Adult Programs Online

Since arriving at Granite State College, I have met with students at our Concord, Claremont, Conway, and Rochester regional campuses and hosted an online chat for our distance learning students. The message has been consistently positive when it comes to the quality of education and services students feel they are receiving from GSC. I have also spent enough time with staff throughout the college to know that there is a very high level of student caring that exists throughout the college. The Granite State College mission of access and opportunity is one staff embrace and students appreciate.

At the same time, colleges and universities must learn to go beyond caring about students and ensure that their practices, systems, and policies are "student-centered." Which means that we anticipate student needs and align our practices, systems and policies in a way that enhances student success and minimizes student frustration.

Over the past several months we have taken steps at Granite State College to better align our practices, systems and policies with student needs and goals. For example, more than half of our students are now enrolled in online courses, so in order to better support our distance learning students we have recently added new online tutoring services. We are also introducing new self-service capabilities that allow students to better plan their programs of study. And we are focusing attention on course scheduling to ensure more rapid tracks to degree obtainment.

This student-centered focus will be core to Granite State College as we engage in a process of continuous improvement moving forward, and find new ways to serve the evolving needs of adult students throughout the state of New Hampshire and the region. 

Have I mentioned that I am a big believer in life-long learning?  To that end, I have recently  embarked on a new adventure. I am currently teaching Intro to Drawing for the first time at the Conway, NH Granite State College campus.  Teaching a college evening class has always been on my "bucket list" and it has been a wonderful experience so far.    

Much to my surprise and delight, 15 students registered for my course.  As is typical at GSC, the class is a rich and diverse mix of ages, from 18 to 50.  I have been so impressed by the warm and supportive atmosphere that has developed in the class. I have always heard about the wonderful atmosphere in GSC courses, but it is exciting to experience it first hand.   

When you think of continuing education degree programs, you wouldn't necessarily picture a studio art class like this one, with students of all ages sprawled around the room with drawing boards, the furious sound of quick sketching, the smell of fixative and markers in the air.  Every Monday when I teach the class, I am struck by the wonderful diversity that Granite State offers, from online degrees to live college classes.  

At Granite State College, adult continuing education includes those of us who are staff and faculty, not only students. We strive to develop new skills, expand our knowledge base and engage in professional development. 

I'm excited by this experience because it gives me a new way to connect with my students, as well as allowing me to use a lifetime of accumulated knowledge in a new way.  Even though this course is still in progress, I can't wait to do it again!        

Now that you have eaten the Thanksgiving turkey and all of those pies, you may be thinking about enjoying December and then making the regular New Year's Resolution to go on a diet. Well, how about something more lasting this year? A resolution that will really change your life?

How about enrolling in Adult Education classes at Granite State College. You have debated taking a class, finishing a degree or maybe getting an Adult Education Certificate. Now is the time. Granite State College has face-to-face and Online Classes in many areas. Maybe you are interested in an Adult Accelerated Degree Program, or Online Classes for Criminal Justice. Maybe you are interested in Childhood Education Classes or Behavioral Science Classes. Check out all the offerings at Granite State College and then make a New Year's Resolution to further your education. Classes at Granite State are offered in the evenings and people like you are coming from work to learn more and further their careers. The people are friendly and ready to learn. So, make a move and make a New Year's Resolution that you will enjoy keeping. You can register on line today.  And, as for that diet, just watch that third piece of pie! 

I have been spending the month of November cultivating an "attitude of gratitude" on Facebook.  At least once a day, I have written a brief note about someone or something for which I am thankful.  As I had previously written about, the last couple of months have been personally challenging for me, but I've purposely adopted a mindset as of late to focus on the positive things in my life.

So, on that note, I thought I'd mention a few things for which I am particularly grateful for Granite State College this year:

• I am thankful for professors who, though physically distant, have shown empathy, patience, and compassion as I've struggled to keep up with this term's coursework.  Though I've not had this problem in my previous classes, I've seen these qualities consistently exhibited to my fellow students.  The educators at GSC truly want to see us succeed, and are willing to work with us to ensure that.
• I am thankful for my advisor, Kate O'Neill.  Based out of the Claremont office, she has always made herself available whenever I've had a question, or have needed some guidance in the next steps I should take in my journey.
• I am thankful for being able to participate in the GSC student blogging program.  Though I've not yet written much, I have appreciated the opportunities to tell my stories, and to encourage anyone considering, or pursuing, an adult college education.
• I am thankful for the Granite State College blogs in general.  The various posts by some of the administration, teachers, and fellow students have given a state-wide, online school for adults a sense of community.  Even though I am an isolated student, I feel as though I am part of a digital campus.  It has been great to hear the heartbeats of the very people who make GSC such a great college.
• I am thankful for having had the opportunity to redeem past potential and dormant dreams.  I'll be writing more about that in the days ahead, but for now, I can attest to GSC's contribution toward helping me to become the person I was always meant to be.

There are so many more things for which I am thankful to Granite State College.  Rather than express them all, though, I'd like to encourage you to take that step of faith, and to enroll.  It is never too late to let your dream become reality.

YOU will be thankful that you did!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Did you read my last post about Online courses at Granite State College?

Did you think about how being an older adult, maybe this online adult education idea is not for you?

Well I have good news for you. I am an older adult. (Not that I like how that sounds!) And as an older adult involved in the Early Childhood and Teacher training education programs at Granite State College, I have found out that managing the online education system really isn't all that difficult. I have almost finished putting an entire course online. I have had excellent help from faculty at Granite State College and I have also used the online tutorials. I have overcome my fear of this new system for the younger adults and I actually am having fun mastering an online course. So I want to encourage you, if you are interested in an adult education diploma, or online college English classes or any form of online education courses at Granite State (and check out all the offerings) and you are an "older" adult, I am telling you that you can do it. Go for it! You will find that it is lots of fun.

I love this season.  The views of the changing colors of our trees are truly something to be seen and appreciated; no matter how many autumns one has spent in New England.  Granite State College has centers throughout the state.  All one has to do is travel from one Granite State College location to the other to enjoy all that New Hampshire has to offer; from the seacoast to the white mountains.  



To me the fall season means it is time to go apple picking and pumpkin shopping.  It means it is time to yell and cheer at soccer games and then return home and start hitting the books again.  I took the summer off from my adult college program but could not wait to get back into the classroom this fall.  For the fall season I opted to take weekend college classes, every other Saturday so that I could still enjoy the weaning daylight after work!  For the winter season I decided to take advantage of the offered online classes for college so I can stay home in the cold weather and accomplish my schoolwork at my convenience in the warmth of my own home!

What does the autumn season mean to you?

A friend presented me with a challenge this week.  When I admitted that I struggled at my first attempt at the challenge his response to me was, “It is not rocket science and you’re smart.”  He was correct, the challenge is not beyond my means, I just needed someone to remind me that I am a smart woman.  How did this new friend know that I was smart?  He has not known me long, we have not worked together professionally, I can only assume he believed it to be true because that is what I portrayed to him, and after all, I am a Granite State College graduate!

I struggled during my first online classes for college, I struggled during my first night college classes, who am I kidding, I struggled during most of my adult college courses!  I never gave up though.  My professors and classmates constantly encouraged me and reminded me that I was a “smart” woman.  Today, with my adult college degree in hand, I only need to be reminded once to believe it to be true.  I am a smart woman capable of almost anything.  I will succeed in my current challenge and know it us due in part to the experiences I have received through my adult college program.

     Sometimes Granite State College students just need to take a break.  What better time to take a break from the studying grind than during the burst and blaze of peak season in the month of October.

     Friday morning, while I made every effort to work on my Linguistics Homework 6, becoming more frustrated in the process because I could not access the online Oxford English Dictionary, no matter what method I tried, I realized I needed to pack my bags, fill up the car with gas, and drive northbound for our cabin in Maine.

    Make no mistake about it!  I packed one bag full of books; text books, notebooks, and the one book for my capstone project that I needed to finish by the end of the weekend.  By 12:00pm on the sunniest afternoon ever with a large cup of Dunkin' Donuts ice coffee in my cup holder, I approached rte. 95 at 70 mph and never looked back.

     Three hours later, when I pulled into the driveway, my husband was happy but very surprised to see me until he spied the bag full of school books in the back seat of the car.  Then he knew...

Homework is more portable than ever now so don't let it be the reason why you shy away from taking classes to complete your degree through an adult learning program such as I am achieving through Granite State College.

     Even though I went for a foliage ride, took a long hike in the woods with my husband, and played Rummie 500 with him in the evenings, I still completed my goal of working on my Linguistics homework as well as finishing the book for my I-search paper before I headed for home on Sunday morning at 7a.m.

     Because I  remembered to stop and catch my breath a bit, I rejuvenated myself for the hard work ahead of me this week.

I had mentioned in my last post that, when I was first re-entering college, I had been encouraged by a couple of other blogs for non-traditional students.  One blog that I continue to follow is "The Non-Traditional Student Blog".  It consistently provides a wealth of useful information, tips, and encouragement for adult learners, and I've found it to be a great source of support over the past two years.

Having shared that, for prospective and current students at Granite State College, nothing beats reading the stories of the staff, students, and alumni in their own words.  It is this very program that has, for me, transformed the online college experience into a greater sense of community.  Though I am physically far from most of the various GSC locations, having the opportunity to put faces to the names, and to read the words from their hearts, I feel as though I am practically living on campus.

I hope that you find these blogs every bit as useful and encouraging as I have.

I am up this morning, sipping on coffee and thinking about the presentation I give this afternoon at the office. I have to show the collectors what my job is as a Credit Analyst and how I determine who and when to grant credit to for a car loan.

I never liked getting up in front of people, hated it. I was shy as a youngster and in my teenage years, I was pretty much a loner. Standing up in front of a lot of people was something I just dreaded. I had a teacher/professor who taught a class called Small Group Dynamics. She gave us assignments to give presentations every week, individually as well as a small group presentation. It was one of the adult accelerated degree program classes I had taken in TN and it was accelerated class. Giving a presentation every week was the pits. Preparing by making note cards, standing in front of the mirror the night before and thinking about it all through the day until the class came that night was so unbearable at times. But, I did it and so did everyone else who had the guts to stay in the class. That class went from a roll of 20 students down to 14 students in just one week. Only the strong survive, as I told my girlfriend Doris Card. We joked about that years later saying we got through the Class from H _ _ , we can do anything!!! Doris is no longer on this earth, but my fun and fond memories of our days in school will stay with me always.

So today I have another presentation to give. I am not dreading it anymore, in fact just the opposite, I looking forward to it, I love it.  I love getting up there explaining what I do to others, showing them a career path they may want to explore at some time in the future. College gave me that confidence to do so. Whether it be on-line classes from distance learning universities or from Granite State College, anyone can do it if they just stick to it. You too can be a survivor!!

It takes a lot to garner the attention of US News & World Report, which makes the mention of our New Hampshire State College all the more noticeable.  It appears that work on the part of the New Hampshire University System to offer adult college courses and degrees has garnered the attention of this magazine.  Select this link - you'll find that Granite State College has the tenth highest percentage of students over the age of 25.  Whether it is our adult online degrees, our weekend college classes, or unique programming like our courses out on the Isles of Shoals, it is clear that individuals already working or raising families are seeking out our affordable Bachelor Degrees.    

G.I. Jobs, a publication dedicated to helping veterans with job search and placement, has announced that Granite State College is a "military friendly school." In an article published on August 16th, GSC was among the top 15% of colleges and universities nationwide doing the most to give the opportunity of an adult college education to military and veteran students. 

Highlighted in the article are that GSC does the following:

• Gives ACE credits for military training and experience
• Accepts credit for CLEP and DSST testing
• VA approved and a recipient of Post-9/11 GI Bill financing
• Has flexibility in scheduling - evening college classes, weekend college classes, and GSC is a college with online classes and degree programs.
• Is supported by Service members Opportunity Colleges Consortium member (SOC)
• Has Baccalaureate degree programs in cooperation with Air University associates degree

In the article, Derek Blumke, president of Student Veterans of America summarizes it best, "The Military Friendly Schools list is the gold standard in letting veterans know which schools  will offer them the greatest opportunity, flexibility and overall experience."

I am very proud the Granite State College is part of the list of Military Friendly Schools. It is one way that we can give back to the brave men and women that serve this great country.

I attended a workshop last week held by the Department of Education in Concord.  It addressed the difficulties for adult learners (adult high school, GED, etc.) transitioning to college, and how we (adult ed facilities and colleges) can make the transition less tangled.  It was a great workshop and I learned a lot about adult learners. One of the activities we did was take the LASSI test, Learning and Study Strategies Inventory.  It evaluates a student's current habits and thinking and is designed to bring to light areas in which he or she is likely to run into trouble. The one area I completely tanked was the Study Aids area--I hated to ask for help when I was a student.  Thinking about this flaw in my character led me to another online test--the Jung Myers-Briggs personality test.  Turns out I am ISFJ, which stands for introverted sensing feeling judging.  I disagree with the experts that say this means I have a good memory and unexpected analytic ability (if only), though it is true that I have few close friends and like to serve others. Overall, I was not too excited about the test results.  I was hoping for something more mystical and esoteric (which is completely normal for us ISFJs). 

I am kinda glad that I didn't take these tests as an incoming student (some NH colleges and adult education programs have their students take LASSI).  They would have made me cranky.  When I started college I was trying to figure out the finals parts of who I was and how to meet the goals I had made.  It would have been too much to also contemplate what I should do about  my low score in information processing, or ponder the ramifications of my need to be needed.  I think there is a point where the learning just has to come from doing.  Most Granite State College students are already A+ students in learning by doing.  They have been learning this way on their feet in the workplace for years.  This is a skill very hard to learn at a traditional college, but one that is so necessary.  Forget the online testing--we're all learning about who we are as we go along, and if we're smart (like GSC students!) we take the phrase "lifelong learner" literally, not only in terms of book smarts but in terms of self-smarts.

But in case you're curious . . . www.humanmetrics.com

I was thinking about work today as our the Diversity Committee wanted us to come up with a poem on diversity. I will work on it tomorrow but it got me thinking about diversity in many aspects.  I first thought about all the different states I have lived in - boy I had to be diverse for that. Moving from Michigan to TN, Tennessee to FL, Florida back to TN, Tennessee to NH and New Hampshire to SC...was like going in a full circle many many times.  Each place of residence had its uniqueness and qualities to be admired. I never in a hundred years would have thought I would like country music, but I did after living just a few minutes away from Music City Nashville. Never would I have thought I would love the New England states, but I did and wish I was there again even in the snow. And in the midst of it all, I went to school. From one school to the next. Guess I was diverse too when I found Granite State College and then again when I had to take my classes through an online adult program that the college offered.

Diversity is part of all our lives in so many ways. Diversity took place for me at many times in my life. When I got divorced and was raising four children on my own, another time when I was relocated and sought out an Adult College Curriculum. Another, when I was moved again and needed online college classes. Cultural changes that occurred were an adventure to explore in each individual state, never mind location and what the weather had to offered was so different in each state. Changes happen in peoples lives and sometimes we are forced to change. 

Changes in location, changes in lifestyle or changes financially. That change could very well be getting an adult education degree either online or in the classroom setting. Nevertheless, it makes us diverse. Change is inevitable it is what we do with the changes and how we approach these changes that count. I always chose to accept them and go with the flow. Having that frame of mind has made me a very mellow person and open minded to changes in life and at work; I think people call it, "thinking outside the box." Companies look for people who can think outside the box; I gained some of that from Granite State College in many classes, I think it is called critical thinking.  I like critical thinking now and use it every day of my life.

I can't say enough about the classes for Early Childhood Education that we offer at Granite State College.  Not only is this Bachelors Degree available in the form of evening college classes or online classes focused on adults, we have such wonderful Faculty as well.  I'm thinking for example of Catherine Yeaton, who is currently teaching EDU 553, Creative Arts in Early Childhood Education, which we are offering this Summer at our Rochester NH College.  Catherine runs the well-know Building Blocks School - located in southern New Hampshire.   

But here is the key detail that might surprise working childcare professionals looking for career advancement programs: Granite State College has a program that will jump start your Early Childhood Degree.  If you are employed at least 20 hours a week in a NH licensed or license-exempt child care center or family child care program, GSC will pay for half the costs of your first class, or even the full cost, depending on the class.  Click this link for details. 

Let me be specific about Fall Term, because registration is open right now.  Here are two classes that you can sign up for using the ECE Tuition Assistance Program:  

PSY 508, Child Development, 4 credits 
(GSC Rochester, Tuesday nights, starting Sept. 14th)

EDU 601, Observation & Assessment in Early Childhood Education, 4 credits
(GSC Rochester, Monday nights, starting Sept. 13th)

You do NOT need to be enrolled in a degree program to take these courses - but if you ARE interested in career advancement education, give us a call (603.332.8335) or register online.

In my Managing Diversity weekend intensive class, there is a 38-year-old Nigerian-born U.S. citizen, a 50-year-old Korean-American,  a 28-year-old veteran of the Iraq War, a 20-year-old recent high school graduate, a 32-year-old state trooper, a 44-year-old executive and a 42-year-old UNH police officer. And me. Six of us are white. There are more men than women in this class -- a fact that is statistically atypical for Granite State College. Gender aside, the age, occupational and racial/ethnic differences of the students that make up this class are typical of GSC. Such diversity is one of my favorite aspects of taking classes at this NH State College.

Our first assignment for this class was to ask ten random people what they think "Diversity" means. The people I asked gave responses using the words "understanding, respecting, accepting, appreciating, embracing, honoring and celebrating" those "different from ourselves." That is how I feel in a GSC class, because my classmates and I come from all walks of life, from all over the state, even from different parts of the world. Some of us are just out of high school, some are stay-at-home parents and some are parents who also work outside the home, some of us are mid-career or mid-life, and some are older adults. And those differences always result in students coming away from any given class with a new understanding of someone else's perspective. 

One of the people I asked responded that diversity is an opportunity that helps us grow as human beings. Another declared that there is strength in diversity. Several expressed how boring the world would be if everyone was the same. I agree with all of these statements. As a student, I have witnessed and experienced the really transformative learning that takes place in a GSC classroom. Part of that learning is intellectual, part is social, part is even growth on an emotional level. One of the greatest strengths of adult and continuing education at GSC is the opportunity to glean knowledge from the broad life experiences of our classmates.

How appealing would it be to sit down to a meal of, say, unseasoned white rice and plain boiled potatoes and white bread? Bland and boring are two adjectives that come to mind. On the other hand, partaking of a meal made up of butternut squash and flame-broiled steak and green beans seasoned with fresh herbs is a more vibrant and flavorful culinary experience. It's also more interesting.

My classmates are very interesting people. They come from all age groups, income brackets, occupations and geographic areas. A lot of my classmates are taking part time classes, though some have a full time course load; some prefer evening college classes and many also take college classes online. Many are looking for a career advancement education and some are fulfilling a goal of getting their college degree through GSC's continuing education degree programs. 

The students that make up my classes are hard-working folks. They're focused. They're driven. They're probably not getting enough sleep. But. They know how important it is to have a college degree in this work climate. Many employers are expecting their employees to have, or be working on, a four-year college degree. At GSC my classmates and I are getting a truly affordable bachelor degree. No matter our age, our past work experiences, our income levels or our geographic background.

As an adult college degree recipient, I can tell you firsthand how it is possible to go back to school without the financial resources to do so.  I did it, and so can you.  My first mistake was to think I was not eligible for financial aid because I had a good job, was able to support myself and my one daughter who was still considered a dependent on my income tax return.  Do not make this same mistake.  The very first step you need to take in financing your adult education degree is to submit a FAFSA application online.  It is not at all intimidating as I believed it to be.  Not only did I qualify for more than $1,000 in federal and state grants during my freshman year but by completing the FAFSA I qualified for deferred interest loans and numerous adult scholarships as well.  Grants are a gift, they do not need to be repaid.  The Subsidized Stafford loans are educational loans which do not start accumulating interest until 6 months after you graduate or stop taking classes.  Currently the deferred rate of these loans is only 4.5%.  I challenge you to find a loan without collateral at a comparable rate!

Now, how to find adult education scholarships… Use the internet and search every possible avenue.  Here in the State of New Hampshire I found many scholarships I qualified for and applied for every single one of them.  Yes, it does take some time and effort but it is certainly worth it.  GSC offers the “Osher Re-Entry Scholarship,”  as well as the ALA Merit Scholarship.  Next I found the Adult Student Aid Program Scholarship available through the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation.  Through my continued Internet searches I found available scholarships through the numerous NH chapters of the Business and Professional Women’s Foundation, the “Take it to the Bank” scholarship offered by NHHEAF and many small local scholarship programs specifically offered to residents of individual counties and communities.  Aside from these scholarships available to NH residents there are countless national scholarships also available to the adult college degree student.  Many banks, retail stores and businesses offer student scholarship contests.  Take the  time and put in the effort to apply for and attain the required finances you need to obtain your degree.   I did it, so can you.  Every scholarship I was awarded was again offered to me for a second and third time in my subsequent years of study.

In my next post I will give you other tips and tricks on obtaining your adult college degree with limited finances.  Most scholarships have deadlines so do not procrastinate and get started right away on your scholarship search.  Once you have completed this you will be ready for the next phase of financing your education....

It's all about making connections.  This is one thing I have learned in the two weeks I have been here at Granite State College.   Making connections can be scary, because what if it gets screwed up?  What if my interpretation of connected isn't the same as others' interpretation?  OK, Mary--get out of anxiety mode and into action mode!  If a connection is somehow lost it can inevitably be found again.  How many times in my life (I don't want to count) have I lost a connection only to have it come back to me, often at a much better time and place?  Re-connected is just as good as connected, and sometimes better. 

I imagine a lot of our current students have the same philosophy.  I would love to know the statistic of how long our students researched and pondered going back for a degree before taking the first step and contacting someone for more information.  How many times did they dismiss the information and go back to life as they know it?  Making the connection to return to school as an adult learner is challenging, make no mistake. There are so many things to consider: what degree program, online classes v. face-to-face classes, scheduling classes around dinner, baby sitters, car pools, finding affordable continuing education and career advancement programs.  It's enough to make smoke come out of your ears, and very difficult to find a place to get connected and focus one's energy.  But even if you don't make the connection right away, it's OK.  You never know when the connection will hit.  And sometimes the connection comes along and hits you, which is perhaps the best way to know that time is right.  I have always found it beneficial to pay attention when the universe is trying to get my attention.

It can be so hard to know if you are doing the right thing at the right time for the right reasons. Be assured that the universe (not to mention family and friends) is looking out for you.  If you miss the connection this time, there is always another one that will be coming your way.  The question is--will you be looking for it?  

I had put my dreams of a college degree away and carried on with my life.  I was busy, and happy in my career, but really never thought I would "close the book" on an adult education diploma.  I was enjoying some success in my career and as luck would have it, I was promoted to Lieutenant of the Conway Police Department.  This was a happy time for me but a crossroads as well.  Now that I was an administrator, would I have the credibility dealing with budgets, Boards and Committees?  I new I had to take another look at finishing my educational journey.

In December of 2007, I went down to the local Granite State College office and met the greatest people.  From my academic advisor Nancee Caughey to the office staff, Cindy, Patti, Julie and Molly, they were all clearly pulling for me to get back in the game!  They could tell that I was nervous about returning to classes after 15 years, especially the online classes for criminal justice.  I wasn't the most computer savvy guy and I was more than a little intimidated.  They explained the process of re-enrollment, accuplacer testing and the many new programs available to help me obtain an accelerated undergraduate degree. 

The thing that caught my attention first was the huge variety of degree choices.  I had choices like Associate in Science in Business, Criminal Justice or even General Studies.  All of these choices were now available online too.  No traveling to the Berlin NH College or to any Concord NH Classes for credit.  I settled on continuing with a Business Degree, now at the Associate level, and realized I was actually more than half way there!  My fear was replaced with excitement and a renewed sense of purpose.  I thought, "This is really going to happen!"

Next:  Online classes, test outs and the impossible becomes possible!