STAKEHOLDER’S REPORTJUNE 2014 | ISSUE 17

Through its commitment to its mission of providing academic excellence, Colorado State University-Global Campus supports its stakeholders including students, alumni, faculty, staff, the Board of Governors, and all citizens of Colorado and beyond.

In Other News

Get the latest news and announcements at CSUGlobal.edu/about-us/news

Colorado State University-Global Campus was granted the ability to offer full baccalaureate degrees for the first time when Governor John Hickenlooper signed Senate Bill 14-114 into law on May 2, 2014. The bill passed through Colorado legislature with bipartisan support, and it will allow the university to help a larger number of nontraditional students achieve their goal of earning a degree.

WHAT THE BILL DOES With the passage of the bill, CSU-Global will be able to change its admissions criteria and enroll prospective bachelor’s degree seeking students regardless of the number of credits they have previously earned. The bill does include a stipulation that students without transfer credits who reside in Colorado must be at least 23 years old (no minimum age restriction applies for students outside of the state). All new degree programs will need to be approved through the Colorado Commission on Higher Education as well.

WHAT WILL CHANGE A task force is already working on how we can best serve this new student population as part of our overall student body. Some changes that you will see include new student support services, additional undergraduate course offerings, and more alternative credit opportunities than before. Our student demographics may become a little younger and our classes and support systems will go through some changes to ensure that we can help students who have never taken a college class be successful.

WHAT WON’T CHANGE While this change means big things for the future of the university, our core mission and commitment to student success remain unwavering. Our focus will still be on ensuring that working adults gain the knowledge and skills they need to advance in their careers, and we will continue to be a leader of innovative learning solutions that meet the needs of today’s learners.

Financial Aid Students Can Now Authorize Their Funds For CSU-Global Alternative Credit Options. Highly motivated, independent learners who are interested in earning credits toward their bachelor’s degree through the university’s Competency Based Exams (CBEs) or Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) programs can now authorize financial aid to cover the associated fees. Students must complete a form and be eligible to receive a financial aid disbursement for that trimester. CBE and PLA credits do not count toward a student’s enrollment status. Interested students should contact their advisor.

New Financial Resources section in the Student Portal. The Student Portal now includes a new tab dedicated to Financial Resources. Students will be able to find information and resources about financial literacy, financing options, and CSU-Global’s scholarships in this area.

CSU-Global Joins HACU. Expanding the university’s ongoing mission for increased educational accessibility and affordability, CSU-Global has joined the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). HACU includes over 400 institutions committed to Hispanic higher education success, and CSU-Global will be a sponsor of HACU’s Annual Conference in Denver, CO from October 4-6, 2014. Students interested in attending can apply for a scholarship to do so by visiting http://www.hacu.net/hacu/Conference_Student_Scholarship1.asp.

Debbie Nance is currently pursuing her Bachelor of Science in Healthcare Administration and Management, which she didn’t think would be possible a few years ago. “I had a cancer scare,” Debbie says. “And I realized the one regret that I had in my life was that I had not finished my degree.”

Debbie was in her early 50s at the time. She was married, had two daughters, worked full time, volunteered in her community, and cared for her mother who was in her 90s. Going back to school wouldn’t be easy, but Debbie would not be deterred. “It was now or never. This degree was for me, and to demonstrate to my daughters that is never too late to achieve personal goals.”

CSU-Global provided Debbie with the guidance and structure she needed, and a goal that once seemed out of reach is now getting closer by the day. “I keep my Program Information on the wall by my computer, and celebrate as I cross off classes one by one. I can see the list getting smaller and smaller, and that keeps me motivated.”

For those thinking about going back to school, Debbie gave the following advice: “You can do this! It is never too late to learn, and never too late to improve your life. The pursuit of your degree will show you just how strong you are.”

Miranda Regnitz has been a valued member of CSU-Global since 2009. “I began working as an admissions counselor,” she says. “I found that I really enjoyed working with nontraditional students.” In her current role as Manager of Course Support, Miranda works with instructional designers, program coordinators, deans, and CSU-Global’s administration to ensure that all CSU-Global courses meet the needs of students.

In addition to her work responsibilities, Miranda just completed her master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from the university. She proudly walked in this year’s Commencement Ceremony with the rest of the graduates. “Now that my schoolwork is finally complete, I plan to get back into quilting and reading two to three books every week.” She also plans to spend more time with her husband Brent, and their two dogs, seven fish, and one very loud lovebird.

BJ (Brenda) Bagwell, Ph.D., joined the CSU-Global faculty in 2010 and teaches in the Teaching and Learning master’s degree program. Her career in educational technology has spanned more than two decades in both K-12 and higher education. She is a member of the Board of Directors for the St. Luke Early Learning Center and has previously served as co-director for the Southwest Georgia Writing Project at Georgia Southwestern State University, an affiliate of

the National Writing Project. In 2011, BJ joined the CSU-Global Faculty Development team, and since then has facilitated many FCC courses and mentored a large amount of new faculty members. She is an avid reader who also enjoys gardening, traveling, and sailing. BJ recently retired from a long career in K-12 with the Georgia Department of Education, and looks forward to continuing her work in higher education indefinitely.

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SPOTLIGHTS

June 7 was a bright sunny day in Colorado, made even brighter by the futures of the graduates who walked in CSU-Global’s Commencement Ceremony. Held at the 1STBANK Center in Broomfield, CO, the university celebrated over 500 registered graduates who achieved their academic goals of a degree and are moving forward toward more professional success.

“For some of you, the journey to today’s event has taken a decade or more, while others have completed it in just two years. But no matter the length of time, you are united in your determination and tenacity to succeed, “ Colorado State University-Global Campus President, Dr. Becky Takeda-Tinker said in her opening remarks. “Congratulations on being seated here among your high-achieving, graduating peers!”

The ceremony began with a performance by the Ribbons & Strings Quartet, the Presentation of Colors by the Broomfield Police Department Honor Guard, and a stirring rendition of the National Anthem by Duane Dillard, one of CSU-Global’s Enrollment Counselors.

An inspiring keynote address was delivered by Dr. Dorothy Horrell, Chair of the CSU System Board of Governors, before graduates were individually recognized on stage for their hard work, dedication, and devotion in 19 different bachelor’s and master’s degree programs.

Prior to concluding the ceremony, new graduate Kelsey Draper delivered the alumni address. “Although CSU-Global is 100% online,” Draper said, “a sense of community permeates the environment and made me feel like I was a part of something special. We should all acknowledge this spirit by celebrating one another, and encouraging each other to realize our full potential in our personal and professional lives.”

CSU-Global’s faculty and staff extend their sincere congratulations to every one of its graduates, as well as a thank you to everyone who attended the Commencement Ceremony and made it such a memorable event.

Students interested in combining their passion for education with an aptitude for leadership will be pleased to learn that CSU-Global has been approved to

offer a new Education Leadership Principal Licensure program.

The Principal Licensure is available through either a

standalone program or a concentration within the Master of Science in Teaching and Learning

degree, and is ideal for students whose career goal is to become a principal, assistant principal, or school administrator at the elementary, middle, or high school levels.

The education leadership classes will be available beginning in the 2014-2015 Fall-C term, while prospective students in the concentration program can begin right now. Due to differences in state authorizations, the Principal Licensure program may not be available to students in certain states, and additional admissions provision apply. Learn more at http://csuglobal.edu/educational-programs/master-degrees/teaching-and-learning-principal-licensure-concentration/.

CSU-GLOBAL BEGINS OFFERING STATE-APPROVED PRINCIPAL LICENSURE PROGRAM

CSU-GLOBAL CONGRATULATES ITS

BIGGEST GROUP OF GRADUATES YET

CONTACT

REAFFIRMATION OF ACCREDITATION

Admissions Potential and New Students P: 800-920-6723 Admissions@CSUGlobal.edu

Student Advising Currently Enrolled Students P: 877-900-2655 Advising@CSUGlobal.edu

Alumni Association Alumni@CSUGlobal.edu

Student Accounts P: 800-462-7845, x4 F: 720-222-5227 StudentAccounts@CSUGlobal.edu

Library Resources & Academic Support Services P: 720-279-1141 F: 303-741-2084 Library@CSUGlobal.edu

Office of the Registrar P: 800-462-7845 x5 F: 720-302-5806 Registrar@CSUGlobal.edu

Faculty Support Current Faculty P: 720-279-1162 F: 720-222-5113 Faculty.Support@CSUGlobal.edu

Military Outreach & Benefits Office P: 1-800-462-7845, x7 MilitaryAdvising@CSUGlobal.edu

Strategic Outreach P: 720-897-8367 Outreach@CSUGlobal.edu

7800 East Orchard Road, Suite 200, Greenwood Village, CO 80111 | 1-800-920-6723 | CSUGlobal.edu

CSU-Global received its initial regional accreditation in June 2011 from the North Center Association of the Higher Learning Commission (NCA-HLC), which was valid for a period of five years. Time flies, however, and the university is beginning the reaffirmation process for its accreditation, which will culminate in a site visit from the HLC during the 2015-2016 academic year.

Throughout this rigorous 18-month process, stakeholders will see a number of communications that document and demonstrate how the university meets the criteria, assumed practices, and federal regulations of its regional accreditation. Visit the reaffirmation page in the portal or CSUGlobal.edu/reaffirm to learn more, and to get the latest information on the reaffirmation process.

CSU-Global has experienced a lot of growth and improvement, and the university is excited to show the NCA-HLC just how far we’ve come.

Any questions or comments can be directed to Reaffirmation@CSUGlobal.edu

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