Greetings! My name is Cathy Driesch and I’m new to the blog scene at Granite State College. I’ve been connected to the college for many years - first, as a student, and for the past fourteen years, as an employee. As a student I found GSC to be a flexible college that fit the needs of a working mother while I slowly finished what I‘d begun many years before. I had a patchwork of college experiences, each of which had led to fulfilling careers in business, nursing and sign language interpreting. Granite State College allowed me to pull it all together and obtain a B.S. degree in Behavioral Science and go on for my Master’s in Education in Counseling and Human Relations at Plymouth State University. Needless to say, my family got tired of coming to my graduations (one can listen to just so many speeches, even if there is the promise of food later!), but each was a cherished milestone and I learned how to make some clever Halloween costumes out of all the caps and gowns I accumulated!
I began my GSC career as an Academic Support Coordinator working in the Claremont NH college campus and Lebanon NH college campus supporting students with all manner of academic needs along with providing skill building workshops. This position afforded me the opportunity to develop lasting relationships with students through all their struggles and triumphs as well as connect with our talented faculty. That job led to a position as Faculty Coordinator where I hired faculty and scheduled classes in the region and later added the role of Regional Coordination where I was surrounded by an extraordinary staff who worked tirelessly to provide the best service to all who entered our doors. And yes, on occasion, costumes were involved.
In 2011 I moved into the role of Academic Program Director working directly for Academic Affairs on broader initiatives such as promoting our new Health Care Management Program, curriculum work, and hiring faculty mentors for Independent Learning Contracts – ILC’s to you veteran students! So, I’ve seen the college from a variety of perspectives and the common theme has been growth and change. I get what it means to miss a birthday party or soccer game because you have a presentation to make or a final exam and I know how it feels to lose a paper in cyberspace. College is an adventure, a journey and ultimately, life-changing. Know that there is a dedicated staff here that believes in you and is here to support you along the way.
What a long strange trip it’s been… Jerry Garcia
I’d like to take the journey metaphor a bit further with regard to the paths that lead you to Granite State College and pursuing an adult education degree at this point in your life. How many times have you found yourself in the right place at the right time? Feels great when it happens and you have the presence of mind to recognize the moment and act accordingly… those times when you are clearly in the driver’s seat and the GPS is spot on.
Other times we find ourselves in the passenger seat –restrained, observing the scenery and letting others take charge. Then there are the events that leave one stranded on the side of the road or that car you thought was your trusted friend, (you even named it) that won't start and betrays you on the morning when you can least afford to be late. These are the situations that test our ability to think critically, explore options, and identify opportunities.
Returning to or beginning college is a turning point for anyone. It’s exciting, daunting, exhilarating and a leg of the journey to finding out things about the world and yourself that will change you. Savor every moment, fill the tank and step on it!
What’s in your trunk?
I recently attended the Business NH Health Care Summit in Manchester - an event and topic that interests me greatly, thanks to my role as program director of the Granite State College Bachelors degree in Health Care Management. The New England Director of the U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services, Christi Hager, delivered the keynote where she discussed what has transpired since Health Care Reform was introduced and the implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Many businesses and agencies were represented at the conference and all are grappling with the high cost of health care benefits. Small companies tend to pay 18% more in premiums than larger corporations resulting in them being a third less likely to offer insurance. The State Based Insurance Exchange will make coverage more affordable for small businesses and is slated to be available in 2014.
We learned that New Hampshire has one of the highest quality health care delivery systems in the country and has the highest rate of private insurance coverage at 72%.
A panel consisting of HR representatives from a large corporation and a small business, a physician, the president of NH Hospital Association, a representative from AARP, and someone from Harvard Pilgrim N.E. answered questions and discussed emerging trends. Health care costs have lead to a trend in companies and insurance agencies to promote wellness among their employees. These initiatives range from discounts on health club memberships, sport teams, onsite health professionals, onsite fitness centers, regular safety assessments, smoke-free workplaces, walking clubs, and preventative care, to free health coach consultations from insurance providers. The bottom line is that to control health care costs, companies need to embrace wellness programs.
How do you get started?
- Get connected with your HR department
- Form a wellness committee
- Connect with other business – find out what they’ve done and set benchmarks
- Create the infrastructure to support the initiative and promote cultural transformation
- Develop an action plan – get data- build collaboration
- Get to know your co-workers/employees
- Investigate what support your insurer may provide
- Develop partnership with local pharmacist to assist with education in the workplace
- Go to: http://healthaffairs.org/
For the past several months I have been touring New Hampshire with a colleague promoting Granite State College’s new Bachelor of Science in Health Care Management. This degree program offers courses in health care administration, policy, emerging trends, fiscal management, and health information systems.
The specialized skills you will acquire from this degree will prepare you to coordinate technology, people and resources. Job opportunities exist in a number of health related settings such as hospitals, nursing homes, health care agencies, non-profits, non-governmental agencies such as the Red Cross, and medical practices. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, ten of the 20 fastest growing occupations are health care related. Health care will also generate 3.2 million new wage and salary jobs before 2018, more than any other industry, largely in response to rapid growth in the elderly population. http://www.bls.gov/oco/cg/cgs035.htm
We have visited Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, Catholic Medical Center, New London Hospital, The VT/NH annual conferences for Physical Therapists, Respiratory Therapists and Occupational Therapists and several of the NH Community Colleges. It’s great to be able to go where potential students are and answer their questions, provide materials, and arrange appointments. In addition, at every event, we’ve had GSC alumni stop by to say hello and let us know how their degree has impacted their lives and career opportunities.
If you already have college credit, let us evaluate your transcripts as you may qualify for the “Fast Track” degree completion option and earn your bachelor’s degree online in as little as 18 months! Visit us online at www.granite.edu or call us toll free at 1-888-228-3000 for more information or to get started today!
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