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In this issue of Dragonfire:
- News Flash: Forbes Names Drexel's Business School Second Only to UC Berkeley in Northern California
- News Flash: Drexel Honored as "Military Friendly," Holds Special "Yellow Ribbon" Program on August 25 at 5 p.m.
- Largest Turnout Ever Hears About "Drexel Difference"
- Drexel Dean Shares Good News at Rocklin Chamber Breakfast
- Drexel's EdD: A Capital Idea
- Drexel Sponsors Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program
- Drexel Goes Dutch: School of Education Now Ready for an Exceptional Fall
- "Take Me Out to the Ballpark": Dragons Root for Rivercats
- Dragons Team Up to Support Great American River Clean Up
- Last Month on the River: Supporting the Regional Conservation Corps
- Drexel Appoints New Director of Veterans Services
- News from the EdD Bureau
- News from the iSchool
News Flash: Forbes Names Drexel's Business School Second Only to UC Berkeley in Northern California
Drexel University's LeBow College of Business is one of only two business schools in northern California to be named among the top 65 schools in Forbes' Best Business Schools 2009 ranking. The rankings were issued on August 4, 2009. Two other California MBA programs making the top 65 were UCLA and UC Irvine.
Forbes based this list of business schools "where your investment in an MBA pays off the most" on the return on investment (ROI) graduates have achieved five years after earning their MBA. Forbes evaluated the investment achieved by alumni who received their MBA in 2004, comparing their earnings during the first five years after earning an MBA to their opportunity cost.
"The Drexel MBA is committed to exceeding the needs of our students and alumni and is a key factor in their upward mobility, as evidenced by the achievements of our class of 2004," said LeBow College of Business Dean George P. Tsetsekos, PhD. "The Forbes ranking further attests to the strong return on investment of the Drexel MBA, signifies our growing stature as one of the world's leading resources for business education, and validates the rigorous experiential education, leadership assessment, and global perspective that LeBow provides for MBA candidates."
Also on the list of the Top 75 in California were UC Davis and Pepperdine. Other differences between the Drexel and UC Davis MBA programs, not noted in the rankings: Drexel's LEAD MBA is awarded in two years, not three and the tuition is less.
News Flash: Drexel Honored as "Military Friendly," Holds Special "Yellow Ribbon" Program on August 25 at 5 p.m.
On August 17, Drexel became one of a very small number of universities in the nation to be classified as "military friendly" by G.I. Jobs magazine. In fact, Drexel is one of a few top-ranked universities in the country to offer free tuition to members of the armed services who qualify for the federal "Yellow Ribbon" Program. This incredible opportunity exists for veterans not only for the nine graduate programs offered in Sacramento, but also to the 80 programs Drexel offers entirely online, and to all of the programs, both graduate and undergraduate, that Drexel offers at its main campus in Philadelphia.
This coming Tuesday night, August 25, Drexel financing experts will present a special 50-minute program at the Graduate Center devoted solely to the Yellow Ribbon Program. The program will also include taped remarks from United States Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric K. Shinseki, who spoke at Drexel's Main Campus on August 17. Please sign up for the August 25 program; but come even if your schedule clears at the last minute. You owe it to yourself (and maybe to your friends) to find out about this great opportunity.
Pictured above, at the recent Yellow Ribbon event at Drexel University (left to
right):
Alexander Ferrer, a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and law
student who became the first veteran to enter Drexel University under
the Yellow Ribbon Program of the Post-9/11 G.I. Bill; C.R. "Chuck" Pennoni, interim president of Drexel University; the Honorable Arlen Specter, United States
Senator from Pennsylvania; and the Honorable Eric K. Shinseki, United States
Secretary of Veterans Affairs.
Largest Turnout Ever Hears About "Drexel Difference"
Since Drexel opened its doors to the Graduate Center in January, more than two dozen potential students have attended each of the Information Sessions we have hosted every other week. With New Student Orientation for the programs starting this fall less than four weeks away on September 16, our August 12 Orientation was packed with over 50 attendees. Most had extensively reviewed our website and knew about the University, our top rankings and commitment to excellence, and our offerings. Several attended with spouses, partners, and significant others to help them evaluate the opportunities, and all left having spoken with current Drexel students and the faculty about "the Drexel difference" — our unique blend of academically superior, experience-based, technology-driven and intensely practical courses that we believe will most effectively position our students for success. If you miss the Information Session scheduled for this coming Tuesday, you are really down to the wire, with only one Information Session on September 10 left before the academic year starts.
Pictured: MBA student Steve Pon addresses the overflowing session.
Drexel Dean Shares Good News at Rocklin Chamber Breakfast
"What's a university like Drexel doing in a place like this?" Three thousand miles and three time zones away from the only place Drexel has called home for 118 years, it's a fair question — and one that Dean Tobey Oxholm answered on August 13 to almost 100 members of the Rocklin Area Chamber of Commerce at its monthly Good Morning Rocklin breakfast. Despite the current economic downturn, Dean Oxholm noted how well Drexel University is doing:
- Freshman applications: up 35 percent since last year
- Average SAT score of the entering class: up 5 points to 1205
- Graduate applications: up 9 percent
- Number of co-op employers interviewing on campus: up 5 percent
- Four major buildings under construction on time and on budget
- Increasing the number of nationally ranked, fully accredited degree programs offered at the Sacramento Center for Graduate Studies from 4 to 9!
Drexel is investing over $12 million in its Graduate Center, including $1 million in technology that makes it the most high-tech academic space in the region. To learn about the Graduate Center's cutting-edge technology, available not only to its students but also to companies, nonprofits, and government agencies that use the space during the day as a conference and retreat center, visit our website.
Drexel's EdD: A Capital Idea
Members of the first Drexel EdD cohort this fall won't be lonely; their counterparts will be learning in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Otherwise known as the "capital" approach to the EdD, a total of 40 students will be enrolled in the two states' capital cities. Those in Pennsylvania will attend classes at Harrisburg University of Science and Technology. The site is blocks away from the Commonwealth's capitol building, just as the Center for Graduate Studies is blocks away from California's capitol building.
Both cohorts follow the same sequence of classes and meet on the same weekends in the executive model. Opportunities for learning as a cohort of 40 are being planned and will occur during classes and in dedicated weekend sessions in which learners meet via both universities' Polycom technologies. Together we will explore commonalities and differences in leadership challenges across the boundaries of geography, politics, economics, and culture. The possibilities for learning in the capital approach are boundless!
Those with questions should contact EdD Program Director Dr. Ed Bureau at web28@drexel.edu or call the Graduate Center at 916.325.4600.
Drexel Sponsors Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program
In
the last edition of the Dragonfire, we told you about all of the leadership
programs that Drexel is sponsoring in the Greater Sacramento region.
That is because we are confident that the economic surge will return
to this region, and know that we can help the region's businesses, government
agencies, and nonprofits ready to capitalize on that opportunity.
In this edition, Drexel University is proud to be partnering with the American Leadership Forum to support a new program that will train promising young professionals and community organizers in the African American community between the ages of 20 and 35. In founding the Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program, Scott Syphax, president and CEO of the Nehemiah Corporation of America, said, "The African American community is experiencing a dearth of professionals that exhibit the ability to lead, not only in corporate America, but at home in local government as well. This new program promises to equip people with the necessary skills to lead their community in business, education, health, and public safety." Once the program starts in October, classes will be held at Drexel's Graduate Center. Pictured: Mr. Syphax and other community leaders meet at Drexel to discuss the new leadership program.
Drexel Goes Dutch: School of Eduction Now Ready for an Exceptional Fall
Drexel's School of Education will offer three graduate programs in Sacramento this fall: a second cohort of its successful MS Higher Education (the first began in January), the first for its MS Human Resource Development, and the launch of the new EdD in Educational Leadership and Administration.
As previously mentioned in Dragonfire, Drexel's education program now ranks fifth among California's schools of education, joining Stanford, UCLA, UC Berkeley, USC Rossier, and UC Riverside. With this top-ranked program, it's no wonder we needed someone to support our faculty, students, and programs. Joining us as program manager is Emily Dutch, who has 7 years of professional experience in academia. Emily's experience includes stints with the University of the Pacific in Stockton, the Dominican University of California in San Rafael, and the Academy of Art University in San Francisco. Her expertise is in the areas of admissions, scholarships, and financial aid, and her background includes volunteer activities and leadership development — so you can see why she's perfect for us! If you have a question about the School of Education programs, Emily's now your full-time resource in Sacramento — joining MS Higher Education Professor Jose Chavez in full-time at our Graduate Center. Welcome, Emily!
"Take Me Out to the Ballpark": Dragons Root for Rivercats
With our Graduate Center located just a short walk from Raley Field, home of the Sacramento Rivercats, we can see the lights from our campus. It's no wonder that Drexel's Student Council decided that the first order of business for them was to organize an outing to watch the Rivercats continue their ascent to the league championship. It was a beautiful evening as students and their guests celebrated on the Dogue deck. More outings are being planned by the Council for this coming fall.
Dragons Team Up to Support Great American River Clean Up
The Great American River Clean Up is an annual event held in conjunction with the Coastal Cleanup Day sponsored by the California Coastal Commission. This year's cleanup will be held on September 19 throughout California, along bays, creeks, lakes, rivers, highways, and the coast. Each year, there are thousands of volunteers: cyclists, scuba divers, equestrians, anglers, runners, and paddlers and this year — the Drexel Dragons! In the first public service project selected by our new Student Council, Drexel students, faculty, and staff will get together to remove trash and debris to prevent pollutants from entering the watershed and make a real contribution to the health of the parkway and river. If you will be a Dragon by the 19th and wish to participate in the Clean Up, you should sign up by email; if not, you can learn more by contacting the American River Parkway Foundation.
Last Month on the River: Supporting the Regional Conservation Corps
The Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps (SRCC) was established in 1984 by the Sacramento Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce to provide an opportunity for educational achievement and paid work experience for the region's young adults. Emphasis is placed on work ethics, citizenship, interpersonal communication, teamwork, and other job training skills. Corps members are representatives of our diverse community and most participants are from economically, educationally, and socially challenged backgrounds. The SRCC recently held a celebration of its 25 years of service in Discovery Park, where Dean Tobey Oxholm met many corps members and learned about how the SRCC has fundamentally improved their lives. If you are interested in supporting this cause, visit the Sacramento Regional Conservation Corps website.
Drexel Appoints New Director of Veterans Services
In this newsletter, we have reported on Drexel's full commitment to our Post-9/11 veterans through the Yellow Ribbon Program. We know that the men and women returning from duty in the armed forces need and deserve more than just a good policy and a nice press release. That's why the University has created a new position: Director of Veterans Services. And we are delighted to announce the first Director, Jeffery Linskens.
Before joining Drexel, Jeffery served in the United States Air Force for 21 years and retired as a lieutenant colonel. He graduated from the United States Air Force Academy in 1986 and also holds degrees in Meteorology from Pennsylvania State University. During his career in military service, Jeffery served as a meteorologist, ghost writer for a four-star general, and as a squadron commander three times, leading one of his squadrons to recognition as best in the Air Force in 2004. Ten years of his service were in Germany and Turkey, and he also deployed to Saudi Arabia, Bosnia, and Iraq. Jeffery was also a member of the adjunct faculty at Creighton University in Omaha, Nebraska, and has published two articles in refereed scientific journals.
News from the EdD Bureau
Excitement is increasing as Drexel's inaugural cohort of the EdD in Educational Leadership and Management approaches its September 12 Orientation. During Orientation, Drexel's first doctoral candidates in California will learn about the full range of support available, how to participate fully in Drexel's wide range of learning technologies, and what to expect as the three-year doctoral program unfolds. Most important, they will begin to develop the sense of community Drexel actively encourages in order to provide individual support and maximize the cohort's educational experience.
Because this cohort is already at or very near its capacity enrollment of 24 doctoral students, recruitment has already begun for the next cohort, which will begin in March 2010. Anticipated for future cohorts are expanded course offerings within concentrations and an additional concentration in Human Resource Development building on the Master of Science in Higher Education that Drexel will be offering this fall. Those with questions should contact EdD Program Director Dr. Ed Bureau at web28@drexel.edu or call the Graduate Center at 916-325-4600.
News from the iSchool
Dr. Michael Khoo, Assistant Professor at the iSchool at Drexel, presented a poster entitled "A User-Friendly Metadata Quality Control Tool for the Internet Public Library," at the 9th ACM/IEEE Joint Conference on Digital Libraries (JCDL), Austin, Texas, June 15-19. The poster was co-authored with Drs. Xia Lin, Associate Professor and Jung-ran Park, Assistant Professor of the iSchool at Drexel. Also at JCDL, Dr. Khoo, along with colleagues from other universities, organized and presented a workshop on "Lightweight User-Friendly Evaluation Knowledge for Digital Librarians." A workshop report was published in the July issue of D-Lib Magazine and is available online.
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