Inside This Issue
ASHFORD CONNECTIONS
AU Alumni Magazine
08/ ASHFORD IN ATHENS AND ROME Guest writer April Olsen reflects on her Travel Studies course.
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
16/
MEN’S BASKETBALL
17/
ALUMNI HALL OF FAME
Roxanne Mourant and Vincent Davis.
The Saints make a victorious visit to San Diego.
Kum & Go Executive Franci Phelan becomes the latest inductee.
ISSUE 04 / Spring 2012
ASHFORD AROUND THE WORLD 06/ Ashford has students
and alumni all over the world, bringing a global perspective to our entire community.
04/ Networking Coast to Coast Connecting with Ashford’s community in New York and San Diego.
10/ Commencement Ceremonies Highlights from the October and December 2011 ceremonies.
13/ Military Spotlight Ashford alumnus and US Air Force First Sergeant Deric M. Walker shares his story.
CONTENTS / AU Alumni Magazine
ISSUE
04
BELOW LEFT: Istvan Lorincz of Romania (with commencement speaker Steve Perry at far left) is using his Ashford degree as a stepping stone toward the American dream. Read more on page 6. BELOW RIGHT: Attendees of an Ashford Student and Alumni Networking event take in a professional development presentation. Read more about these events on page 4.
Spring 2012
CONTENTS 03/ LETTER FROM THE
WEAR YOUR
PRIDE.
Be part of the tradition.
VICE PRESIDENT AND CAMPUS DIRECTOR
10/ COMMENCEMENT CEREMONIES
The October 2011 ceremony for online students was held at the new athletic complex near the Clinton, IA campus, while the smaller December 2011 ceremony for campus students was held in Kehl Arena.
by John Ballheim
04/ NETWORKING COAST
TO COAST: NEW YORK & CALIFORNIA
Many of Ashford’s students, alumni, and faculty members took the opportunity to connect at one of two Ashford Networking Events held on opposite coasts.
06/ ASHFORD AROUND THE WORLD
Ashford’s campus boasts students from 24 countries, while our online format enables students to transcend physical locations. In this issue, we’re taking a look at students and alumni who approach their education with a global perspective.
SPOTLIGHT 12/ MILITARY Ashford student Joshua Denby, who is active duty Army, shares the writings that helped him cope after being deployed to Iraq and became part of a final project. Plus: Alumnus and Air Force First Sergeant Deric Walker is profiled.
SPOTLIGHT 14/ ALUMNI Roxanne Mourant is now the Alaska State
Educational Technology Coordinator, and Vincent Davis nabbed a job as a college football Defensive Line Coach and Recruiting Coordinator.
IN SAN DIEGO 16/ SAINTS by Chris Shaw
Ashford University’s Sports Information Director shares highlights from the men’s basketball team’s trip to San Diego, where they defeated both local colleges they played while also making time to take in the Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl.
08/ ASHFORD’S TRAVEL SHOP FOR APPAREL • ATHLETICS ACCESSORIES • SALE ITEMS ASHFORD.EDU/GEAR-SHOP
ASHFORD CONNECTIONS IS PUBLISHED SEMI-ANNUALLY BY ALUMNI RELATIONS. Editor: Lorelei Meetze Art Director: David Dickey Contributors: John Ballheim, April Olsen, Ryan Maxson, Jamie Waters, Joshua Denby, Doug Downing, Ian Foster, Ron Gaschler, Larry Libberton, Lizzie Wann, Chris Shaw, Jay “Jaybird” Conner Designers: Jesse Caverly, Brent Field
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STUDIES: ATHENS AND ROME
by April Olsen Ashford student April Olsen shares favorite memories with classmates and professors from the TVL 313 Literary & Historical Explorations of Classical Greco-Roman Culture excursion to Athens and Rome.
09/ ASHFORD ADVOCATES
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Franci Phelan, Senior Vice President of “Grow People” at convenience store pioneer Kum & Go, L.C., is latest inductee.
18/ CLASS NOTES /
FACEBOOK FEED
HEAD FOR THE HILL
On December 6, 2011, nine students and alumni traveled to Washington, DC for a “Hill Day” trip as part of the newly named group Ashford Advocates.
ALUMNI HALL OF FAME
Learn what the Ashford online community has been saying and what your fellow alumni are up to!
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PROGRAM LIST
Ashford University / ashford.edu
AU Alumni Magazine
/ WELCOME LETTER
JOHN BALLHEIM Vice President and Campus Director Welcome Letter: John Ballheim
Dear Ashford Alumni,
You are a valued member of our University community, and you will forever be a member of our alumni family.
Ashford Connections / Issue Four
As Vice President and Campus Director of Ashford University, I welcome you to this issue of Ashford Connections. We are enjoying a successful 2012 so far and hope you are as well. One of the best ways to determine the future success of an organization is to look at its most recent past. In that regard, your University has built a foundation for future success that will serve you well. In 2004, our school went from a small higher education institution last known as Franciscan University of the Prairies to Ashford University as we know it today. The campus tradition was enhanced with the addition of online programs that could be accessed from anywhere in the world – with 63,096 students enrolled at last count (IPEDS, Fall 2010). Online alumni, thank you for bringing us your diverse and rich backgrounds. You have come to us from many walks of life, from every state in the union, and from several foreign countries as well. Many of you have, or are currently, serving in our Armed Forces and keeping us safe. Many of you are parents. Your children and spouses must be beaming with pride over what you have achieved. Because of geographical location, work, or family circumstances – or simply for convenience – you chose an online modality to
accomplish your educational goals. You found us, and we are happy you did. Campus alumni, thank you for bringing us your special personalities, your values, your energy, and your many contributions to campus life as you pursued your academic studies. All of these factors energized and invigorated us, your faculty and staff members – and, yes, sometimes you also exhausted us as we attempted to keep up with you. You have helped make our campus and University the extraordinary place that it is. To all our alumni, you are a valued member of our University community, and you will forever be a member of our alumni family. As Ashford’s Campus Director, I want to remind you that our campus is your campus. Please stop by for a visit! I hope you enjoy this issue of Ashford Connections, and that it’s just one of the many ways in which you’ll continue to remain connected to Ashford. Sincerely,
John Ballheim Vice President and Campus Director Ashford University
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NETWORKING EVENTS / AU Alumni Magazine
NETWORKING COAST TO COAST: NEW YORK & CALIFORNIA Networking Events: Ashford’s Student and Alumni Networking events
Ashford’s Student and Alumni Networking events, held in cities around the country from Boston to Honolulu, have been steadily growing in popularity as the Ashford community grows larger and larger every month. These events take some of the “work” out of networking – those who attend can expect to meet and socialize with other Ashford students, alumni, and faculty members in a casual atmosphere. In addition, a fun and brief professional development presentation is usually delivered by Ashford’s Professional Development Directors, Melissa Goodwin and Tamara Carrillo, who share insight on topics including the hidden job market and perfecting one’s “elevator pitch.”
Brooklyn, NY
Among them was Karen Stevens, Bachelor of Arts in Social and Criminal Justice, 2011. For her, the location meant it was a family affair – while she chatted with her husband and fellow alumni, her 13-year-old son stopped by to get more change for the arcade games. With a baby at home and another on the way, she thanks Ashford for giving her “the confidence I never had.” She shared with her tablemates that during commencement she and her family were at McChord Air Force Base in Lewis McChord, WA, where her husband was deployed, but an Ashford representative there coordinated a special commencement ceremony. “There were about four of us graduating from Ashford, along with grads from several other colleges,” she shared. “It was an awesome experience.” Now, she’s pursuing her Master’s degree with the goal of becoming a juvenile probation officer.
A New York event was held on November 1, 2011 at Water Street Restaurant in Brooklyn, NY. Located along the cobblestone streets of DUMBO’s historic waterfront district and surrounded by the Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan Bridge, the location served as a great atmosphere for the more than 70 attendees. Among them were Ashford alumnus Clara Nieuwkerk, Master of Arts in Organizational Management, 2010, and her sister, Evelyn Carrion-Clara, Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education, 2012. “I am so glad we came!” enthused Clara, reflecting on the moment earlier in the evening when the event organizers asked for volunteers who would like to share their success story for the group. “I noticed that the entire room froze, and I jumped up and volunteered. I am proud of what I have accomplished.” Clara shared that she was raised in the sunny Dominican Republic but surrounded by drugs and violence, which she overcame to get to where she is today – pursuing her Doctor of Psychology, Mental Health Administration specialization, online at University of the Rockies. “After that ice-breaking moment, many others came up to share their own stories. It was a wonderful and unforgettable time!” Rhea Thomas, Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with Education specialization, 2010, also arrived with her sister. Now back at Ashford earning her Master of Arts in Education, Early Childhood Education specialization, Rhea calls graduating from Ashford one of the happiest days of her life. Originally from Trinidad and Tobago, she works as an elective teacher at a private school in Brooklyn, at Battalion Christian Academy, and “enjoys every minute of it!” Later in the evening, she said, “Tonight was lovely. We got to hear some awesome testimonials, and I made some connections with several teachers at the Board of Education.” Rhea has since let us know that they have all stayed in touch, keeping each other posted with what’s going on in their field. Additionally, her sister Natasha has decided to enroll at Ashford.
Ashford’s Student and Alumni Networking events allow our diverse community of students, alumni, and faculty members – who truly defy categorization – to meet, share stories, and create opportunities.
San Diego, CA A few months later, all the way on the opposite coast in San Diego, CA, the first event of 2012 was held on January 25 at Dave and Buster’s, a popular restaurant, bar, and arcade nestled under its own typical Southern California structure – a freeway overpass. Inside, more than 100 people were in attendance to network and mingle.
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Ashford University / ashford.edu
AU Alumni Magazine
/ NETWORKING EVENTS
Clockwise, from left to right: Mounier Zaki, Mark Young, Kerri Dopart, Kristen Akerele, Dr. Elena Lattarulo, Patrick Norris, Dr. Mark Zecca, Dr. Dwight Reimer, Georginne Parisi, Jodi Feikema, Dovie Dawson, and Vanessa Schoenherr.
Fellow alumnus Tereseé Henney, Master of Business Administration, Health Care Administration specialization, 2011, loved Karen’s commencement story, and followed up with her own. She shared that she’d had both hips replaced shortly before graduating from Ashford, which she summed up with a sense of humor: “I said, ‘Hip, hip, degree!’” A Navy veteran with a versatile résumé in health care, public relations, and journalism, Tereseé shared that, over the course of her studies at Ashford, she’d had “about 30 or 40 of those ‘aha’ moments.” She aims to apply that insight to continue working in the health care industry, in logistics and operations management. Meanwhile, Monica Rose Jahn, currently enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Studies program, mingled nearby with her guest, a good friend from church. They’d driven over 100 miles from Seal Beach, CA to attend the event, and Monica was glad they did – she happily reported that she’d just made a connection with an Ashford alumnus in attendance who works in the environmental field, and she was excited to follow up soon about professional opportunities.
Upcoming Events Ashford’s Student and Alumni Networking events allow our diverse community of students, alumni, and faculty members – who truly defy categorization – to meet, share stories, and create opportunities. To make sure you don’t miss an upcoming event in your area, see the back cover of this issue for dates from May through October 2012, and RSVP at ashford.edu/networkevents. //
ONLINE INSTRUCTORS: PUTTING A FACE TO A NAME THE PROFESSIONAL PORTFOLIOS OF THE 13 faculty members in attendance at the San Diego event were both diverse and impressive. After gathering for a group photo, they mingled and compared teaching notes with one another. Dr. Dwight Reimer, an instructor in the College of Business and Professional Studies, has served as both the Dean and President of Central Christian College in Kansas, and is now writing a book about organizational behavior. Dr. Mark Zecca, also an instructor in the College of Business and Professional Studies, is Vice President and Chief Information Officer of NuVasive, a medical device company that develops products and procedures for the spine. And Patrick Norris, who teaches Social and Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration, is a Police Sergeant with the San Diego Police Department. The networking event served as a rare opportunity for them to meet one another as well as connect with former students in person. HAVE YOU HAD ANY OF THESE ONLINE instructors or those pictured above? Let us know! Email connections@ashford.edu.
Ashford Connections / Issue Four
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ASHFORD AROUND THE WORLD / AU Alumni Magazine
ASHFORD AROUND THE WORLD
Best friends Okeisha James-Huertas (left) and Sirdrina Isaac-Joseph (right) earned their Bachelor’s degrees at Ashford online from the US Virgin Islands.
A look at Ashford’s global community Ashford Around the World: Students and alumni with a global perspective
One of the many benefits of Ashford’s online format is its ability to transcend physical locations. As a result, many of Ashford’s online students connect with their professors and fellow students thousands of miles away from each other, whether they’re residents of foreign countries or Americans who are deployed, traveling, or living abroad. Other students are new to the US and study online while working to achieve the American dream. Ashford’s campus in Clinton, IA boasts students from all over the world as well, who experience a quaint, idyllic part of the US while earning a degree. In this issue, we’re taking a look at several students and alumni who fit into one of the above scenarios – yet, much like Ashford’s community as a whole, they defy categorization.
A Sunny Outlook Most Americans think of the US Virgin Islands as a sunny and exotic vacation destination, but for Okeisha James-Huertas and Sirdrina Isaac-Joseph (pictured above right), it’s home. These best friends met while earning their Associate’s degrees at a small community college on their island of St. Croix, but bemoaned how long the program took. After discovering Ashford’s accelerated online schedule, they both enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts in Early Childhood Education program and completed it together in 2011. Meanwhile, further north, Tamika Wade-Trott earned her Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management, Human Resources Management specialization in 2011 from the beautiful island of Bermuda. This subtropical locale currently boasts Tamika as its lone Ashford graduate, but she hopes that will soon change. “I got a lot of questions in Bermuda about where I was getting my degree. A lot of folks there don’t know about Ashford, so I am promoting it 24/7!” she exclaims. “I’m just really, really happy with having chosen Ashford, and I believe that the opportunity is there for Bermudians who cannot actually study on campus to get their degrees online at Ashford.” All three women traveled to Iowa for the October 2011 commencement ceremony. Despite the adjustment from island weather to that of Iowa in the fall, they found the campus beautiful and its people welcoming. Back on their respective islands, they have experienced professional success as a result of earning their Ashford degrees: Tamika was promoted only two weeks later, and Okeisha and Sirdrina are each in the process of advancing from teacher’s assistants to teachers. Additionally, the former two women are both now enrolled in Ashford’s Master of Arts in Education program, Okeisha is adding a Reading Literacy specialization and Sirdrina is adding a Special Education specialization, and they are once again providing support for one another.
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Staying Connected Overseas Across the Atlantic, Stephanie McHugh earned her Bachelor of Arts in Accounting online in 2011 while living in Zurich, Switzerland and raising a brand new baby. Though originally from Virginia, her husband is Swiss and his job brought them to his home country. “At first, it was hard to manage my time, but with each new class I felt that I gained better time management skills. Also, although there’s a 9-hour time difference between Switzerland and US’s west coast, I was always able to get in touch with faculty by email.”
Students here are from all different walks of life. Stephanie says that she encountered many other Americans living abroad in her online classes, including military members stationed overseas, and they provided perspectives of their own experiences. Her friends and family also encouraged her along the way. “They thought it was great that I chose to study online at Ashford from Switzerland, and were all so proud of my determination to complete my degree.” Upon doing so, Stephanie traveled to Clinton for the October 2011 commencement ceremony, where she was excited to meet fellow classmates and instructors before returning to Zurich. “Currently, I’m a stay-at-home mom to the most energetic, fun-loving toddler you could ever meet. I’d like to work in an accounting department for a non-profit organization and ultimately do something to protect human rights.” Regardless of what direction she goes in, Stephanie relishes being an Ashford alumni. “It empowers me, because the possibilities are endless. It’s a great feeling.”
Ashford University / ashford.edu
AU Alumni Magazine
/ ASHFORD AROUND THE WORLD
Embracing Opportunity in the US Istvan “Steven” Lorincz is from Transylvania, Romania, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree before completing an internship program in the US. He decided he could better flourish in America, so Steven settled in Los Angeles, CA and began working in the hospitality industry full time while earning his Master of Business Administration, Global Management specialization from Ashford’s online program. “Admittedly, it was a bit challenging and frightening at the start trying not only to get used to an American style of education, but also the online format.” Nevertheless, Steven thrived in his new environment and enjoyed interacting with his classmates – and with one instructor in particular who had picked up basic Hungarian while on sabbatical and would comment on Steven’s papers in the language. However, Steven’s most significant guidance was in his Global Management Strategies class. “The instructor led us to thoroughly understand that our world has become so globally integrated that neglecting global thinking would be a definite failure for a manager. The course was invaluable for me,” says Steven, who graduated in January 2011. Also from Eastern Europe, Sylwia Stetz (pictured on cover) moved to the US from Poland, where she had worked hard to earn a degree herself – but unfortunately, it didn’t translate in America. So she started over with her education, earning an Associate’s degree in New York before relocating to Texas and then San Diego, where her husband is now stationed in the Navy. She began working at a hotel and was promoted from Guest Service Agent to PreArrivals Coordinator after she enrolled in Ashford’s Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management program, and now that she has completed her degree, she takes pride in being an Ashford alumnus and has positively influenced her family, friends, and other military spouses in her community. “I feel fulfilled, accomplished, and more confident,” says Sylwia. “Nobody can tell me that I am only another immigrant without basic knowledge.” Her professional goal is to earn a management position.
Send in pictures of you wearing Ashford gear during your own travels around the world to be potentially included in a future issue of Ashford Connections. Visit ashford.edu/gear-shop before you pack!
A Cultured Campus Nate Billany (pictured below) hails from a village called Cottingham in East Yorkshire, England, and moved halfway across the world to attend Ashford on campus in Iowa. When he first arrived, he was pleased to find that he was not the only international student, commenting, “Students here are from all different walks of life . . . each semester seemed to bring with it another nationality!” Indeed, in 2011, Ashford’s campus saw a rise in its international student population, growing from 43 students in 2010 to 57 students from 24 countries in 2011. Nate thrived at Ashford’s campus. Not only was he an award-winning team captain for the men’s soccer team, which he led to a conference championship and even a National Championship appearance, but he founded the Ashford University Pre-Law Society and served as its president and was vice president of the Student Government Association – all while double majoring in the Bachelor of Arts in Social Science and the Bachelor of Arts in Social and Criminal Justice programs! A recipient of the James L. Mooney Social Science award at commencement, Nate won’t be leaving Iowa just yet – he has been hired for a one-year position assisting veterans in returning to post-secondary education as a Tuition Assistance Specialist at Ashford. Nate’s goal is to eventually work as a lawyer in the United States. Ashford’s diverse students and alumni bring a global perspective to our entire community. If you’d like to share your own story of how Ashford has broadened your worldview, contact connections@ashford.edu. //
Steven, now a hotel manager himself, is also proud to be an Ashford alumnus. “Beyond the fact I possess a Master’s degree from Ashford, I feel that I am part of the Ashford family.” Recent campus graduate Nathan Billany is an Englishman who hopes to begin a law career here in the United States.
Ashford Connections / Issue Four
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TRAVEL STUDIES / AU Alumni Magazine
ASHFORD’S TRAVEL STUDY: ATHENS AND ROME Travel Studies: By April Olsen, Master of Arts in Organizational Management
World travel has been a desire of mine since I was a little girl. I would sit in my bedroom with a globe, spin it, stop it with my finger, and then look up the place it landed on in the encyclopedia and imagine myself there. In May 2010, my childhood fantasies came to life with the chance to travel abroad and study in England, thanks to Ashford University’s phenomenal Travel Studies program which corresponds with certain Ashford courses. In spring 2011, I participated in the program once again, this time with the TVL 313 Literary & Historical Explorations of Classical Greco-Roman Culture excursion to Athens and Rome. The course consisted of five weeks of study, including a ten-day study tour visiting and exploring historical sites. We explored significant historical developments and selected literary works in the classical GrecoRoman era and assessed their influence on social, religious, economic, and aesthetic trends in contemporary culture. After beginning each morning with a hearty discussion session and course lecture, we visited archeological sites and soaked up the culture of the cities as applicable to that morning’s class. In the evenings we had downtime to study for the next day or explore the city on our own. Our professors led us in lively discussions and tested our critical thinking skills throughout the trip. Professor Wayne Clugston inspired us and challenged us to think differently. Professor Kurt Lowe and Ashford’s Library Director Flora Lowe were a wealth of knowledge every step of the way.
A group of the spring 2011 TVL 313 students gather for an impromptu photo shoot in the Aegean Sea. The author is second from left.
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Author April Olsen snapped this photo of the Colosseum during the Rome study tour portion of the course.
The trip began in Athens. After a 10-hour flight from Newark, NJ, we rested and then had a welcome dinner and course agenda overview. While in Greece, we discovered the Acropolis and Parthenon, the Temple of Olympian Zeus, and, of course, baklava! We visited the Temple of Poseidon overlooking the Saronic Gulf on the most southern point of Attica, Cape Sounion, and walked along the rocky promontory of Sounion watching the flag of Greece, in its glorious blue and white, waving in the wind. We also traveled to Delphi, which once was considered the center of the universe. When our time in Athens was over, we were sad to leave but excited for the next set of adventures in Rome.
About the Author April Olsen is a Senior Manager of Sales Operations for AT&T and is set to earn her Master of Arts in Organizational Management from Ashford in 2013. She plans on continuing to take every opportunity to travel the world.
Visit www.ashford.edu/travel for details on upcoming trips!
The flight from Athens to Rome was wonderful – even though a few of us had to run to the gate! Upon arriving, we rested up and ate a fabulous Italian dinner, after which a few of us took a sunset stroll to the Colosseum. Of course, we got lost, but between our GPS navigator and my basic Italian, we eventually found our way. While in Italy, we took a guided tour of Ancient Rome and discovered that the Colosseum wasn’t quite what we all saw in the movie “Gladiator.” The arena floor is long gone and the remains of the dungeons where the beasts and gladiators were once kept is exposed. We also enjoyed a phenomenal guided tour of Vatican City, where we visited the Vatican museums, the Sistine Chapel,
Ashford University / ashford.edu
AU Alumni Magazine
/ TRAVEL STUDIES
Ashford Advocates Head for the Hill
Our professors led us in lively discussions and tested our critical thinking skills throughout the trip. St. Peter’s Square, and St. Peter’s Basilica. And perhaps my favorite memory of Rome was when a small group of us snuck into a lesser-known church on the tail of a Japanese tour group’s private visit in order to see a Bernini sculpture. We Americans stuck out like sore thumbs, but no one minded. We were all there to experience and appreciate the beautiful art of Bernini. The final day consisted of a guided walking tour of monumental Rome, including the Trevi Fountain. We all threw a coin and made a wish, of course, but between soaking up the culture and reliving the history of our ancestors, it was safe to say that my childhood wish had already come true. //
ON DECEMBER 6, 2011, NINE STUDENTS AND alumni traveled to Washington, DC for a “Hill Day” trip as part of the newly named Ashford Advocates, a group that engages elected federal government leaders on issues impacting higher education. “We’re giving Ashford students a voice in the effort to preserve opportunities in higher education,” said Ryan Maxson, Ashford’s Grassroots Coordinator. Accompanied by Ashford’s Government Affairs Representative, Jamie Waters, the students spent two days touring the city and the Capitol building, meeting with a slew of Senate and House members: Senator Charles Grassley (IA), Congressman Leonard Boswell (IA-3), Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-1), Congressman Dave Loebsack (IA-2), Congressman Steve King (IA-5), and staff members of Congressman Tom Latham (IA-4). “The students were great and brilliantly represented the University,” said Waters. “During the meetings with the members of Congress, students were able to share why they chose to pursue higher education at Ashford University. Their stories of balancing careers, families, and educational pursuits were truly inspirational.” Among them was participating student Teresa Pope. She reported that although it rained throughout most of the trip, the students’ spirits were not dampened in any way. “The opportunity was an honor,” she said. “I was thrilled to visit our nation’s capitol and make my voice heard. One person can make a difference. Without the accessibility of schools like Ashford, I would not have been able to return to school after more years than I care to admit. I hope I’ll be able to earn additional degrees.” Along with these annual trips to our nation’s capitol, Ashford Advocates recently met with Congressman Alcee Hastings (FL-23) in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-5) in Clemmons, NC at their respective district offices. Visits to several state capitol buildings are also in the works. Interested students and alumni should keep an eye out for emails announcing upcoming advocacy opportunities. //
A guided tour of Vatican City was one of the trip’s highlights.
Ashford Connections / Issue Four
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COMMENCEMENT /
AU Alumni Magazine
Energetic commencement speaker Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour gets the crowd on their feet.
ONLINE GRADUATES AT HOME IN CLINTON Online Commencement: October 2011
“You have permission to engage,” shouted a woman wearing a military flight suit, addressing a crowd of thousands before her. “You are cleared hot, Ashford!” Though it may sound like the scene of a large military operation, this woman was actually in the small town of Clinton, IA to deliver the keynote address at Ashford University’s October 24, 2011 commencement ceremony for online students. Vernice “FlyGirl” Armour, the country’s first African American female combat pilot for the US Marine Corps, is a television personality and entrepreneur with a highly commanding presence and a lust for life. Her speech was peppered with military lingo, conveying to the Ashford graduates her trademark message to “live a breakthrough life.” Her energy and enthusiasm served to pump up the alreadyexcited crowd even further on this unseasonably mild fall day. The 810 graduates who traveled to Clinton to take part in this momentous day represented the 6,019
Who needs a runway? Take off from where you are!
students that Ashford had graduated since the previous ceremony in April 2011. According to the Clinton Convention and Visitors Bureau, an estimated 3,200 of the graduates’ friends and family members were also in attendance. For many of the graduates there, it was a day to reward themselves for the dedication it took to juggle online classes with a multitude of other personal and professional commitments in order to earn their degrees.
Michelle Dahlum, Bachelor of Arts in Health Care Studies, 2011, an aspiring domestic abuse advocate and a member of Golden Key and Alpha Sigma Lambda, took the opportunity to attend their events. “Everybody was so kind and warm,” she says. “One especially great moment was meeting University Provost Dr. Wardlow at all three honor society events I attended. She told me, ‘You are an inspiration!’ Wow, I couldn’t speak for a second.”
Cathy Zagar, Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management, 2011, traveled to Clinton from San Diego with her mom, sister, and 4-year-old daughter in tow, and shared how much it meant to her to have them there. “They have traveled with me along this journey to get my degree and provided support, motivation, and strength when I didn’t think I could get through another class.” A Purchasing and Subcontract Administrator at an offshore survey services company and a native Southern Californian, Cathy enjoyed the quaint town of Clinton, including its people and its food – “especially the Italian restaurant downtown, Rastrelli’s! And the school was not at all what I expected. It was so pretty nestled in the hills with the old historic buildings. It’s not just an online college, it’s a real school.”
As the weekend’s events wrapped up, Ashford’s Lead Graduation Coordinator, Ian Foster, reflected, “Year after year it amazes me to see the number of students and guests that travel from around the world to attend their commencement ceremony. Ashford University strives to produce an event worthy of the students’ hard work and dedication. The commencement ceremonies are the culmination of their achievements, and we will continue to produce events that they can be proud of.”
Describing the moment when she walked across the stage in her cap and gown, Cathy says, “It felt great. I’ll never forget them calling my name and handing me my diploma. You can even tell by the picture, as I was grinning from ear to ear. Then I heard my family cheering from the crowd, and I knew that they were proud of me and of what I have accomplished.”
“Who needs a runway?” Vernice “FlyGirl” encouraged them in closing. “Take off from where you are!” //
Whether they’d earned an Associate’s, Bachelor’s, or Master’s degree, to the graduates gathered on the south campus field that day, anything seemed possible as they prepared to embark on the rest of their lives as newly minted graduates of Ashford University.
Activities surrounding the ceremony included campus tours, a student and faculty meet-and-greet event, and recognition ceremonies for members of the honor societies SALUTE, Golden Key, and Alpha Sigma Lambda, along with a social.
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Ashford University / ashford.edu
AU Alumni Magazine
/ COMMENCEMENT
CAMPUS GRADUATES ENJOY AN INTIMATE CEREMONY Campus Commencement: December 2011
I could not have asked for a better way to end my college career.
Brittany Singroy, Bachelor of Arts in Social and Criminal Justice, and Matthew Lindstrom, Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts, are two of the 37 students who graduated at the December 2011 ceremony for campus students.
In contrast to the larger event for online students, a modest 37 students and around 300 of their guests attended the Ashford commencement ceremony and reception in Kehl Arena on December 20, 2011. Most were graduating from Ashford’s campus modality, and several were some of the last graduates of Ashford’s former ASPIRE program, which offered night classes for working adults. The ceremony was an especially meaningful one for Lindsey Jordan, who not only served as the Graduation Coordinator, but participated in the ceremony herself on this day, earning her Master of Arts in Education. “The ceremony had a very intimate feel,” she reported. “This was done on a much smaller scale than our spring and fall ceremonies, but we wanted it to be just as special.” Luckily, as she added, the weather cooperated. “It was a cold day, but a vast improvement from previous years where there have been snow storms and freezing rain!” The keynote speaker was Ken Stock, a teacher, coach, principal, husband, parent, author, and the subject of the movie “The Final Season.” The film details the 1991 season of Iowa’s small but storied Norway High School baseball team, which Ken coached to their
Ashford Connections / Issue Four
20th state title. His speech inspired the graduates to find their passion, take chances, and seek out mentors – as well as be a mentor to others. Sarah Francisco, who earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology at the ceremony and is a recipient of the President’s Scholarship, is proud to have become the first person in her immediate family to have graduated from college. “My parents, grandparents, aunt, and uncle attended the ceremony, and since it was small, I was able to find them immediately in the audience. Being able to see them helped calm my nerves and made me feel more at ease. It made me realize that everything I have been working for was finally coming true.” Additionally, Sarah’s relatives in Oregon were able to view the ceremony streaming live online. “I was extremely happy that they were all able to share in this important milestone in my life,” said Sarah, adding, “I could not have asked for a better way to end my college career.” Graduation videos of online and campus ceremonies are archived under the “Student Services” tab at ashford.edu. //
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MILITARY SPOTLIGHT /
AU Alumni Magazine
ON PATROL A Series of Sketches from Tours in Iraq (An Excerpt) Military Spotlight: By Joshua B. Denby, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
Waiting A shadow stalked the North Gate, seizing my attention. Creeping from one pillar to the next, hesitating behind each, closing the distance between us. Reaching the last pillar it hesitated again, longer this time. Did it disappear? Like a cat, its dark outline thrust from behind the pillar. The launcher tip ref lected ambient light; its one red eye stared right at me. “Thump…thump, thump…thump, thump, thump…” a Chinook’s blades slicing through the cool night air reeled me back to reality. My eyes, adjusting from the daydream, were drawn like moths to the lights of a single car entering the rotary. The knocking of its poorly maintained engine and loose muff ler muzzled the sound of the passing helos; back firing as it limped along, making its lonesome way through the gate. The helos banked right and we were left with nothing but silence. Deafening silence. My breath hung in the cool air like fog over a lake bed, the only thing keeping me company. “Michael Myers,” someone shouted from the fighting position on the far corner of the roof. Erupting in the silence, the voice startled me. Several seconds passed as I shook the haze loose.
It screamed across the sky, barreling right at us. I rolled out of my chair and fell face first onto the dusty, hard concrete roof. “Incoming!” I shouted. Lying there, I watched each of my friends follow suit and dive chest first on the rooftop, falling like dominoes. Hopeless, we lay there, knowing if the rocket hit our building we probably wouldn’t survive. Seconds passed, but it felt like days, moving in slow motion. A rush of wind and heat braised my back as the sound of the rocket pierced my ears. I looked up and saw the tail of the rocket skimming four feet above the roof, its cherry red f lame lighting the night sky like a beacon of destruction. It disappeared momentarily behind the last building in our row. In an instant the field behind that building was engulfed in a fire ball. The f lames spread wildly over the gravel-covered field. The stones sounded like marbles as they bounced and rolled away from the blast. Finally able to gain my balance and composure, I stood and ran to my friends lying face down, meticulously checking each one for injury. After seeing me, they followed and checked other soldiers on the roof. Once each one was checked out, we sent them to the stairwell. They would be safer inside. Escorting the last group of soldiers to the stairs I looked back to make sure no one was left behind. Scanning the rooftop, the familiar sound screeched above the generators again. I jumped in the door, clearing the first f light of stairs. Landing on my feet, I rolled to my right and shouted, “Incoming!” //
“Michael Vick,” a second voice echoed from the position behind me. “Val Kilmer,” I replied, keeping the game alive. Finally something to pass the time.
My breath hung in the cool air like fog over a lake bed, the only thing keeping me company. The crackle and static of the radio stopped our game short. “Bring it down,” the voice commanded. Slothfully I moved into action, stuffing my night vision goggles back into their pouch, wondering where we were going. Still half-asleep from the long shift, my muscles strained under the weight of my machine gun.
About the Author Raised in Ohio, Joshua B. Denby, 27, enlisted in the US Army shortly after graduating from high school and has been stationed in Germany, Japan, and Missouri, and has deployed to Iraq twice. After his second deployment, he talked to a professor about the difficulty he was having coping with his experiences in Iraq, and upon the professor’s advice began writing. “On Patrol” became his final project (two of the six sections are included here). Joshua is set to graduate from Ashford in 2013 with his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and hopes to continue expanding and publishing his writing portfolio.
Incoming! Taking the last drag from my cigarette, I looked up at the sky. The stars are so brilliant here. Large and bright they dominate the night sky, so close I felt like I could touch them. As the smoke rolled off my lips, a small sound could be heard over the generators that litter our area. Looking down from the heavens I saw the rocket.
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Ashford University / ashford.edu
AU Alumni Magazine
/ MILITARY SPOTLIGHT
DERIC M. WALKER Military Alumni Spotlight: Deric M. Walker, Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, 2011
I was in the back of a C-130 [flying into a warzone] working on papers.
United States Air Force First Sergeant Deric Walker stopped at nothing to earn his Bachelor’s degree.
What does going to college look like for a typical Ashford student? For some, it might be posting in a discussion board while simultaneously soothing a crying baby at 2:00 am. You might see others using a mobile device to work on a paper during a morning commute on the train. For Deric Walker, 35, a First Sergeant in the United States Air Force, who was deployed for six months while enrolled at Ashford, the conditions he worked under were even more strenuous. “I took classes while I was doing combat skills training and preparation for my deployment to Iraq,” he shares. “I took classes while I was in Naples, Italy getting training with NATO, and also in Baghdad, Iraq, f lying into a war zone. I was in the back of a C-130 working on papers.”
This married father of two felt his Bachelor of Arts in Social Science degree was worth continuing under these conditions for its immediate professional benefits. “My job is to improve the quality of life of the 240 personnel in my unit and their families. I believe my degree adds to my competency level in that it helps my unit members feel at ease with my moral, ethical, and legal decision making in support of them, and it helps validate my position within the unit.” Having earned two Associate’s degrees traditionally prior to enrolling at Ashford, Deric prefers the online format. “I liked being able to work at my own pace and incorporate my educational goals into my daily schedule. Ashford has allowed me to take my classroom with me literally any where in the world.” In addition to Iraq and Italy, Deric also completed classes while in Washington State, Wyoming, Texas, and Alabama. Thankfully, the extensive traveling and Air Force demands didn’t prevent Deric from succeeding at Ashford. “As far as surprises I encountered while studying at Ashford, I think I was surprised at how smart I am! I worked hard on all of my assignments, and the instructors evidently recognized that. I ended up graduating Magna Cum Laude.”
Ashford Connections / Issue Four
Along with relishing his good grades, Deric enjoyed interacting with classmates from all walks of life. “Some students were from other countries, and they provided some great insight during our discussions,” he recalls. “I don’t think you can get that type of perspective in a traditional classroom environment.” Currently stationed at Dyess Air Force Base just outside of Abilene, TX, Deric cherishes the ability to show his children the value and importance of education. “It took me nearly 16 years to get my Bachelor’s degree due to the military commitment and other obligations,” he admits. “It certainly had it challenges, but finally getting it done is valuable beyond any measure.” To continue the momentum, Deric now plans to return to Ashford for a Master’s degree. Ashford University is incredibly proud of the accomplishments of service members like First Sergeant Deric Walker, and we are honored to have each and every one of them in our community of students and alumni. //
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ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT /
AU Alumni Magazine
ROXANNE MOURANT Master of Arts in Education, 2007 Alaska State Educational Technology Coordinator Alumnae Spotlight: Roxanne Mourant
ASHFORD’S community of alumni is made up of extraordinary people from all walks of life, and their stories never cease to amaze and inspire. The following profiles are just a few of the many examples demonstrating the dedication and talent they show on their way to realizing greater personal and professional success. For more alumni profiles, including future updates on Roxanne and Vincent, visit ashford.edu/stories.
Roxanne Mourant (better known as Roxy) is a diehard third-generation Alaskan who was born in Juneau and has lived in Fairbanks, Anchorage, and several other Alaskan towns. Back in her hometown today, Roxy is putting her Ashford degree to work, having landed her dream job as Alaska State Educational Technology Coordinator. In this role, she oversees programs and grants that help students in all of Alaska’s 53 school districts use technology for education – something she has long been passionate about. In addition, Roxy is a winner of the Denali Award for showing innovation in education. So how did she get here? For almost a decade, Roxy taught grades 6-12 throughout the state. She had her Bachelor’s degree, but needed to finish her Master’s degree in order to continue as a teacher. “Ashford was one of the best universities I found that allowed me to continue teaching while working on my Master’s degree, applying the lessons I learned in the program directly into my classroom.” Despite her passion for the field and her success, Roxy left teaching to return to Juneau last fall to help care for her ailing mother. But soon enough, the position for State Educational Technology Coordinator opened up. Despite all of her past experience and accolades, Roxy would not have been eligible for the position without her Master’s degree, and the opportunity would have passed her by. Instead, Roxy was selected for the job.
Roxy is as enthusiastic about her state and its people as she is her job, and encourages people to keep Alaska beautiful by supporting environmentally friendly modes of transportation and development of natural resources. Ashford University is proud to have this dynamic educational trailblazer in our growing family of highly successful alumni, and the admiration is mutual. “I think Ashford has a rigor that is valuable for online learning. I am grateful that Ashford had the vision to realize how online coursework could benefit someone like me who worked full-time and needed to finish a degree in order to continue as a teacher. The online program at Ashford helped me learn how to effectively interact with my colleagues in an online environment that prepared me for what I would use daily in my professional career. “My passion,” continues Roxy, “will always be finding ways to help students succeed.” Ashford University is right behind her in that mission. //
The online program at Ashford...prepared me for what I would use daily in my professional career.
“My favorite aspect of my job is the relationships that are built and the wonderful people I get to work with, as well as having the ability to help lead education towards fun, cool, relevant projects that help students throughout the state.” One of those projects is providing distance education for various Native Alaskan communities, many of whom live in remote and isolated areas with no road access for much of the year.
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Ashford University / ashford.edu
AU Alumni Magazine
/ ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
VINCENT DAVIS Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management, 2009 Master of Arts in Organizational Management, Organizational Leadership specialization College Football Defensive Line Coach and Recruiting Coordinator Alumnus Spotlight: Vincent Davis
Vincent Davis, 49, has tried many different lines of work throughout his long and varied career. Starting from the tender age of just 17, he’s served as owner of several small businesses, having started a D.J. service, recording studios and record labels, and even group homes for foster children. He’s no stranger to the corporate world, either, having been a manager at Arizona Beverage Company.
It only took me 30 days from the time I graduated to land my first college coaching job, and I have been on the move since!
Throughout much of that time, Vinny had also been involved in coaching high school football, while dreaming of one day coaching at the college level. He had played college football himself, but had dropped out before graduating – and so his lack of a degree was holding him back from achieving that goal. One day, when Vincent was coaching football at a Tampa, FL high school in 2004, a college coach came to visit one of his players. To Vincent’s surprise, it was his own former college football assistant coach, who he hadn’t seen for 22 years! “It was very inspiring to see what he had accomplished over the years, from being an assistant coach at a small college to coaching for a large Division I university – and he has since been hired by the NFL. He is the reason I went back to college at the age of 46.”
Vinny decided on Ashford University for its convenient online format. “There was no other way to go – plus, it was very affordable, and the professors were understanding and down to earth.” The Organizational Management degree program was his choice because of its broad reach over a vast array of professional fields. “I wanted a degree that would take me through the rest of my life,” continues Vinny. “And I really learned a lot at Ashford. My professors and classmates opened my eyes to a new beginning and a brighter future.” Vinny’s enthusiasm must have rubbed off on his wife, as she is now enrolled at Ashford as well! Along with inspiring his wife and children, Vinny relishes the opportunity to inspire the lives of the young men he coaches every day at a job he loves.
Now that Vinny has gotten a taste of how amazing it feels to reap the rewards of an education, he’s enrolled at Ashford again for his Master of Arts in Organizational Management, Organizational Leadership specialization in the hopes of eventually landing a Division I position or a head coaching job. Who knows, maybe we’ll see Vinny on the NFL sidelines one day! “The sky’s the limit. No matter what life throws at you, follow your dreams and don’t let anyone change your mind. “I’ve had a blessed life,” continues Vinny, “but it felt like I was missing something from my past, and that was a college degree – which I now have after 24 years of putting it off. I am very glad that the Lord gave me a vision to find Ashford University. Thanks, Ashford; without you I wouldn’t be where I am today.” //
“It only took me 30 days from the time I graduated to land my first college coaching job, and I have been on the move since! I coached at Tiffin University in Ohio for one year, and then I was hired at Waldorf College in Iowa, where I am currently in my second year. My degree is paying for itself.”
Ashford Connections / Issue Four
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CAMPUS NEWS / AU Alumni Magazine
SAINTS IN SAN DIEGO Campus News: By Chris Shaw, Ashford University Sports Information Director
The Ashford University men’s basketball team took a 5-day trip to San Diego during the 2011 winter break for a pair of victorious road games against two Golden State Athletic Conference opponents. Even though the Saints were 1,600 miles from home, they found a home away from home in southern California.
The Bridgepoint and Ashford employees gave us all of the support in the world, and that was really nice to see.
While in “America’s Finest City,” the squad made visits to the corporate headquarters of Ashford University, Bridgepoint Education, where they toured each building and interacted with employees. They also had the opportunity to visit CEO Andrew Clark’s office – where they took turns being photographed while seated at Mr. Clark’s desk.
Two days later, another large following fueled the Saints to halt a late San Diego Christian College rally to hang on for a two-point victory, 60-58. Tanzillo paced the Ashford team with 17 points as the squad picked up its seventh consecutive victory.
“The support we received from the Bridgepoint and Ashford University employees was awesome,” said senior forward Peter Tanzillo, who was a freshman when he last made the trip to San Diego in the 20082009 season. “The support we had at the games was phenomenal, and the employees made us feel very welcome and treated us like we were ‘their’ team.”
In between game days, the team found also time to experience some of the sights of San Diego. They attended the 2011 Bridgepoint Education Holiday Bowl, an annual college football bowl sponsored by the company, and enjoyed the matchup between the victorious University of Texas and the University of California, Berkeley.
For Ashford’s senior-laden ballclub, it was a great way to close out the careers of several studentathletes who have helped the program gain so much success – not only on the conference and regional level, but on the national level as well. Entering the 2011 Midwest Collegiate Conference Men’s Basketball Tournament as the third seed last March, the Saints ran the table and locked up their invitation to the 2011 NAIA Division II National Men’s Basketball Tournament with an 84-81 win over top-seeded Iowa Wesleyan College. It was the team’s first visit to the tournament since the 2001-2002 season.
“It was incredible to see the growth the organization has gone through since I visited as a freshman,” added senior forward Matthias Burns.
“Head Coach Oliver Drake joked with us before the game about where our seats were,” laughed Tanzillo. “We were so surprised to be that close to a nationally televised game. It was a great experience and we were honored to be guests of Bridgepoint.”
“We had a great following in San Diego,” enthused senior guard Jonathan Wyatt, the third returning member of the 2008-2009 squad. “The Bridgepoint and Ashford employees gave us all of the support in the world, and that was really nice to see.” //
Even though the Saints were so far away from their Iowa home court in Kehl Arena, the Ashford faithful were out in full force at both ballgames. “We were on a first name basis with everyone we spoke with,” said Burns. “Everyone knew who we were, and that was really cool.” Senior guard Jason Landry (who was in the Elite 8 of the College Slam Dunk & 3-Point Championships this year) landed on the front page of the San Diego Union Tribune sports section after he put back an offensive rebound with 11 seconds remaining to lift the Saints over Point Loma Nazarene University, with a score of 65-64. “The crowd gave us the momentum to get that one more stop after Jason’s shot,” shared Tanzillo. “We really felt like the home team in the PLNU game.”
The Saints enjoyed their tour of Bridgepoint Education, Ashford’s corporate headquarters in San Diego.
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Ashford University / ashford.edu
AU Alumni Magazine
/ CAMPUS NEWS
ALUMNI HALL OF FAME Franci Phelan, Senior Vice President of “Grow People” at convenience store pioneer Kum & Go, L.C., is latest inductee. Campus News: Alumni Hall of Fame
Franci Phelan, left, and fellow “Mountie” Waunita Sullivan pose with Franci’s commemorative plaque.
Successful executive Franci Phelan earned her Associate of Arts in Liberal Arts from Mount St. Clare College (MSCC), now Ashford University, in 1983. She was inducted into the Ashford University Alumni Hall of Fame on November 19, 2011 as part of a homecoming dinner and dance celebration. A resident of Maxwell, IA, Franci also holds a Bachelor’s degree from Arizona State University and a Master’s degree from Indiana Wesleyan University, and is currently pursuing a Doctoral degree from George Washington University. She is highly active in her community, serving on the board of directors for several organizations. Franci joined Kum & Go with an extensive resume of senior level positions, one of which was Chief Human Resources Officer of The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. She took some time to speak with Ashford Connections about her time at MSCC and to offer advice to fellow careerminded Ashford alumni.
DID YOU LIVE ON CAMPUS?
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO STUDENTS
Yes, I lived in Durham Hall for two years and was a resident assistant my second year there. Great fun and camaraderie there! It provided a perfect environment for many of us to grow and mature. There was a great mix of young adults from rural locations, larger cities like Chicago, and metro areas; as well as international students. The phrase ‘all are welcome’ seemed to rule the day at MSCC in Durham Hall.
AND ALUMNI OF MSCC / ASHFORD WHO HOPE TO
WHAT WAS YOUR EXPERIENCE LIKE AS A STUDENT?
Upon reflection, I credit my time at the Mount as helping me grow and mature as a student and individual. I was provided so many opportunities to explore: taking trips, digging into ideas and challenging topics, participating in several student activities and fundraisers, and getting to know a diverse group of students and professors. MSCC was a fantastic experience for me and I’ve continued to be an avid supporter since my time as a student. My time at the Mount further provided a good runway for education and experiences I would have thereafter. WHEN YOU LEARNED THAT MOUNT ST. CLARE COLLEGE IS NOW ASHFORD UNIVERSITY, WITH A LARGE ONLINE STUDENT BODY, DID IT
ACHIEVE THEIR OWN PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS AS A SENIOR EXECUTIVE OR OTHERWISE?
I’ve often said that the book I’ll write one day will be titled ‘To Boldly Go.’ I believe success is defined by yourself and what you choose to do as an individual and contributing member of society, so be bold! Very early on, I made a promise to myself that I would not live a life of regret. This simple promise has challenged me to work to contribute when and wherever I can – oftentimes putting me in situations that I couldn’t have dreamed of but value nonetheless. I’ve had great fun experiencing all I can
I credit my time at the Mount as helping me grow and mature as a student and individual.
SURPRISE YOU? HOW DID YOU DISCOVER MOUNT ST. CLARE COLLEGE, AND WHAT FACTORS MADE YOU DECIDE TO ENROLL THERE FOR YOUR ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE?
MSCC has been connected to the Phelan family for as long as I can remember. My aunts, Sr. Anne Martin Phelan and Sr. MaryAnn Phelan, went there as wstudents when it was called Mount St. Clare Academy, and Sr. MaryAnn worked there as the Director of Development. My brother, Dan Phelan, and older sister, Laurie Phelan, were graduates from the college as well, and I was able to see how it impacted them. I also appreciated the fact that I could participate in a number of activities, such as basketball, chorus, and student senate, while also receiving a quality education from a reputable higher education institution.
Ashford Connections / Issue Four
I don’t think of MSCC and Ashford in terms of size; I see both as quality institutions with the same goal in mind: preparing students for a variety of professional experiences. In this effort, there are many similarities. I think the handoff from the Mount to Ashford was handled masterfully! As a former Mount graduate, I’ve been made to feel as welcome by Ashford’s team as I was with the Mount. There are several Mounties working and presently connected to the college, like Waunita Sullivan, Director of Student Success. That said, I am happy and a touch envious of the growth in course offerings (and the fantastic athletic facilities!) that are now available through Ashford. Students have to be proud of the institution’s growth while also preserving the reputation of education that has defined the College for years.
personally and professionally. As a young adult and every day since, my parents have reminded me that ‘you only go around this world once,’ so don’t wait for retirement to do what you feel you are called to do for yourself and others. IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD?
A great bonus in attending the Mount was the many friends and colleagues I found that I continue to stay in touch with; one in particular is my husband, Randal Peters. We met at MSCC and have been best friends ever since. We continue to spend time with the Sisters of St. Francis in Clinton each year. They, among others, were our teachers, counselors, and friends. They have been such wonderful role models in how to live a balanced life that is both humble and fulfilling. Again, a sincere thank you for presenting me with the Hall of Fame Alumni Award. I continue to be humbled by it! //
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KEEP IN TOUCH / AU Alumni Magazine
CLASS NOTES Keep in Touch: Class Notes
Kenya Baker, who started at Ashford as an aspiring special education teacher, is happy to report he has landed the very job he was turned down for prior to earning his Bachelor of Arts in Social Science, Education specialization, in 2011. “My Ashford degree has proven to be a big boost for my career plans, and it was a big factor in being able to get a job as a Special Education Instructional Assistant. I got a lot out of my Ashford education, and find that many doors have opened for me as a result of it.” Kenya is now pursuing a Master’s degree and a Mild/Moderate Special Education Teaching Credential. Upon earning her Master of Business Administration, Business Economics specialization last year, Victoria Baird was promoted to Market Research Analyst at Brandes Investment Partners, LLC, where she has worked for the past few years in San Diego, CA. “I truly learned so much valuable information [at Ashford] that I apply to my career. I was amazed by the quality of the faculty members and the work experience of my professors. Plus, my classmates all had versatile backgrounds and we learned a lot from each other.” In her new position, Victoria monitors global financial markets, analyzes economic trends and market conditions, and conducts ongoing research projects.
Due to earn her Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations, Marketing specialization later this year, Linda Anders reports she has already been promoted to Advertising Director at The Facts, the Brazoria County, TX newspaper where she works. “I attribute a lot of that to my success at Ashford University,” she says. Her accomplishments include an impressive 3.97 GPA. Though already reaping the professional rewards of working toward her degree, Linda is looking forward to the icing on the cake. “I am absolutely going to participate in the commencement ceremony in Iowa! After almost three years of burning the candle at both ends, I wouldn’t miss it for the world!” As a partner and vice president at a land surveying and engineering firm he has been with for over 25 years, Don Woolley recently used the management concepts he learned while earning his Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management at Ashford into action. “During my classes, I was involved in starting up a new department at my firm. This has been a huge challenge during these difficult economic times, but what I was learning directly related to what I was trying to accomplish and helped me build a successful department.” Don earned his degree to improve his written communication skills, better utilize rapidly changing technologies, and to finally transform the credits he’d collected at several schools over the course of 37 years.
Khalid Jabr earned his Master of BusinessAdministration,Information Systems specialization, in 2011, and is thrilled with how it has impacted his job in the IT industry. “I am now viewed as a subject matter expert and am the go-to person at my workplace. My priority and time-management skills have also been enhanced tremendously.” Despite working full time and raising twins with his wife while earning his degree, Khalid maintained a 4.0 GPA and was invited to join the Golden Key International Honour Society. He sees having his MBA as a valuable asset on his résumé. “Having a degree from an accredited institution increases your opportunity, especially during tough times.” Many years ago, Sheila Woodard, who earned her Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration in 2010, left the college degree she’d started after high school incomplete when she moved to the Caribbean. Now a resident of El Paso, TX, she has achieved a goal two decades in the making. “I have been in the hospitality industry for 20 years and have wanted to move on to a general manager position, but had not been given the opportunity.” After finally enrolling at Ashford and completing her degree, Sheila reports, “I am now a General Manager of an all-suite property and loving it! I will be studying this year to obtain my professional certification (CHA).”
FACEBOOK FEED Keep in Touch: Facebook Feed
Discover Ashford’s social media communities at ashford.edu/social
HAVE YOU CONNECTED OFFLINE WITH ANYONE FROM YOUR ONLINE COURSES? Cynthia Hendricks Murphy: I have met a lot of people through Ashford whom I consider very good friends. My best friend from Ashford lives in Wyoming and has already graduated, but we talk all the time through email and have exchanged pictures of our families. Alicia Curione: I made a ton of friends in one of my Ashford classes. It has now been 3 years and we all still keep in contact! Stephen McCabe: I took a fellow student and her husband on a tour of NYC a couple of months ago when they came up from North Carolina for a visit.
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Tameka Mccray: I have formed good friendships. I love these ladies. Just having something in common with someone that you would have never interacted with had it not been for Ashford is amazing! Corin Miller-Words: I’ve graduated, and I still keep in contact with classmates and professors. It would be to your advantage to speak to as many people as you can, and network often. I connected with one student and for my last few courses we took classes together. It was a huge motivator to buddy up with someone because we pushed each other along. Jessica Foote: I met a very nice lady in my first class, and we have become good friends. We live in different states, so we haven’t met in person, but hopefully we will get the pleasure when we both attend graduation! :)
Ashford University / ashford.edu
AU Alumni Magazine
College of Business and Professional Studies Associate of Arts Business Organizational Management
Bachelor of Arts Accounting* Professional Accounting Program** Business Administration* Business Economics Business Information Systems* Business Leadership* Computer Graphic Design** Consumer & Family Financial Services eMarketing Entrepreneurship Finance*
College of Education
College of Liberal Arts
Associate of Arts
Associate of Arts
Early Childhood Education
Bachelor of Arts Child Development
Communication Studies
Cognitive Studies
Cultural Anthropology
Early Childhood Education
English
Early Childhood Education Administration
English and Communication**
Education & Public Policy
Environmental Studies*
Education Studies
History*
Elementary Education (grades K-8)**
Homeland Security & Emergency Management
English Language Learner Studies
Journalism & Mass Communication
Instructional Design
Law Enforcement Administration
Library Science & Media
Liberal Arts*
Physical Education**
Military Studies
Graduate Degrees
International Business
Master of Arts in Teaching and Learning with Technology
Organizational Management Public Administration Public Relations & Marketing* Real Estate Studies Service Management Sports & Recreation Management* Supply Chain Management Sustainable Enterprise Management
Graduate Degrees
Bachelor of Arts Applied Linguistics
Master of Arts in Education
Project Management
Military Studies
Business Education**
Human Resources Management Operations Management & Analysis
/ KEEP IN TOUCH
College of Health, Human Services, and Science Bachelor of Arts Adult Development Applied Behavioral Science Complementary & Alternative Health Gerontology
Political Science & Government Social & Criminal Justice* Social Science* Sociology* Visual Art** *Offered on campus and online. **Offered on campus only. All other listed programs are offered online. For more information about on-time completion rates, the median loan debt of students who completed each program, and other important information, please visit ashford.edu/pd.
Health & Human Services
Master of Arts in Organizational Management
Health & Wellness
Master of Business Administration
Health Care Administration*
Master of Public Administration
Health Care Studies Health Education Health Informatics Health Marketing & Communication Natural Science** Psychology*
WE HOPE YOU ENJOYED THIS EDITION OF ASHFORD CONNECTIONS! WE WELCOME YOUR FEEDBACK — PLEASE SEND ANY COMMENTS OR SUGGESTIONS TO: CONNECTIONS@ASHFORD.EDU.
Bachelor of Science Biology** Computer Science and Mathematics** Health Science Administration** Natural Science**
Graduate Degrees Master of Arts in Health Care Administration
SHARE YOUR MILESTONES! Email connections@ashford.edu and let us know how your Ashford degree is helping you reach your personal or professional goals.
Ashford Connections / Issue Four
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SAVE THE DATE! Ashford University Student and Alumni Networking Events may be coming to a city near you. Be sure to visit ashford.edu/networkevents for specific locations and to RSVP. Also, please visit ashford.edu/alumni and update your contact information so you can receive information on all alumni events and benefits.
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