Online Moms Make the Grade
First published in Distance Learning Today, February 2008 issue

Dawn Stevenson waits until her husband is off to work and her sons Tyler and Cody leave for school before heading to her computer to “attend” college. The 36-year-old mom enrolled in Berkeley College Online in September 2007 to pursue an Associate’s degree in Applied Science for Health Management. A stay-at-home mom for the past 15 years, she looks forward to completing her degree and re-entering the workforce in two years.

“I worked as a secretary in a law office before I had my first child, and now that I am trying to get back into the workforce, I find that I am competing with kids who have college degrees,” Ms. Stevenson says. “To get a decent paying job I need a degree.”

A United States Department of Education survey found that moms with children under 10 are growing at a rapid rate as higher education participants. Increasingly, these moms find that online degree programs provide them the flexibility they need to pursue a degree. According to a recent report by Eduventures®, a consulting and research firm based in Boston, the online student population exceeded 1.5 million students in 2006, representing 8.6 percent of all students at degree-granting institutions. Berkeley College Online is also experiencing an upward trend with an average growth of 50% over the past three years. An Online Parent Club provides support and encouragement for moms and dads returning to college.
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Book Buyback is Here!

Did you know Berkeley College Online now offers book buyback online? You can begin selling your books back on September 2 by visiting the Online Bookstore through Blackboard. All books must be received by September 19 … NO EXCEPTIONS! You can either deliver the books personally to one of our campuses or mail them back to the Garret Mountain campus (address provided with online receipt).

Classes are Closing...

If you have not already registered for your Fall and Winter courses, please do so immediately! Classes are closing and we cannot guarantee “seats” in the courses you need. For complete instructions click here to view our previous newsletter.

The 20th Annual Walk to Cure Diabetes (Sponsored by The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation)

Did you know that as many as 3 million Americans may have type 1 diabetes? Each year over 15,000 children are diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S. That's 40 children per day. Warning signs of type 1 diabetes include extreme thirst, frequent urination, drowsiness or lethargy, increased appetite, sudden weight loss for no reason, sudden vision changes, sugar in urine, fruity odor on breath, heavy or labored breathing, stupor or unconsciousness. These may occur suddenly.

The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation was founded in 1970 by parents of children with juvenile diabetes. It has awarded more than $1.16 billion for type 1 diabetes research (including $137 million in FY2007). JDRF is proud to say that more than 85% of their expenditures go directly to research and education about research.

Each year, Berkeley College participates in a charity walk for The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. This year, the 20th Annual Walk to Cure Diabetes will take place on October 19 in Franklin Lakes, NJ. To sign up for this walk or to get involved in your area, visit http://www.jdrf.org.

Student Government Association Update

Many thanks to those of you who participated in the SGA Focus Group! It is imperative that we work toward a functioning SGA so YOU can be heard. Elections for Online SGA Officers will take place this fall. Our next meeting will take place September 10-15 in the SGA Blackboard site. Hope to “see” you there!

(To join the SGA, go to the “Community” tab and search “Student Government”. “Enroll” and start participating.)

Online Clubs Update

• We are adding an Online Arts Club this Fall … stay tuned for more details!
• We added a Grandparents’ Corner to our Parents’ Café.
• Our Online Book Club will be reading South Pacific this Fall.
• Contact Student Development for details.

Looking to Change Jobs?

Think about growing without moving. Introducing Brian Tarpey, of The Tarpey Group, LLC. Brian worked his way up in an insurance/financial planning organization and has some advice for those of you looking to transition in your current job. He’s an advocate of patience and the importance of staying the course and creating value for your organization. Listen to this brief podcast and remember to visit the Online Career Center for more information about this and other helpful career topics.

(Click to view his Podcast)

What Will You Do With Your Major?

Are you aware that most people have no real career direction when they graduate? Now imagine that you can actually figure that out before you graduate. What a great feeling to have direction and a plan. Well here at Berkeley College we do have help for you. We call it Career Management Review. And it works by simply contacting Jan Schwibner, OnlineCareers@Berkeleycollege.edu.

Contact Jan today and he will begin working with you to create your future career plans. This process is easy and on-going. Check out this brief video for more information.

Online Virtual Career Fair

Coming November 10! You won’t want to miss this opportunity to visit with companies from a variety of industries, offering positions ranging from part-time to full-time, entry level to experienced. Students who attended previous career fairs found them to be very helpful, easy to navigate, and full of great resources. More information can be found at the Online Career Center.

Summer Savings Extravaganza at The Berkeley College Online Bookstore!

If you have not already done so, please take a look at our redesigned Online Bookstore. Enjoy 20% off your next online merchandise order when you shop online! Hurry, this offer expires September 19. Click here for coupon details and coupon code. Don’t see an item you want? E-mail Sharon Goldstein, Campus Operating Office, at sfg@berkeleycollege.edu with your suggestion.

Did you know? Library 411!

The library just purchased 350 reference book titles and they are all available to you in full text electronic format. CREDO Reference has been added to the databases that support your research and information needs. Better then the books' original print format, a robust search engine (think Google™) and interactive features provide flash animations, videos, music files, audio pronunciations, citation formatter in MLA style, and a “Did You Mean” feature for misspelled words. There is even a seamless searching feature that automatically links you to other library resources. (Again, think Google™). Try it. Go to the “Library” tab in Blackboard and click on Database List A –Z. Locate CREDO Reference. Type your topic in the “Search For” box then sit back as CREDO brings you suggestions for narrowing your topic, media choices, and a simple copyright date list allowing you to choose the most recent information available. CREDO -- the new tool for assignment success.

Attention Citibank and Chase Borrowers

Attention Citibank and Chase Borrowers: As of May 1, 2008, your Federal Stafford Loan Lender does not participate with FELP. Therefore you must choose a new lender to handle your Federal Stafford Loans. You may apply for these loans through any qualified FELP lender. You may check with your personal bank to determine if it participates in the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FELP). If you need further assistance in choosing a new lender please follow this link to our website: http://www.berkeleycollege.edu/finances/Student_Loan.htm.

Admissions: Valerie Nebeling, Director,
vnm@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1213

Advisement: Susan Alicea, Dean,
sub@berkeleycollege.edu, or AdvisementOnline@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1305

Campus Operating Officer: Sharon Goldstein, sfg@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1122

Career Services: Jan Schwibner, Director, OnlineCareers@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1221

Dean, Online: Dr. Beth Coyle, Interim Dean,
bmc@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 4145

Financial Aid: Cristina Carnemolla, Director, cmc@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1123

Financial Aid: Donna Daidone, Administrator, FAonline@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1362

Library Services: Marlene Doty, Director
md@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1232

Student Accounts: Ashley Maikranz, Director, SAonline@berkeleycollege.edu, ext. 1344

Student Development & Campus Life: Carrie Ginetto, Director,
StudentDevelopmentOnline@berkeleycollege.edu,
ext. 1127