January - April 2021 Edition - Keiser University
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January — April 2021 Edition
IN THIS ISSUE:
Letter From The Campus President (p.2), Video: Google Year In Search 2020 (p.4),
Article: The #1 New Year’s Resolution To Try for 2021: Determine Enough (p.5),
Greatness Characteristics (p.8), Creative Commons (p. 9), Article: Interviews:
“Hello?” (p.12), Outside Scholarships Resources (p.13), Financial Success (p. 14),
Campus Spotlight (p.15), Article: Interviews: Via Virtual Venue (p.19), Inside KU
Athletics (p. 20)
1
Letter from the Campus President, Sherry Olsen
D
ear students,
Welcome to our first term of the year for 2021. I would like to welcome both our new students and our
continuing students. I know many of you went through great hardships in 2020. Some of you lost jobs, and
some of you had loved ones contract COVID-19, or had it yourself. Many of you were teaching young ones at home
when schools closed, yet you persevered and remained in school. Many of you became primary caregivers of family
members. Perhaps the only time you had to do your online class was at midnight, or very early in the morning, so the
rest of your household could get online. I have heard a vast number of these stories from you and your faculty members.
It is humbling to know the dedication of our students in pursuing a degree, even during tough times. Each one of you are
special to us and just know that you have a whole team at the online division who are here to support you seven days a
week.
I would like to give you some tips on how to be a successful online student:
• Start by building relationships early on in your class with your peers and professor.
• Post a biographical sketch in the introduction section of your course so the rest of the class can get to know you.
This is also a great way to get to know your peers, particularly in your major.
• Put quality time in your class. A good rule of thumb is to invest about 10 to 12 hours per week.
• Set aside several short sessions in your class each week to keep up with class assignments. Don’t wait until Saturday
to login and do work for the week. The majority of our online classes require you to participate in graded threaded
discussions. Read, research, and post your responses early in the week to allow time for peer and professor
feedback.
• For your major assignments, put the due date on your calendar and work on it a little every few days. Four weeks
can go by fast and waiting until the last minute may result in a lower grade. Getting major papers done early allows
you time to submit them to our Online Writing Lab (OWL) for feedback before you turn it in for a grade.
• Make sure you print and read your syllabus and all course documents to make sure you understand course
expectations.
• Don’t be afraid to ask questions as your professor cannot see your frustrations and confusion.
• Attend all Keiser Live sessions with your faculty member. Our professors are required to hold a minimum of one
per week to go over assignments, tests, quizzes, or conduct lectures on course related topics. It is a great way to hear
and see your professor.
• Make sure you check your Keiser email on a regular basis as this is how your faculty member will communicate
with you.
• If you are struggling and need help, the best line of defense is to reach out directly to your professor and schedule a
call. Most of our faculty members have their phone numbers posted in the course. If, after communicating with your
faculty member, you are still having issues, please feel free to reach out to our amazing Dean Team!
OnlineDean@keiseruniversity.edu
The key to your success is to be proactive, prepared, and organized.
From myself, the staff, and faculty at the online division we want to wish you all a very
Happy New Year and a successful school year.
Sincerely,
Sherry Olsen
Associate Vice Chancellor/Campus President
Keiser University – Online Division
2
Meet the Dean of Academics: Dr. Melanie Baak
H
appy New Year, students! We are excited to introduce Keiser
University eCampus’ new Dean of Academics, Dr. Melanie Baak!
Dr. Baak has worked in higher education for 27 years as a dean,
faculty member, and counselor. Her background includes roles in
universities and community/technical colleges in Seattle, Wisconsin, Maine,
Texas, Virginia, and the Netherlands. She holds degrees in Organizational
Leadership (Ed.D.), Counseling Psychology (M.S.), and Psychology (B.A.).
Dr. Baak recently moved to Fort Lauderdale with her husband, Samoyed dog,
and her lap cat. Born in St. Petersburg, FL, her spare time is devoted to being
on the water, reading, obscure documentaries and films, and jewelry making.
As with all faculty and staff, Dr. Baak is happy to assist you with any
questions you have and can be reached a mbaak@keiseruniversity.edu.
3
Google—#YearInSearch 2020
By Heather Cordner
T
his year has been a little different than what is normal. In fact, it is safe to say we have a new “normal,” if
there is such a thing. Every year, Google, with Youtube, publishes the #YearInSearch, and they did not disap-
point for 2020. So what was the most Googled word in 2020? “In times of uncertainty, people seek under-
standing and meaning. This year, the world searched ‘why’ more than ever.” Google’s “Why” video features
examples of how the word was searched and narrated by Kofi Lost. Click on the image below, to see Google Year in
Search 2020.
*For more information behind the making of this video please visit https://google.com/yearinsearch
4
The #1 New Year’s Resolution To Try For 2021:
Determine Your Enough
By Brian Thompson, Forbes, Senior Contributor
https://www.forbes.com/sites/brianthompson1/2021/12/31/the-1-new-years-resolution-to-try-for-2021-determine-your-enough/?sh=2e4b62777590
We have arrived, finally, at the end of of living varies from place to place, and capacity for pleasure.
2020, a tumultuous year to say the there are other costs that can make even • Buy time: By permitting
least. As we close out one year and enter hefty incomes feel inadequate. We also ourselves to offload our most
another, we often resolve to do have very large gender and racial income dreaded tasks, from scrubbing
better. We’ll work out harder, eat more and wealth gaps, and they’re getting toilets to cleaning gutters,
vegetables and save and invest more worse, not better. In the end, wealth is money can transform the way
money, for instance. We’ll create a “new subjective. Even achieving wealth goals — we spend our time, freeing us to
me,” but after only a few weeks we almost like finally making $150,000 a year or pursue our passions.
always settle for the old one. having $300,000 in your brokerage
For a good number of my clients, 2020 account — will probably leave you • Pay now, consume
changed everything. Some received wanting more if you’re already feeling later: Delaying consumption
enormous windfalls, others lost jobs and insecure around your money. In fact, as allows spenders to reap the
still others started families. Working with the article points out, “it’s not even a pleasures of anticipation with
them, I see that their anxieties about quantitative question at all.” the buzzkill of reality; vacations
money often depends less on their net provide the most
worth and more on their state of mind. To Could it be how you spend, rather than happiness before they occur.
put it another way, the way you feel about how much money you make? • Invest in others: New research
your financial situation depends more on If it’s not a quantitative question, then demonstrates that spending
how you define “enough” than on the maybe it’s a qualitative one. Science money on others provides a
actual amount of money you have. seems to back this up. In their paper High bigger happiness boost than
So, what is enough? How do you even Income Improves Evaluation of Life but spending money on yourself.
determine that? Let’s talk about how you not Emotion Well-Being, Daniel
can find your “enough” and why that Kahneman And Angus Deaton found that These principles provide a great
should be a top priority in the new year. in the United States, once people start foundation to making the most of your
earning around $75,000 per year, making money. But I’ve found it’s hard to practice
If only I had/made…… more money has no impact at all on their these principles if you have an underlying
You’ve probably heard about “the day-today feelings of happiness. And issue of insecurity and worry about having
number.” It’s the amount of money that, when we’re striving for abstract goals like enough money.
supposedly, would make you feel safe and happiness, comfort, safety and/or security,
secure about your financial situation. It emotion, not logic, drives much of our Determining your enough
depends a lot on what other people behavior. To truly change behavior, we This may seem simple or obvious, but it
have. After all, we love to compare, which must focus on motivating your emotional turns out money can’t take away your
is why we have so many articles about elephant, the instinctive biases and fears internal struggles. That is why we’ve seen
having X amount of money by a certain that shape our behavior. many people with lots of money and
age. That tends to lead people to say things resources who are still unhappy, insecure
like “I’ve heard if I have 3x my salary in For that reason, author and social and depressed.
savings, I will be fine.” Or “if I have a psychologist Elizabeth Dunn focuses on
$1M in my retirement account, I will be spending differently rather than earning Transformative change comes from doing
okay.” Funny thing, though. If you make more to produce more happiness. In her a deep self-assessment, internalizing your
your number, then find out a friend or book, Happy Money: The Science of areas of improvement and taking the
colleague has more, you may not feel quite Happier Spending She writes, “rather than appropriate action. (Maybe we need to add
so comfortable. suggest that you stop trying to get more “spend money on a good therapist” to
money, our goal is to help you use the Dunn’s Five Principles.)
How do you know if you are, objectively money you have to get more happiness.”
speaking, wealthy? You can try out the I want to offer a few tools to help you do
NY Times Income and Net-Worth. The Dunn suggests five key principles of that assessment and determine your
Times defines wealthy as at or over the happy money: enough. They’ll require you to think about
85% percentile of income and net worth your past, present and future behaviors and
for your age. Many people were surprised • Buy experiences: Buying feelings around money. After all, self-
to find out they were “wealthier” than they experiences rather than material knowledge is the path to personal freedom.
thought. If you live in a city and socialized goods can inoculate you against
with ambitious professionals, it’s easy to buyer’s remorse.
dismiss your income as average, even
though, statistically speaking, it’s quite • Make it a treat: When
high. For reference, according to the U.S. something wonderful is always
Bureau of Labor statistics, the average available, people are less
annual wage for 2019 was $53,490. inclined to appreciate it.
Limiting our access to the things Continued on page 6...
The Times was quick to point out that the we like best may help to “re-
concept of “rich” is complicated. The cost virginize” us, renewing our
5
“The #1 New Year’s Resolution….”
Continued from Previous Page
will be grateful with you, sharing five five to ten years left to live. The
Figure out your money scripts (Past) things that they appreciate with you, every good part is that you won’t ever
The first tool takes a look at your money day. feel sick. The bad news is that
history and the stories you tell yourself you will have no notice of the
about money. Father and Son duo Ted and Some other tips include: moment of your death. What
Brad Klontz developed the Klontz Money will you do in the time you have
Script Inventory (KMSI), a short • Don’t just go through the remaining to live? Will you
assessment designed to help you learn motions — make an effort to change your life and how will
more about your own money belief system truly reflect on things you are you do it?
or money scripts®. The KMSI helps you grateful for in that specific day. 3. This time your doctor shocks
understand why you make the choices you you with the news that you have
do around money and help you learn to act • Make it a part of your daily only one day left to live. Notice
in your own best interest. They write habit. Do it after something you what feelings arise as you
“knowing yourself betters is the best already have a habit of doing, confront your very real
starting point for making change and the like brushing your teeth or mortality. Ask yourself: What
first step in proving your overall financial drinking morning coffee. did I miss? Who did I not get to
health.” • Keep it simple be? What did I not get to do?
Money scripts® are:
• Use a diary or an app
The financial life planning process
• Review your lists every now and involves more than just these questions,
• Learned in childhood then to see if you notice a but they are the basis for understanding
pattern. what is truly important to you and how
• Often just partial truths you use your money to create the life that
• Passed down from generation to Kinder’s Three Questions (Future) you want. Your enough becomes less
generation Finally, try the tools developed by about a number and more about aligning
the father of Financial Life Planning your money with the life you want.
• Responsible for our financial George Kinder for the Kinder Institute of
outcomes. We make important Life Planning. Kinder believes that our
with our money because of them fear, anxiety and distress are there to wake I’ve written before about the many
practical aspects of what the financial life
• Totally unconscious. We usually us up. The struggle you feel when deciding planning process looks like and how you
don’t even know that we have whether to quit your job, trying to get on can find planners that help in this area of
them. the same page financially with your spouse life. I’ve also outlined my actual process
or figuring out if you have enough is an here. You can go through an online
The assessment consists of 32 statements alarm to “find out who you really are in version of the Life Planning process on
about money. An example of a money relation to your money.” To alleviate this Kinder’s Life Planning For You website.
script could be “money corrupts people” or fear and anxiety, you must resolve your I’ve also written about the three
“things would get better if I had money.” inner conflicts around money and use your questions in relation to building a mission-
Once you gain insight into your beliefs, resources in a way that builds the life you driven business.
you can make better choices and feel more actually want.
secure in your money decisions. You can I hope these tools can help you reframe
take the assessment here. As Kinder describes it, financial life thinking about your enough and get to a
planning connects the dots between our place where you feel safe, comfortable and
Gratitude Lists (Present) financial realities and the lives we long secure around your money. Happy new
In addition to addressing your past, it’s for. He adds “it’s delivering our clients year!
important to recognize what you have into the freedom to pursue life’s passions.”
now. I’m not talking just about creating a
net-worth statement (although seeing what As a part of the visioning process, we ask
assets you have may be helpful), but rather three questions: Article can be found on Forbes
about expressing gratitude for your current 1. I want you to imagine that you https://www.forbes.com/sites/
situation. Research shows that just giving are financially secure, that you brianthompson1/2021/12/31/the-1-new-
thanks can also make you have enough money to take care years-resolution-to-try-for-2021-determine
happier. According to Harvard Health, of your needs, now and in the -your-enough/?sh=2e4b62777590
“gratitude is strongly and consistently future. The question is…how
associated with greater happiness. would you live your life? Would
Gratitude helps people feel more positive you change anything? Let
emotions, relish good experiences, yourself go. Don’t hold back on
improve their health, deal with adversity, your dreams. Describe a life that
and build strong relationships.” is complete, that is richly yours.
2. This time you visit your doctor
You can practice gratitude by creating a who tells you that you have only
daily list yourself or finding a friend who
6
7
“How we live today determines our Tomorrow; we can’t ar-
rive at our best possible future by living half-heartedly today”
~Don Yaeger
8
Creative Commons: Student Submissions
About the Author
The Pepper Game Professor John Callahan is a PGA Professional
By John Callahan Golf Program Instructor for Keiser University,
whom wrote this piece based on some of his
The boy tossed the ball, favorite childhood memories.
Amazed his Daddy could
Always hit it back. One of my favorite boyhood memories, from the
No matter how bad the throws; time I was 6 or 7 years old, was playing pepper
Inside or away, with my Dad on our dirt driveway. For all the years
Low or high. afterward, I often thought about how much I had always anticipated our
pepper games and the joy I felt while playing.
Hit after hit
The boy could not pick up the ball Fast forward to my Daddy’s 80thbirthday. I was 43 and thought about the
Fast enough. questions I had asked him during our first pepper game when he was 43.
Anticipating the next one; So, as I flew home for his 80th birthday party I wrote the attached poem.
Filled with joy.
He said he liked it. I hope he did, but I think like most of us who mailed
“Will you still play pepper with me submittals to the Student Herald, we have at least mild trepidations like
When you’re fifty?” the sentiment expressed in the following:
Of course, his Daddy replied.
“When you’re sixty?” Endless Self-Doubt
“You bet.” By Kelly Roper
“How ‘bout seventy and eighty?” Am I good enough?
The response was the same. I'm not really sure.
In fact, I'm sure I'm probably not.
Time caught up with his questions; What made me think I could write this poem?
The joy never ended. Everyone will laugh at it when they read it,
Or worse, they will be silent and hold their criticism in.
Or worse yet, they'll say exactly what they think and I'll be crushed.
Or worst of all, they'll tell me it's great but not mean it.
And even if they truly love it, I'll still wonder if it's good enough.
Charlestown AA
Taylor Henderson
can you feel it radiating?
words full of love and deep loss
a pain only a mother understands while her son’s shot down on a cross
as the silent tears stream down my face cuz i can feel it radiating
yeah i can feel it radiating
Honesty exploding like the bullet About the Author:
took a shot right through my heart This poem was inspired by Taylor’s
you claim you’re numb and i feel paralyzed close friend, who lost a son to gun
as the tears stream down your face violence.
And I can feel it radiating
October was your favorite time of year Taylor Henderson is a first-year
but your son’s not here student from Massachusetts,
been 7 years but tell me how does a mother heal? currently enrolled in the Associate of
It’s completely devastating Science in Medical Administrative
overwhelming and i can feel it radiating Billing and Coding program.
wish there was something i could say
9
Creative Commons: Student Submissions
Motivation Flaws
By Jasmine Williams By Ashley Partin
Like motivation, I am focused, One of my biggest flaws in life is how I find
and I am motivated to succeed. happiness. I find my happiness in others and by
making others happy. It's so amazing to put a smile
Like motivation, I am determined, on someone's face and know that you are the reason
and I am motivated to endure change. for that grin. I go above and beyond, putting others
first, and somehow I always get burned. I try to put
Like motivation, I am anxious, myself first and somehow I still end up at the bottom
and I am motivated to bounce back from obstacles. of every list. Funny, isn't it? The hurt ones always
take care of everyone else first, which ends up being
Like motivation, I am fierce, the main reason they are hurt. Is it because they've
and I am motivated to stand tall. given up on the person they've become? Or is it
because they can't be truly happy alone? And instead
Like motivation, I am powerful, of finding out how to be truly happy within
and I am motivated to claim what I want. themselves, they look to others' happiness to fill the
hole inside. But when that person leaves, they are
Like motivation, I am ready to give it a try, back where they started, alone and miserable. Nothing
and I am motivated to apply my energy and time. to show for all the work they did and nothing to feel
but emptiness.
Like motivation, I am inspired,
and I am motivated to give all of me.
About the Author:
Like motivation, I am excited,
Ashley Partin, residing in Georgia, has a love for
and I am motivated to establish a new me. writing and is recent graduate from the Keiser
Like motivation, I am encouraged, University Associate of Science in Medical
Administrative Billing and Coding program.
and I am a new…Reinvention.
About the Author:
Jasmine Williams, from South Carolina, is a first-year
student, pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies.
Want to be featured in the next student newsletter? Submit your creative piece to:
ecampusstudentservices@keiseruniversity.edu
*Due to the number of submissions, all are reviewed and two will be chosen to be featured.
The views and opinions expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or
position of Keiser University. Any content provided by our bloggers or authors are of their opinion and are not
intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual or anyone or anything.
1011
12
Outside Scholarship Resources
By Latchmie Sukhnandan, Financial Aid Reviewer
M
any students are not aware that there are outside for students looking for ways to finance their education. This site
scholarship sources (organizations and companies offers some of the best ‘how to’ guidance on securing financial
with scholarship opportunities not affiliated with aid.” The site has won awards from the College Board, the
Keiser University) that can help with the cost National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators,
associated with post-secondary education. These outside the National Association of Graduate and Professional Students
scholarships do have application processes and requirements that and the American Institute for Public Service.
must be met. Although our financial aid officers cannot assist
with the process or approve the applications, we encourage Niche: https://www.niche.com/
students to take a look at these opportunities. Niche.com, Inc., formerly known as College Prowler, is an
American company headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,
SCHOLARSHIP SITES/INFO that runs a ranking and review site. Niche is the best place to
Big Future by the College Board: https:// research U.S. colleges, schools, neighborhoods, and companies.
bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ Every month millions of people use our easy-to-read and
Each year, the College Board helps more than seven million comprehensive report cards, rankings, and reviews to choose the
students prepare for a successful transition to college through right schools or neighborhoods for them. Niche does rigorous
programs and services in college readiness and college success. cleaning and analysis on large data sets, and combines them with
feedback from our community for nuanced insight that can't be
Cappex: https://www.cappex.com/ found anywhere else.
Cappex carves a path right through the complexity of college
admissions to get you to your first day at the college that’s right Scholarships: Free College Scholarship Search & Financial
for you. This is the platform all of us at Cappex wish existed Aid Resource: https://www.scholarships.com/ Founded in
during our own college searches. We believe there is a perfect 1998, Scholarships.com has helped students find money for
college and career path for every single student. That’s why we college as well as learn about the entire financial aid process. We
get to know you first, then tailor a specific path for your needs are among the most widely-used and trusted free college
through the college search and finance process. scholarship search and financial aid information resources on the
Internet and have been recognized by high schools, colleges and
College Express: https://www.collegexpress.com/ universities nationwide, among others. Scholarships.com offers a
Our easy-to-use College and Scholarship Search tools, college simple and accessible approach to finding and applying for
profiles, and lists help students to find their perfect school—and a scholarships for students of all ages. Our tried, tested and
way to help pay for their education. In addition, our blogs, acclaimed search engine delivers targeted lists of scholarships for
articles, and various resources help students, parents, and the investment of just a few minutes. There's no quicker, better
counselors navigate the college search process, student life, and way to find free scholarship money.
so much more. It’s completely free to use!
Scholly: https://myscholly.com/
CollegeNet: https://www.collegenet.com/ Most important to the Scholly team are the hundreds of thousands
CollegeNET, Inc. is a Portland, Oregon-based, privately held of students and families who have been able to use the platform
company providing Intelligent Connections® web-based on- to find over $70 million in scholarship money to go to the
demand technologies to colleges, universities, and non-profits. colleges of their dreams.
We are engineers, technologists, designers, programmers, writers,
and innovators – all dedicated to increasing your effectiveness Tuition Funding Resources: https://
and simplifying your job. www.tuitionfundingsources.com/
TFS Scholarships (TFS) is the most comprehensive online
Fast Web: https://www.fastweb.com/ resource for higher education funding. A free and
Everybody wants to go to college for free and, at Fastweb, we’re independent service, TFS links students to more than 7
in the business of helping students achieve that dream through million individual scholarships and to more than $41 billion
offering a simplified college scholarship search. From the start, in aid.
our goal has been to eliminate the “search” from the scholarship
search, allowing us to find scholarships that match the Unigo: https://www.unigo.com/
qualifications and interests of each student that we serve. With a thriving community of over 3.8 million members, Unigo
Ultimately, we save our students time, match them to college is the premier network for current and future college students to
scholarships that they may not have otherwise found and keep get to where they’re going. Unigo provides cutting-edge tools,
them organized throughout the whole process. Today, we are the compelling content, and essential information, empowering
premier online resource for paying and preparing for college. students to make the best decisions about their college
However, we don’t just excel at this; we created the online experience.
scholarship search world.
FinAID: The SmartStudent Guide to Financial Aid: https://
finaid.org/scholarships/
Finaid has earned a stellar reputation in the educational
community as the best web site of its kind. It’s comprehensive,
it’s informative, it’s objective — and it’s the first stop on the web
13Join Geoff Stam, Keiser University’s Director of Default Management and Financial
Literacy, throughout the month of January to learn more about
Financial Success Strategies. This four-part series, will be offered all month long.
RSVP with Student Services TODAY to reserve your virtual seat!
Budget Basics/Student Loans
“Relieving Financial Stress, A Budgeting Review:” Covers the importance of budgeting as a student, the basics of
starting and maintaining a budget, building a budget to fit and drive monetary behavior, and tips to reduce costs as a
student. We address strategies on how to handle financial issues resulting from COVID-19, budgeting with less due to a
reduction or loss of income, how to prioritize bills and expenses and survive with limited income or savings. In addition,
we will touch on the impact of the pandemic on student loans.
Tuesday 1/12, 1:15pm and 5pm EST
Wednesday 1/20, 1:30pm and 6pm EST
Improving Financial Success with Credit
Discusses the basics of credit (types of credit and debt), credit reports, and credit scores. Review ways to improve credit,
build or rebuild credit, and how credit scoring affects purchasing power for items such as cars, homes, and other bigger-
ticket items, as well as the impact credit can have on employment opportunities. Student loan repayment is talked about
briefly since it directly relates to credit. The session includes information about the credit industry and what it is doing
to assist those who have been impacted, and how scoring and reporting may be affected.
Wednesday 1/13, 1:30pm EST and 6pm EST
Tuesday 1/19, 1:15pm and 5pm EST
Wednesday 1/27, 6pm EST
Student Loan Repayment Review
A discussion about student loan repayment, the resources available to assist borrowers, the payment plans, tools
available if you are unable to make payments, and the consequences of delinquency and default. This workshop includes
the changes and impact of legislation due to COVID-19.
Tuesday 1/26, 1:15 pm and 5pm EST
Thursday 1/28, 3pm EST
Saving Basics (Your Money, Your Future)
Reviews the importance of saving, goals to save for, how interest works, and several suggestions, tips, and examples of
how other students have started the process of finding savings, reducing expenses, and preparing for their financial
futures.
Thursday 1/14, 3pm EST
Thursday 1/21, 3pm EST
SMART GOALS
Specific
Measurable
Attainable
Relevance
Time-framed
“Each step is important to the process, so don’t skip any, or the
budget you build may not find the success you seek!”
— Geoff Stam
14Faculty Spotlight:
David Hallenbeck, B.B.A., M.S.I.S.
By Heather Cordner, Associate Director of Student Services
E
ach newsletter, we pick one faculty member to Professor Hallenbeck resides in Orlando, Florida with his
showcase, and this edition’s comes from our two cats, Neo and Isis (named after the Egyptian goddess).
Information Technology Department. We are I also got the opportunity to virtually sit down with
excited to introduce you to Professor David Professor Hallenback to ask him some questions.
Hallenbeck.
What is one tip you can give to students in the IT field?
Professor Hallenbeck, like many of Keiser University’s Prepare to be a lifelong learner. The IT industry is
students, did not start college until he was 28 years old at a constantly and rapidly changing. Understand that it is
community college in Charlotte, NC. Professor impossible to know everything in such a vast and changing
Hallenbeck’s goal was to just get an associate’s degree so field. This is the reason that I focus so much on research in
that he would be more employable. the classroom. In their careers, they will
Fortunately, his education not know the answers to everything.
expanded his vision for himself and That is impossible. However, most
he decided that he was going to situations they will encounter will have
proceed with his education and been faced by others. Research will
earn a bachelor’s degree. He help them not have to reinvent the
applied for admission and was wheel.
accepted at George Washington
University in Washington, DC. There are a lot of different
After his junior year, he was the certifications out there for IT,
first to join an accelerated program especially as you get specific with
wherein he would earn both a disciplines. Do you have a top 3 that
bachelor’s in business students should look into, or a
(concentration in information recommendation for certain
systems) and a master’s in disciplines?
information systems. The field is so vast that I do not believe
in making specific certification
Professors Hallenback’s career in recommendations; however,
the information technology field certifications definitely help in
has brought him to serve in many advancing one’s career. This is
different locations including especially true when trying to enter the
Washington, DC, New York, NY, field. Employers understand
and Fort Lauderdale, Florida. His certifications. For example, if pursuing
industry experience includes the the network administration path, pursue
private sector, the non-profit sector, as well as the Federal a certification in networking. If pursuing a career in
government, and has served in many different capacities computer programming, pursue certifications and
from IT Support to Project Management. certificates in that. If pursuing a career in cybersecurity or
cybersecurity forensics, pursue those certifications. You get
Professor Hallenback has been with Keiser University on the idea.
and off since 2004. He has taught on-ground classes at
several of our campuses in addition to his work at the What about IT made you want to pursue a career in it?
online division. He had served as an Associate Dean for I have always had strong intellectual curiosity about
three years, and designed classes and curriculum for the IT everything. I like to know the how and why of things, and
program. to figure out how individual things work, and how different
things work together. As I was always fascinated by
His goal as an instructor is to not only teach his students the computers and their increasing influences on work and
technical aspects of the field, but prepare them to be leaders society, combining my education in business with
in the field. He does this through a focus on both written computers and technology just made sense to me.
and oral communication skills, research, and Fortunately, the university that I attended had programs that
professionalism. These are the qualities that he believes permitted me to do that.
will make his students stand out from their peers and
achieve success. The highest compliment that his students
pay him is by describing him as “tough, but fair,” which he
is happy with.
15Alumni Spotlight: Brittni Braden
W
hen I first came to Keiser University, I was familiar with the policies, professors, and the basic
overall of how online studies work. This is why I came back this time around for my bachelor’s.
As a single mom who struggles with anxiety and depression, trying to stay focused and grounded
in order to graduate was a struggle. Keiser University helped keep me on track. This is why I will
continue my education with them.
Professor Jamie Pala will always have a place in my heart. Without her and her kind words and reassurance, I
would not have been able to finish. She always went above and beyond by replying to emails quickly, lending
an ear during my difficult struggles, and she graciously wrote me a recommendation letter so that I could find
work. I will never find another professor like her; they just do not come in bulk. Thank you so much, Professor
Pala. Next, professor and advisor, Elizabeth Barcena was always there to respond when I was struggling in my
day-to-day life to provide the push that I needed. She was so good at explaining the material when I was lost.
Thank you for keeping me grounded. Professor, Judge Fry, you were tough when it came to what you expected
your students to know and accomplish. I needed that from you. You helped me as well when I really needed it.
You taught me the skills that I lacked and now I am proficient. Thank you for putting up with me!
During my time at Keiser, I have encountered many obstacles in my personal life. Recently, I was going to
drop out because there was too much going on in my life and a lot of pressure that I was not equipped to deal
with. The one person who would NOT let me fail was Dean Falconer. She took her time to listen to my
situation, reviewed my options, and GPA. She advised me not to drop out because I would regret it. I was 2 1/2
classes from graduating, and she was smart enough and cared enough to work with me so that I did not leave
school. This is a perfect example of a well-rounded Dean. I am so grateful to have had her assist me the way
that she did.
Thanks to Keiser University, I have very strong legal drafting skills and legal research skills. I learned this
while learning my associates, but this time around my skills were challenged like never before. Due to these
skills and everything else I have learned from Keiser, I will be able to re-enter the legal world stronger and
smarter than before.
"I thought about quitting, but then I realized my kids
were watching."
Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies
December 2020
Check out the Wall of Fame in the Student Services Blackboard Organization to see more great stories from
students and alumni! To submit your own, be sure to elect to submit a testimonial when completing your
required graduation documents.
16Resource Center
17Get Involved!
Student Veterans of America
is now accepting membership applications!
Membership is open to all students, faculty, and staff of
Keiser University’s E-Campus. The following criteria
must be met:
• Active Military
• Reservist
• National Guard
• Veteran
• Military Dependent (Spouse/Child)
• Military Supporter
To complete the membership application, please click
here:
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SVAMembershipForm
Contact the advisors for information:
Ivan Cardenas: ICardenas@KeiserUniversity.edu
Chaunice Tarver: CTarver@KeiserUniversity.edu
*All meetings are held virtually through Keiser Live!
18To register with the Career Center, visit
www.CollegeCentral.com/keiser
19Inside Keiser University Athletics
20Inside Keiser University Athletics
Sanabria Scores Her 1,000th Career Point in Keiser’s 71-51 Win
Over FNU
Sanabria Scores her 1,000th Career Point in Keiser’s 71-51
Win Over FNU
Score: Keiser 71, Florida National 51
Records: Keiser (5-5), Florida National (1-5)
Location: Student Life Center, West Palm Beach, Fla.
Antigonie Sanabria scored her 1,000th career point in the Seahawks 71-51 victory against Florida National on
Sunday afternoon.
For complete game summary, visit kuseahawks.com/news
Antigonie Sanabria has been named Sun Conference Player of the Week, announced by the league this
afternoon.
• Sanabria had back-to-back 21-point games to lead the Seahawks to a perfect week
• Recorded her first double-double of the year against Coastal Georgia with 21 points and 10 rebounds
• Nearly had a double-double against Thomas, finishing with 21 points and nine rebounds
• Helped Keiser move back to .500 in conference play
• This is Sanabria's first TSC award of the season and her career
Visit: KUSeahawks.com or Download the App to catch up on the latest with our sports teams!
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