Higher Ed Insight, a research consulting firm, conducted an evaluation of Lumina Foundation’s Adult College Completion initiative from 2010 to 2014. The resulting report, Adult College Completion in the 21st Century: What We Know and What We Don’t, finds that while interest in adult college completion has increased across the entire higher education and policy communities, there are still challenges that adult students face when they return to college. While not insurmountable, those challenges could become significant if left unaddressed for the 30 to 35 million American adults who have enrolled in college but never completed a degree nor obtained certification. The report seeks to describe the services and support that adults with some college credit need if they are to return to college and successfully complete a degree or credential. Several key needs identified that would benefit returning adult students include: Access to advisers who are capable of addressing adult students' needs; Student services that are available online or during nontraditional business hours; Outreach to adult students who are only a few credit hours away from college degree completion or certificate obtainment; Additional sources of financial aid targeted to adult students; Improved transfer of existing college credit; Flexible course scheduling, online courses and innovative academic programs; Access to opportunities to earn credit for prior learning. Co-authors Wendy Erisman and Patricia Steele state "our hope is that this report contributes to the field by offering an overview of what we know, and what we do not yet know, about this important population of returning adult college students."   Sources: https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2015/06/19/how-better-serve-returning-adult-students https://higheredinsight.files.wordpress.com/2014/03/luminabriefapril20141.pdf         

This week, as we continue to spotlight the talent behind the Ed4Online brand, we are proud to introduce you to Jason Dellwo, Senior Curriculum Designer with Ed4Online. "My name is Jason Dellwo and I’ve been with Ed4Online since 2012; first as an independent contractor and, as of August, as a full time curriculum designer. I hold a Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice and a Masters in Organizational Leadership. Prior to my employment at Ed4online, I was a police officer for over seven years. After that, I worked with Target in a variety of positions (store, district and HQ) for ten years., I guess you could say I’m a ‘jack of all trades, master of none’.  I’ve held many different jobs over the years: low skill, skilled labor, public service, lower/ middle/ upper management, academia, HR, investigations, etc.  The only common thread is they were all legal and I’m proud to say I’ve only been fired once (as a waiter at a fancy restaurant)!  Above all else, my experiences have taught me that people can reinvent themselves at any stage of life as long as they are willing to learn. My personal hobbies include reading, home improvement, building model ships and I’m a huge movie buff! When asked what my goals are I’d have to say, nothing specific, except ‘to do no evil’. My personal tip for students:  Learning is like eating an elephant; best done one bite at a time.  If you wait until the end of the class and try to gobble up the knowledge, you’ll have a bad experience.  If you have and stick to a study plan, pace yourself, and take one bite at a time, you’ll do much better. My favorite quote is ‘Chance favors the prepared mind’ by Louis Pasteur." Jason and the other amazing Ed4Online team members are hard at work bringing you the latest in-demand course offerings. Please check out our course catalog and see what's new today! https://ed4online.com/         

I recently read a blog on The New York Times written by Julie Scelfo entitled, "Suicide on Campus and the Pressure of Perfection"  and the stories and statistics are shocking. Six University of Pennsylvania students committed suicide in a 13-month stretch in 2014, Tulane lost four students in 2015 and Appalachian State at least three. Cornell faced six suicides in the 2009-10 academic year and five New York University students leapt to their deaths in 2003-2004. According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, suicide is the second-leading cause of death among college students and the third-leading cause of death among all youth 15 to 24 years old. More than 4,000 people in that age range commit suicide each year. Eleven hundred of them are college students. Active Minds is a national organization headquartered in Washington, D.C., with 330 college chapters on campuses and in communities nationwide. The organization works to empower students to eliminate the stigma often associated with mental health issues on college campuses, speaking openly in order the educate others and encourage all who need it to seek help.  According to the website, Active Minds is "changing the culture on campuses and in the community by providing information, leadership opportunities and advocacy training to the next generation". Through campus-wide events and national programs, Active Minds works to create an open environment for students to discuss mental health issues. By removing the feeling of stigma and shame that often surround mental health, we can help break the silence. Active Minds has created a traveling exhibit, Send Silence Packing. The powerful exhibit contains 1,100 backpacks, representing the number of college students who die by suicide each year. The exhibit is displayed in high-traffic areas on campuses, giving a visual representation of the scope of the issue and the number of victims. Many of the backpacks displayed in the Active Minds exhibit have been collected from people around the country in memory of students who lost their lives to suicide, or are in honor of loved ones impacted by suicide. Some belonged to the students themselves. Many backpacks display personal stories, photos and messages from friends and family members. These stories help put a face behind the names of those lost to suicide and carry a deeply personal message that preventing suicide is about more than simple statistics; it’s about saving the lives of friends, family, sons and daughters. The goals of the Send Silence Packing exhibitions are to encourage students to talk about suicide and other mental health issues, raise awareness of the incidence and impact of suicide, inspire action for suicide prevention, and connect students with the necessary mental health resources. The Fall 2015 tour recently kicked off at the Ball State University in Indiana and will then travel to 11 additional locations in Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and California. Below is the 2015 Send Silence Packing Fall tour: September 14: Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana September 17: University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan September 21: Eastern Michigan University in Ypsilanti, Michigan September 23: University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana September 25: Michigan State University in East Lansing, Michigan September 28: Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois September 30: Marquette University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin  October 5: California State University, Sacramento in Sacramento, California October 8: Fresno City College in Fresno, California October 12: University of California, Santa Barbara in Santa Barbara, California October 14: San Jacinto College (Menifee Valley Campus) in Menifee, California October 15: University of California, Riverside in Riverside, California   What a great opportunity to open dialogue among students, family, faculty and the community about mental health! Interested readers can follow the tour’s journey on the blog and on Instagram @active_minds.   Sources: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2011/04/22/active_minds_send_silence_packing_spreads_suicide_awareness_in_vermont http://www.nytimes.com/2015/08/02/education/edlife/stress-social-media-and-suicide-on-campus.html?_r=1 https://www.afsp.org/ http://www.activeminds.org/our-programming/send-silence-packing         

This week, in continuation of our Staff Spotlight series, we are excited to introduce Suesan Cullers Sullivan, curriculum designer and instructor for Ed4Online. Suesan has a Masters in the Science of Instructional Technology from University of North Carolina Wilmington and holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Organizational Development from Mount Olive College.  Suesan has been an instructor for Introduction to Computer, English as a Second Language and a variety of Health and Fitness classes.  She has 30 years of experience in marketing, events management, audience development and community relations. Most recently she served as Executive Director for the Pinellas Park/Gateway Chamber of Commerce. In Wilmington, North Carolina, she held positions as Executive Director for the YWCA, Director of Development for the Good Shepherd Center and Public Relations Specialist for Cape Fear Museum of History and Science. She also co-founded the nonprofit Tapestry Theater Company, serving as its Development Director for nearly a decade. In her downtime, Suesan enjoys yoga, Zumba, tennis, golf bike riding, kayaking, volunteering with the Suncoast Primate Sanctuary in Tarpon Springs and spending as much time as possible with her other half, Michael, the love of her life! Her personal goals for this year include: exercise more, drink better wines, learn a new language and visit somewhere exotic, like Costa Rica. Suesan’s tips for students include: Work hard, stay humble, and never ever stop learning! A favorite quote of hers is: "The mind is everything.  What you think you become."  ~Buddha We’re happy to share the exciting team members behind the Ed4Online brand! Please visit our website at https://ed4online.com to learn more about Ed4Online and our Career Training, Professional Development, Personal Enrichment and Health and Human Services course offerings!          

Have you ever thought "who am I and how did I get here?" We all feel lost at times and forget who we are and what we want. With spouses, children, jobs, and life somewhere along the way we lose sight of our path. We forget our dreams, our goals, or aspirations. Are you feeling lost?  It is never too late to discover yourself! Introducing You Spend some time getting to know you. What do you like to do, where do you like to go, what are you passionate about? Ask yourself is there one thing can you change in your life that would make you happier. If money and time did not matter, what would you do for a career? Is there something you have always wanted to try but haven’t? Use these questions to start a journal, write down your thoughts and feelings, and create a map to finding you. Keep this somewhere easy accessible so when you feel lost it will help you to remember who you are. Me Time Juggling home, work and friends monopolizes our time, but this does not mean we should neglect ourselves. What does the flight attendant say on a plane…you must put the oxygen mask on yourself first before you can help someone else. Taking a breather not only helps to save you but will help you save others. Make yourself a priority, set a day once a week to have "me time". Whether you spend this time getting pampered, taking a yoga class or sitting quietly reading use this time to focus on you. Once you start taking time for yourself you will begin to feel more relaxed, happier and able to give back to your family and community. Invest in You While discovering yourself you may find your passion, a talent, or a desire to change your career path. These are all normal stops on the road to finding yourself. Investing in you means to invest in your passion, talents or take the leap to change your path. Have you always loved photography, enjoyed planning parties, or had an interest in the medical field? When you turn your passions into a career you will never work a day in your life. Want to learn how transform your passions into a lifelong career? Visit us at Ed4Online.com. We are always excited to help people explore their passions and mold them into a successful career. Investing in yourself will make you feel fulfilled and exciting about life. Everyone feels lost at times, but you do not have to stay lost. Spend some time finding out who you are and what you want. It is not selfish to say what you want and work towards it. When you find yourself you will also find contentment and peace.   First Published at: http://www.milcareered.com/blog/art-discovering-yourself#sthash.Saj3gwbT...          

Have you ever considered a career in Hospitality Management? What exactly are your responsibilities when you are hospitality manager of a hotel? Hospitality is the friendly and generous reception and entertainment of guests, visitors, and strangers (thank you, Webster). Hotels are a service industry. Webster Dictionary defines serves as "the action of helping or doing work for someone". Service and hospitality go hand in hand. You definitely want to offer the best quality when someone is paying to stay somewhere other than their own home. When you study how to manage quality service in hospitality you learn how to treat all visitors as esteemed guests. Who wouldn’t want to feel that way? You learn how to give them the "WOW" factor. You even learn strategies on how to increase your quality of hospitality. Think about some of the more common reasons why people use hotels or resorts : Vacations Travel stops Romantic getaways (this is different than a vacation…no kids!!) Layovers Temporary housing during moves Weddings and reunions Staying for a convention that is conveniently in one of the banquet halls The list literally could go on and on because there is no limit to what a hotel’s provisions can be used for.  Hospitality is important in other areas of tourism and not just limited to hotels. If you study Hospitality Management you could utilize your training and education in restaurants, casinos, on cruises, and with all other kinds of recreational activities and facilities. Before the term "education" throws you and you begin imagining student loans piling up, take a deep breath. Expensive degrees aren’t necessary to have a successful career in hospitality. There are career-based programs that are a fraction of the price of a degree and offered as at-your-own-pace online programs. These programs make you employable faster. Speaking from experience, working in hospitality is fun. It truly is. Why not obtain the training you need to be a part of the management team? It’s possible. It’s affordable. It’s convenient. Learn more about affordable hospitality career programs today! - See more at: http://www.milcareered.com/blog/quality-service-and-hospitality#sthash.7...          

When I left home for college, I was convinced that my calling was to become a teacher. I had been preparing for it my whole life. From forcing my little brothers into my make-shift classroom in the basement every day during summer vacations all the way up to job shadowing my favorite elementary school teacher as part of my senior project in high school, there was never a doubt in my mind that I would spend my life in a classroom. Whoops. My mistake! My time as a teacher was short lived. At 23 years old, now a Military Spouse and mother, I took a long hard look at myself in the mirror one day and realized... I had been wrong. I wasn't happy and I needed a change. Making the decision to redefine who I was as a person and as a professional was scary, but necessary. After spending so much time preparing for a certain career, we also don't want to feel like that time was wasted. But how does the Thomas Edison saying go? "I haven't failed. I just found 10,000 ways it won't work." Ready to change careers? Use these tips to make a successful transition. Step 1: Admit that you're unhappy.  No. I don't mean admit it to yourself. If you're reading this, then you've already done that. Now, I want you to tell the people who love you most. For me, it was my husband and mom. You are going to need encouragement and support as you embark on this new journey. Don't be embarrassed. Honesty is the best policy. You'll thank me later. Step 2: Decide what makes you happy. Most people don't realize this, but many hobbies and interests can translate into meaningful careers. For example, after my son was born I discovered my love for being behind the camera. Eventually (with the help of my friends and family), I realized I would be happier working as a photographer than as a teacher. Talk to your spouse and friends about your interests and cross reference those against career paths. They'll intersect somewhere. I promise! Step 3: Become educated. You didn't think it would be that simple, did you? I didn't just wake up and decide to be a photographer and book 10 weddings! No! I had to have the education and skill set to back-up my untapped talents for photography. As a mother, and a member of a military family that is constantly on the move, I went the online route and I am so glad that I did! Not only did I receive amazing photography training, but I learned how to start my own photography business! The best part: I have an exciting and lucrative career without any debt! Learn more by visiting our website at www.ed4online.com.  Step 4: Create a plan on how you can make money doing what makes you happy.  Whether your plan is to secure meaningful employment or go into business for yourself, creating a plan is a vital step. Where do you want to work? What hours do you want to work? How much money do you need to make? These are all wonderful questions to answer for yourself before walking into your first interview. When I finished school, I wanted to become an entrepreneur and - WOW - was I surprised at how rewarding it felt to launch my own photography business! I couldn't believe how much I had learned from my Photography Entrepreneur online courses, and made the student to small business owner transition so easily. After receiving the right education, creating my 5-year business plan was a breeze, and within a year of opening up shop... I was making a profit! Leave your fears at the door and take a chance! Changing careers as an adult is never ideal, but it's worth it. Your family and friends want you to live your life to the fullest and you deserve to be happy! The only thing left to do is to ask yourself: "What do I want to be when I grow up?" The possibilities are endless. - See more at: http://www.milcareered.com/blog/4-tips-making-successful-career-change#s...          

Have you taken some college courses but have not earned a degree or certificate yet? Have you thought about going back to school, but feel overwhelmed by the cost and complexity of the process? You are not alone. An estimated 32 million nontraditional students across the nation have some college experience but no degree to show for it, according to the American Council on Education. Many of these students may want to pick back up and start again, but aren’t sure how to go about it. For those out there who have started and stopped their education (and who want to start again), the American Council on Education (ACE) has the answer. This past week, ACE announced the pool of courses selected as part of ACE’s Alternative Credit Project,™ a groundbreaking initiative to boost the ability of millions of nontraditional learners to gain a college degree. A national program of the American Council on Education (ACE), and supported by a generous $1.89 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the ACP is designed to help adults finish what they started; get a degree, or a post-secondary certificate. Going back to college is easier than you thought. The 111 low-cost, lower-division general education online courses were submitted by a group of non-accredited course providers, including Ed4Online, chosen to participate in the Alternative Credit Project. Forty colleges, universities and systems are taking part in the project and have agreed to grant credit for a large number of these courses, which include disciplines such as business, critical thinking and writing, foreign language, humanities, mathematics and natural and physical sciences. What Does the Alternative Credit Project Mean for You? The Alternative Credit Project makes a college degree or certification more attainable, especially for students who already have some college experience and credits. Taking advantage of the affordable online courses allows the student to lower the total cost of their degree significantly. Plus, if you opt for online courses, you have the opportunity to complete your studies anywhere, anytime - making it easy to balance your coursework with work and family obligations. After completing courses through the Alternative Credit Project, you can easily transfer to a respected college or university to finish your degree. With dozens of schools to choose from, you are sure to find an academic institution that offers your desired major. ACE’s Alternative Credit Project’s website makes it easy to: Research online courses available. As you do so, you will see which courses are accepted by which institution and how many credits will transfer. Visit Ed4Credit to see the list of the courses offered by Ed4Online. Research colleges and universities. See if they participate in the ACE Project and how your courses might transfer. Put your plan in place. Although ACP courses are low cost; financial aid is available - but only when you have enrolled in a program at your selected college or university. Connect with your school’s financial aid office and determine what steps you need to take now. Register and complete your courses at your own pace. Along the way, you will pick up important skills regarding study habits, work/life balance, how the online learning system works and much more! Transfer! Once you are ready to apply for admission to your chosen college or university, have your ACP transcript sent directly there. It’s that easy! Ed4Online is honored to have been chosen to participate in this ground-breaking initiative to help students further their academic dreams! Sources: https://ed4online.com/press/ed4online-participating-initiative-help-nontraditional-learners-gain-college-degrees-and http://www.bestcollegesonline.org/faq/what-is-the-alternative-credit-project-and-what-does-it-mean-for-online-college-students/ http://www.prunderground.com/american-council-on-education-unveils-alternative-credit-project-course-pool/0064072/ http://www.alternativecreditproject.com/            

The school year has begun and you may find yourself home all alone for the first time in years! The first week or two were probably great and a well-deserved break from a busy summer. However, in time, you may find yourself wondering "now what"? Here are some ideas to keep you busy while your little ones are off learning.  Hit the Gym Let’s face it: taking care of ourselves tends to get pushed to the bottom of the priority list. It’s hard to find time to work out while you’re caring for babies, but with the kids in school you can make time. Put on your workout gear, drop the children at school and head to the gym, find a local park for a walk, or maybe take a spin class. The YMCA has wonderful facilities all over the country and they offer discounts to military families. They also offer many different classes in the mornings and mid-afternoons. Working out will not only help you to feel better, it will give you a chance to meet other parents of school aged kids too. Try something new, you might learn to love it! Find a hobby When you have toddlers running around the idea of a hobby seems impossible. Now with your kids busy for at least six hours a day, finding a hobby doesn’t seem so impossible! Scrapbooking all of your favorite memories can be fun and you will end up with a memory book for you and your family to enjoy. Now is the perfect time to explore hobbies you have always wanted to try like photography, floral design, cooking and catering, sewing or playing a musical instrument. You may discover a hidden talent or passion you never knew you had! Volunteer Every school needs volunteers - whether to help organize the annual fundraiser or simply to make copies for teachers. At the beginning of school year letters are usually sent home looking for volunteers for various things, make sure to sign up and get involved! Join the PTA or PTO. These groups do everything from hosting Muffins with Mom to running the box tops for education program and they always need help. In all my years of parenting school aged children, I have discovered the link between parental involvement and school success. By helping your child’s school succeed, you are helping your child succeed. Go Back to School Going back to school is not limited to children. Moms and dads can join in the fun too! Have you ever thought, "I’d like to go back to school, but I don’t have the time?" Well now you do! Even better, you can choose to attend an online school. One benefit to an online school is you can make your classes fit your schedule. Have you ever wanted to work in the medical field, maybe become an IT Specialist or even an Interior Decorator and Designer? Now you can and Ed4Online would love to help you achieve your education and career goals. If you would like more information contact complete our contact form here. Whatever you decide to do with your newfound free time, do something fun, do something exciting and do something just for you!   Modified from: http://www.milcareered.com/blog/my-kids-are-school-and-i-don%E2%80%99t-k...          

Why do some students start and stop their college education? According to "With Their Whole Lives Ahead of Them", a survey designed to compare students who started, but didn't finish, their college education with those who received a degree, of the students who did not complete their college studies: 54% needed to work to support themselves or families and could not balance work and classes 31% could not afford college A long-time proponent of helping adults pursue and complete degrees, The American Council on Education (ACE) has organized the Alternative Credit Project™ (ACP) to create a more flexible pathway towards post-secondary education attainment for the more than 32 million non-traditional students who may have some college credit but no degree. Under the ACP program, students can take courses from an approved list of 100 low-cost classes online and seamlessly transfer those credits to a participating school. Forty colleges, universities and systems are taking part in the project and have agreed to grant credit for a large number of these courses, which include disciplines such as business, critical thinking and writing, foreign language, humanities, mathematics and natural and physical sciences. With both traditional and accredited online institutions engaged in the Alternative Credit Project, students have plenty of choices about where to further their education. Ed4Online is a proud provider of courses for this innovative project! The American Council on Education’s (ACE) College Credit Recommendation Service (ACE CREDIT)® has evaluated and recommended college credit for Ed4Online's courses. Visit Ed4Credit to see the list of the courses offered by Ed4Online. Ed4Online CEO, Dr. Rusty Barrier recently stated, "We’re honored to have been chosen to participate in this ground-breaking initiative to assist in helping students further their academic dreams and being part of the solution to reducing the cost of a college degree." For more information about Ed4online, please visit https://ed4online.com/ and https://ed4credit.com/. For more information about the ACP program, please visit http://www.alternativecreditproject.com/. Sources: http://www.publicagenda.org/media/with-their-whole-life-ahead-of-them/ http://www.prunderground.com/american-council-on-education-unveils-alternative-credit-project-course-pool/0064072/ http://www.alternativecreditproject.com/ http://www.cccompletioncorps.org/why-students-drop-out