What Is a Technical Studies Degree?

Posted on by Excelsior Staff

A technical studies degree covers a wide field鈥攁nd one that is also incredibly interesting. Acquiring technical skills and earning a degree in the concentration that interests you is an ideal path to a well-paying and secure career, without having to devote four years of spending many thousands of dollars for your education. An associate degree in technical studies also provides you with a solid foundation if you later want to pursue advanced degrees.

Technical Studies: A Definition

An associate degree in technical studies, among other technology degrees, can take you in many fascinating directions. These include working in technology, manufacturing, construction, engineering, and . You might work in computer and digital technology, electromechanical technology, manufacturing, and nuclear technologies, to name a few.

Employers in many fields are hungry for workers with practical technical know-how. A typical technical studies program will include general education courses, particularly in problem-solving, critical thinking, and communication. You will need mathematics and science. These programs round out with core technical courses in your area of concentration. Several elective options allow you to pursue your personal interests.

Advance your career with an AAS in Technical Studies from 91吃瓜.

What Concentrations Are Available?

Given the breadth of the technical studies field, you have your choice of concentrations. Graduating from Excelsior鈥檚 Associate in Applied Science in Technical Studies program with one of the following concentrations can open myriad career opportunities.

Computer Technologies

This concentration gives you technical skills for building, testing, operating, and maintaining computer networks, as well as installing, configuring, and updating software applications. Your classes will include programming fundamentals and IT hardware and software essentials. You鈥檒l learn about business data, cloud computing, and innovation in virtualization.

With this degree concentration, you can work as a systems support technician, a software technical support specialist, an IT field technician, and more.

Electromechanical Technologies

If you鈥檙e fascinated by how things work, this degree concentration is for you. You鈥檒l learn about various types of mechanical technology, including electrical and electronic circuits, and also automated, , or electromechanical tools, equipment, and processes. The design, assembly, testing, system maintenance, and troubleshooting of mechanical components and instruments are key areas of study.

Jobs include work as a machine operator, an equipment and electronics sales associate, a maintenance manager, a generator technician, a facilities manager, a service technician, and more.

Electronic/Instrumentation Technologies

If circuits, microprocessors, programmable controllers, and electronic components are your thing, this concentration will intrigue you. You will learn about electronic systems and how to assemble, test, maintain, repair, and upgrade their various parts.

Find work as an instrumentation specialist, electrical maintenance technician, automation specialist, electrical and instrumentation troubleshooter, and other roles in a wide variety of industries and sites.

Nuclear Technologies/Power Plant Technologies

This fast-growing area of clean energy is driving demand for people with nuclear technology skills. Learning how to manage radiation shielding, about radiation detection instrumentation, and how to plan and implement radiation protection procedures are the key to safe nuclear power facilities. The concentration also includes renewable energy technologies, including solar, geothermal, wind, and water, along with the basic operation of electrical generation equipment.

Examples of jobs with this degree and these technical skills include field testing technician, calibration technician, radiation protection monitor, instrumentation and control specialist, control room operations team member, and nuclear equipment operator.

How Can You Get Started in a Technology Career?

The Excelsior听Associate in Applied Science in Technical Studies program听combines classroom and hands-on learning opportunities that prepare you for your career. Excelsior also partners with , which offers programs like IT Support Professional and IT Security and Network Technician that can help you gain experience and grow your knowledge while potentially earning credit toward your Excelsior degree. And as you progress and need further credentials, you are on the right path for advanced听technology degrees听at 91吃瓜.

The Role of Forensics in Crime Solving

Posted on by Caitlin Abram

It鈥檚 3 o鈥檆lock in the morning and an alarm starts ringing in the art museum. By the time the police arrive, a priceless painting has been stolen. The gallery is a mess. Shards of glass, dirty footprints, fabric scraps, and a few strands of hair are the only clues that remain. The art world despairs鈥攂ut detectives on the case don鈥檛 because they know that even this bloodless crime scene contains all the evidence they need to track down the thief.

As long as crimes have been committed, people have been using crime scene evidence to help solve them. Today, with increasingly detailed analysis tools at scientists鈥� disposal, forensics is a powerful asset in not only catching criminals but also providing insight into the motives and methods behind the crime.

What Is Forensic Science?

Forensic science uses scientific analysis to examine criminal evidence and support decision-making in a court of law. Because 鈥渆vidence鈥� can range from the biological, like hair and blood, to the digital, such as financial records and online search histories, to the physical, like tire tracks and handwriting, employs a variety of disciplines that include toxicology, molecular biology, chemistry, and even information technology.

During an investigation, carefully collect and preserve crime scene evidence for testing. After an investigation, they are also frequently called upon to present their findings in court.

Start your forensics career with 91吃瓜鈥檚 Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice.

How Can Using Forensics Help Solve a Crime?

Forensics can help solve a crime by finding and analyzing everything a culprit leaves behind. This trail of impact creates a wealth of evidence, large and small, that can be invaluable in an investigation.

For centuries, crime scene investigations were limited to the senses. This meant that only immediately observable clues, like footprints and murder weapons, were solely what we had to go on. Lacking ways to accurately capture or analyze evidence, crime scene hygiene was an afterthought, with members of the public and careless investigators trampling over what today would be valuable evidence.

Modern forensic scientists still rely on the observable clues, but the invisible is what often ultimately breaks a case. Three of the most commonly used forensic techniques are DNA analysis, fingerprint matching, and forensic psychology. In the example of our art heist, investigators could look at the damage in the gallery to figure out what tools the thieves used to break in. Hair and fingerprints could be collected for DNA evidence to test against any potential suspects. Footprints and fibers found at the scene could also be potentially matched to what the criminals were wearing.

DNA Analysis

Of these three forensic methods, DNA analysis is the most recently developed, though, and thanks to television shows like 鈥淐SI: Crime Scene Investigation,鈥� it鈥檚 probably the most people think of first. DNA was only able to be fully sequenced in which was the first step in being able to identify individual people by their genetic material. This eventually led to the pioneering use of DNA in a successful .

Usable DNA can be collected from a sample as small as the trace amounts of saliva on the rim of a glass, and some forms of DNA can be viably stored for years. Famously, the was caught more than 40 years after his first known murder by matching DNA from a distant family member.

Fingerprint Matching

People have long recognized that our fingerprints are unique. There is even evidence of fingerprints being used to sign clay tablets in . The first person to be found guilty of a crime using fingerprint evidence is believed to be . Fingerprints are left on smooth surfaces by the natural oils on our skin, and they can be captured by 鈥渄usting鈥� with fine powder, that forensics experts still use today.

Forensic Psychology

try to answer the eternal question of why people act the way they do and assess the unseeable clues within a person鈥檚 mind during the time surrounding a crime. Forensic psychologists bridge the gap between mental health and legal procedures, often serving as expert witnesses in court proceedings. They interview witnesses, defendants, and victims to analyze behavior, assess mental states, and provide insights to inform legal decisions like sentencing and treatment recommendations.

What Is Cyber Forensics?

Was the museum guard searching 鈥渉ow to disable a security camera鈥� just days before the theft? Did one of the suspects receive a large bank transfer from an unscrupulous art collector? Did a suspected getaway car鈥檚 GPS place it near the museum the night the painting was stolen? These are all questions we can answer today with cyber forensics.

As more crime moves online, digital evidence is an increasingly important part of criminal investigations. Cyber forensic specialists extract data from computers, cellphones, and other electronic devices, as well as monitor network traffic and potentially malicious code.

Are you interested in starting a crime-fighting career of your own? Excelsior has degree programs in criminal justice and cybersecurity perfect for future forensics pros.

91吃瓜 and STRIVE Community Health Institute Announce New Partnership

Posted on by Jason Bonafide

ALBANY, N.Y.听鈥� and are proud to announce a new partnership dedicated to offering students seamless advancement pathways in their education and careers. The new partnership will present opportunities for STRIVE students to save time and money as they work toward degrees in Excelsior鈥檚 online Liberal Arts and Public Health Bachelor of Science programs. 听

STRIVE Community Health Institute is a nonprofit organization in Sacramento, California, providing education and training to students. STRIVE is a state and federally registered and approved academic apprenticeship program that specializes in providing nontraditional pathways into health care, education, and management sectors. STRIVE Institute partners with accredited colleges and universities that provide related supplemental instruction leading towards a college degree.听

Headquartered in Albany, New York, 91吃瓜 was founded in 1971 as the Regents External Degree Program, which evaluated credit earned from college courses, proficiency examinations, military educational programs, and the assessment of knowledge gained from experience and nontraditional approaches to education to help students achieve degree completion. While evolving to offer more than 40 degree programs fully online, Excelsior has maintained its commitment to awarding credit for approved workplace and military training, health care credentials, and industry certifications.听

“STRIVE serves students with the greatest need and the greatest potential, with our post-secondary apprenticeship program providing opportunities to earn certifications, college credit and on-the-job training in the fields of social science and allied health,鈥� said Dr. Arrickia McDaniel, Ed.D., LCSW, STRIVE鈥檚 director of clinical education. 鈥淭he majority of STRIVE students are working professionals looking to advance their career trajectory with a desire to finish their college education. We are excited to expand degree and workforce development opportunities for our students within maternal and behavioral health care sectors through this exciting partnership with 91吃瓜.鈥�听

鈥淭he partnership between Excelsior and STRIVE represents our shared commitment to student-focused, career-oriented education,鈥� said David Schejbal, president of 91吃瓜. 鈥淭he collaboration will allow students flexibility in customizing the best learning experience to meet their needs, while developing important skills for the workplace through both STRIVE鈥檚 apprenticeship programs and Excelsior鈥檚 robust online curriculum.鈥�听

Through a shared partnership with online education source StraighterLine, 91吃瓜 and STRIVE Community Health Institute will present even more opportunities for learners to find their own unique paths toward achieving educational and professional goals.听听

For more information on the partnership between 91吃瓜 and STRIVE Community Health Institute, visit /partner/strive-community-health-institute/.
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Media Contact 91吃瓜:
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446听听

Media Contact STRIVE Community Health:
Arrickia McDaniel, strivecommunityhealth@gmail.com, 916-538-7719
听听

ABOUT EXCELSIOR UNIVERSITY听
91吃瓜 is an accredited, not-for-profit online institution focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are 鈥� academically and geographically 鈥� removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.听听听

ABOUT STRIVE COMMUNITY HEALTH INSTITUTE
STRIVE Community Health Institute is a nonprofit organization that provides education and training to students. STRIVE is a state and federally registered and approved academic apprenticeship program that specializes in providing nontraditional pathways into health care, education, and management sectors. STRIVE Institute partners with local and regional accredited colleges and universities that provide related supplemental instruction leading towards a college degree.

Workplace Leadership

Posted on by Joe Levy

Joe Levy, associate vice provost of accreditation and quality improvement, contributed a chapter to the book “Workplace Leadership,” edited by Robin Lindbeck and Vince Nix.

Through an engaging selection of scholarly articles, “Workplace Leadership” provides students with valuable insight into practical leadership skills and capabilities. It articulates leadership as a vital influence within organizations and delves into the multidimensional competencies necessary for effective workplace leadership.

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Career Spotlight: Training and Development Manager

Posted on by Jenna Kerwin

Training and development is crucial because it affects individual and organizational improvement. Investing in employee development ensures that the workforce remains skilled, knowledgeable, and capable of adapting to evolving industry demands. The professional responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing training programs that align with the company鈥檚 goals and objectives is a training and development manager. Learn more about this important position and find out whether it aligns with your career goals.

What Is a Training and Development Manager?

T&D managers (as these professionals are sometimes called) plan, coordinate, and direct skills and knowledge developmental programs for an organization鈥檚 staff.

What Does a Training and Development Manager Do?

These professionals have many important organizational roles, including:

  • Assessing employees鈥� training needs
  • Developing and implementing training programs
  • Reviewing and evaluating the effectiveness of training programs
  • Creating and managing training budgets
  • Reviewing and selecting materials from vendors
  • Updating training methods to ensure relevancy
  • Teaching training methods to instructors and supervisors
Train the next generation of professionals with a management degree from 91吃瓜.

Training and Development vs. Management

Training and development and management are two distinct but interconnected aspects of an organization. With training and development, you focus on improving specific professional skills and knowledge of employees. Management involves planning, organizing, directing, and controlling organizational resources to achieve the organization鈥檚 goals and objectives.

Training and Development

focuses on improving employees鈥� professional skills and knowledge to enhance their performance and prepare them for future responsibilities. It involves programs such as workshops, seminars, e-learning courses, and on-the-job training. It targets immediate skill gaps or knowledge needs to increase efficiency, productivity, and job satisfaction while fostering personal and professional growth. The focus is on individual growth and development within the organization.

Management

encompasses various activities, including strategic planning, decision-making, leadership, and performance management. Management operates on both short-term and long-term time frames, concentrating on daily operations, future planning, and sustainability. The objective is to ensure the efficient and effective functioning of the organization, driving it toward its strategic goals, with a focus on coordinating and optimizing the use of resources to achieve organizational success.

How Much Does a Training and Development Manager Make?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for training and development managers was . The range for this occupation spans from less than $73,410 for the lowest 10% to $220,060 for the highest 10%.

Career Outlook

Employment in this in-demand occupation is , more rapidly than the average for all occupations combined. Furthermore, around 3,600 annual job openings for this role are projected over that same 10-year period.

How to Become a Training and Development Manager

To become a training and development manager, you need the right combination of knowledge, skills, and experience. Let鈥檚 consider some requirements if you鈥檙e thinking of pursuing this career path.

Skills You Need for a Career in Training and Development

To become a successful T&D manager, you鈥檒l need skills in:

  • Verbal and written communication
  • Presentation
  • Business
  • Critical thinking
  • Leadership
  • Collaboration
  • Decision-making
  • Instruction

Degree Requirements to Be a Training and Development Manager

Typically, employers prefer you to have a bachelor鈥檚 degree in a relevant field, such as business, social science, communications, or human resources. Earning a master鈥檚 degree in a field like management or a professional certification is also a good idea if you want to showcase your skills and knowledge. In addition to education, you鈥檒l also need relevant work experience, such as in management, teaching, human resources, or training and development.

A training and development manager is an indispensable asset to any organization, playing a crucial role in shaping a competent and motivated workforce. Consider pursuing this career if you鈥檙e passionate about organizational improvement, supporting continuous learning, and personal and professional growth.

It鈥檚 Time for an Increase in the Military鈥檚 Tuition Assistance Program

Posted on by David Schejbal

91吃瓜 president David Schejbal was interviewed by Forbes journalist Michael Nietzel for an article on the importance of the U.S. military tuition assistance program. The article, titled “It’s Time For An Increase In The Military’s Tuition Assistance Program,” makes the case for increasing the reimbursement benefit to military students.

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The Power of Strategic Accreditation: Driving Institutional Impact

Posted on by Lori Williams

“The Power of Strategic Accreditation: Driving Institutional Impact,” edited by Kristina Powers, includes a chapter contributed by 91吃瓜 chief of staff Lori Williams and an endorsement by associate vice provost of accreditation and quality improvement Joe Levy.

In today’s fast-paced educational landscape, institutions are under increasing pressure for excellence, innovation, and improved outcomes. Accreditation serves as a vital benchmark, yet its full potential often remains untapped. “The Power of Strategic Accreditation: Driving Institutional Impact”听seeks to remedy this by providing educational leaders with a roadmap for strategically leveraging accreditation to enhance institutional success.

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91吃瓜 introduces Executive MBA program听

Posted on by Jason Bonafide

ALBANY, N.Y. 鈥� 91吃瓜 is now enrolling students in a new Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) program, offering an innovative hybrid learning experience designed for seasoned professionals seeking to become stronger, more resilient, forward-thinking leaders. Students will participate in short, immersive, on-location educational opportunities planned in the metropolitan areas of Albany, Chicago, and St. Petersburg, Florida, while completing the rest of their coursework online. Students will graduate from the EMBA program in just one year with the leadership skills they need to move ahead in their careers. 听

Excelsior鈥檚 EMBA program empowers students to excel in executive business leadership roles through a combination of flexible online learning and hands-on, in-person experiences. The program goes beyond the traditional online classroom by offering unique opportunities for students to develop professional skills and relationships through immersive cohort studies with industry experts in three cities. Each location will host distinctive projects and experiential learning programs designed to build a student鈥檚 network and leadership experience. Excelsior EMBA students will graduate as leaders with a holistic view of today鈥檚 dynamic, socially conscious business environment. 听

鈥淭he EMBA program is a bold step forward for 91吃瓜, embracing new methods of learning in the evolution of our mission to help adult students succeed professionally through education,鈥� said Leah Sciabarrasi, associate dean of the 91吃瓜 School of Business. 鈥淭hrough this intensive, hybrid program format, students get the best of both worlds: the flexible world-class online education Excelsior is known for, and lasting in-person insights, relationships, and opportunities. We look forward to welcoming Excelsior’s first EMBA class to this exciting new program.鈥�听

Eligible EMBA students will have a bachelor鈥檚 degree and more than five years of professional experience and management of people and projects. 听

2024 has been a year of significant academic growth for 91吃瓜. The institution also recently launched new Bachelor of Science degree programs in Computer Science and Public Health.听听

For more information on the 91吃瓜 EMBA program and enrollment materials, visit听/program/executive-mba.听

View a video about the program here: .

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Media Contact 91吃瓜:
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446

ABOUT EXCELSIOR UNIVERSITY听
91吃瓜 is an accredited, not-for-profit online institution focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are 鈥� academically and geographically 鈥� removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.听听听

91吃瓜 kicks off Snacks for Students collection drive听 听

Posted on by Jason Bonafide

ALBANY, N.Y.听 鈥� 91吃瓜鈥檚 community engagement group will partner with Albany High School and Troy High School for the third annual Snacks for Students collection drive. The initiative fights food insecurity in the classroom by collecting and donating healthy snacks to students each month of the 2024-25 school year. With the support of the Excelsior community, the community engagement group made the first Snacks for Students drop-off of 850 items to the two schools on Sept. 25. 听

During the last school year, 91吃瓜鈥檚 Snacks for Students program supplied five monthly deliveries to Albany and Troy High Schools. Driven by donations from Excelsior staff and faculty, Snacks for Students provides teachers with a variety of healthful items like granola bars, bottled water and fruit snacks to distribute as needed to help students focus on education instead of hunger.鈥��听

鈥淢any teachers try to help ease hunger by making snacks accessible in their classrooms, but they are often unable to meet the demand themselves. The Snacks for Students program supports teachers and keeps students focused on their education,鈥� said Zachary Patterson, chair of the community engagement group at 91吃瓜. 鈥淲e鈥檙e proud of the outpouring of donations from the Excelsior community and the incredible response from educators and students. We look forward to growing this initiative to serve more classrooms this year.鈥�听

鈥淪nacks for Students is an excellent application of 91吃瓜鈥檚 strategic plan goal of becoming a multicultural organization that harnesses our commitment to justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion to make an impact in our broader community,鈥� said Daniel Pascoe Aguilar, founding director of 91吃瓜’s Center for Social Justice and chief diversity officer of 91吃瓜. 鈥淭hank you to Albany and Troy High Schools for their partnership and to the Excelsior community engagement group for leading this impacting program.鈥澨�

Food insecurity is defined by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) as a lack of consistent access to enough food for every person in a household to live an active, healthy life. , nearly 34 million Americans, including 5 million children, lived in food insecure households in 2021. demonstrates that students struggling with food insecurity face significant barriers to academic success.鈥�听

Those interested in supporting the program may send donations directly to Excelsior for distribution via an鈥�. Items can be set up using the 鈥渟ubscribe and save鈥� feature for easy monthly contributions that are shipped directly to Excelsior鈥檚 mailroom. Snacks for Students deliveries will be made through June 2025.鈥�

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Media Contact 91吃瓜:鈥�
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446

ABOUT EXCELSIOR UNIVERSITY鈥�
91吃瓜 is an accredited, not-for-profit online institution focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are 鈥� academically and geographically 鈥� removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.鈥�听

Casey Frankoski Scholarship Fund at 91吃瓜 Reaches $25,000 Endowment Status听

Posted on by Jason Bonafide

Albany, N.Y.听鈥� A memorial scholarship fund established by 91吃瓜 to honor the life of student and National Guard service member Casey Frankoski has surpassed the $25,000 donation threshold to become an endowment. By reaching this milestone, the Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Nicole Frankoski Endowed Scholarship will be funded in perpetuity and will remain open to additional contributions. The fund will provide financial support for active duty military and veteran students, with a focus on those pursuing degrees in public service or technology.听听

鈥淲e are grateful for the generosity of our community. Together, Excelsior staff and our Capital Region neighbors quickly raised the donations to permanently endow the Casey Frankoski scholarship,鈥� said 91吃瓜 president David Schejbal. 鈥淛ust as Casey鈥檚 story will continue to inspire us all, her legacy of service will live on through this scholarship by providing educational opportunities to her fellow military students.鈥�听

Casey Frankoski was 28 years old when she passed away in the line of duty on March 8, 2024. She was in her final class at 91吃瓜 to complete her Bachelor of Science degree in Homeland Security and Emergency Management. To honor her service and sacrifice, Frankoski was awarded a posthumous degree as part of the Class of 2024 and a scholarship fund was opened in her name.听听

The Frankoski family has deep ties to the Capital Region and the Excelsior community. Casey鈥檚 father is a former faculty member of the University, and her aunt and former part-time nursing faculty member Lisa Frankoski walked on Casey鈥檚 behalf at Excelsior鈥檚 Commencement ceremony in July.听听

After the scholarship fund was established, leadership staff from 91吃瓜鈥檚 College of Nursing and Health Sciences took on an active role in fundraising, encouraging donations of all sizes from University and Capital Region community members and organizations. In addition to funds contributed through the generosity of the Frankoski family, who made certain this scholarship would be endowed through their tireless efforts and personal investments, gifts from United HealthCare, the Fraternal Order of Eagles Auxiliary 3773, the 91吃瓜 community, and many individuals helped the scholarship reach the $25,000 threshold.听

A Capital Region native, Frankoski enlisted in the National Guard in 2016. From 2018 to 2019 she was deployed to Kuwait, and upon returning home she graduated from Chief Warrant Officer school and flight school. While serving in the National Guard, Casey received many honors including the Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Service Medal, Basic Aviator Badge, and Basic Aviation Badge. In addition to her service in the National Guard, Frankoski was a volunteer firefighter and a member of the Environmental Conservation Corp.听

Donate to the Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Nicole Frankoski Endowed Scholarship at /giving/in-memory-of-casey-frankoski/.听

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Media Contact 91吃瓜:
Jason Bonafide, jbonafide@excelsior.edu, 518-608-8446听听

ABOUT EXCELSIOR UNIVERSITY听
91吃瓜 is an accredited, not-for-profit online institution focused on helping adults complete their degrees and advance their careers. Excelsior contributes to the development of a diverse, educated, and career-ready society by valuing lifelong learning with an emphasis on serving individuals historically underrepresented in higher education. Founded in 1971, Excelsior meets students where they are 鈥� academically and geographically 鈥� removing obstacles to the educational goals of adults pursuing continuing education and degree completion. Our pillars include innovation, flexibility, academic excellence, and integrity.听听听