Affordable Continuing Education

My GSC Story

Wednesday, January 16, 2013 by Granite State College 40th Anniversary

I have always been, and always will be a learner. I found myself faced with having to be creative with my education when my parents had the difficult conversation with me that my acceptance to Northeastern University was not something they could afford, even with the $3,000 a semester scholarship. A well respected and accomplished student all throughout my childhood education and suddenly I was faced with having to create my own method of continuing my growth as an adult. Little did I realize at the time - this was a good position for someone like me to be in.

I was fortunate to get a contracted job with full benefits at the University of New Hampshire right out of high school Fall of 2001. It is the University System of New Hampshire I have to thank for my education – both professionally and academically. While working full-time at UNH, I attended classes part-time, receiving a free class each semester as long as I kept my GPA up. Some semesters I took on multiple classes; a couple I even attended full-time while continuing to work full-time as well. It took five years, but I was able to receive my Associate of Applied Science in Community Leadership at the Thompson School without any debt whatsoever. This degree focused a lot on non-profit management and leadership development. It literally opened my eyes to options for a career I had never considered before. I began to research local non profits and seek out leadership positions. This search successfully led me to working for Strafford County Nursing Home as an Activity Aide, which then turned into the positions I have held since, working with elderly and in non-profit agencies.

For my bachelor's degree I was referred to Granite State College as my professor and advisor thought the self-design program was right for me. She was certainly correct in thinking so! The self-design program at GSC, along with their supportive staff assisted me to create a meaningful and fulfilling curriculum that I use today in my statewide job. Granite State College is a school that works alongside with you, and that is why I love it so much.

I am now working on my master's degree in Leadership at GSC so I can truly complete the journey I have started for myself through the University System of NH. I currently oversee a federal, statewide program for NH call the Senior Companion Program. We have 80 volunteers who visit with over 400 frail and homebound elders and adults with disabilities in their homes. We partner with 27 fellow senior care and non profit agencies in our program. To have a master's degree of this aptitude I will be able to continue to expand my leadership role within the program and beyond. I have aspirations to be the Director of Elder Services for my agency one day. My current director is looking at retirement in the near future and I would love to take on the challenge. If not with the current agency I am in, I am now also considering working for a federal or state program with a high level of responsibility. I have always said since realizing I loved working with seniors, I would like to one day be an administrator who oversees a community living facility for seniors or even work with the Attorney General’s Office.

- Nicole

Project Management for the Holidays

Tuesday, December 20, 2011 by Mary Young

It's Christmastime, the decorations are out, the carolers are warming up, the shopping season is in full swing, and it's time to reflect on the challenges and accomplishments of the past year.  If I were making a list, the first item in both the Challenges column and the Accomplishments column would be the pursuit of a Masters Degree in Project Management.

The challenge lies in the fact that I haven't been a college student in, oh, let's just say, a very long time. Not only am I enrolled in the very first graduate degree program offered at Granite State College, I am in the very first cohort scheduled to graduate in 2013. I am so proud and excited to be part of such an illustrious group of bright, dedicated and funny people...I really like this thing called adult higher education!

In the accomplishment column I proudly include the completion of the first of ten terms in the project management masters program. This term was made up of two six-week classes - PM 804 Project Management Seminar and PM 804 Leading Teams; both were excellent courses.  My preferred delivery method for instruction is face to face, on the ground at our Manchester NH campus. Of course, for those of you who would rather operate completely in the digital world, you always have the option of taking any of our adult college courses online.

It is interesting now that I am immersed in the world of project management...all that we do in life is a project in one way or another. I see it all around me. The applications, tools and techniques of project management can be applied to everything from planning a holiday party to putting a man on the moon.

Now there's a thought...how might I apply what I've learned so far in my project management classes to make my holiday season just a little less stressful and a bit more organized?

Project Scope: Just what do I want to accomplish this holiday season? I certainly don't want to bite off more than I can chew so I had better define exactly what I will and can commit to this year.

Project Team: My family...who is responsible for what and can we accomplish everything we have identified in our project scope?

Project Planning:  Creating a task list (work breakdown structure in project management speak) that includes all of the typical activities (cards, gifts, parties, decorations, food, etc.) around the holiday would be helpful.

Project Risk: Have you ever had your heart set on a particular gift for someone only to find the gift is not available, or that the cost exceeds your budget? Contingency plans are always a good idea.

Project Close: The holidays are over; now is the time to assess what worked and what didn't...lessons learned are a very valuable tool at the close of any project, but only if you use them.

So as you think about everything you have to do for the holidays, remember these four easy steps to help you along: plan, execute, manage and close.  Wishing you a very merry and stress free holiday season!

GSC Factoid: Granite State College offers the most affordable continuing education in the state and is the University System's leading online provider.

Bending the Cost Curve

Wednesday, October 19, 2011 by Todd Leach

The "Public Good" of higher education can only truly be achieved when it is accessible to the masses. As tuition increases across the country continue to outpace inflation and public funding (including financial aid) decreases, higher education begins to become unobtainable for more and more Americans. In fact, the U.S. has slipped dramatically relative to higher education trends around the globe and it is only logical that this will ultimately translate into a loss in comparative advantage and competitiveness. However, non-traditional pathways do exist that strive to keep tuition affordable and access to a quality education achievable for students who are able to find them. As a public institution with the University System of New Hampshire, it is important that Granite State College provide affordable access to the residents of New Hampshire and the region.

Granite State College was recently identified as a "Best Buy" through GetEducated.com for having the lowest bachelor tuition rate in New Hampshire and one of the twenty lowest accredited bachelor tuition rates in the nation. Granite State accomplishes this efficiency by focusing on teaching and learning rather than research or a residential experience. Our classes are taught largely by practicing professionals who can put theory to practice, and more than half our students attend classes online for adults. By offering every program online, including our graduate program, we minimize infrastructure costs and reach more students.

Granite State also maximizes affordability by being transfer friendly and by having a sophisticated system of prior learning assessment. In addition, accessing what financial aid is available is paramount to the ability of many students to attend. Granite State College is unique in our scheduling and calendar in that it is possible for a student to take one course at a time (using our 6-week hybrid model) and be eligible for full-time financial aid! Students may also be eligible for full-time financial aid in any one of our Fast Track programs.

So while the cost of higher education continues to outpace the ability of many students to pay, it is important that colleges such as Granite State College, remain committed to access to quality higher education through diligent cost containment; delivery and schedule innovation; online technology; and by focusing on our core mission of teaching and learning.

These are a few of my favorite things

Tuesday, March 22, 2011 by Marta Smith

I thought I would share a few of my favorite adult education courses and classes with you. I have had so much fun in many of the classes I have taken at Granite State College, which is an adult education school focused on delivering flexible and affordable education.

I have taken so many writing classes with many different instructors and enjoyed them all, some more than others. Creative fiction was my favorite. Of course the class I took on the Isle of Shoals was awesome. Writing outside on the porch of an old hotel on an island in the middle of the ocean - what could be better!

I also really enjoyed the Astronomy class I took at the Pomfret observatory, it was a little cold that spring, but we still enjoyed it. The Sustainable Gardening class I have mentioned many times, but it bears repeating, was amazing, and we were outside for almost every class and the field trips were amazing.

I took a photography class during one amazing summer and I saw and learned so much - it was my first visit to St, Gauden's and I took some really great pictures there. I have an album that tells the story of that class. One of the best things about it is how it got me to be more observant; everywhere I went that summer I was looking for a new and interesting subject to photograph.

Another really good class was the History of New England which taught me a lot about the ecology of New England and introduced me to several excellent nature writers.

I just thought I would mention some of these because I have seen a few of them listed in the spring catalog. They are offered in different locations. Another class that sounds really good is the Field Botany of the White Mountains - which mentions field trips, I would guess that this will be a fantastic class with many really enjoyable hikes in Northern New England. You might want to check it out!

The Future of Financial Aid

Tuesday, March 8, 2011 by Cortney Henry

As many of you may know, Adult Financial Aid has been a hot topic in recent federal and state budget debates. These debates have left many of us wondering, “What is financial aid going to look like in the future?” I can’t speak for other schools, and I certainly do not profess to know exactly what is going to happen, but here are my thoughts and opinions on how Granite State College students may be affected.

With regard to State Financial aid, I believe we will see a cut to many of the grant and scholarship programs for New Hampshire. Governor Lynch proposed the elimination of the Post-Secondary Education Commission as a stand-alone agency. They are currently the ones administering the NH Incentive Grant. With the proposed elimination, it is unclear who, if anyone will be administering this program. There have been mentions of each state school receiving an allotment of funding to be used at the school level, but we have not received any official word as of yet.

We have been notified; however, that we will no longer have funding for the Unique Allocation Scholarship or the Unique Endowment fund. These funds will be re-directed to support public institutions of higher learning in New Hampshire.

In addition, Congress is still debating the proposed cuts to its budget as well. There have been talks of decreasing the annual Pell Grant allotment from $5550 (maximum annual award) to $4705 (maximum annual award). Senate is planning to vote on these proposed cuts this week, and if they are not passed, they will return to the drawing board until they can come to an agreement.

That being said, Granite State College is still able to fund the majority of our students using the Federal Aid Programs available to us. Because we are mainly an Adult and Continuing Education college and do not have the high costs of residential campuses, we will not be as heavily affected by these proposed cuts as some of the more traditional colleges in the area. We are confident that no matter what happens, we will have proper funding to assist our students.

There are, however, things students can do on their own to help supplement their educational expenses. Because we may have to use more Stafford loan money to cover the portion of charges typically covered by the State Grant Programs, Students should take a good, hard look at what they are borrowing. Students should keep a close eye on their outstanding loan debt by checking the National Student Loan Data System on a regular basis. This will allow them to track how much they have already borrowed and reconsider their borrowing habits. Another good tool to use is the financial aid loan payment calculator. This will give them an idea of what their monthly payment will look like once they have finished their program. These tools allow students to make informed choices as to how they want to spend their money and more importantly, what they can really afford.

Another option students should be aggressively pursuing is scholarships. It takes a little more leg work since most have an application and essay requirement, but with the cuts to many grant programs, this is another very feasible way to get free money for education.

Students can create a profile on a scholarship search engine which will then send them different scholarships that may be applicable to them. Another excellent scholarship resource for New Hampshire residents is the New Hampshire Charitable Fund. Specifically, the adult student aid program is designed for adults returning to school to upgrade skills for employment or career advancement. In addition, the statewide student aid program is designed for the traditional student in a four year baccalaureate program.

Keep in mind that not all scholarship opportunities are legit. Take a look at these Scholarship Tips to avoid being caught in the middle of a scam.

So as we move forward into the 2011-2012 financial aid award year, things are still very uncertain. Rest assured though, Granite State College will have aid to cover our students regardless of what happens with both the State and Federal governments.

Dear Mother Nature, 'nuf with the snow!

Tuesday, March 1, 2011 by Mary Clouter

Dear Mother Nature, 'nuf with the snow! I am ready for Spring!

For me, Spring is the best time of year. The temperature becomes a perfect mix of cool and warm, people are outside more, and nature starts to wake up. Every Spring day brings

along something new; new buds on trees, birds I haven't heard for awhile and didn't realize that I missed, and flowers beginning to bloom. I love the feeling that it gives me of new and hopeful beginnings.

One more semester to go before I graduate from Granite State College and start my "new and hopeful" life outside of GSC. The feeling is both satisfying and also a bit scary. It's not always easy trying something new that will be outside of my comfort zone however positive it may be. There was a time when I am sure I felt the same way about entering college. All of the "what ifs" creep up... what if I don't do well, what if I can't find the time, what if, what if, what if. All it took though was one class at a time and now, with the help of GSC's affordable continuing education options and class formats (classroom, online, and weekend intensive), the one class at a time has become a bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science. How exciting!

Continuing my education was the best thing I ever did. Give Granite State College a call and see what "new and hopeful beginnings" are waiting for you!

Is Online College better

Tuesday, January 18, 2011 by Beth McKenna

I went to college long ago... in the dark ages... before online education became an accepted way to get an education. I often wonder if I would have liked going to college in my own living room. I think about people interested in going to college in Berlin NH, or Littleton NH, or Lebanon NH, or taking Manchester NH Classes or Portsmouth NH Classes or Rochester NH Classes and I think.. wow.. if people from all over New Hampshire decided to go to college at Granite State College they could all be going to the same class at the same time right in their own homes. Maybe that is one benefit of online education. You would come in contact with people from other areas of the state that you might never have known. It wouldn't be the same in some ways, because you would not be going out to coffee before class with online friends, but, think of the possibilities online courses present. Maybe the idea of online education is really catching on, especially at places like Granite State because people are so busy, but they still want the benefits of making connections while getting career college training and affordable continuing education without the constraints of a particular time to be sitting in a classroom. I think I would have liked online classes when I went to school. How about you?

The Granite State College Alumni Board Association

Wednesday, September 22, 2010 by Deidre Romeo

Today I was voted into the Granite State College Alumni Board Association (“ALA”). President Todd Leach was kind enough to attend today’s board meeting and bring us all up to speed with the direction he is moving the college towards. He shared his observations, initiatives and strategies to continue the growth of our great institution. His focus is clearly to transform GSC into a “student centered” adult education school.

I was most concerned about the possibility of GSC turning into one of the many distance learning universities; offering only online courses leaving those who require the availability of evening college classes, part time classes and weekend college classes without the flexibility and convenience of an affordable bachelor degree throughout New Hampshire. My concerns were quickly addressed. Growth and innovation are certainly at the top of President Leach’s strategy, but reducing or eliminating the availability of live course schedules throughout New Hampshire is not included in his plan.

I am excited and extremely hopeful at where Dr. Leach will lead GSC in the coming months and years. I am grateful to have the opportunity to come along for the ride.

From left to right: Barbara Grant, Kathy Moulis, Dawn Corriveau, Ruth Tappin, Deidre Romeo, President Leach, Carrie Landry, Dee McClave, Steve Cotter

www.granite.edu/alumni-and-friends/alaboard.aspx

Farmer's Market Wisdom

Wednesday, September 8, 2010 by Mary Gaetz

I set up a table the last three weeks at the Lebanon Farmers Market, hoping to catch a few eyes and have a few conversations. Granite State College is still a small player in the Lebanon community so I was there to have a ready answer for all those people who walked by and asked "Who are you?".

I was lucky enough to be placed between a fabulous food stand and a farm stand. One afternoon as I was setting up, my neighbor at the farm stand, an older woman, asked me THE question: "Who are you?"

As I was giving my standard answer (adult continuing education, career training programs, affordable college study, etc.) she came over and browsed through a fall course schedule.

"I started writing a book about education", she said.
"Really? Wow. That's great", I replied.
"Don't think I'll ever get it done."
"What's it about?"

She went on to tell me about research she had done for her book about the rise of higher education in the 40's and 50's. With the GI bill helping so many servicemen and women pay for college, college enrollment grew astronomically. She also made the point that so soon after the wars and the Great Depression, many people were looking for something that no one could take away from them. After losing so much, many people turned to higher education as security for the future.

I had never thought about my education in those terms: something that will never not be mine. I could lose everything I own in a fire tomorrow and be homeless and penniless, but I will still possess my greatest assets and investment, because I invested in myself. It's not a sheet of paper or books or papers written and published. It's the knowledge that I carry around all the time and use everyday in ways I could never have imagined. It's the confidence and the tenacity, the passion and the dedication. It dawned on me that my education has made me rich in ways I had never realized, and will always be there to hold me up.

I took a moment to breathe deeply and congratulate myself on not letting that dream of education get away from me. I finished setting up my table and sat down to talk to people, excited and energized by the comments of my world-savvy, produce-selling neighbor. And her cucumbers were tasty too!

Give Me a 'G' - Give Me an 'S' - Give Me a 'C' ... What's that spell?

Saturday, August 21, 2010 by Erin Todd

A prospective student finished her accuplacer assessment and was anxious to know the results. The scores were not easily interpretable. At a quick glance, however, I noticed that the placement recommendation was for Contemporary College Math -- which is one of the required courses for a degree at Granite State College. I pointed this out to her and we both practically cheered because she was so pleased to discover that she knows more than she thought she knew!

This particular student, let's call her Miranda, works in a local elementary school. While she enjoys her role as a para-educator, she really wants to pursue Teacher Training Education. As a former high school dropout, Miranda didn't think she was equipped to go to college, but once she attained her G.E.D., she realized that she was thirsty for more. She decided to apply to GSC, the New Hampshire State College that offers Affordable College Study, and she's eager to start her Childhood Education Courses this fall.

Miranda wants to work with children that have special needs. At GSC, she will pursue a B.S. in Individualized Studies: English Language Arts -- which will enable her to meet the federal Highly Qualified Teacher requirement, and the Post-Baccalaureate Teacher Certification in General Special Education. The reason Miranda chose GSC, she told me, was because she could continue to work in her chosen field while taking Evening College Classes. I'm willing to bet that she will also find, as I have found, that taking classes with other adults of all ages provides a rich educational experience. GSC is the college in the University of New Hampshire System that specializes in Adult Higher Education.

The excitement Miranda expressed -- when she saw evidence that her abilities are indeed college-level -- is one of the reasons I love working at Granite State College. It's such a great feeling to watch someone's face light up at the realization of their possibilities! Our students are so invested in their education, because many of them already have real-world experience, and they are incredibly motivated to do well in their studies. They want the most out of their education. And we at GSC are here to cheer them on!

Diversity

Monday, August 16, 2010 by Erin Todd

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.

Connections, Lost and Found

Monday, August 9, 2010 by Mary Gaetz

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?

Life Happens

Wednesday, July 28, 2010 by Heather Carter

Life happens. And as a young adult recently out of high school, life happened to me fast-- way faster than I expected.

I was an idealistic 18-year-old with grand schemes of living the traditional 4-year college experience, relishing the excitement of living in a dorm with my peers, inspired by the prospect of exploring fascinating subjects accessible only through higher education, and looking forward to a shiny new degree with a shiny new career that was sure to follow.

Well, "best laid plans," right? Life happened. I found myself thrown into the nose-to-the-grindstone working world, taking whatever job or two that I could get so that I could pay the rent on my tiny apartment and keep the electricity on. But I didn't completely tuck away those college schemes. The idea was to keep on keeping on, and "someday" I'd be able to bring the schemes out into the light, unroll them and lovingly lay them back across the drawing board, dust them off, and build the life I had envisioned. Someday.

Out of necessity, "someday" kept being put off. That plateau that would serve as a resting place in life where I could stop, breathe, think for a while, gather my resources, and put my schemes into action just never seemed to come. Months whirled by, then they blurred together and spun into years. Suddenly, I was 24 years old. No degree, no prospects, no direction, no ideas how to get unstuck. I was surviving, not living--and certainly not anywhere close to the life that I'd seen for myself years before.

I was working in retail at the time. One day, a woman who was temporarily working in the store for a few days, idly initiated a conversation with me. For some reason, the topic of college came up and I only happened to mention how much I wished I could go. This woman-- a random, complete stranger to me-- said I should consider the College for Lifelong Learning (the former name of Granite State College), and explained how it's a school that offers affordable college study and continuing education degree programs. My life has never been the same.

Read my new blog post to find out what happened next!

Great time to go back to school at Granite State College

Wednesday, May 12, 2010 by Betsy Gemmecke

What a busy and excitng time this spring has been! So much so that I have not taken time to blog. Our Conway NH College has been busy with lots of new inquires about our online programs and affordable bachelor degree programs.

I continued to offer our "Who are You" career opportunities education workshops and many participants have realized it IS time to go back to school! One woman in the North Country who had been looking for a job for a long time took this workshop, then changed the way she wrote a resume and approached her interview and GOT a job in the teaching field! Now she knows she is ready to take the next step to enroll in our Post Baccalaureate Teacher Certificate Program. ( I would love to know if we should do more such workshops for the college...Let me know!)

This weekend, hardy souls attended the Littleton Home Show and a number of people didn't realize that there was a Littleton NH College that offered Bachelor degrees. One woman decided to try out a summer class, after she learned that there were adult college classes in her area.

Yesterday I spoke to about 100 real estate agents and support people about Granite State College. Several told me that when people come to the North Country to explore housing, they ask about lifelong learning college opportunities. It felt great to let them know all about what is right here in the North Country!

A Unique Profile

Friday, March 5, 2010 by John Cook

I continue to be amazed by the individuals that teach here at Granite State College. I'm pleased that this blog has provided an opportunity to trumpet news about so many of the unique people that contribute to learning at this wonderful New Hampshire State College.

Just the other day, Dr. William "Bill" Cuff popped by my office. To say Bill is interesting would be a true understatement. In addition to teaching behavioral science classes here at Granite State College, Bill teaches at UNH, and is also heavily involved with service projects, through groups like Danny's Team.

Bill was chatting with me about his upcoming class this Spring at our Portsmouth NH College - PSY 602, Theories of Personality.  The structure of this class exemplifies the Granite State perspective on adult college education: it is a weekend-intensive that takes place over five Saturdays. Yes, Granite State offers affordable Bachelor degree programs, but weekend college classes also work for students with other obligations.

Bill is off to New Orleans and Mississipi next week for more service. As part of this trip he mentioned an opportunity to visit the hometown of Medgar Evers. His eyes were lit-up and intense, and I thought - right, so this is quite a person to have teaching here in our corner of the New Hampshire University System.

A bad case of nerves

Tuesday, February 16, 2010 by Tom Oetinger

I find it interesting that as I travel around southern New Hampshire, speaking with prospective students who have been out of school for a while, who are looking at NH colleges to ease back and take part time classes; a familiar theme repeatedly surfaces: FEAR.

So many working adults that have considered going back to college for career advancement education are hesitant or procrastinate because they're not sure they're up for it. Either they've been away from the education process too long, they believe that they can't fit it into their schedule or that an adult college degree is simply not affordable. For these individuals I can honestly say; "been there, done that!"

I started college as a traditional-age student at a large urban university. After a year and a half "life got in the way" of my college aspirations. A career opportunity pulled me away from my full time studies in Criminal Justice and into policing. My plan was to get settled into my job and return to college to finish my degree part-time. As you can guess that's not how things worked out. I ended up taking a 15 year summer break. I considered going back a number of times over the years, but the thought of the time it would take and the cost caused me to repeatedly put this idea on the back burner. When I hit my mid-thirties I recognized how important that a degree would be for my continued career success. This reality finally overcame my reservations and I bit the bullet.

In researching colleges in NH I discovered that Granite State College was my most affordable option and GSC offered me significant credit in transfer and through validating professional training. I still was a bit anxious about returning to school after such a long period of time, but after I started attending classes I discovered that most of my fellow students were in circumstances similar to my own. I found that I actually enjoyed the coursework and my time in class. It was a great feeling being able to finally earn my degree and walking in the graduation commencement with my wife and son in the audience made all of the time and effort worthwhile. So for those of you considering returning to college as an adult I have two words for you:

NO FEAR!

Fear 1, Check: Fear 2, Check -- All Systems Go!

Monday, February 15, 2010 by Ellen Gagnon

     In my head I have a VERY dramatic life. And though it may be troublesome for folks to know this factoid about me, you also need to understand, I crack myself up. It happens most often when I am driving in my car. I begin by trying to "noodle-out" an issue I am having and before I know it I am laughing out loud at the ridiculous turns my mind has taken. (In case you are wondering it doesn't matter whether I have passengers in the car or not. Though my family has gotten used to me, there is always a bit of awkwardness when having to explain my giggling to a new passenger in the car with me.)

   We weren't "rich" by any means.   We had enough to pay our bills and put a little bit away for the proverbial rainy day. At times I worked a second job so we could save a little more for some of the extras. When I made the decision to go back to school I sought the support of my family. Everyone was terrific. My daughter and sons had moved out and were living their own lives, so they did not need daily mothering. My partner of 13 years was excited that I was doing something solely for myself. The funny thing here is that it is easy to tell someone 'Go for it,' but it is another thing to be the person doing the going.

    We sat down and figured out the finances. That was the biggest consideration I thought, but I was scared. To help myself get through that feeling I began to daydream a little. Visualizing the scene;

    Me worried -- having to choose a direction that would purposely take me out of the home on a regular basis.
    Cue dramatic music now.
   Voice-over cuts in: 'What would happen if I wasn't home; would the laundry get done; would dinner get cooked; who will weed the garden?'

   For me to choose college would mean my family would have to get along with out me. OK, the truth is, in the back of my head I wanted someone to say,

        "No we can't do this without you here. Don't leave us alone, by ourselves," and maybe there would be a little bit of a scene -- some tears, falling on the floor, a little begging. I of course would then turn to my family and say some George Patton-ish inspirational thing, (sort of like his "Americans-love-a-winner-Americans-will-not-tolerate-a-loser," speech on the eve of the Allied invasion of France in 1944, with a pinch of martyrdom added in;) throwing the back of my hand to my forehead I would exclaim,

       "Step aside, after all I'm doing this for you too."

    You get the picture. Fear kept me from pursuing my college degree, and I have learned when I can laugh at myself those fears do not seem as big an obstacle as they once were. It then frees me to make choices that support my goals. Choosing Granite State College, has also helped minimize my fears. I do not ALWAYS have to be out of the house taking classes, GSC offers itself as one of New Hampshire's premier, Online State Colleges, that means it offers Affordable Continuing Education close to home, (and in some cases right in my home!) Check off my two biggest fears; money and location!

Help and Inspiration

Friday, February 12, 2010 by Kate O'Neill

My advising work with students who are seeking affordable bachelor degrees and continuing education in the Lebanon NH and CLaremont NH regions, would never be possible without the hard work and talent of our GSC support staff. One such staff member, Anne Park, our office manager in the Claremont center has been working for Granite State College since 2005. Anne possesses a wealth of information about many aspects of the college, and endures constant questions with patience and a lively sense of humor. She has wonderful way in which she helps students. They stop by the center stressed about a situation with financial aid, or registration, and before you know it she has sorted it all out and they leave breathing a sigh of relief.

Well, I was stressing about this blog ...and my stressed out mutterings drifted over to Anne's desk. Ever helpful, Anne shared with me the story of our own GSC self published author and illustrator, Roseanne Veillette, and I asked Anne to help me tell her story...stress levels went way down. See how she has this effect?

"Roseanne Veillette, a GSC student from the Claremont Region, has written, illustrated and published a children’s book. The book is titled Buck & Ben Explore the Rainforest and is geared for children ages 7-11. Buck and Ben are squirrels who travel in a hot air balloon to the Amazon rainforest where they meet a variety of South American animals.

Self Published book by Roseanne Veillette, GSC student
www.buckandben.com

Roseanne is working on her BA in Liberal Arts with an Individualized Studies major of Art. Her passion is pen and ink drawing and her work is amazing when you realize how many minute pen strokes she uses to create a drawing! Her book incorporates color and some collage technique but each page is covered in art. Roseanne is working on a second book as part of an Independent Learning Contract.

Roseanne investigated the whole publication process and ultimately decided to publish her books herself. To do this she has created and registered her own publisher name, Little Paws Press, learned how to copyright her work and purchased a printer and other equipment that she uses to painstakingly produce each copy. An incredible amount of work but so inspiring!"

I continue to learn more about Granite State College everyday both from the staff and the students. It is place where you can count on help....and inspiration...to happen.

My mii says "ouch"

Wednesday, January 27, 2010 by MB Lufkin

Like millions of Americans, my new-years resolutions included getting in shape. I think my expectations are pretty realistic. I know I'm not going to be Jillian Michaels within the next 6 months, but perhaps I can at least get rid of this double chin. To get started I decided to jump on the Wii Fit Advanced train. My son eagerly helped me set up my mii (because you know 9-year olds do this stuff about a thousand times faster than us adults!) I have to admit my mii was pretty stunning. Great haircut, nice glasses and the color eyes I've dreamed of having. I was in heaven. Until the board calculated my weight and bmi...at which point it started groaning what sounded like "ouch" each time I stepped on the board. I guess this is supposed to be a motivator...move from "ouch" to "yippee"? "amen!"? or even "phew!" (I'll let you know when I get there!). Unfortunately for me it had exactly the opposite effect. Who wants to be greated with "ouch" when they're jumping on board to get exactly the opposite reaction. How about a "good for you!" or "at least you're trying!"

This experience made me think about our students. Since we offer primarily adult college courses, we appeal to adults looking for affordable continuing education in an environment that is supportive and friendly. Some of our students are interested in accelerating their studies and completing their degree quickly. I believe that the experience we offer is closer to the "good for you!" than the "ouch." Based on our recent student satisfaction survey, our students agree. They give us high marks for academic support, faculty access and online course availability. If you're considering a college with online classes, I hope you'll choose the one without the "ouch"--Granite State College

Unsure of your future direction?

Friday, January 22, 2010 by Betsy Gemmecke

I have been facilitating free workshops all over northern New Hampshire to help those uncertain of their future career direction. Hmmm, it seems like we all are wondering about our futures these days, yes? …. I have been so impressed by the enthusiasm and guts of those who have attended.

Even though the job market is tough right now, many said they were ready to take advantage of the affordable continuing education that is available to them. Two who attended recently said they were just laid off and insecure about going back to school again. It had been years since they went to school. I understand that feeling, but it is nice to know we have strong academic support at our college.

Participants tell me the workshops entitled “Who Are You, Where Are You Headed and How Can Higher Education Help?” have helped them learn about our non-traditional paths of learning, including online adult education classes, part time classes and career advancement programs. They also said they enjoyed exploring with others the education and career advancement opportunities up here in the North Country.

I invite anyone who may be ready to "re-invent" themselves for their next phase in life to join us. The schedule of upcoming workshops is on our Granite State College website.