Excelsior College Partners with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center to Provide Nursing Education & CPNE Site

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, N.Y. — Wake Forest Baptist Health, a pre-eminent academic health system based in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is now a partner with Excelsior College. Wake Forest Baptist Health has 1,535 licensed beds and employs more than 19,000 professionals in an integrated enterprise of educational and research facilities, hospitals, outpatient clinics, emergent care centers, and physician practices in North Carolina and southwest Virginia. The new partnership will focus on affordable educational opportunities for Wake Forest employees looking to advance their careers.

“We are excited about this new partnership with Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center because Excelsior’s broad academic programs, including health sciences, nursing, business, and technology, are a good fit for Wake Forest’s workforce development needs,” stated Dawn Gerrain, Excelsior College’s chief marketing and business development officer. “Our programs at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s levels prepare staff to take advantage of opportunities for upward career mobility and to make an impact in their workplace.”

In addition to the educational partnership, Excelsior College School of Nursing recently added Wake Forest Baptist Health as a Clinical Performance in Nursing Exam (CPNE) testing site for students who need to take the required 8-credit criterion-referenced performance exam. Students must pass this capstone exam to graduate from the associate degree in nursing program at Excelsior College. Having a CPNE testing site at Wake Forest will be convenient for Excelsior’s associate degree in nursing students throughout the region.

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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.

Excelsior College Renews Partnership with EANGUS to Support Servicemembers

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, NY—Excelsior College recently renewed and expanded a partnership with EANGUS, the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States. EANGUS comprises those who serve in the National Guard. Their constituency base includes more than 414,000 soldiers and airmen and their families, as well as thousands of retired members. The membership represents all 50 states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia.

The College has been a partner with EANGUS for nearly five years, and the partnership has now expanded to include its Veterans Education Project (VEP). VEP is looking to transform the way active-duty military and veterans translate their military experience into college credit. This partnership with Excelsior College provides EANGUS members and spouses with a 20 percent discount on tuition costs and the opportunity to transfer up to 113 credits toward a bachelor’s degree.

James N. Baldwin, president of Excelsior College, stated, “Excelsior College has been committed to military and veteran learners for nearly 50 years, and this collaborative educational partnership with the Veterans Education Project (VEP) is a natural fit. We are honored and proud to work with VEP to support servicemembers by granting them Excelsior College academic credit for their military experience.”

VEP expands educational opportunities for student veterans. VEP, like Excelsior, goes beyond utilization of the Joint Service Transcript to more accurately reflect the on-the-job knowledge and experience that servicemembers have acquired.

“We are excited about partnerships with schools like Excelsior because they are vital to ensuring that student veterans are getting the focus and dedication they deserve,” said Daniel Elkins, founder of Veterans Education Project and legislative director of EANGUS. “Through this partnership, Excelsior and VEP will work towards getting every veteran every single credit they deserve!”

Chris Johnson, director of Center for Military and Veteran Education at Excelsior College, noted, “Servicemembers earn college-level credit through their training and experience while serving. Depending on the area of study, students maximize credit already earned which saves time and money toward degree completion. Excelsior College and the staff in the Center for Military and Veteran Education can help servicemembers choose the right path to move forward in their military career and transition to the civilian workforce.”

Excelsior College ranks in the top 1 percent of all schools for veterans nationwide, claiming the No.5 spot in the Best for Vets category by College Factual.

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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.

Helping Veterans Help Themselves

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Kimberly Haley Encourages Disabled Veterans to Get Ahead in Life

Kimberly Haley wants to help people excel and move forward in their careers and lives. In her job with the New York State Department of Labor, she helps disabled veterans in a variety of ways, from finding a job that best fits them, to teaching veteran yoga classes in her community. Being a veteran herself helps her connect firsthand with this unique population so she’s able to provide them with the aid and guidance they need.

Haley, of Oneida, New York, joined the Maryland National Guard in 1982 and became an LPN and medic for the military. After leaving the Guard in 1985 and then completing active duty service in the Army Reserves, she decided to pursue her higher education. She didn’t want to follow a nursing path any longer, so after some vocational testing, she found human services to be good fit. She earned an associate degree in human services from Herkimer County Community College in 2003 and, after remembering she took courses with Regents [now Excelsior] College while she was still with the Guard, decided to re-enroll with Excelsior. In 2006, she earned a bachelor’s of science and moved forward with her career. She says, “…the associate was like a stepping stone and the bachelor’s was like the icing on the cake. That’s what got me [my] job.”

In her current position as a New York State Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) Specialist—a job she has held for the past 10 years—Haley helps disabled veterans find jobs and training opportunities. The range of services Haley provides in her position are vast: long-term case management, assessments and referrals, on-the-job training, resume critiquing, job matching, accessing post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits, and even recommending the veteran to potential employers. The DVOP also helps veterans with mental health problems, substance abuse, homelessness, and post-incarceration issues.

Haley enjoys “steering the veterans in the right direction” and her favorite part of the job is “seeing the veteran walk away with re-training and accelerating in life, and being able to sustain the means to their life, being able to provide for themselves or their families.” Some of her cases have lasted longer than others; they’ve involved seeing a veteran every two weeks for years. Ultimately, says Haley, the best part is finding out they finally landed a job. Haley says it’s all worthwhile when she meets the veteran again and they thank her for the help she provided.

Haley has worked with veterans ranging in age from 19 to 80 years old and thinks that being a veteran gives her an advantage in this role. When veterans find out Haley has served in the military, they become more at ease and can connect with her better. “They’re more likely to disclose, knowing that you know where they’re coming from,” Haley says.

To better help the veteran population, Haley believes in serving them in her local community, as well. She volunteers in a variety of capacities—from washing dishes to teaching yoga—at Clear Path for Veterans in Chittenango, New York, which connects service members and their families to the resources they need. She also teaches yoga at the Oneida YMCA.

A registered yoga instructor, Haley developed a style of mindful resilience yoga specifically formatted to help veterans. The style is in line with the ideas of the Veterans Yoga Project, an educational and advocacy organization dedicated to improving the health and well-being of military veterans, and she has been teaching mindful resilience yoga since 2017. So far, Haley has seen great results from her yoga. It has proven effective in helping people with post-traumatic stress disorder, military sexual trauma, traumatic brain injury, depression, anxiety, dementia, and sleep disorders. She plans to continue teaching yoga classes after she moves to a part-time position with the DVOP in a few years when she’s eligible for retirement.

Her interest in mindfulness led her to begin pursuing a master’s in counseling with Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, in fall 2018, and she’s focusing on mindfulness studies to help the veteran population. In 2017, she joined the New York Guard State Volunteer Force.

Haley is always looking for things to be involved in and says, “There’s always something to be learned and there’s always something to be taught.” She has wanted to learn and help others since she was young, but had never thought she would end up assisting disabled veterans. Because of her desire to do more for her fellow veteran, though, she now makes an impact on many lives. View our different degree options in public service.

More from Kimberly Haley

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

“New York State Department of Labor website. There you would find just about everything you need to know about getting a job, maintaining it, and re-training.”

Best piece of business advice received on the job so far:

“Always keep moving forward with your education and you are never too old to pursue another degree.”

Networking tips you would give to current Excelsior students:

“Talk to friends, family, and around your area, especially where you will reside in, to utilize all their resources for the occupation you have chosen.”

GI Bill® 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 benefits.va.gov/gibill/.

Moving Ahead

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Muslimah Houston Plans to Advance in Her Career with an AS from Excelsior

Muslimah “Limah” Houston of Las Vegas, Nevada, has been a phlebotomy and medical assistant instructor for the past 15 years, but that’s not what she originally wanted to do. Her goal has always been to pursue nursing and so she is currently enrolled with Excelsior College to earn a health sciences degree. She then plans to switch to a nursing program at a local college to move up in her career and become a registered nurse.

Born and raised on the south side of Chicago, Houston followed in her parents’ footsteps, who were both teachers. She has been teaching in the health care field for almost two decades and is a certified medical assistant through the American Association of Medical Assistants (AAMA). Now Houston works at the Milan Institute Career Training School in Las Vegas Monday-Thursday, teaching a medical assisting and phlebotomy course from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. and again from 5:30 to 10:30 p.m. She also holds a review class and extra lab sessions for medical assistant students from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. It is a tough schedule, but Houston enjoys teaching and sharing her experiences with the students. “I like that I get to help my students realize their dreams.” she says. The only challenging part, she says, is teaching all the different learning styles.

Now, Houston says, she is ready to change careers, not only because she is in a place where she can pursue the career she really wants, but also because she wants to help people in a different way. “I want to be able to reach people on another level and I know the only way I will achieve this is to return to school,” she says.

Houston discovered Excelsior College and its online programs when she was studying at AAMA. “After conversing with representatives at Excelsior in April of 2019, I was enrolled in no time!” she recalls. Houston’s goal is to become a RN and earn a bachelor’s in nursing, but when she found out that with AAMA’s partnership with Excelsior she only needed 13 credits to earn a health sciences degree, she jumped at the chance to complete a degree. She will earn an Associates in Health Sciences in December 2019. Once she earns that degree, she will then begin pursuing a bachelor’s in nursing with Chamberlain College of Nursing in Las Vegas.

So far, Houston is enjoying Excelsior’s online format. She had taken online courses in the past that didn’t seem to work for her but Excelsior’s seem to fit right in with her schedule and lifestyle. To accommodate coursework while teaching, she must manage her time wisely. “The challenges are working split shift because I have two classes I’m teaching and I have a lot of work for those students,” adding that she has Friday through Sunday to catch up on her coursework so it’s manageable. It helps that she is enjoying her courses; Professionalism in Health Care is her favorite so far.

Houston credits her family with helping her get this far. Her older sister in Chicago and her daughter, in Las Vegas, are her biggest cheerleaders. She also adds that her instructors have been supportive as well, making for a beneficial learning environment. “The instructors I’ve had, thus far, have been very communicative via email and that was one of the biggest [concerns] for me with online classes. They respond to your questions in a timely manner!”

Houston expects her associate in health sciences degree will open many doors for her in the future. She plans to jump right into Chamberlain’s nursing program in January 2020. She encourages others to take the plunge, too, and not put pursuing their higher education on hold. “Go for it! It was the best decision I could have made for myself at the time I decided to go back,” she says.

What to Do Next with Your Associate Degree in Cybersecurity

Posted on by Ethan Prissler

Criminals are evolving and crime is getting smarter. In its annual Internet Crime Report, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) presents statistics showing that internet-enabled theft, fraud, and exploitation were responsible for a staggering $2.7 billion in financial losses and accounted for an average of more than 900 complaints every day for the Center. Luckily, the tools to guard against cyber crime are experiencing an evolution of their own, and the front line of that defense is our cybersecurity workforce.

A career in cybersecurity combines technical, analytic, and investigatory skills with a strong drive to problem solve and innovate. It’s a profession that’s more in demand than ever as employers are increasingly concerned with keeping valuable data and networks secure. For many people, an associate degree is just the beginning. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects higher than average job market growth by 2026 so your associate degree puts you in the best position possible for pursuing important professional certifications, starting out in an entry level IT position, or continuing your education to earn your bachelor’s degree.

In June 2019, Burning Glass Technologies, an analytics software company that provides real-time data on job growth, skills in demand, and labor market trends, issued a report on the state of cybersecurity hiring titled “Recruiting Watchers for the Virtual Walls.”  One of the report’s key findings was the number of qualified workers is not keeping pace with the rapid growth of the industry. Despite the rise of cyber-related attacks nationwide, and the greater proliferation of cybersecurity degree programs available, the talent pool has remained at relatively stagnant levels.

So how can you best prepare yourself to bridge the talent gap? Earning professional cybersecurity certifications is a great start. According to the Burning Glass report, more than one-third of cybersecurity-specific job openings require certification compared to 23 percent of all general IT jobs. The COMPTIA Security + certification and Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP) certification are recognized industry standards. And, if you already hold these or other IT certifications, you’re not only more marketable as an employee but you may be able to apply them toward college credit for a bachelor’s or master’s degree.

Entry-level positions in IT that require an associate degree tend to pay at levels on par with jobs in other disciplines that require a bachelor’s degree, so getting a job in your field means you’ll start to see an immediate return on your educational investment. Continuing your education will have an even greater effect on your earning potential as the majority of cybersecurity positions require a bachelor’s degree or higher. While the number of cybersecurity-specific roles are growing, cybersecurity is more often an integrated responsibility of a broader IT position like a network administrator. With your bachelor’s degree, however, you can qualify for a core cybersecurity position such as an information security analyst or a cybersecurity systems architect. According to the Burning Glass report, full-time cybersecurity specialists command on average, $9,000 per year more than a general IT position with some cybersecurity responsibilities. Public cloud security, automation, and knowledge of the Internet of Things are projected to be the fastest-growing cybersecurity skills in demand over the next five years. Curious about Excelsior’s cybersecurity faculty? Learn more about the Cybersecurity faculty director.

If you’re ready to go back to school, make sure your program is aligned with the academic requirements for cybersecurity set by the National Security Agency (NSA) and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Even better, make sure the college is a Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education (CAE IA-CD). Learn more about Excelsior College’s Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity program  or Master of Science in Cybersecurity program, and Excelsior’s 3+1 transfer program. See just how far your associate degree can take you!

Faculty Focus: Marianne Brennan

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Marianne “Mickey” Brennan is the faculty program director for Excelsior College’s associate degree in nursing program—a position she started in November 2018. In her tenure with the College, she has used her extensive nursing experience and approachable personality to help students navigate the associate degree in nursing program and prepare for the Clinical Performance in Nursing Examination.

Prior to joining Excelsior College, Brennan spent 20 years as a director in Perioperative Services at Saratoga Hospital and Ellis Hospital. She began her career as an LPN working as a surgical technician, where her love of working in the OR began. Brennan always wanted to be a nurse, especially one who works with patients in vulnerable states like being seriously ill or under anesthesia. “I thought I could make a difference…I chose my specialty because I could make a difference when patients couldn’t advocate for themselves,” she says.

Brennan applies her nursing experience and knowledge to her role as a faculty program director, a full-time faculty position. She teaches NUR 213 Health Differences Across the Lifespan III, a required course in the associate degree program. In this course, students study immune function, infection, perioperative nursing and other tissue trauma, musculoskeletal disorders, and neurological assessment. “I focus on the difference nurses can make for a patient and how their eventual role as an RN matters to the human beings we care for,” says Brennan, who earned her associate degree in nursing from Excelsior College in 1991. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in community and human services from Empire State College and began pursuing her graduate degree at the Sage Colleges. She returned to Excelsior College to complete a master’s degree in nursing in 2013.

Brennan says for students to succeed, it’s important they are motivated and have a desire to learn. She says having a drive to do what it takes is important in reaching educational and career goals. Sometimes that also means learning to develop good time management skills. “Work smarter, not harder,” she says, referring to the technological support students have access to. She also adds that students should remember to ask for help when they need it. “The faculty are here to support the students! We want the students to be successful, and support them in all ways we can,” she says.

If you want to be a nurse, notes Brennan, you have to find what’s right for you and what fits your lifestyle. You’ll know it is what you’re meant to do, she says, because being a nurse is part of your personality. “It’s your identity; it’s who you are…I can’t imagine being or doing anything else…I wasn’t meant to do anything else,” says Brennan.

The best part about teaching for Excelsior, says Brennan, is the students. But when she’s not interacting with Excelsior nursing students, she can be found walking in a state park, doing yoga, attending one of her granddaughter’s basketball games, or working part-time at Ellis Hospital in Schenectady, New York.

More from Marianne Brennan

Best podcast, book, or magazine related to your area of expertise: “I rely on AORN (Association of peri-Operative Registered Nurses) Guidelines for Perioperative Nursing Practice; ASPAN (American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nursing); SGNA (Society for Gastroenterology Nursing) guidelines; also, the ANA Scope and Standards of Practice and the ANA Guide to Nursing’s Social Policy Statement as essential documents for professional nursing in my area of expertise.”

Best piece of advice you’ve received related to your area of expertise: “Figure out where your passion is and follow that lead…. also, to engage adult learners with a collaborative learning environment and remove barriers to learning. I try to encourage them with motivation and enthusiasm! And to follow their heart when pursuing their goals.”

On job hunting: When you’re hunting for that nursing dream job, Brennan says, you should be well-prepared. She says to have your resume handy, dress professionally, practice routine questions, and remember to smile during interviews.

Leading and Inspiring Others

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Nicole Lopez Uses Her Master’s in Criminal Justice in Her Role as a U.S. Deputy Marshal

When she was young, Nicole Lopez drew a picture of herself as a police officer. She made the vision a reality years later, when at 21, she became a border protection officer with the Department of Homeland Security. Two years after that, she became a Deputy U.S. Marshal for the Department of Justice. To move up in her career, Lopez decided to go back to school with Excelsior College. Now, with a master’s degree in criminal justice, she can better fulfill her role as a supervisor and hopes to inspire the next generation of women in law enforcement.

As a deputy U.S. marshal, Lopez’s jobs vary from fugitive investigations to witness and judicial protection. She and other marshals also help state and local officers with whatever activities they may need support in as well. “You can’t have your guard down. And sometimes you feel like your back is against the wall,” she says, explaining how stressful it can be to spend so much time in the field. Lopez is also a less-than-lethal instructor, which means she is qualified to use and teach others how to use less-than-lethal force in physical situations with criminals. “It can be anything from a taser to a baton to pepper spray to just tactical moves,” she says, adding that deputies need to take the training annually.

Being goal-oriented, Lopez told herself she wanted to be a supervisor once she hit eight years with the Department of Justice. Upper management often trusted her with supervisory roles, and so she felt it was the area she wanted to enter. As she wasn’t a full supervisor yet, she wanted to return to school to be fully prepared for the role. One of her co-workers was pursuing his undergraduate degree with Excelsior and Lopez felt it was a great opportunity. “I never thought I’d be able to go back. And it scared me a little bit when I was signing up. But I was like, ‘I’ve been wanting to do this. This is the next step in my career path,’” Lopez recalls.

Lopez became a supervisor while she was going to school for her master’s, and says it is different than being a deputy, who are usually in the field more. Since earning her degree, Lopez has overseen a team in her district’s asset forfeiture unit and civil division. “What that means is in that division, we seize, manage, and destroy assets, basically, that have been ill-gained from different criminal investigations,” she explains. The job entails budgeting and finance, which aligns with courses Lopez took with Excelsior. “I can actually talk to my chiefs and upper-management and use what [I learned] in my courses…and I’m applying it to my job. It was pretty cool just to get to do that,” she says.

Sometimes Lopez faces challenges in the workplace, too, particularly that she is one of approximately 80 female deputies nationwide. In particular, she is the only female deputy marshal in northern California and the San Francisco division where she is based out of. “I think being in that sort of environment, you’ve got to pick up your game. Because a lot of the time you’re surrounded by males,” she says. Lopez adds that in addition, most of the management positions are filled by males so it was important for her to work hard throughout her time in the training academy. She was determined to prove her worth, however, and her instructors noticed, saying how she was going to “be something” in the agency.

Lopez thinks females should express more interest in and enter law enforcement. It is starting to happen, she points out, because more and more females are appearing in local and state law enforcement positions. Lopez says even 30 years ago it would not have been the same situation, but now things are improving. She helps out with recruiting and encourages kids, from elementary school age through college age, to see law enforcement as a career. “They see this little female, and they’re like, ‘You’re a deputy United States marshal? I’ve never even heard of one, much less you’re female. How did you do it?’” she says, referring to peoples’ reactions to seeing a 5’2” woman talking about law enforcement. “It’s setting goals and maintaining that and crushing everything that you do…it’s going to be challenging, but it’s possible. Look at me. And they’re inspired by that.”

Lopez encourages anybody looking to go back to school, too. She believes education is important in each person’s life and can make a big impact in one’s future. “I think having some sort of foundation to grow on, it’s going to help you in your career or your life,” she says, adding that she wouldn’t be a supervisor deputy U.S. marshal if it wasn’t for her degree from Excelsior.

Since taking on the supervisor position and earning her master’s degree, Lopez’s plans are to grow and learn in her role. For now, Lopez loves what she does. When asked what she would do if she had the power to change the world, she said she’s doing it. “I think being a United States marshal—a lot of people don’t see it, but when you’re working it, you’re putting these bad guys in jail…,” she says. “And it’s like, one little person at a time.”

CPNE and ME: Laura Davis

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

When her grandmother was ill and her father and cousin were both sick with cancer, Laura Davis, of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, decided she wanted to become a nurse. Seeing the nurses care for her family members in their times of need inspired her to do the same for other people. Davis became an LPN and after studying at Excelsior College to earn an associate degree in nursing, she received a cancellation date to take the Clinical Performance in Nursing Exam. She passed in October 2019.

Davis earned her LPN from Lincoln Technical Institute in 2014 and, after hearing about Excelsior’s online programs from a fellow LPN student, decided to enroll in Excelsior’s associate in nursing program. Davis had a unique situation and chose to take nursing theory exams to complete the requirements for her degree. All she had left was to take the CPNE, and four months after she was approved to take the exam, she learned about a cancellation date that opened up and agreed to take it.

Davis had already been studying hard for the exam, but now had to prepare even harder since the test date was sooner than she originally expected. Davis used Excelsior’s NUR 702, Navigating the CPNE Online Tutorial, which contains self-study modules, resources specific to the nursing simulation labs and the patient care situations, virtual patients, and recordings of webinars. She also studied presentations and care plans, and made her own grids. “I just played around…and paid attention to the critical elements and based mnemonics off of that,” she says.

Davis also studied with an Excelsior friend. Her friend had failed her first attempt, so it was helpful for Davis to hear from her experience. The pressure was on Davis, though, when her friend passed her exam three weeks before Davis did. “I studied a lot, probably more than normal people…Reading [online] about people failing is scary. I know I just tried not to pay attention, keep it positive and you know, put in the work…I think if people really take the time and study and put in the work, that they can pass it,” she says.

It was difficult to stay focused while studying for the exam, but fortunately, Davis’s two young daughters kept her grounded and supported her. The three would even study together. Davis also left positive notes to herself on the mirror: “I [will] have an RN and I will pass the CPNE.” She was right, too; she passed the CPNE at Albany Medical Center on October 20, 2019.

Next for Davis is taking the NCLEX-RN. She hopes to get that out of the way by December so she can start a bachelor’s in nursing program in January or February 2020. In the meantime, Davis continues to work in the emergency room at Inspira Hospital in Woodbury, New Jersey, and also works for Bayada Home Health in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, making home visits to patients who aren’t able to get to a hospital. Both jobs would like her to stay, but she’s not sure where she’ll end up just yet. “For now I guess I’m just going to keep these, but I would like to work in a cancer facility. My father and my cousin passed away of cancer… So, I think that it would be nice to be involved in that kind of work because I’ve been there as a patient’s family member,” she says.

Although she wanted to become a nurse because of sad circumstances, now that she’s becoming an RN, there are many future career opportunities for Davis. Whatever is in store for her, she knows she’s ready for it. She has studied and worked hard and proven she can face the toughest challenges.

CPNE Tips from Laura Davis:

“Be organized, go into that Nursing 702 and watch all the videos, watch the whole PCS, so you have an idea of what it is because it’s a lot of information. So then you see the overall and then break down each step; it’s not as overwhelming.”

“If there’s somebody in the area, you know, two people doing the CPNE, it’s good to study together and have somebody to bounce [questions] back and forth with. Because nobody else understands [what it’s like] doing the work at home by yourself. It’s not traditional nursing school. So yeah, definitely good to find some other students and work together.”

“The webinars were helpful. I listened to a couple of them. They talk about different management and documentation and what to expect.”

Excelsior College Employees Say Thanks by Giving

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Thanksgiving is a perfect time of year to reflect on being grateful. At Excelsior College, the opportunity for employees to volunteer time, donate money, and collect items for those in need is something employees appreciate.

During 2019, employees contributed to many causes. Highlights include:

  • For the annual Excelsior Cares Week in April, 120 Excelsior College employees completed 17 community projects in the Capital Region and beyond.
  • In September, employees and the College contributed more than $4,000 to Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and many employees volunteered at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walks in Albany and Glens Falls.
  • Through the College’s Volunteer Time Off benefit, employees contributed more than 430 volunteer hours during the workday, helping 52 civic organizations. (see chart)

For the upcoming holiday season, we look forward to once again participating in preparations for the Annual Equinox Thanksgiving Day Community Dinner and collection drives for the Albany County Adopt a Family program, Toys for Tots, and Things of My Very Own.

Excelsior College Partners with CSEA to Provide Education

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, NY – Excelsior College expanded an educational partnership with the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) and now all members of CSEA and their spouses or domestic partners are eligible for discounted tuition and fees. CSEA represents employees in state and local government as well as in school districts, child care, and the private sector in New York state.

“We are excited to help all CSEA members and their spouses/domestic partners achieve their educational goals to complete their associate, bachelor’s, or master’s degree,” stated James N. Baldwin, president of Excelsior College.

The educational partnership provides discounted tuition and fees for undergraduate and graduate degree programs to all state, local, and private sector members and to their spouses or domestic partners. Previously, this benefit was only available to employees in state government positions who were eligible for tuition benefits and vouchers.

“CSEA makes every effort to create as many advancement opportunities for our members as possible,” said CSEA President Mary E. Sullivan. “Our new partnership with Excelsior College will give our members access to an affordable education to help advance their careers and improve their lives.”

Excelsior College will be traveling around the state educating members about this new benefit and recently attended CSEA’s annual delegates meeting.

“This is a great opportunity to expand awareness of the value Excelsior College can bring to CSEA members across the state and how they can achieve their educational goals,” said Kimberly Lourinia, regional director of strategic partnerships at Excelsior College.

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 CSEA 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.

About CSEA:

The Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA) is one of the largest and most influential unions in New York and the United States. CSEA has about 300,000 members and represents state, county, municipal, school district, child care, and private sector employees. Formed in 1910, CSEA has improved the lives of hardworking New Yorkers for more than 100 years and is the largest affiliate of the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). For more information, go to CSEANY.org.

 

What’s the Difference Between a Cybersecurity and Information Technology Degree?

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

An Excelsior College webinar clarifies the nuances

Information technology (IT) and cybersecurity are two of the most in-demand careers you can enter. The need for a combination of technical ability with analytical and problem-solving skills make them the perfect professions for the person who likes to evolve their skills at the speed of technology. While the IT and cybersecurity fields run parallel, there are some nuances to each that perspective students should be aware of when considering a degree program.

On October 23rd, Excelsior College presented a webinar explaining the differences between IT and cybersecurity degrees and the opportunities available to expand your career in each discipline. Lead by Ethan Sprissler, faculty program director for cybersecurity at Excelsior College; Lisa Romano-Arnold, regional director of government and workforce partnerships at Excelsior; and Tom Formby, senior human resources specialist for outreach, diversity, and inclusion recruitment policy, and outreach at U.S. Office of Personnel Management, in Washington, DC, the program explained career paths and degree programs in-depth for recent graduates and those considering their next technology degree.

Information technology, Sprissler explained, is a broad term for careers and degree programs that cover a wide range of skills, including network administration, web design and development, database administration, software development, and even cybersecurity operations. While IT degree programs and job descriptions include a level of information security literacy, “cybersecurity” refers to a narrowly focused set of skills that includes cyber operations, information assurance, risk analysis, incident analysis, and digital forensics.

There are ample job opportunities for both information technology and cybersecurity degree holders as the number of qualified workers has not grown enough to keep pace with the demand. In large metropolitan areas, salaries for those with cybersecurity degrees have been outpacing salaries for most general information technology positions. Regardless of your degree, experience is a large factor in salary determination, so make sure you stay current with changes in technology and best practices and consider earning skills certificates through companies like ISC2, CompTIA, and CISCO that offer industry standard certifications that can boost your earning potential.

The most important thing you can do to advance your career is to advance your education. Earning a bachelor’s or master’s degree will deepen your cybersecurity-specific skills or, if working in IT, expand your general knowledge base. The National Security Agency (NSA) and the Department of Homeland Security have designated Excelsior College as a National Center of Academic Excellence in Cyber Defense Education and our IT program has been accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET. At Excelsior, both degree tracks will provide you with strong foundational skills you’ll need as you further your career, like managing teams and/or departments, managing large projects, developing and enforcing policy, and knowledge of state and federal compliance laws.

When you’re ready to job-search, there are many employment options for both IT and cybersecurity grads across industries as varied as health care, finance, and manufacturing, but one of the leading employers is the federal government. Romano-Arnold explained that the federal government is always seeking qualified staff to fill mission-critical workforce occupations like cyber incident response, cyber risk and strategic analysis, vulnerability detection, network and systems engineering, software assurance, and more. Formby explained in more detail the process of finding a position within the federal government using resources like USAJobs.com and the Pathways Program, proving that rewarding and well-paying job opportunities are available even for the most recent cybersecurity and IT graduates.

If you’re interested in learning more about Excelsior’s IT or cybersecurity programs, visit our technology degrees page at  https://www.excelsior.edu/programs/technology/.  A recording of this webinar is available at the following link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/5914906766897405196 . Visit our Events Page at https://www.excelsior.edu/events/to see a listing of upcoming webinars.

 

College Factual Ranks Excelsior College No.1 Among Best Colleges for Veterans in New York and No.5 Nationwide

Posted on by Alicia Jacobs

Albany, NY –Every year, College Factual updates college rankings with the newest data to reveal the best colleges for veterans. The rankings highlight schools that are supportive of veterans and active-duty military members.

In New York, Excelsior College ranks No.1 out of 131 colleges reviewed for the study. Excelsior College also ranks in the top 1 percent of all schools nationwide, claiming the No.5 spot for the Best for Vets category by College Factual. This is the fourth consecutive year Excelsior College has been included in College Factual rankings.

College Factual looks at 24 different factors directly, some of which comprised 10 or more sub-factors of their own.

All these factors combine to identify excellence in the following areas.

  • Veteran Affordability
  • Veteran Population
  • Veteran Policies
  • Veteran Resources
  • Veteran Satisfaction
  • Overall College Quality

 

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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, nonprofit 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.