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Serving Our Servicemembers
Baker College Online—Military Supportive, Mission Ready Earning Your Degree is No Longer Overwhelming
Baker College Online takes pride in serving our military students with individual attention to put together a personalized educational program while they serve. From admissions through academic guidance, to postgraduate employment assistance, we’ll give you all the help you need to make the right choices, solve problems, create opportunities, and get the most out of your educational experience.
• Over 40 degree programs compatible with your military service
UT2 Nicholas Waldo, USN
Baker Online makes it easier for you to get the education you need—to help you achieve the military or civilian career you want.
• Classes are available 365/24/7—100% Online • No campus requirements—maximum flexibility anywhere you’re stationed or deployed • Regionally Accredited • Not-for-Profit which means our focus is on YOU • Baker College is a member of Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC), DANTES, GoArmyEd, and CCAF’s AU-ABC program • Baker College is eligible to receive Federal military and Veteran education benefits • Programs focus on delivering practical, results-driven education • Credit available for Military transcripts (AARTS, SMART, CCAF, or Coast Guard Institute) • CLEP/DSST testing credits transferred • Free & honest evaluation of military work experience transfer credit
What “Military Supportive” Means to Us Baker College® is equipped to propel your active-duty today into a successful career in the future. We’ve engaged active-duty and veteran servicemembers to help us understand the specific needs of servicemembers that set you apart when seeking to further your education. Our goal is to make a Baker College education affordable and available to all military personnel who are serious about preparing for a successful career. We are dedicated to providing all the support you need to meet the unique challenges that every service person faces when balancing school and study with the demands of duty and service responsibilities. 2
Nick attended Baker College of Muskegon, Michigan until joining the Navy Reserve. Because of the required training and travel, Baker College Online became the practical choice for continuing his education while serving. When Nick was deployed to Kuwait, he thought his education would be put on hold. Yet he soon discovered that even though he was half a world away from home, he was able to continue his studies. While in Kuwait, Nick earned his BA in Business Administration (with a flexstudy in aviation) a degree he hopes will help him when he applies for Officer Training. Photo used with consent from UT2 Nicholas Waldo, USN
“Everyone at Baker pitched in to help me,” he says. “My instructors, advisors, even the Dean, were always there to answer my questions and they were very understanding and flexible. They never left me hanging. In fact, I got more personalized assistance while I was deployed in Kuwait than my fiancé received from the college she was attending back in the states! I’m planning on a career in the Navy, and I believe that my degree is going to help me advance through the ranks.”
We’re Ready, Willing, and Able While you’re serving our country, we do all we can to serve your needs. As a result, Baker College Online is included in the top 15 percent of colleges, universities, and trade schools on the G.I. Jobs 2013 list of Military Friendly Schools. As a career college, Baker focuses completely on providing students with the most marketable job skills, in the shortest time possible. Each Baker Online degree program at the certificate, associate, bachelor, master, and doctoral level is targeted to the fastest-growing fields in business, health, or information systems, and can help advance either a military or civilian career quickly, affordably, and successfully. Now is a great time to get started and make the most out of your time in the service. As long as you have an Internet connection and personal dedication, your degree is within reach, anywhere in the world. Contact a helpful Baker College Online Development Coordinator at (800) 469-4062 or e-mail our admissions office at 1040839 adm-ol@baker.edu to get started today. HIGHER EDUCATION & LIFE LONG LEARNING • Winter 2012
LEGISLATION AIMS TO
CURB GI BILL ABUSES w Veterans advocacy groups investigate for-profit practices By C.D. Carter
PHOTO COURTESY/METRO CREATIVE GRAPHICS
COMPRINT MILITARY PUBLICATIONS 9030 COMPRINT COURT GAITHERSBURG, MD 20877 Advertising Contacts Display Advertising Classified Advertising
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Higher Education & Life Long Learning is published by Comprint Military Publications, 9030 Comprint Court, Gaithersburg, MD 20877, a private firm in no way connected with the Department of Defense, under exclusive written contract. Contents are not the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government or the Department of Defense. Everything advertised in this supplement must be made available for purchase, use or patronage without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, physical handicap, political affiliation, or any other non-merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron.
HIGHER EDUCATION & LIFE LONG LEARNING • Winter 2012
New bipartisan legislation will create a rule against paying bonuses to college recruiters who reel in the most prospective students, including muchsought-after military veterans with GI Bill educational benefits. The law, passed in September by the U.S. House of Representatives, cracks down on colleges—specifically private for-profit schools that use public funds to finance educational institutions—rewarding recruiters for signing up students with ample GI Bill benefits, a controversial practice that has come under criticism from veterans advocacy groups. Military service members and veterans have too often been recruited into educational programs that don’t suit their needs, according to Tom Tarantino, chief policy officer for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, a 200,000-member group that has pushed lawmakers for more transparency in higher education, as well as statements from other veterans groups. Stripping the recruitment bonuses would be an effective way to stop incentivizing the practice. Efforts to safeguard GI Bill benefits from being identified as wasteful government spending would be a critical step in ensuring military educational dollars stay intact during the country’s economic swoon, said Tarantino. “If we’re not proactive on the issue of protecting GI benefits, there are going to be real problems going forward,” said Tarantino. “If we continue to pump billions into an industry, I think it should work effectively for its customers, the students.” Tarantino said bipartisan agreement emerged on the issue of protecting GI Bill benefits after policy makers realized “how incredibly profitable it is to target military service members.”
A companion bill must be passed in the Senate before the law takes effect. But, in an election year, that is unlikely, according to Tarantino and Russell Kitchner. Tarantino said he hopes the Senate’s version of the bill will more forcefully require colleges to follow the rules spelled out in the House version. Kitchner, vice president for regulatory and government relations for the American Public University System, a for-profit institution headquartered in West Virginia, said the bill, known as H.R. 4057, unfairly targets for-profit colleges that have served veterans for decades. “This legislation did not warrant our support, but many of its provisions are worthy of adoption by all of higher education,” he said. “What relevance is the requirement that institutions have to inform prospective students of their corporate status? Does Congress implicitly intend to promote a hierarchy of institutional value or quality or integrity?” Kitchner said congressional involvement wasn’t necessary. If a college is expensive and does not deliver quality courses to military veterans and other students, that campus will face the financial consequences, he said. “If they are overpriced or otherwise deemed to represent a poor value proposition, the market will respond accordingly,” Kitchner said. The for-profit college industry took in $32 billion in taxpayer money last year, according to a July report, “For Profit Higher Education: The Failure to Safeguard the Federal Investment and Ensure Student Success,” released by Sen. Tom Harkin. For-profit college students spend an average of $34,988 on an associate degree, about four See BILL continued on page 11
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T AKING C HARGE When Brad Brezinski realized he was going to become a father before he graduated high school, playing a key role in the development and operation of the U.S. Navy’s submarine fleet was not exactly on his radar screen. In the early 1990s, he was an honor student, an athlete and an active volunteer at Williamsburg High School, located outside of Cincinnati, Ohio. By the time Brezinski graduated in 1995, his perspective on life was completely transformed. Brezinski’s transformation ultimately led to a successful career in the U.S. Navy, where
he served as a radiation health officer stationed at the Naval Submarine Base New London in Connecticut. At the base, Brezinski was responsible for the Navy’s radiation protection program, which encompasses more than 500 occupational radiation workers and three squadrons of 17 nuclearpowered submarines. He also served as the Navy’s primary liaison for radiation health matters with Electric Boat, the General Dynamics subsidiary that designs and constructs submarines for the Navy. “There is no margin for error when you work with nuclear power, especially in the
PHOTO COURTESY/THOMAS EDISON STATE COLLEGE
Navy,” said Brezinski. “Planning is essential. Our standards are exacting, so there is no such thing as being too prepared.” In 2010, Brezinski transitioned from active duty service to join the private sector. Today, he serves as vice president of finance and strategic projects at General Tool Company, a full-service
contract manufacturing business based in Cincinnati that supports the aerospace, defense, power generation, and commercial industries’ needs for specialty machines, equipment and components. Brezinski is also a member of the Navy Reserves, where he currently serves as the assistant operations officer and project officer for the Office of
Naval Research, Science and Technology Unit 113. That career is a long way from Williamsburg, where he hoped to pursue an engineering degree at the University of Cincinnati after high school. But Brezinski’s life changed forever just before the start of his senior year; in August of See BREZINSKI continued on page 10
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THE
YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM
w Ready to tap into the Yellow Ribbon Program to help offset the cost of going to college? By Gary A. Woods
“The Yellow Ribbon Program?” you ask. What does that have to do with education benefits? Isn’t that the symbol we see on cars and websites showing support for troops currently serving overseas on active duty? Without question, showing support for our troops is important and commendable. But, that said, the Yellow Ribbon Program we’re referring to here, and the one you’ve most likely seen recently in college advertisements and on the websites of some of the universities that you are currently attending or those you may be thinking about attending, is part of the Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits that you just might be eligible for.
So what is the Yellow Ribbon Program all about? TheYellow Ribbon Program is designed to provide opportunities for veterans and their dependents to attend programs and institutions whose tuition and fees exceed standard, payable GI Bill rates. To make this all possible, a wide range of schools have agreed to work with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to match contributions to pay the difference, or portions thereof, between eligible veterans’ actual costs for tuition and fees and the amount payable under the Post-9/11 GI Bill.
REMEMBER, YOU ARE YOUR OWN BEST ADVOCATE. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED IN THE YELLOW RIBBON PROGRAM, STAY ON TOP OF IT. BE SURE TO READ UP ON THE PROGRAM, CHECK TO SEE WHICH SCHOOLS ARE COVERED AND APPLY FOR YELLOW RIBBON AS SOON AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN.
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What are the maximum tuition and fee amounts payable under the Post-9/11 GI Bill? The program allows institutions of higher learning in the U.S. to enter into an agreement with the VA to partially or fully fund tuition and fee expenses that exceed ceilings established by the new GI Bill. Just remember though, Yellow Ribbon could pay up to 100 percent of public in-state tuition, but, at best, would only cover up to $17,500 per year at private universities and colleges.
Are you eligible? First, if you’re on active duty or the spouse of someone on active duty, you don’t qualify for the Yellow Ribbon Program. You have to be a qualified veteran or a spouse or family member who qualifies for the entitlement transferability criteria of the Post9/11 GI Bill to be eligible. Second, “qualified” means you have served on active duty for at least 36 months, served for at least 30 continuous days after Sept. 10, 2001, been honorably discharged, or are a spouse of a member who qualifies and has transferred his or her benefits under guidelines established by the VA.
How do you find out if your school is part of the program? The VA has established a website—gibill.va.gov/ gi_bill_info/ch33/yrp/yrp_list_2012.htm—to check the list of participating Yellow Ribbon schools. Remember, not all schools want to or have to participate in the Yellow Ribbon Program.
Can you take anything you want and have your whole program paid for if your school is posted there? Not really. To learn more about the programs Yellow Ribbon covers, visit gibill.va.gov/resources/education_resources/choosing_a_school.html. What you can actually take will depend on which programs the school has agreed to cover under Yellow Ribbon. Schools have the flexibility to limit the number of programs and students they will cover and then designate the amount of coverage for each and every one based on whether you are an undergraduate, graduate, doctoral or professional student. You will need to apply and be accepted by the institution first; then, the school will be able to tell you whether you have been accepted into the Yellow Ribbon Program and whether your program will be covered. It’s first-come, first-served; so don’t wait once you’re admitted to a covered school and know that you want to pursue a covered program. Apply right away or you could miss the boat. 6
PHOTO COURTESY/ISTOCKPHOTO/DANABETH555
Will you still have any out-of-pocket expenses once Yellow Ribbon payments kick in?
Quite possibly. All mandatory student fees for an approved program may be covered. However, any fees that are not mandatory—room and board, most study abroad fees, and penalty fees like late registration, bounced check fees and parking fines—cannot be covered by the Yellow Ribbon Program or the Post-9/11 GI Bill. Check with the school to determine what is and is not covered.
The bottom line?
Remember, you are your own best advocate.
If you’re interested in the Yellow Ribbon Program, stay on top of it. Be sure to read up on the program, check to see which schools and programs are covered, apply for Yellow Ribbon as soon as you possibly can, stay in touch with your school’s VA/Yellow Ribbon contact, visit the Yellow Ribbon website and stay up to date on any changes. If you don’t, you may end up paying for out-of-pocket expenses. Gary Woods, former chief of DoD Voluntary Education and former vice chancellor of Military and Veterans Programs at a private West Coast university, now heads up a consulting firm that helps colleges and universities start up, improve, and retool military and veterans’ programs. Visit Woods & Associates at www.gawoods.com/services/. HIGHER EDUCATION & LIFE LONG LEARNING • Winter 2012
How Nurses can Benefit from Advanced, Online Education w Persuading nurses to move up the education ladder By Elaine Keavney, RN, MSN
How can nurse educators convey to clinical nurses that advancing their education will make them better practitioners, even if they remain in exactly the same job? How can they communicate how valuable the knowledge, and the experience of obtaining it, will be to them? I think that, if we are able to convey the message that more education makes you look at even the same job differently, we would not have much difficulty in persuading nurses to move up the education ladder. But, it’s a ‘soft’ message, so it’s more difficult to get across. They want to know what the additional degree will do for them professionally. The majority of nurses in the United States begin their practice with an associate degree. Once they have their license and enter the professional working world, it becomes more challenging to continue down the road to baccalaureate education. This is true even if furthering education is an identified goal. Work and family schedules, loans from their associate degree education and other factors get in the way of nurses who want to continue on to a bachelor’s degree or higher. And, yet, the associate degree is increasingly being viewed in nursing as an entry-level degree, not a terminal one. State legislatures throughout the country are debating the issue of minimum educational requirements for entry into nursing practice. Some areas are considering the BSN (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) as the entry-level degree, while others are discussing requiring further education within a defined time frame, such as 10 years. In October 2010, the Institute of Medicine (IOM) released its report, “The Future of Nursing: Leading Change, Advancing Health.” These recommendations are the focus of 49 Regional Action Coalitions throughout the country. In its report, the IOM set a goal to increase the percentage of BSN-prepared nurses to 80 percent by 2020, from the current percentage of approximately 50 percent. RN (registered nurse) to BS programs like the one at American Public University, which offers an affordable and flexible online educational experience, are one way to help achieve this goal and enhance the nursing profession. For those who do make the decision to go back to school, the online education option is increasingly attractive because students come to the program already holding active nursing licenses and do not need to have clinical learning as part of their curriculum. While we do require that our students be employed in a clinical setting, this is for purposes of course assignments, not for true clinical learning that HIGHER EDUCATION & LIFE LONG LEARNING • Winter 2012
STUDENTS CAN START CLASSES AT ANY TIME, AS ALL COURSES AT APUS BEGIN THE FIRST MONDAY OF EACH MONTH, YEAR-ROUND. THIS FLEXIBILITY IS A KEY FACTOR IN THE DECISIONS THAT NURSES MUST MAKE WHEN DECIDING TO RETURN TO SCHOOL.
PHOTO COURTESY/AMERICAN PUBLIC UNIVERSITY SYSTEM
takes place in entry-level RN programs. Asynchronous online learning can fit very well into the schedules of practicing nurses, many of whom work irregular hours that make it challenging to attend traditional courses. Another distinct advantage of online programs is the geographical diversity that occurs. Students who are in a diverse geographical location, nursing practice and culture are brought together in the same learning environment, enriching the experience for all. Since students are in active nursing practice while they are in school, the sharing of their varied experiences creates the opportunity for students to learn a great deal from each other. The American Public University System (APUS) nursing program, established in January 2011, was recently accredited by the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education. Students in our program learn about such things as genetics, genomics, global and community health, which are not focused on as
heavily in most associate degree nursing programs. Nursing leadership is traditionally a focus in RN to BSN programs, and APUS is no exception. Students gain an understanding that nurse leaders do not need to have the title of leader to hold the role, but can do so within the realm of their own professional experience. They also discuss such important issues as nursing advocacy, giving nursing a voice in local, regional, and national decisions about health care and patient safety. Students at APUS are taught by faculty who are experienced educators and clinicians in a variety of fields. They can start classes at any time, as all courses at APUS begin the first Monday of each month, year-round. This flexibility is a key factor in the decisions that nurses must make when deciding to return to school. I strongly encourage nurses to return to school. I delayed furthering my education for years, while my children were young and even through their high school years. Had I realized how much differently I would see my profession and how many new opportunities my master’s degree opened for me, I would have found a way to do it much earlier. Elaine Keavney, RN, MSN, is director of the RN to BSN program at American Public University Submitted by American Public University System 7
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American Military University offers 87 degree programs at the associate, bachelor’s, and master’s level through its seven distinct academic Schools.
School of Arts and Humanities
American Military University www.amuonline.com/comprint 111 W. Congress St. Charles Town, WV 25414 Admission Phone: 877-777-9081 Financial Aid Phone: 877-372-3535 Military Programs Email: info@apus.edu
Associate Degrees
Associate programs are designed for students who seek a two-year degree as either their final degree in higher education or the foundation for further study at the bachelor’s level. An associate degree typically requires 61-64 semester hours (20 courses and 1-4 labs). Students must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent to be admitted to an associate program.
Bachelor’s Degree
The bachelor’s degree program is also open to students who possess a high school diploma or its equivalent. This minimum 120-124 credit program is the standard “four-year” undergraduate degree desired by most employers and prepares the student for graduate study. All students who enroll in the bachelor’s degree program must first complete COLL100- Foundations of Online Learning which helps to ensure they get the most out of their online learning experience.
Master’s Degree
AMU accepts students for graduate-level study who have earned a minimum of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. To earn a master’s degree, students must complete a minimum of 12 courses and take a final comprehensive examination, thesis option, or capstone/ applied research project at the end of all course work.
The University is unique in offering a full range of online degrees in arts and humanities that are based on the great ideas, works, and thinkers that have defined civilization as embodied in the “great books” tradition. The curriculum addresses humankind’s fundamental topics through study of courses in humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Coursework is designed to develop high-level research, analytical, and interpersonal skills and prepares students for a broad range of professional careers.
School of Business
The School of Business offers a flexible, dynamic and interactive program to accommodate many types of learners. We integrate new technologies to keep the classroom interesting and up-to-date. Students are taught not only the concepts but also the “real world” application of the materials. The curriculum provides the necessary theoretical and practical knowledge for students seeking preparation or advancement in business and leadership roles in the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. Programs dovetail with several university specialties so that students can specifically concentrate in areas of professional or personal interest—ranging from entrepreneurship and global business management to information technology management and homeland security resource allocation.
School of Education
Graduate programs in the School of Education are designed to meet the most rapidly growing demands of the profession. Our certification programs are built to the highest state and national content standards. We provide opportunities to practicing teachers to enhance their professional training in critical needs areas such as special education, elementary reading, ELL, instructional leadership and curriculum and instruction for elementary teachers.
School of Management
The School of Management offers relevant and dynamic management programs for students who seek broad managerial knowledge, skill, and ability. Specifically, specialized degrees are designed and offered in the high growth areas of sport sciences and the ever-prolific transportation and logistics management career fields. Students will address traditional and topical management and leadership matters, while at the same time be influenced by foundational and conceptual underpinnings that remain vital in today’s competitive markets.
School of Public Service and Health
The School of Public Service and Health houses several of the university’s flagship programs; namely emergency and disaster management and criminal justice. It is also the home of up-and-coming programs in security management, legal studies, and public health. Our faculty combine top academic credentials with practical expertise. They include practicing attorneys, public health professionals, emergency managers, criminal justice professionals, and security managers--as well as international and national governmental and military consultants and practitioners.
School of Science and Technology
Science and technology professionals are vital to society’s continued innovation. Academic programs in this school help students cultivate the problem solving, creative, and technological skills necessary for advancements in their chosen field – whether it be pursuing innovations in environmental policy, space studies, or one of the many professions within the information technology field.
School of Security and Global Studies
The programs taught in the School of Security and Global Studies truly embody our motto, “Educating Those Who Serve.” Students with majors in this school have an understanding of the world—appreciating differences in political, economic, and social cultures. Our faculty members are highly credentialed and respected leaders in their fields, and many of them currently work in the U.S. government and in the U.S. intelligence community. Our graduates are employed in leadership positions at agencies ranging from the Departments of State, Defense, and Homeland Security to the intelligence services, as well as private businesses throughout the world.
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1994, his daughter, Whitney, was born. “Just like that, I went from being Brad Brezinski, the scholar/athlete, to being Brad Brezinski, the teenage parent,” he said. “I had such a narrow perspective of the world at that time, but I realized that I had an important choice to make.” That choice was how to respond to the challenges of being a young parent. After graduating high school, Brezinski enrolled at the University of Cincinnati and worked two jobs to pay for his tuition and support his family. Working, going to school and being a young father proved to be a lot for Brezinski and he began to consider other options. It was at this time that a Navy recruiter at the University of Cincinnati approached Brezinski, based on his Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery test scores and enthusiasm for the field of science and engineering. The recruiter encouraged Brezinski to apply to the Navy’s selective Nuclear Power Program. Brezinski realized the Navy provided him a better opportunity to support his family while continuing his engineering studies, so he discussed the idea with the one person who always counseled him: his father, Robert. Brezinski’s father agreed that joining the Navy was a good plan, so he set a new course for his future. He enlisted and was accepted into the Nuclear Power Program. “I realized that you can’t change the way your story begins, but you have the ability to change how it ends,” said Brezinski. After enlisting, Brezinski married Whitney’s mother, Kimberly. The couple had a second child, Clay, who was born in 1998. While his enlistment took him away from his family, it enabled him to provide for his young family. As a junior sailor, Brezinski had multiple deployments that put a significant strain on his marriage. The couple agreed to have an amicable divorce, but to remain close to the children. Brezinski first learned about Thomas Edison State College when he was stationed aboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and befriended Aaron Thomlinson, ’02. Watching Thomlinson complete his degree inspired Brezinski to enroll. Brezinski completed his Bachelor of Science in Applied Science and Technology (BSAST) in nuclear engineering technology in 2004 and earned an Arnold Fletcher Award. 10
PHOTO COURTESY/THOMAS EDISON STATE COLLEGE
“For any active duty service member, it is almost impossible to sit in a classroom,” he said. “Thomas Edison State College makes it possible to manage a military career and global deployments. You do not have to put your life on hold to finish your degree.” Brezinski said a key factor that distinguishes Thomas Edison State College from most other institutions is the value it places on the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program. Most institutions award credit for the Navy’s Nuclear Power Program, but require students to apply that credit to electives and lower-level degree requirements. Thomas Edison State College enables students to apply credit awarded for its specialized assessment of the Nuclear Power Program to their area of study, and to the physics and chemistry requirements in the nuclear engineering technology degree program. Thomas Edison State College has expanded its BSAST program for students interested in an engineering career in the nuclear power industry and now offers the degree with an area of study in nuclear energy engineering technology. The bachelor’s degree in nuclear energy engineering technology
was recently awarded initial accreditation by the Engineering Technology Accreditation Commission of ABET. Brezinski said Thomas Edison State College has been invaluable to his career, preparing him for the future and helping him set an example for his children about the importance of education and reaching their potential. Shortly after completing his degree, he was selected to the Navy’s senior enlisted ranks as a chief petty officer in 2005. In 2006, he made the decision to apply to the Navy’s radiation health officer program. He received his commission as a lieutenant junior grade in 2007. Interestingly, approximately 18 of the Navy’s 77 radiation health officers are graduates of Thomas Edison State College’s BSAST degree in nuclear engineering technology. Brezinski continued his education at the graduate level. He earned a Master of Business Administration from Liberty University, as well as an Executive Education Certificate in Strategy and Innovation from Case Western Reserve University and a Graduate Certificate in Project Management from Boston University, where he also earned a Master of Science in management.
Brezinski remarried in 2003. He and his wife, Laura, have two young children, Evan and Ella, and currently live in Cincinnati. “I owe a tremendous amount to Laura,” said Brezinski. “Her selfless support and encouragement has allowed me to reach for higher levels of personal and professional achievement.” In 2008, Brezinski lost another key supporter in life when his father passed away. He said his father watched him and helped him transform from a teenage parent to a naval officer. In March 2009, Brezinski established the Robert E. Brezinski Foundation in memory of his father. The foundation provides funding and assistance to the poor, distressed and underprivileged. When he thinks about his life, Brezinski said he often recalls how one life-changing event in 1994 helped define who he has become. “One of my favorite quotes from Winston Churchill is, ‘A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty,’” he said. Submitted by Thomas Edison State College
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times the amount spent at a public college, according to the report. Not every major for-profit college opposed the House legislation. In a letter sent to House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Chairman Jeff Miller, the University of Phoenix said it would support efforts to better protect soldiers’ government benefits that have proven effective recruiting draws for the military. “We recognized … that more needed to be done to enhance and protect the Post-9-11 GI Bill and other vital benefits for those who have sacrificed for our country,” the university said in a prepared statement. “That’s why we joined with various Veterans Service Organizations to outline specific reforms designed to support and protect military students.” The legislative push to protect GI Bill benefits began in the spring, when President Barack Obama issued an executive order aimed at providing more transparency for veterans looking to use their GI Bill benefits. In written statements, the advocacy group Veterans for Common Sense told lawmakers at a May 16 hearing that Obama’s order was a “step in the
HIGHER EDUCATION & LIFE LONG LEARNING • Winter 2012
THE LEGISLATIVE PUSH TO PROTECT GI BILL BENEFITS BEGAN IN THE SPRING, WHEN PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA ISSUED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER AIMED AT PROVIDING MORE TRANSPARENCY FOR VETERANS LOOKING TO USE THEIR GI BILL BENEFITS. right direction” that “will keep predatory recruiters off installations, prevent misleading advertisements using the term ‘GI Bill,’ and orders further vigilance in acting against those for-profits
that abuse or violate laws and regulations. “This is not political, it is not about free enterprise,” the group said in a statement, “it is about right and wrong.”
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