November/December 2008
T H I S
I S S U E
TRACY TROXEL Degree Completion Student Profile
NEW FACES | PAGE 3
Tracy Troxel lives in Fremont, Ohio, and previously attended Terra Community College, where he completed his associate degree in 1997. Tracy entered the Degree Completion program in September 2007 and will complete his BBA in August 2009. Tracy maintains over a 3.9 grade point average.
GRADUATION | PAGE 5 GRADUATE PROGRAM | PAGE 6 eCOLLEGE | PAGE 6 NEWS & EVENTS | PAGE 8 DATES TO REMEMBER | 10
The University staff and instructors are more than accommodating and do their very best to ensure a high quality educational experience.
Founded in 1888, Tiffin University is proud to offer a personal and practical education for motivated, professionally focused students who want real-world experiences and results.
D E G R E E
TU: What sparked your interest in the Degree Completion program at Tiffin University? TT: I had tried a similar program a few years ago and found it to be extremely noneducational. If I am going to invest the amount of time, effort, and expense in a degree, then I wanted it to be beneficial. When I researched the different programs that were available, Tiffin ranked the highest for me in the type of program offered and the location. Also, my sister graduated from TU, and her experience there has been very beneficial for her professional career. (continued on page 2)
C O M P L E T I O N
P R O G R A M
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TRACY TROXEL Degree Completion Student Profile
(continued from page 1)
TU: How long have you worked at Fifth Third Bank? TT: I have been with Fifth Third about two years.
TU: What does your job entail? TT: As the Financial Center Manager, I am responsible for managing the daily activities of the bank, as well as developing long-term growth in new business, deposits and loans. It is a very demanding job and requires a great deal of business sense, as well as clearly developed leadership skills to run an efficient organization.
TU: Family info/interests: TT: I am married to Cheryl, who is a special education teacher in the Margaretta Schools, and we have a daughter, Meredith, who is 10. We enjoy camping as a family, and Meredith and I are avid golfers.
TU: Tell us about your experience in the military: I joined the active duty Air Force (AF) in 1988 after high school. My first duty station was at Ramstein Air base in Germany where I was an F-16 Crew Chief. During that time the Berlin Wall came down and the Cold War ended, so it was a very exciting time to be in Europe. In 1990, I was sent to Tonopah Test Range in Nevada where I was a Crew Chief on the F-117 Stealth Fighter. That was a real experience. From there, I was privileged to spend six months in Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm. In 1992, I left the AF and joined the Ohio Air National Guard (ANG). I still am in the ANG with the 180th Fighter Wing in Toledo, and I have deployed to the war zone six times. Currently, I am a Senior Master Sergeant, serving as the First Sergeant for the Logistics Squadron. I will retire in May 2010 from the ANG with 22.5 years of total service to my country. I highly encourage anyone who wants to serve America to do so – it has been the greatest experience of my life.
TU: What is your favorite course so far in the program? TT: Obviously, my favorite course is always the one we just finished. Actually, those who know me will be shocked by this, but my favorite course so far was Lisa Kirchner’s “Issues in Literature” course. She has a way of taking subject matter that I really had no interest in and made it enjoyable. Thanks to Lisa for that.
TU: What are your goals and aspirations upon graduation? TT: Upon graduation, I am looking forward to having 10 extra hours per week to be with my family. Professionally, I hope to continue to improve my abilities and seek further opportunities in the bank.
Additional Comments: TT: The Tiffin University Degree Completion Program is great for working folks who were never able to complete their degree for whatever reason. The University staff and instructors are more than accommodating and do their very best to ensure a high quality education experience. If anyone out there knows of someone who is looking to go back to school, I highly recommend TU.
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Introducing Your New Financial Aid Counselor, Ashley Runion Ashley Runion is the new DCP Financial Aid Counselor. She has been with the Tiffin University Financial Aid Office since January 2005 and was promoted to the counselor position in May 2008. She is very familiar with the DCP program as she is also a DCP student. If you have questions or concerns, please feel free to contact her as she looks forward to working with each of you!
Attention Students Completing Your 4th and Final Term Congratulations on nearing the completion of your degree! Before you graduate, Federal regulations require that we provide you with EXIT COUNSELING information regarding your Federal Stafford Loans. In order for you to receive your diploma, you must complete your Exit Counseling online. The Financial Aid Office must have confirmation of your Exit Counseling before the Registrar’s Office can release your diploma. To get a detailed history of your Federal student loan history, please go to http://www.nslds.ed.gov. To access this website, you will need your Federal PIN and your social security number. If you decide to consolidate your student loans, the information you receive at http://www.nslds.ed.gov will assist you in this process. This website will not provide information on private or alternative loans you may have borrowed to help cover your education costs.
FAFSA 2008/2009
Ashley Runion Financial Aid Counselor (800) 968-6446, ext. 3452 Fax: 419-443-5006 RunionA@tiffin.edu
New and returning students should complete a new Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) every year in order to receive financial aid. The 2008-2009 FAFSA has been available for completion since January 1, 2008. If you have not completed your FAFSA for this year, please do so as soon as possible at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You will need to use your 2007 federal tax return along with your PIN number (this is your electronic signature) to log in. If you do not have a PIN number or cannot remember what your PIN is, visit www.pin.ed.gov and request a new PIN. Free Scholarship Search There is a scholarship page on the MyTU portal updated frequently with new scholarship information. Be sure to check the page often to see if you are interested in applying for any of the scholarships listed.
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office of career
development Your one-stop shop for lifetime planning! Helping Students Achieve Professional Excellence!
The mission of the office is to provide guidance for Tiffin University students and alumni during their career development process by providing self-assessment, career exploration, and career preparation resources.
The Office of Career Development offers these services and events: • Individualized Career Counseling & Online Discover Assessment Program • Résumé & Cover Letter Writing/Critique Programs • Résumé Creator – Online Résumé Design Service • Interviewing Programs & Mock Interviews • The Perfect Interview Online Service • Job Success Programs & Alumni Panel Sessions • Job Fairs (TU/BERG Career Fair, Collegiate EmployNet Virtual Fair, TU Criminal Justice Career Fair) • Graduate School Information & Catalogs • Networking Opportunities & Assistance • Company / Organization Information & Resource Library • On-Campus Employer Recruiting Events • Business Etiquette Seminars • Professional Preview Day • Experiential Learning Internship Program & Opportunities • Employer Advisory Board • Professional Development Workshop Series • Career Portfolio Development • Online Resume Referral Database System
Students need to identify their skills and interests in order to prepare for successful careers. Tiffin University can provide students with the resources to achieve their goals, and the Career Development Office, located in the Hertzer Building, provides support for designing their careers. To take advantage of these services, DCP students should contact Carol McDannell, Director of Career Development & Internships at (419) 448-3441, or e-mail at cmcdanne@tiffin.edu
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Graduation IT’S NEVER TOO SOON TO START THINKING ABOUT GRADUATION.
Tiffin holds a graduation ceremony on the first Saturday in May of every year in Tiffin, Ohio. To be eligible to participate: • All Degree Completion courses must be completed by the end of August of the academic year you plan to participate in the graduation ceremonies. • You can have no more than three outstanding non-module courses when you apply to graduate. • You must submit a plan detailing how you will complete any remaining nonmodule courses. • Your Cumulative GPA must be 2.0 or higher. • Your Major Course GPA must be 2.5 or higher. • All 26 hours of the co-curricular activity requirement must be submitted and approved. • You must be in good financial standing with the University. • You must complete an application with your advisor in November/December of the year before you graduate. At that time, you will be charged a $65 fee to cover costs associated with graduation. You receive a cap and gown that are yours to keep at no additional charge. • You must complete exit counseling if you received financial aid through Tiffin University. It is a good idea to work closely with your advisor to make sure all of the requirements listed above are fulfilled. If you are in your first year with Tiffin, you can start working on some of the items now to ensure you are eligible to graduate when anticipated.
NON-MODULE COURSES DCP students are encouraged to make-up outstanding non-module courses as soon as possible during their program of study. These deficiencies may be taken through TIffin University online courses or through an institution closer to home. In either case it is important that students work with their advisor to confirm those deficiencies and which courses will meet Tiffin requirements. This evaluation should be completed prior to enrollment in any courses.
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Graduate Program Tiffin University is proud to offer a growing number of graduate programs for working professionals. We know that you lead busy lives. That’s why we have created graduate degree programs that are flexible, affordable and, above all, practical. For more than a century, we have been delivering high quality, professionally focused academic programs that give our students the information they need to succeed in today’s competitive work place. TU offers the following graduate degrees: • Master of Business Administration (MBA) with concentrations in General Management, Leadership and Sports Management • Master of Education (MEd) • Master of Humanities (MH) • Master of Science in Criminal Justice (MSCJ) with concentrations in Crime Analysis, Criminal Behavior, Forensic Psychology, Homeland Security Administration, and Justice Administration. The online graduate programs provide convenience and quality for our students. As an online student, you will experience the same high quality education that our traditional “on-campus” students enjoy with one exception: no commute. The online program does not have a residency requirement or specific time to be online. Work around your schedule – work late at night, or on weekends. All graduate programs are available online with starts in September, January and May. Forensic psychology is available on the Tiffin campus only. For more information, visit http://www.tiffin.edu/graduate/welcome/, call the Graduate Admissions Office at (800) 968-6446, extension 3401, or e-mail grad@tiffin.edu. We look forward to working with you!
eCollege This summer the University partnered with eCollege, the premier online academic delivery system, to provide its students with a much-upgraded teaching portal. All new online students will be using eCollege. Some continuing students will transition to eCollege, and some will complete their academic program with the portal used since the beginning of their program. Students should have already received or will be receiving information concerning access to eCollege and its use. Should you have questions regarding eCollege, check with your advisor or contact the eCollege Help Desk at 1-866-664-6988.
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SmaRthinking速 Degree Completion Students were among the first at TU to be offered the opportunity of accessing Smarthinking速, a comprehensive online academic support service. Since May, nearly 60 DCP students have utilized one or more of the free services from Smarthinking速. Tutoring is available in most subject areas, and the Writing Lab is a wonderful service to submit your writing assignments for review and to receive suggestions on how you can improve your work.
Access to Smarthinking速 is by user name and password. If you have not yet obtained yours, contact your DCP advisor, and he or she will get your account set up. Visit www.smarthinking.com.
Course Designation Changes The School of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences has announced the following changes in course designation: JUS 345 is now ENF 345, with title remaining the same. POL 312 is now ENF 312, with title remaining the same. JUS 303 is now PSY 301, with the course title changing from Transitions Through Adult Life to Adult Development and Life Assessment. Course content will remain the same for all three courses.
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Tiffin News & Events • Enrollment at Tiffin University Surpasses 2,700 Students The total enrollment for TU for the 2008 fall semester is 2,705 students, which is a 15.2 percent increase over the total of 2,349 enrolled in the fall of 2007.
• TU Professor Named President of Ohio Council of Criminal Justice Education. Dr. Steven Hurwitz is the new President of the Ohio Council of Criminal Justice Education (OCCJE). (Read more...)
(Read more...)
• TU Professor Sherry Truffin Publishes Schoolhouse Gothic Tiffin University faculty member Dr. Sherry R. Truffin has published her first book. (Read more...)
• McGraw-Hill Publishes Fifth Edition of TU Professor Keith Haley’s Introduction to Criminal Justice. McGraw-Hill has released the 2008 edition of Introduction to Criminal Justice, a textbook utilized by criminal justice students. (Read more...)
• Tiffin University names Larry Adelsperger and Michael Spragg to its Board of Trustees. Tiffin University has elected Michael Spragg and Larry Adelsperger to its Board of Trustees according to Gary Heminger, Chair. (Read more...)
• TU’s Bonnie Tiell Receives ACBSP Teaching Excellence Award for Commitment to Business Education. Dr. Tiell has been honored with the Great Lakes Region 4 Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs (ACBSP) Teaching Excellence Award. (Read more...)
• Tiffin University’s MBA Program in Romania recognized as one of Top Three in the marketplace. Ziarul Financiar (ZF) provided its first ranking of MBA programs in Romania, and named TU among the Top Three in a new survey. (Read more...)
Tiffin University Ranked In Top 10 Nationally For Its Undergraduate Online Degree Programs.
• David Leach to Open Diane Kidd Gallery 2008-2009 Season. David Leach will lead off a diverse and exciting new artistic season at TU’s Diane Kidd Gallery with his exhibition “Looking Both Ways.” (Read more...)
• TU to Offer Master of Education Degree Online. TU has been approved by the The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools to offer the Master of Education degree online. (Read more...)
• TU’s School of Business Dean Perry Haan CoAuthors New Statistics Textbook Perry Haan, D.B.A., Dean of TU’s School of Business, has coauthored the recently released textbook, Practical Statistics for Business. (Read more...)
• Tiffin University Ranked In Top 10 Nationally For Its Undergraduate Online Degree Programs. The Online Education Database (OEDb) has named Tiffin University as one of the Top 10 colleges nationwide. (Read more...)
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DCP Admissions/Student Services team Chris Geib
Deb Kaya
Amy Wood
Derrick Hannah
Jamie Marinis
ASHLEY RUNION
Jayme Jarrett
YAW MAMPHEY
Executive Director, Degree Completion Admissions & Student Services (800) 968-6446, ext. 3372 geibca@tiffin.edu
Director, Columbus Academic Center (800) 968-6446, ext. 3448 woodar@tiffin.edu
Director, Fremont Academic Center (419) 559-2245 marinisjl@tiffin.edu
Director, Online Degree Completion Admissions (800) 968-6446, ext. 3587 jarrettjr@tiffin.edu
Kristin Payne
Director, Toledo Academic Center (800) 968-6446, ext. 3172 payneka@tiffin.edu
Nancy Golinski
Director, Northeast Ohio Academic Centers (800) 968-6446, ext. 3189 golinskin@tiffin.edu
Thomas Wynn
Director, Cincinnati Academic Center (513) 262-6790 wynnte@tiffin.edu
Mary Ellen Denny
Assistant Director, Online Degree Completion Student Services (800) 968-6446, ext. 3185 dennyme@tiffin.edu
Coordinator, Student & Administrative Services, Northeast Ohio Academic Centers (800) 968-6446, ext. 3191 kayad@tiffin.edu
Online Degree Completion Admissions Representative (800) 968-6446, ext. 3592 hannahdj@tiffin.edu
Financial Aid Counselor (800) 968-6446, ext. 3452 runiona@tiffin.edu
Coordinator, Degree Completion Admissions Operations (800) 968-6446, ext.3374 mampheyyo@tiffin.edu
DCP Academic Staff Nancy Sullivan
Dean of Degree Completion Programs (800) 968-6446, ext. 3188 sullivann@tiffin.edu
Vicki Frantz
Administrative Assistant (800) 968-6446, ext. 3184 frantzvl@tiffin.edu
Patti Valatka
Program Assistant (800) 968-6446, ext. 3190 valatkap@tiffin.edu
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Derrick J. Hannah Meet Derrick Hannah from Detroit, Michigan, the Online Degree Completion Admissions Representative and grad student here at Tiffin University. Recently becoming an alumnus and now working on his Masters in Business Administration, Derrick has truly grown to value his undergrad experience both academically and socially. Majoring in Forensic Psychology with a minor in Law Enforcement as an undergraduate, Derrick said, “I truly believe Tiffin University has prepared me for real life after graduation. The things I like most about my academic career here are the curriculum – with courses that go in depth and are thorough at providing students with necessary knowledge and understanding – and the professors, who have real prior experience in the field. Some are currently working in the field outside the classroom. The knowledge professors bring back to both the seated and online classrooms from their work in the field is really the best, bar-none.” After earning his MBA in 2010, Derrick envisions himself in the non-profit organizations or higher education sectors. Working in Tiffin’s Degree Completion Program, he is beginning to see the real results of his early connections – with his vision already becoming a reality. During his undergraduate experience, he enjoyed being a member of the University choir and the cheerleading team; Black United Students (BUS); the residence life staff; being a student ambassador; and being elected senior class president. It is Derrick’s hope that you appreciate and take seriously your experience with Tiffin University. He wants you to experience the real results that earning a Tiffin degree can do for you.
The knowledge professors bring back to both the seated and online classrooms from their work in the field is really the best, bar-none.
Important Dates to Remember for November and December 2008 • Election Day, November 4 • Thanksgiving Break, November 27-28 • Christmas Break, varies by cohort calendar
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