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Excelsior College Magazine | Vol. 18, No. 2 | Fall 2016 BULLYING IN THE WORKPLACE p. 16 16 FEATURES So Happy We’re Friends! 12 (But Have We Ever Met?) Creating and sustaining friendships in a digital world can challenge our values and beliefs, leading to complex questions about the meaning of friendship. A Hard Pill to Swallow 16 Workplace bullying makes for an unhealthy work environment, and its appearance in the health care industry calls for a checkup on the issue. DEPARTMENTS EXCELSIOR EXCELSIOR COLLEGE MAGAZINE VOL. 18, NO. 2 | FALL 2016 2 President’s Perspective 3 New & Noteworthy MIKE LESCZINSKI 11 8 Upward CHIEF COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER Excelsior helps community college students start on their bachelor’s in nursing. EDITOR MARIA C. SPARKS 10 Career Corner WRITER/EDITOR JENNA KERWIN If you’re using social media for job searching and career connections, plan your approach to ART DIRECTOR NICK KLERCKER help ensure success. CONTRIBUTING EDITORS 30 DANA YANULAVICH, ADALA ZELMAN 11 Live & Learn CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Nursing graduate Chris Colter gives critical care SIMONE ARRINGTON, ALICIA AUDINO, RENEE as a staff member on a mobile stroke unit. KELLY, MIKE LESCZINSKI, DANA YANULAVICH, ADALA ZELMAN 21 Giving Back Murray H. Block shares his passion for lifelong Excelsior College Magazine is published by learning with students and staff. the Office of Marketing and Enrollment, in conjunction with the Office of the President. The magazine is sent to alumni, enrolled 22 Alumni Connection 21 students, and other members of the Excelsior College community. The magazine is published twice a year, in April and October. 29 Alumni Notes © 2016 by Excelsior College 32 By the Numbers Comments, address corrections, and submissions for Alumni Notes may be sent to Editorial Office: 7 Columbia Circle, Albany, NY 12203-5159 Email: [email protected] For general information about Excelsior College, call 888-647-2388. EXCELSIOR.EDU/MAGAZINE 12 ON THE COVER: Bullying, or horizontal or lateral violence, isn’t in the job description but might be part of the culture. PRESIDENT’S PERSPECTIVE Our Student-Centered Focus arlier this year, Excelsior College President John Ebersole was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome, a blood disorder potentially related to his exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam. In June, John took administrative leave to concentrate on his health and begin Etreatment. While a timetable for his return has not been set, he remains in good spirits and is recovering. On June 15, I was appointed as acting president by the Board of Trustees after previously serving as the College’s executive vice president. Stepping into John’s shoes will be a challenge. Since John became president of the College in 2006, more than 50,000 adults have passed through our doors on the way to graduation. The impact that each graduate is making on the world is a testament to John’s visionary leadership. Today, Excelsior College is among the most respected adult-serving institu- tions in the world, and a model for all those seeking to offer a quality academic credential at a reasonable cost. As acting president, I can assure you this work will continue unabated. At the same time, the higher education market has never been more competi- tive, which has led Excelsior to deeply reflect on our core mission. Over the coming months, Excelsior will make significant investments in the student experience, from a user-friendly website and streamlined enrollment and course registration processes to a more engaging learning environment and per- sonalized services for both students and alumni. The institution’s 45-year track record of success is the result of putting our students at the forefront of all that we do. We will not compromise when it comes to providing access, affordability, and excellence in higher education. That is my commitment to you. Ever upward, JAMES N. BALDWIN, JD, EdD ACTING PRESIDENT 2 | Excelsior College Magazine NEW & NOTEWORTHY Suite of Programs Prepare Workers for Cyber Jobs n October, the first group of students cybersecurity curriculum is aligned to recom- follow a general track at the master’s level pursuing a Bachelor of Science in Cyber mended guidelines meant to prepare learners and take courses across the concentrations Operations began their capstone, the to be valued in the industry. Through the that align with their career goals. final course in a program aligned with the offering of academic certificates [in cyberse- To meet the more immediate needs of those standards set by the National Security curity], Excelsior College offers alternatives looking to enter the cybersecurity field, the IAgency (NSA). The program, like other to complete degree programs that individuals College’s Center for Professional Development cybersecurity offerings at Excelsior—which is can obtain to target specific jobs and skills offers a comprehensive overview through a recognized by the NSA and the Department needed in the industry. I believe the incorpo- four-month, online noncredit Cybersecurity of Homeland Security as a National Center of ration of different modalities for our students Foundations course. For those already estab- Academic Excellence—focuses on preparing to complete their academic goals is very lished in the field, the Center is developing a working adults to move into or move up in the important and is a high priority.” sequence of test preparation courses aligned burgeoning field. This year, Excelsior renamed its Bachelor with leading industry certifications, says Ruth More than 209,000 cybersecurity jobs of Science in Cyber Operations program to Ann Murray, executive director of the Center in the U.S. are unfilled, and the market is Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity to reflect for Professional Development. These offerings expected to grow from $75 billion (in 2015) the breadth of its curriculum. The program are anticipated to carry credit recommenda- to $170 billion by 2020. According to the offers a concentration in cyber operations, tions, which would allow them to be applied to Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand for which prepares students to be on the front a degree program. information security analysts who prevent lines of cybersecurity, working to prevent Faculty program directors and admin- hackers from stealing critical information or and respond to cyber incidents. The program istrators envision cybersecurity education causing problems with computer networks also offers a concentration in health care in other academic programs. Plans are is projected to grow 18 percent from 2014 to cybersecurity, as well as a general track that underway to include a cybersecurity con- 2024, faster than the average rate of growth allows students to customize their studies by centration in the Bachelor of Science in for all occupations. choosing from a range of technical electives. Nuclear Engineering Technology program. “Through the redesign of the undergradu- Changes were also made to the Master of The concentration will provide students with ate and graduate programs, students will be Science in Cybersecurity program. Program the knowledge and skills needed to meet the ready for the workforce,” says Andrew Hurd, concentrations now include information challenges of working in today’s nuclear and faculty program director for cybersecurity. assurance, medical data security, and policy energy industry. “As a Center for Academic Excellence, our administration. Students may also choose to Fall 2016 | 3 NEW & NOTEWORTHY New Honor Society Recognizes Achievements of Veteran Students Excelsior held the first induction ceremony for its SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society chapter on July 7, the day before Commencement. The College recognized 27 graduates who have served or who currently serve in the military, National Guard, or Reserves and have met certain academic and ethical standards. SALUTE is an acronym for service, academics, leadership, unity, tribute, and excellence. The honor society acknowl- edges members for applying the courage, strength, leadership, excellence, and perseverance they demonstrated in their military endeavors to their academic careers. Excelsior established its SALUTE chapter in the 2015–2016 academic year. Thirty percent culminating as the deputy commanding ▲ Michael Hampton receives his SALUTE of students at the College are active military general at Joint Task Force Guantanamo, induction certificate from James Lettko, chief operating officer of the College, and Judith and 10 percent are veterans. Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Prior to that assign- Reed, the director of veterans services and Veteran James Lettko, chief operating ment, he served as the chief of staff and outreach. PHOTO: MIKE HEMBERGER office of Excelsior College, addressed director of military personnel for the New honorees at the induction ceremony. Lettko York Army National Guard. silver honor cord. Those who attended the served in the U.S. Army and New York All inductees received a challenge coin, induction ceremony wore their honor cord at National Guard for more than 25 years, membership certificate, and a purple and Commencement. Grant Funds Research into Quality Assurance for Alternative Education How can adult learners be assured of quality education organizations dedicated to online when they choose to spend their money learning, assessment, accreditation, and “It is our hope that collectively we with a provider of innovative, low-cost edu- quality assurance are participating. can serve as a conduit for more cational products