, while deployed for 19 months in Afghanistan.

Things were going well for Gorhum. He had an associate and bachelor’s under his belt and as he was starting his master’s, his wife gave birth to their daughter. But that’s when life began to get in the way. Shortly after the birth of their daughter, Gorhum’s wife was diagnosed with Stage IV colon cancer (which she successfully beat), his mother-in-law and father both suffered strokes, and he was working up to 60 hours a week at his job.

Thankfully, Gorhum had a good experience with Excelsior’s courses and caring professors. “The instructors were easily reachable and responsive, as well as understanding when it came to life events like my wife’s fight with cancer,” he says, adding that he was able to take advantage of the flexible course structure when his days were full of hospital visits or spent at work. He says although the courses are set up at a somewhat self-learning pace, the deadlines kept him focused and on time. Through hard work and determination, Gorhum earned a master’s in cybersecurity in 2019, and now he manages the IT department of a local credit union.

The credit union where Gorhum works has 21 branches and 300 employees, and the organization’s goal is to reach $5 billion in assets, 500,000 members, and 600 team members by 2025. As IT manager, it is Gorhum’s job to help support this expansion by spearheading the use of technology. He meets with team members, prepares for the day’s work, and reviews vendors and solutions to help the organization move toward its goal. He currently leads a team of 10, but that will grow to 30 by the end of 2021. “I place as much emphasis on team leadership as I do organizational growth, as building out the team will be as pivotal to our growth as finding and implementing the correct technology,” he says.

Gorhum has always been in some sort of leadership position, ever since he was a counselor in the Boy Scouts. This continued in the Army, and in civilian jobs, he says he has held positions as team lead or tech lead. In his last job, he was an IT manager. Within five years, he says, he would like to be vice president of IT at the credit union. He has his sights set on being a CTO or CIO for an organization someday. He thinks with his education, he can get there. “I have completed three degrees with Excelsior, which shows continued professional and personal improvement. I have also had to learn time management and prioritization,” he says, indicating potential employers would like to see that on his resume.

Gorhum has experienced many ups and downs, but nothing has stopped him from earning three degrees with Excelsior and becoming successful in his field. He remembers what a boss told him when he worked at a movie theater when he was younger: “Don’t rest on your laurels” and “Don’t let your past achievements justify where you are currently.” Gorhum uses this advice daily, saying, “That helped me to realize that I have to continue moving forward and to give 100 percent on each and every task that I work on.”

More from Robert Gorhum:

What networking tips would you give to current Excelsior students?

“Make connections with the other students. Depending on the program, you will likely encounter some of the same students…You never know when you may run into a former student who may be able to provide insight, knowledge, or even be hiring for a position. LinkedIn is a great resource.”

What time management tips do you have for current students juggling activities outside their Excelsior studies?

“Make use of your calendar. Set aside blocks of time to work on school work, work, and leisure time, then make sure you actually use those blocks of time for that specifically. At the beginning of each day, write down what you want to accomplish on a list, as that will help you focus and organize your day.”

What are the most important traits/skills for someone to succeed in your field?

“Being in a technical field that changes so rapidly, continually learning about new technology is a must. People in IT [are] perceived as being poor communicators, and I think everyone knows someone in IT that would fit the stereotypical mold of the slightly socially awkward/no-people-skills technician. So stressing verbal and written communication would be the top skills needed for success.”

Best book/podcast/e-newsletter that’s relevant to your industry?

“Jock Willink’s ‘Extreme Ownership’ is a great book on leadership and is a must-read. I pass that on to anyone that wants to move into management. Brian Souza’s ‘The Weekly Coaching Session’ is another great tool that will help leaders build a stronger team.”

Being There for Others

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Shanique Berry Plans to Use Her Health Sciences Degree to Help Vulnerable Populations

Shanique Berry, of Tampa, Florida, wasn’t sure where her career path would lead because she had interests in several areas, including healthcare and business administration. It wasn’t until her current job as a financial aid officer at Ultimate Medical Academy (UMA) that she realized she could help  people in other areas of life by pursuing a career in the health sciences. She also realized that doing so meant going back to school with Excelsior College to obtain a Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences with an emphasis in public health.

After high school, Berry went to a magnet school for allied health to pursue a career as a pediatrician, but after graduating, she switched gears and went to Cleveland State University for business administration. She got a job in the new student finance section of the financial aid department at Ultimate Medical Academy in Tampa and as she moved around in different sections of the department, she realized just how much she enjoyed helping students take care of their tuition so they could achieve their goals. “If they can eliminate that from worrying about school, and just focus on academics, then that’s good for me,” she says of helping students with the financial burden of pursuing their education.

Berry knows first-hand the daily challenges vulnerable populations experience. She explains that in Jamaica, where she was born, medical resources are limited. Many times, Jamaicans emigrate to the United States to receive better education opportunities and medical services. Berry explains her grandfather became very ill in Jamaica and went through a complicated process to receive medical care in the United States. She shares that when he returned to his home country, he passed away because he didn’t have access to the care he needed. With plans for a career change in the future, Berry intends to help people like her grandfather get the support and access to resources they need. “My goal is to help people, [to] focus on vulnerable groups that don’t really have a voice of themselves,” she says, adding that one of the areas of public health she’d like to explore more is mental health.

Through a partnership between Ultimate Medical Academy and Excelsior College, Berry receives a tuition discount. That benefit, plus the acceptance of credit earned at Cleveland State University, has put her on a path to earn her bachelor’s degree. Online learning was hard for her to get used to at first, but the flexibility enables her to fit school into her busy schedule and allows her to spend more time with her daughters.

Excelsior’s courses have been beneficial to Berry, too. She seeks to apply what she has learned so far to a career in health sciences. For instance, Berry says through assignments for her courses, she has been able to implement the most desirable and ethical solutions to address health concerns while being able to advocate for the public. She hopes to pull what she has learned from creating her own development plans into caring for culturally diverse communities.

She also enjoys being able to incorporate her culture and background into her assignments. COMM 125 Public Speaking, HUM 230 The Ethics of Friendship, and HSC 464 Health Science Capstone have been some of her favorite courses in the undergraduate program. Public Speaking, for instance, has opened her eyes to the outside world and what to expect in a public setting. Berry says, “I have to say the hardest part for me and throughout the entire experience is just the workload…with [being] a full-time mom and doing the full-time job, it’s just demanding, but you just have to somehow find the time to do it all.”

As of now, Berry wants to continue working at UMA until she completes her bachelor’s and then master’s degrees. She says she works in stages and right now, she is focusing on this stage of her life and what is best for her and her daughters. But she is determined to complete her degree: “It’s mainly me, it’s my devotion. I know what I want in life. And I know where I want to be. So, my mindset is to get things done.”

 

 

Excelsior College Partners with Kentucky Community and Technical College System & More Than 70 Campuses

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, NY — Excelsior College announced an educational partnership with the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), and now all graduates of KCTCS as well as staff and faculty are eligible for discounted tuition and fees. KCTCS includes 16 colleges and more than 70 campuses with the mission of improving the quality of life and employability of the citizens of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

“We are excited to partner with this diverse college system to provide pathways for its graduates and its employees seeking to complete their bachelor’s or master’s degree,” stated James N. Baldwin, JD, EdD, president of Excelsior College.

“KCTCS makes every effort to create lifelong learning opportunities for our graduates, faculty, and staff,” said Kris Williams, PhD, chancellor of KCTCS. “Our partnership with Excelsior College will provide additional access to higher education to help achieve their educational goals of advanced degrees, advance their careers, and improve their lives.”

Excelsior College is excited to share information about this new partnership and the advantages of Excelsior’s 3+1 Bachelor’s Completion Program with the KCTC System. The 3+1 program helps reduce the cost of earning a bachelor’s degree by allowing students to earn additional credit at KCTCS after completing their associate degree and then, in consultation with Excelsior’s academic advisors, seamlessly transfer into one of Excelsior’s bachelor’s degree programs to earn the remaining 30 credits toward their degree.

Excelsior College has helped more than 177,000 adults earn degrees since its founding more than 45 years ago. To learn more about this partnership, visit the Kentucky Community and Technical College partner page.

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

ABOUT EXCELSIOR COLLEGE

Excelsior College (excelsior.edu) is a regionally accredited, not-for-profit online college focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. The College contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are — academically and geographically — 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.