CDL Connection Student Blog

Rochelle Campbell was a self-proclaimed “typical (almost) baby-boomer who eschewed any all all things tech~y”. But that was so 2009…before she completed Empire State College’s Digital Storytelling course, taught by Dr. Tom Mackey.

Flash-forward to today…No longer a novice, this author, blogger, and short story artist fired up her Kindle this week and uploaded her first novel-length book, “Opening Up” on Amazon. Previously she published a collection of short stories called, “Leaping Out on Faith“, also available at Amazon.

Earlier this month, Campbell launched her “Notebook Blogiary” which features book reviews (and a clever ‘notebook’ rating scale); life vignettes; samples of her completed short stories or essays; and her thoughts and comments about all things reading or writing related.

“It has been a world wind few weeks!”, said Campbell, who earned a Bachelor of Arts in Cultural Studies with a concentration in Written Communication at Empire State College in 2010. “This class [Digital Storytelling] helped me see that social media and various technology platforms could be my friends,” she said. Based on her immediate success and outstanding creative talents, Ms. Campbell has found herself a modern-day electronic collection of BFFs!

Connect with Rochelle Campbell on Twitter @NotebkBlogairy or via email at noveldreams2007@gmail.com.

“This is my second semester with the scholarship and with the financial help it has surely helped reduced the stress of going more into debt. I will have my bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in human resource management. I have learned so much that I feel I would not have learned in a traditional classroom.”
Bahr Scholar, Kelly M.
Bachelor of Science in Business, Management and Economics

Bahr Scholars and the Center for Distance Learning
This scholarship, created in the name of Empire State College alumnus Morton Bahr, assists union members and other workers by furthering their educational goals and enhancing educational access through distance learning.

As a Bahr Scholar with Empire State College Center for Distance Learning (CDL), you can earn your entire degree online. Busy, working adults are increasingly turning to the web for quality education that fits into their lives. Whether you’re on the road or prefer to study from the comfort of your home, the Center for Distance Learning offers you the chance to reach your goals.

Work With Faculty
Online learning offers dedicated, disciplined students the ability to earn a degree or upgrade skills with our proven web-based education delivery. You will have the opportunity to work with a faculty mentor to develop an individualized degree program that builds upon your interests, life experiences, needs and goals. Through this flexible program, you may work at times and locations that are convenient. Students communicate with faculty and course instructors by means of e-mail, telephone and through discussion areas online.

Stimulating, Challenging Courses
Center for Distance Learning courses are completely self-contained and are highly interactive through discussions with the instructor and other students.  With online learning, you progress at your own rate, and as a Bahr Scholar, you can take up to 2 courses for a maximum 8 credits per term. Keep in mind, however, that online courses are rigorous, requiring the discipline of systematic study, concentrated reading and carefully written assignments. To be successful, you will need to set aside substantial blocks of time for study, logging into your courses at least three times per week.  For example, with a 4-credit course, you should plan on a minimum of 10 hours of study time per week.

Other Bahr Scholars share their thoughts:
Catherine G. – “I finished my Associates Degree at Empire this past May and wasn’t sure I was going to continue to work for a Bachelor’s Degree. I have kids in college and high school and their education is more of a priority for me. Thanks to this scholarship, I will be able to complete my degree.  I am planning to earn a BS in Business Management and Economics.  I am excited and thankful for this wonderful opportunity.”

Zsuzsanna S. - “… I’m one year away from completing my degree in Social Theory, Social Structure and Change. Being a student at ESC has been a fantastic experience, and I met some really great people in the past two years.”

Robin J., B.S., Human Resources and Communications - “When the statement came from ESC the other day my husband and I looked at the $1700+ total and said to each other (again!) that without the Morton Bahr scholarship there’s no way I could be doing this.  It’s something I will remember for the rest of my life and always with deep gratitude and awe that there are people like Mr. Bahr out there whose ideals translate into action to make this a better world for working people.”

Cheryl O., B.A., Community and Human Services – “I felt like I had won the lottery when they called me! After I finished my degree plan and looked at all those classes it seemed like a huge hill to climb, but now I will be finished at the end of this year and get my degree. Never would have been possible without the scholarship! The best part is all of the support from the mentors and other staff at ESC.  I will miss that the most when I graduate, you get so much help and support here!”

Nancy D., B.A., Human Development - “This scholarship has made my life fantastic, and has given me amazing confidence in myself.”

Need More Information?
View this short video to tell you more about online learning at Empire State College or or additional information on the Morton Bahr Online Scholarship, visit this link to apply!

“Have you ever been to Mexico?”

Why not ask Chatterbot “Vira” (pictured at left) who recently placed 4^th an international competition (www.chatterboxchallenge.com) featuring 34 “bots” from around the world.

Vira is an internet-downloadable “chatterbot”, designed to simulate human intelligence and converse casually with humans when asked simple questions like, “What is 18+21+3” or “Can you give me an example of a living animal?”.

Created by Empire State College student Tom Joyce as final project for his CDL course Discrete Mathematics, Vira out-chatted 34 other English-speaking bots vying for a $1,000 cash prize.

Joyce’s work incorporates principles of Artificial Intelligence (A.I.), which he refers to as “reinforced learning”, a combination of science and engineering which results in “intelligent” computer programs that can perform simple tasks like open an elevator door, interact within a video game, or have an actual speech-recognized conversation, like Vira.

“Finding ways to enjoy A.I. is important because designing it usually involves pushing the limits. Luckily building a machine that talks right back to you is an experience most find very entertaining and rewarding,” said Joyce, a New Jersey resident. “This is significant since it demonstrates that my research is going forward, and will provide a solid foundation for new and exciting innovations in the future,” he added.

Students and faculty pictured with SUNY Board of Trustees Chairman H.Carl McCall and Chancellor Zimpher.

In opening remarks, SUNY Chancellor Nancy L. Zimpher noted, “Research is a critical part of the undergraduate education experience. Today’s event gives us all an opportunity to work together to showcase the quality of our work to the world.”

That’s why SUNY Empire State College’s Center for Distance Learning (CDL) student Veronica Baiamonte traveled from Denver, CO to attend the SUNY Faculty Senate-sponsored event, “Discovery: An Undergraduate Showcase,” which took place yesterday at the Legislative Office Building at Empire State Plaza in Albany, NY.

Veronica Baiamonte with mentor Dr. Nicola Martinez

“I was so happy to be a part of this event and share my research in a real-world setting,” said Baiamonte, a CDL student whose Bachelors degree is focused on media and learning. “There were many more people than I expected. Everyone was walking around, asking questions, and talking about their work. I was able to share my ideas with senators, faculty members and other students, too. It motivates me to think bigger and continue my research in other ways.”

Baiamonte’s research, “Developing an Assessment Rubric to Evaluate Digital and Media Literacy Activities,” was part of a capstone study, instructed by her faculty mentor, Dr. Nicola Martinez, who also attended the event.

“Having a full day to focus on Veronica’s research and interests gave us some lovely ‘mentoring moments’. It allowed us to connect informally, as peers, with similar interests, sharing thoughts, ideas, and interests,” said Martinez, an academic Area Coordinator, Mentor and Instructor for humanities and digital media at the CDL. ”In addition, it was wonderful to see the energy and enthusiasm for undergraduate research shared by the SUNY administration, New York legislators, SUNY faculty mentors, and staff, as well as the extraordinary students who participated,” added Martinez.

The Discovery Event goal was to “share enthusiasm in showcasing a range of undergraduate research projects…and to enhance the image and reputation of SUNY public higher education.” A call for entries was announced in December 2011 and Baiamonte was one of two students selected to represent Empire State College. Over 125 poster presentations were showcased from students at SUNY campus locations across the state including Binghamton University, Morrisville State College, Fashion Institute of Technology, Purchase College, and more.

Janine Carchidi discusses her work with David Lavallee, SUNY Executive Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Provost

“I was shocked and excited when I received the letter that I was selected to attend this event,” said Janine Carchidi, Empire State College’s second student representative. Carchidi’s entry, “Advocacy by Design,” showcased her goal to help not-for-profit organizations to benefit from higher-quality communication and graphic design campaigns, offered at reduced rates. “My passion is graphic design. My experience is in not-for-profit management. When I combine the two, I am able to bring together my ideas and mission into one goal that benefits organizations and the entire community,” said Carchidi, who will earn an Associate of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies with a concentration in Advocacy of Design.

Phil Ortiz, CDL Faculty member and a past Faculty Senate representative also attended today’s event. He commented, “Janine and Veronica were actively engaged in their own learning. They were able to describe their projects in a way that was understandable to everyone, and their answers to questions demonstrated their mastery of the subject matter. In observing them interacting with the Chancellor, Provost, Vice Chancellor, Senator and everyone else with who they discussed their projects, it was clear that they were very impressive examples of our unique and talented Empire State College students.”

Under the direction of new student editor, Sandra Barkevich, the 32nd edition of “The Student Connection” is now live. Read student poetry, articles, and journal entries or catch up on college-related news at the link below.

The Student Connection

President Barak Obama declared January as “National Mentoring Month”, inspiring Center for Distance Learning student Kristen Yard (at left) to write this piece, “The Importance of Mentor/Student Relationships: a CDL Student Perspective” for The Student Connection online newsletter.

Yard spoke highly of her exeprience with mentor Elaine Franz when she began at ESC in 2008, “I was terrified. I had been out of school for quite some time, had a new baby and was out of sorts…throughout health issues, life problems and situations with classes, Franz has stood by me — an anchor in the chaos of being an adult student,” she said. Yard, who originally intended to pursue a degree in businee or medicine will be graduating in June with a degree in creative writing, a subject Yard says she “truly loves.”

Visit the CDL Facebook page and ell us about your work with your Empire State College mentor or advisor. How did that relationship impact your ESC experience?

Read the Kristen’s article here:
Kristen Yard Essay – Mentoring

 Empire State College’s academic quality met New York Times credibility in a special article supplement, published this weekend, which featured the Center for Distance Learning.

Journalist Jayne Feld wrote in her open, “As the world grows ever more wireless, online education is increasingly the best option for time-stressed adult learners.”

The article (NY Times) showcased CDL’s breadth of course offerings, prior learning opportunities, low SUNY tuition, and Dean Tom Mackey’s philosophy that our “incredible flexibility empowers our students to take control of their futures.”

In addition, CDL student Anita Brown, who will graduate in June with a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Visual Communication, shared her thoughts on course design, diverse student discussions, quality instruction, and flexible learning options.

To stay up-to-date on other exciting news and academic successes at Empire State College, be sure to “like” the Center for Distance Learning on Facebook!

Anita Brown

 Anita De Cianni Brown’s e-mail signature includes the following quote from Gandhi:
“Be the Change You Want to See In the World.”

It’s inspirational. It’s compassionate. It’s motivational. Just like Anita.

In addition to her role as a Center for Distance Learning student, Brown works full time in the Career Center at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. She is Vice President of the Green Island Board of Education; a volunteer at the American Cancer Society, Green Island Food Pantry, and Ronald McDonald House; she recently started a photography business as a result of her college courses; and she’s the “official scorekeeper” at her daughter’s high school basketball and soccer games.

Her life philosophy is, “Do what you love,” and it’s clear through her interests and activities that she takes her own advice.

In 2009 Brown made a commitment to continue her courses in marketing and the associates degree program she completed at Hudson Valley Community College in the early 1980s. Now, 22 classes and 82 credits later, she will graduate from SUNY Empire State College in June 2012 with a Bachelor of Arts with a concentration in Visual Communications.

Anita and her family in Rome, Italy.

“I’m sure my ‘story’ is pretty much like many others. I started taking classes at night when time would be available. I decided to have a family and continuing my education went on the back burner. After my daughter graduated high school, I decided it was time to finish what I started,” said Brown, who also plans to pursue her master’s degree.

“Taking classes online is a tremendous amount of work. But I never felt that I wasn’t getting the support I needed. The learning curve of going from traditional classroom to the online setting was pretty quick. Empire State College offered me the ability to customize a degree that suited me. Most importantly, ESC has the SUNY brand. And SUNY is an educational system I have faith in,” she said.

Read more about Anita’s experience at Empire State College as featured in the January 8^th New York Times Magazine supplement on online learning.

Cheers for 2012 from Empire State College…And around the world! For a tour, click on the map below!

Pictured here, and full of cheer, the concourse-based Empire State Plaza staff (left to right) of Dana Henson, Bob Congemi, Pearl Weisinger and Susan Eve LeClair wish the students and staff at Empire State College a healthy and happy holiday season!