Live Learn excelsior College Magazine Vol. 12, No.1, Spring/Summer 2010 Carol Tiger, Editor-in-Chief Dana Yanulavich, Sr. Editor Nick Klercker, Art Director/Designer Jason Hughes, Graphic Designer Ron Pavoldi, Production Manager Thanks to all Excelsior staff who contributed to this issue. Cover Image: Nick Klercker Live & Learn is published twice yearly by the Excelsior College Office of Institutional Advancement Cathy Kushner, Vice President CALENDAR 2010–11 HoLidays (College closed) May 31 Memorial Day July 5 Independence Day (observed) B CoMMENCEMENt CEREMoNy July 9, 2010 C september 6 Labor Day D A october 11 Columbus Day E November 11 Veteran’s Day F November 25–26 Thanksgiving Day & Day After December 24 Christmas Day (observed) important Deadlines for degree completion can be found on p.12 and at www.excelsior.edu/deadlines Your questions and comments The www.excelsior.edu regarding Live & Learn are welcome. New! Please direct them to the Publications Office: Many of you in the Excelsior College community (students and future students, 7 Columbia Circle, alumni, staff and faculty) have made great suggestions as we work toward completing the Albany, New York 12203-5159 updated/upgraded EC Web site. And we’ve listened to you! phone: 518-464-8555 email: [email protected] All rights reserved. Unauthorized Enhanced look and feel reproduction or use prohibited. Enhanced look and feel Copyright © 2010 by Excelsior College. Intuitive navigation For general information about Excelsior Intuitive navigation College, call 888-647-2388. www.excelsior.edu StreamlinedStreamlined content content Coming in Summer 2010 Bachelor of Professional Studies programs encourage students to use their prior credits from industry and military training as well as college work to complete their degrees and build for their futures.” — Dr. Jane LeClair New! School of Business & Technology Launches Students in both BPS programs obtain solid foun- New Baccalaureate Degree Programs dations in such fundamental areas as management, leadership, accounting, computer applica- t’s been exciting to watch the development of the tions, and project management. School of Business & Technology during my many Those in the Business and years of association with Excelsior College—first as Management program complete a student, then as faculty, then as program director. core requirements in other business areas as well. Those in IAnd now, as dean, I’m happy to be able to contribute to the the Technology Management program complete their tech- growing degree program opportunities for our students. So nology management core requirements and choose an area of it will come as no surprise that I feel strongly about the two focus in one of three technology areas: Electrical Technology, new Bachelor of Professional Studies (BPS) degrees that we Information Technology, or Nuclear Technology. All students launched in March. These programs—one in Business and in the BPS programs must complete the program capstone Management and one in Technology Management—continue course from Excelsior College. the Excelsior academic tradition. Both rigorous and flexible, they’re specifically developed to serve the needs of students The new Bachelor of Professional Studies programs who want to build on their existing knowledge and earn encourage students to use their prior credits from industry a bachelor’s degree within their career field—particularly and military training as well as college work to complete their those who want to apply credit for military or other training degrees and build for their futures. Credit will be awarded for towards a baccalaureate degree. Excelsior College courses and examinations, courses taken at accredited institutions other than Excelsior, approved profi- As a two-time graduate of the College, I understand the ciency exams, and training programs and courses approved important role the School of Business & Technology plays in for credit by the American Council on Education (ACE) or the life of the adult learner. I’ve been a nontraditional student the New York National Program on Noncollegiate Sponsored all of my life and know that we offer opportunities unavail- Instruction (NY PONSI). The BPS programs are also partic- able in mainstream education. As a member of the College’s ularly attractive options for military spouses, veterans, and nuclear engineering faculty since 2003, I have had many first- DoD civilians who have completed government-sponsored hand opportunities to interact with our students and have training that has been evaluated for college credit. heard directly from them about how we help them meet their professional and career aspirations through education. These degrees are excellent next steps for graduates of Excelsior’s associate degree programs in business or technol- ogy. They share a common and flexible curriculum structure. Students must earn a minimum of 30 credits in the arts and Dr. Jane LeClair Enhanced look and feel sciences, 45 credits in the professional component, and up to Dean, School of Business & Technology 45 credits in free electives. Intuitive navigation Streamlined content Streamlined content For more information on how a BPS degree can help advance your career, go to www.excelsior.edu/bps. Live & Learn Spring/Summer 2010 | 3 Success Strategies for Military and Veterans Course n January, the newly New!revised Success Strategies “The book that we are using for “The assessments have helped Ifor Military and Veterans this course is WONDERFUL!!! me to both identify and confirm (CCS 112) course was launched, I would suggest this course and my skills and abilities. The providing active duty, transi- book to all military members assessment tools also helped me tioners reservists, guardians, and vets. In just one week this to feel more confident about the and veterans the tools for college class has been very helpful and decisions that I am making as I and career success. has me motivated to finish.” work toward my career goals.” Director of Veteran Services and Outreach Maya Gosserand Spc. Meredith Miller, Army National Guard Former Navy Petty Officer Judy Reed (pictured) and Career Services Coordinator Maribeth Gunner-Pulliam com- Military and veteran students also bined efforts to create gain knowledge of various job search a course specifically “I found the career action plan strategies including those specific to the for students with military backgrounds to be very helpful. It lays out a military and veteran populations. In as an introduction to Excelsior College nice foundation of the steps and addition, the course familiarizes them and a springboard to career transition- tasks needed to keep me with tools through which to explore ing from the military environment to the employment trends, job outlooks, and on the right track.” civilian workforce. other factors that may influence the choice of career paths. After complete Students can benefit in many ways Staff Sergeant Daniel Gill, U.S. Army from this eight-week, 3-credit course. review of decision-making models, the They learn about the numerous support students then proceed to create action services and resources available at plans to guide them toward degree completion. Excelsior—all designed to assist them CCS 112 helps students research in succeeding in college. Included is a career fields of interest along with cor- CCs 112: success strategies for review and full self-assessment of their responding education requirements, military education and training to help Military and Veterans convenes every culminating in the building of a per- other month. For more information, them design their degree goals most sonal education plan. go to excelsior.edu/veterans. efficiently. Welcome to Washington! xcelsior College has opened an office in Washington, DC, to increase awareness and access to both established and new constituencies Eincluding the military, community colleges, higher education policy- makers, future students, and alumni. The Washington Center is staffed with admissions and military counselors who represent the College at events and one-on one visits throughout the Washington, Maryland, and Virginia area. New! For general information, email [email protected]. For information specific to military and veterans, email [email protected]. 4 | Live & Learn Spring/Summer 2010 Welcome Aspiring CIOs to ThE CEnteNew!r for Technology LeadErship ission: To develop higher education technology leaders through accessible and affordable Meducation, networking, and advising. According to industry research, during the next 10 years, 45 percent of chief information officers (CIOs) in higher edu- One of the skills cation will retire. But who will take their places? Many are professionals need to not professionally ready for the top IT jobs, either because they lack mentors or fall short on advanced degrees. The move up is the ability to author of that research is Excelsior’s own Chief Information communicate effectively Officer Dr. Wayne Brown. Dr. Brown hopes to help close the about technology with knowledge gap that can hinder technology professionals from promotion to CIO by establishing a Center for Technology the people who use it.” Leadership. — Dr. Wayne Brown In his recent survey, Brown reported that 69 percent of technology professionals actually want to become CIOs. But, In October 2010, the Center will conduct two different he notes, “The number one answer to the question, ‘who is weeklong courses—Technology Leadership: A Foundation for helping you