September 2006
 
 

Military Service Members - Don't Lose Your
Tuition Assistance

Time is running out to use your 2005-2006 military tuition assistance benefits. For some of you, that could mean up to $4,500 toward your college degree every year. Tuition Assistance is offered each fiscal year and if you don’t use your benefits by the end of the fiscal year on September 30th, 2006 – you will lose them. To re-enroll today, visit:https://stars.grantham.edu/EAForm/views/Home.aspx.

~Military students who use all their allotted FY TA with Grantham are allowed to take one additional credit hour - at no additional cost for every $1,000.00 of TA paid on an annual basis. Students must request to use the credit hours by October 1, 2006.

 

Student Spotlight

John "Jack" Childs

Mr. John Childs was born on March 23, 1923 and at the age of 83 has the distinction of being Grantham University’s oldest enrolled student. Mr. Childs is a lifelong learner at heart who doesn’t let age stand in his way.

He graduated from MIT in February 1944 with a Bachelor’s of Science in Electrical Engineering; and in 1963, he graduated with a Master’s in History specializing in Medieval History from Temple University. Mr. Childs also took further courses at Temple in Medieval History from 1965 – 1976, but chose not to pursue his doctorate.

After graduating from MIT, Mr. Childs served as an active duty Lieutenant in the US Naval Reserve from 1944-1946 at the Naval Research Laboratory, MIT Radiation Laboratory in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

When speaking with Mr. Childs, it is immediately apparent that he feels education is important whether you are taking classes to earn your degree or taking a class to learn more about a particular subject. The latter is why Mr. Childs enrolled in BA 405 – Multinational Management at Grantham University. His interest in international finance and business began while working for his family’s corporation, Metalweld, Inc., a chemical process equipment and specialty contracting company. Metalweld, Inc. conducted much of its business overseas from the 1940s until it was sold in the late 1980s. Mr. Childs finally decided to appease his curiosity about international business, and after completing a thorough search for online MBA classes, he found one at Grantham that fit his needs.

Currently, Mr. Childs keeps busy by volunteering as a board member and treasurer for Stapeley Hall, a Quaker retirement community, where he and his wife now reside. He has been involved in its design, construction and financing since 1983.

 
Job Searching and Networking Just Clicks Away

You may not have known this, but as a student at Grantham University, you have entrée to one of the most well known career transition service networks, Drake Beam Morin (DBM).

DBM is the world’s leading provider of strategic human resource solutions that help organizations align their workforces to meet changing business needs. Known for over 35 years for its innovative and effective career services, DBM offers in-depth capabilities in employee transition, retention, development, and selection.

Grantham students have access to a variety of tools including resume writing, interviewing tips, resume posting, job searching and networking to help you make the career choice that’s best for you. Sign up by visiting www.dbmcareerservices.com today. Just click on “New User” and enter the following security key: Grantham00317.

 
New Faces at Grantham

Grantham University would like to welcome and introduce you to another new face at our University, Dr. Kathleen Welch. Dr. Welch joins Grantham University as the General Education Program Director and brings with her a mixture of teaching, development, consulting, research, and training experience.

Dr. Welch received her Doctor of Philosophy in English with an emphasis in Critical Thinking and Writing Across the Curriculum from the University of Missouri-Columbia. She also holds an M.A. in Professional Writing and a B.A. in Journalism.

Previously, Dr. Welch was Chair of General Education at International Telephone and Telegraph (ITT) Educational Services. In this role, she managed the Online General Education program and taught writing and critical thinking courses. She also worked as a Career Development Specialist for Job Corps, assisting underprivileged youth by providing career counseling and teaching independent living and employability skills. For ten years, she was an Assistant Clinical Professor at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and managed a medical humanities program as well as published numerous articles on ethics and medicine. In addition, Dr. Welch served on the National Healing and the Arts Board for two years, which developed national programs centered on the concept of infusing the arts into healthcare facilities.

While at Grantham, Dr. Welch would like to establish a quality teacher education curriculum and a quality general education curriculum and grow these programs into successful, solid, student-based programs. She would also like to work closely with each and every department in order to fully understand the whole-person approach to student service. “I am excited and eager to contribute to the long-term initiatives of Grantham University and would to thank everyone for being so supportive this past month,” said Dr. Welch.

 
Top 10 Best Cities to Find a Job
Contrary to popular opinion, moving to a major city may not necessarily increase your chances of finding a job. According to a recent article published by Forbes.com, “The Best Cities to Get a Job”, many major metropolitan cities like New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Los Angeles and Chicago were at the bottom of the list of the Top 100 Cities to Get a Job.

Using U.S. Government data, Forbes.com ranked the largest 100 metropolitan areas according to their unemployment rates, cost of living, median household income, job growth and income growth. The number one place to get a job is Washington D.C. because it has the right conditions for a speedy job search and a high salary.

Northeast and Midwest cities didn’t fare well in the rankings, but cities in the south and southwest soared. In fact, Florida, Virginia and California have multiple cities in the top 15. According to Nels Olson, a managing director with executive search firm Korn/Ferry International, “Corporations have been leaving the northeast, and going toward the southeast, where the climate is easier and the cost of living is easier.”

Forbes’ top ten best cities to find a job are:

  1. Washington DC - Politics isn't the only field this city has to offer. According to Forbes, this city has a burgeoning biotechnology sector. What's more, DC has a strong economy. While most cities struggled through the 2001 recession, DC survived with barely a scratch.
  2. Phoenix - The warm climate and strong local economy are big draws for retiring baby boomers and immigrants.
  3. Las Vegas - Forbes reports that more immigrants will flock to this city for low-skilled jobs and retirees will relocate there for the warm weather.
  4. Orlando, Fla. - A boon to the defense industry and tourism helped push this city to the top of the list. And, Orlando benefited from the recent growth in the housing market, reports Forbes.
  5. Bethesda, Md. - Located on the edge of Washington, DC, Bethesda reaps all of the capital city's benefits. Several biotechnology firms are located in this city, which also houses the National Institute of Health.
  6. Richmond, Va. - Many companies have moved to Richmond to escape Washington's high costs. The tech bust hurt Richmond's economy somewhat, but it has bounced back.
  7. Raleigh, NC - North Carolina has done a good job leveraging its resources, linking universities to private research firms.
  8. Jacksonville, Fla. - Jacksonville doesn't have the same tourist appeal as Orlando, Fla., but the city hosts its share of travelers. It is also a center for international trade. And, the city is home to companies producing electronics for the defense industry, reports Forbes.
  9. Oklahoma, Okla. - Oklahoma City, a former oil town, has been diversifying its economic base. Technology companies like Dell have set up call centers there, avoiding other outsourcing centers.
  10. Virginia Beach, Va. - Virginia Beach's economy relies in large part on trade and the military. Recently, more companies have set up back-office operations in the city, partly to take advantage of the military spouses who are available for part-time work.

To view the entire list, visit: http://www.forbes.com/careers/2006/07/19/jobs-economy-work-cx_hc_0719jobs.html.

 
Importance of Education Discussed at the BIG Conference
Blacks In Government (BIG) held their twenty-eighth Annual National Training Conference, August 21 through 25, 2006, at the New York Hilton in New York City. The training conference was targeted to Federal employees, who wish to build their careers in Federal service. The theme for this year was "Building Unity Through Excellence, Growth, and Challenge." Over 4,000 delegates attended.

Congressman Charles Rangel (NY-15) presided over the opening ceremonies. He stressed the need to invest in education: “The truth of the matter is that so many jobs that we assumed would be ours are now going oversees because other countries are investing in education…we have to be able to compete.”

Concurrent workshops on career advancement topics such as leadership development, education, implementing an individual development plan, and communication/interpersonal skills were held at the Hilton and Sheraton Manhattan.

Grantham University was represented by Valerie Beall, National Director of Business Development, and Michael Hooker, Admissions Representative. Grantham, in conjunction with ACECAR Network, presented two workshops on “How to Earn College Credit for Workplace Training” during the Conference and had a booth in the Exhibition Hall. Grantham’s Tuition Grant for members of BIG Region XI was announced in both sessions as well as in the Department of Defense Forum on August 21st.

 
Upcoming Events
  1. Federally Employed Women FEW Regional Training Program – In New York on September 15th, Grantham University will be hosting a work shop about maximizing your workplace or military training for college credit during the Federally Employed Women’s Regional Training Program for the New York and New England Regions. For more information, visit: http://nerfew.org.
  2. Education Fair – September 21, 2006 – Grantham University is exhibiting at an Education Fair hosted by the Navy College Office, Naval District Washington and the Bolling Air Force Base Education Center. The event is being held from 10:00am until 2:00pm in the Anacostia Annex, Building #47.
  3. Department of Commerce Workshop – On September 28th, Grantham University is hosting a workshop for employees at the Department of Commerce. The seminar is designed to introduce online learning as a vehicle to advance career goals, provide mentors for new online learners and provide a resource list with options on schools, financing plans and portfolio management.
  4. Monthly Visits to Andrews AFB – On the 4th Thursday of each month, from 11am until 2pm, representatives from Grantham University will be available in the lobby of the education center to assist current and prospective students with any questions they might have. Our next visit is scheduled for Thursday, September 28th. Come out and see us – we would love to meet you!
 
Association Highlights

Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association

The Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA) is the largest nonpartisan, professional association representing exclusively federal law enforcement officers. FLEOA represents over 24,000 federal agents from over 50 different federal law enforcement agencies. FLEOA is a member of the National Law Enforcement Steering Committee and the Executive Board of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial.

Founded in 1977, FLEOA is a volunteer organization that provides legal assistance and representation in addition to serving as a legislative voice for the federal law enforcement community.

Currently, FLEOA's legislative activity is focused on: Locality Pay Legislation; Law Enforcement Disability Legislation; and Retirees' Carry Authority.

FLEOA's National Officers are all active duty federal agents. FLEOA business is conducted during off duty hours or in a leave status. The officers volunteer their valuable free time to further the goals of FLEOA and the federal law enforcement community.

Members of FLEOA can take advantage of Grantham University’s Law Enforcement Scholarship program which includes a special tuition grant and the cost of required textbooks and software. For more information, visit: http://www.grantham.edu/les.htm.

 

"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead
where there is no path and leave a trail."
Ralph Waldo Emerson

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