CDL Connection Student Blog

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!

Pictured left to right: Burks Oakley (moderator), Linda Lawrence, and David Caso

Linda Lawrence, Coordinator of Instructional Development and David Caso, Director of Student and Academic Services at SUNY Empire State College’s Center for Distance Learning (CDL) received a SLOAN-C Award for Excellence in Faculty Development for Online Teaching. Lawrence and Caso co-developed and implemented CDL’s on-line faculty orientation and training program in the spring of 2011.

Sloan-C is a professional organization made up of “individuals, institutions and organizations committed to quality online education”. 

The award was presented during this week’s International Conference on Online Learning in Orlando, FL, which focused on “Learning, Teaching, and Research in the New Media Ecology”.

Peter Meade (left) and his son Brian.

At age 68, Peter Meade understands there’s no time like the present.

He survived Marine Corps boot camp, 45 years of active fire fighting service, parenthood, prostate and bladder cancer, and most recently, final coursework to complete his bachelor’s degree through Empire State College’s Center for Distance Learning.

“Throughout the years, life always seemed to get in the way…But I always knew someday I’d have my degree,” said Meade, who will graduate in 2012 with a degree in Community and Human Service with a concentration in Emergency Management. “I am not doing this for my family, or for my boss, or for my professors. I am doing it for myself,” he said.

In 1961, still a senior at St. Mary’s High School in Manhasset, NY, Meade enlisted in the Marine Corps. After graduating from boot camp at Parris Island, SC he was assigned to the 6^th Marines at Camp Lejeune, NC. He received training as a cryptographer and was called to assist the U.S. Government during the Cuban Missile Crisis in October, 1962, trusted with access to secret strategy, planning, and implementation documents. When he was released from active duty holding the rank of Corporal, his brother Michael motivated him to become a firefighter in his home town of Great Neck, NY. This led to a civil-service position as Fire Marshal, where he served his community for over 37 years. Most notably, Meade co-founded the Fire and Rescue Communications Center for Nassau County, a county-wide emergency command, control and communications organization, staffed by more than forty people, and modeled by other stations across the country.

“If I was wealthy, I’d have done this job for free,” said Meade who still works part-time for Nassau County as a Public Fire Safety Education Specialist teaching kids and elderly residents how prepare for an emergency. “Proper planning saves lives,” he said.

Meade (at center) enjoys his retirement party.

Meade retired from his position as Assistant Chief Fire Marshal in 2009. “I am the only person in my family without my degree. My life changed, and I finally had the time to do this,” said Meade. Although he was not able to attend campus-based courses, Meade found that distance learning worked well for his lifestyle and academic needs.

“Through Empire’s program, my campus is in my den. And unlike traditional college classes, all students attend. No one is invisible. Through the class discussions, students have to ‘show up’ with something interesting to say and contribute. The experience is both enlightening and rewarding,” he said.

In his final term at Empire, Meade credits knowledgeable instructors, a dynamic course environment, support from his mentor Sally Cahan, and his military training as key factors for his success.

“In the Marine Corps you are self-reliant. Yet you rely on fellow Marines to carry out a mission. This same philosophy transcends to the educational environment. You build your foundation and decide how it will go by reacting and reflecting what and how you learn. Then you rely on your instructors to help carry it out,” he said.

Above all, Meade credits his own personal commitment and motivation as the reason for his continued academic success. “I will be almost 70 when I finally have my degree. But I’d be 70 with or without it!” he added.

Brian, Colleen, Peggy and Peter Meade

When he isn’t handing out shiny red hats and plastic badges to elementary school children, or reviewing Module 2’s supplemental reading, Meade rides his son Brian’s Harley and enjoys cooking for his wife, Peggy, and daughter, Colleen. He also spends time writing poetry.

Meade authored the poem, “Luminaria”, read during a memorial service at The American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, to honor people whose lives have been touched by cancer. Meade is currently in chemotherapy treatment, and lost his mom and older brother to the disease. “This poem has been shared at events throughout the country. I read it once, now the message is carried on through other voices,” he said.

In conclusion, when asked “What will you do after graduation?” Meade replied: “Life gives the test before the lesson. And I’ve learned a lot of lessons…So I am always ready and prepared for whatever might happen next,” he said.

And for someone with his enthusiasm and accomplishments, the possibilities are endless.

Central New York (CNY) Magazine made sure Erin Hamlin doesn’t forget her home town of Remsen, NY (a suburb of Utica) while she trains with the USA Luge team which leaves Lake Placid, NY this week to compete against athletes across the world for Olympic glory.

Hamlin, a 2011 alumnus of Empire State College, was the magazine’s cover feature this month in an article titled, “From Remesn to Russia: Erin Hamlin Travels Around the World”.   

In the article, Hamlin discussed everything from her segue into the sport, training schedule, Junior Olympic Trials, high school experiences, athletic career highlights, and most notably how distance-learning enabled her to complete her associate’s degree from Empire State College, while maintining her busy schedule.

Hamlin was also interviewed for ABC’s television news program “Bridge Street“, regarding her hopes to compete in the 2014 Olympic Games in Sochi.

Best of luck to you Erin!

What’s the recommended ”Netiquette”?

Loosely defined (in my own words…) etiquette involves following appropriate behavior and social norms as not to offend others in social and professional situations. Closely related is “netiquette”, a term coined with the explosion of Internet, which applies the same principles but relates specifically to electronic communication.

At the Center for Distance Learning, where the main mode of communication is electronic, “netiquette” is a necessary and important concept to define for our community.

That’s why Student Services professional Deb Monte developed netiquette guidelines for Empire State College to promote respect, kindness and appropriate behavior for faculty, students and professionals in an online setting.

Monte noted, “A distinct feature of an online system is that communication occurs solely via the written word. Because of this, the body language and non-verbal feedback of traditional conversation are absent. These facts need to be considered both when writing online messages and when reading them.”

Click here to learn more about this policy. Have you been minding your (electronic) manners? THANK YOU AND GOOD LUCK! Oops, I meant thank you and good luck!

“Whether it’s the technical aspects or the larger research process, figuring out where to start or finding the exact resource you need to wrap it all up, I’d love to help. I’ve worked in the online library since October 2006 and what fascinates me is what goes on when people take it upon themselves to acquire a new body of knowledge and put it to work for them. It can be an empowering, liberating experience. It’s an important life skill that I want to help make accessible to everyone.”

– Sarah Morehouse, Information Resources Coordinator at the Empire State College Library

Sara and her colleagues want to remind everyone of the helpful library webinars that assist in building student’s research and library skills.

Topics include:
- Introduction to Searching
- Citing Your Sources
- Using RefWorks
- Choosing the Best Research Materials
- Working with Books and E-books

These 90-minute online workshops are taught by a qualified librarians and offer students plenty of exploration and question time. Sign up today at this convenient registration page. Informaton-packed sessions provide a great introduction to the college’s unique online library, and to the best techniques for doing college level research in an online academic environment.