Left to Right: Andrea Willis, Margaret Thompson, Kim Hagadorn, Jackie Monsour, Ryan Williams, Dean Michael Frasciello
Representing more than 125 years of collective excellence, care, and commitment to post-traditional and international students accessing Syracuse University, six College of Professional Studies staff and faculty were honored for their years of service at the 2023 One University Awards on April 21.
The One University Awards honor members of the Syracuse University community who are making a difference through academics, scholarship, creative work and dedicated service.
2023 Years of Service Milestones
Kimberly Hagadorn, director of bursar & registration – 20 years
Jacqueline Monsour, assistant director of the English Language Institute – 20 years
Ryan Williams, associate dean – 20 years
Andrea Willis, director of academic programs – 20 years
Rosemary Kelly, assistant dean – 35 years
Margaret Thompson, database administrator – 35 years
“My advisor at my previous school was so difficult to get ahold of. Sometimes I didn’t get a response to my questions for weeks.”
“I wasn’t sure who to call about an issue I was having while enrolled in the program, there are so many different offices. And as an online student, I can’t just walk around campus to find someone to help me.”
We’ve heard a lot of stories from our students about the confusing system of higher education, especially for part-time students who access campus resources from a remote location or during evening hours. This is the exact reason that we prioritize student success at the College of Professional Studies. We understand that your experience and interactions with our college can directly impact your success as a student.
Enter your advisor.
Our Goal is Your Success
Higher education is comprised of various offices with different specialties and personnel. Your academic advisor can help you to navigate the sometimes-confusing structure of this large, complex organization. They have your best interest in mind and can assist you in prioritizing your needs. An advisor is not just a tool to help with course selection and registration, they can play a much larger role in your success as a college student.
At the College of Professional Studies, we take student success very seriously. Our team members talk with you to determine your goals and how you can make the most of your time at Syracuse University. We use a highly proactive approach that can include reviewing your employment history and previous transcripts to guide you towards earning your degree in the most efficient way possible that works with your schedule.
After you are accepted into Syracuse University as a part-time student, our student success teams will ensure that you are ready to enter the classroom, from determining your courses and degree plan, to introducing you to the platforms you will be using while enrolled as a student. Your advisor will also help you navigate any issues that you encounter throughout your studies and reach out to you throughout the semester to ensure that you are on track and feeling confident and comfortable in your progress.
Your advisor can provide a wide range of benefits to you, including:
Guidance on academic matters: Your advisors can help you choose your courses, determine your major, and plan out your academic schedule. They can also advise you on study strategies and time management skills.
Support: Advisors can also help you navigate academics around personal issues that may affect your attendance and/or academic performance.
Access to resources: Our advisors will help you navigate the various resources available on campus, such as libraries, writing centers, tutoring services and career centers.
Advocacy: Advisors can advocate on your behalf if you encounter challenges that may affect your ability to succeed in your studies.
How do you make the most of your advisor?
To make the most of your college advisor, here are some tips:
Meet with your advisor regularly: Schedule regular appointments with your advisor to discuss your academic progress, career goals, and any personal challenges you may be facing. Don’t wait to seek their help.
Come prepared: Before meeting with your advisor, make a list of questions or topics you want to discuss.
Follow up: Take notes during your meetings and follow up on any action items or recommendations your advisor provides. This will assist you in meeting your goals and help you to stay on track.
Use their resources: Your advisor can connect you with a variety of resources on campus, such as tutoring services and career centers. Take advantage of these resources to enhance your academic and personal development.
Remember, your advisor is there to provide support and help you succeed in your academic pursuits. By building a positive and collaborative relationship with them, you can make the most of your college experience and achieve your goals.
Start or continue your educational goals at Syracuse University, we’re ready to help!
Albany, New York, is the capital of the Empire State, home of Joint Forces Headquarters of the New York Air National Guard and Army National Guard, and home to more than 500 Syracuse University post-traditional students and alumni working in the private and public sectors, including government, military, civic and service organizations, and business.
On Monday, May 22, the College of Professional Studies will host an exclusive reception and program in Albany to welcome post-traditional, online, and executive education students and graduates attending this special SU event.
Serving as the evening’s guest speaker will be J. Michael Haynie, Ph.D., Vice Chancellor for Strategic Initiatives & Innovation at Syracuse. He is responsible for a diverse cross-campus portfolio of academic programs, centers and innovation initiatives that include the University’s Office of Veterans and Military Affairs, as well as Government and Community Relations and the College of Professional Studies.
In 2018, Syracuse University named Dr. Haynie a University Professor, the most senior rank awarded to faculty, serving as the Barnes Professor of Entrepreneurship. Dr. Haynie, who served 14 years as an officer in the United States Air Force, is the founding Executive Director of Syracuse University’s D’Aniello Institute for Veterans and Miliary Families.
“We’re proud of the service, civic responsibility and leadership of our alumni, who are vital to our ongoing success and that of our current and prospective students,” says Dean Michael Frasciello. “We are actively seeking their engagement, experiences and expertise as we continue to expand our position as a global university.”
The College provides access to and support for post-traditional students from across the world to obtain their college degrees either through on-campus class attendance or online course offerings. More than 360,000 post-traditional alumni have been identified and Syracuse University is working to connect with these former students in more personal ways.
In recent months, the University has held well-attended networking receptions in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. “The Syracuse Orange spirit has been inspiring at each of these events and we look forward to a great turnout and SU camaraderie in Albany,” says Dean Frasciello, who will greet attendees along with Vice Chancellor Haynie and Jeffry Comanici, ‘88, Executive Director, Post Traditional Advancement, for the College.
The reception begins at 5 p.m., followed by the program at 6, at the Bull Moose Club, 150 State Street, Fourth Floor, in Albany.
Registration is requested by May 15 and can be made at cc.syr.edu/AlbanyPTeventMay2023 Contact Maureen Downes in the College of Professional Studies at 315.443.3510 or madownes@syr.edu with any questions.
Syracuse University continues its commitment to be the best university for veterans and military-connected students with the creation of four new scholarships for New York State Army and Air National Guard members of the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS).
Two “last dollar” scholarships will cover tuition expenses after a member uses all available tuition assistance (TA) funding each fiscal year, meaning there are no out-of-pocket tuition expenses between TA funding cycles. The scholarships apply to any Syracuse University online Bachelor of Professional Studies degree in the College of Professional Studies, and are open only to EANGUS members of the New York Army and Air National Guard (one scholarship for each service).
Two “full-tuition” scholarships cover all tuition expenses for any Syracuse University online undergraduate credit certificate (15 credits) in the College of Professional Studies. The scholarships are open to EANGUSmembers and their spouses of the New York Army and Air National Guard (one scholarship for each service).
“Our support of EANGUS and its New York State members is an extension of Syracuse University’s position as a national leader in supporting current and prior members and family members of the United States military,” says Michael Frasciello, dean of the College of Professional Studies. “These four scholarships dramatically expand access to Syracuse University for New York State Army and Air National Guard members who otherwise could not study with us full-time on campus.”
Syracuse University’s enduring commitment to veteran and military-connected students dates back more than 100 years. Dedicated to being the Best Place for Veterans™ and rated one of the best private schools for military-connected students, Syracuse is the only private university in the Northeast that offers online and residential part-time undergraduate study to active-duty military, guard and reservists at their respective tuition assistance rates beyond the member’s annual benefit.
“We are excited to partner with Syracuse University and proud to offer our NY Enlisted Association members these wonderful scholarships,” says Mr. James M. Hokkanen, Vice President (Air) of the New York Enlisted Association of the National Guard. “The Enlisted Association knows how impactful these scholarships will be to our members and their families.”
New York State Army and Air National Guard members and family members interested in the scholarships will complete a competitive application with EANGUS. Finalists will be forwarded to Syracuse University to determine admissibility into an online undergraduate degree or undergraduate certificate. The scholarships will be awarded each academic year, with the first four scholarships for the fall 2023 semester.
“Syracuse University is excited to further it’s collaboration with the New York Air and Army National Guard,” says Liz Green, executive director of online student success and Syracuse University’s coordinator for New York Guard partnerships.” We’re committed to providing an unsurpassed academic experience for military-connected students, and these scholarships are a small but impactful way for us to extend that experience to Guard members in the state.”
Hsa Mu Na, HEOP Student, College of Professional Studies
“I had to run and hide in the jungle, without food, from the fighting between the Burmese military troops and the rebel groups,” a distinct memory floods Hsa Mu Na’s mind. “There had been war – Burmese against Burmese – for as long as I can remember.”
Living in Burma (also known as Myanmar) under military dictatorship was a difficult and challenging experience for Hsa and fellow Burman citizens. The military had a long history of suppressing political opposition, limiting free speech, and using violence to maintain power. The military controlled many aspects of the economy, leading to suppressed economic and educational opportunities for citizens, limiting their chances for personal and economic growth.
“I had a lack of education while living there, because education in Myanmar was too expensive for my family. You had to pay a lot for the school fees, materials and supplies. It is hard to go to school for poor families there. For me, I had only completed a few grade levels and then stopped going to school because of the expense,” Hsa recounts.
In 2001, Hsa fled to Thailand’s Nu Poe refugee camp, which is supported by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) organization. He lived there for six years and was able to continue his education through the assistance of the local and international NGOs, and community-based organizations. Hsa successfully earned his high school certificate. However, the quality of refugee education is unusually defined and measured by ineffective standards, leading to the government of Thailand not formally recognizing refugee camp high school graduates as national students.
Hsa Mu Na (right) at refugee camp
Hsa Mu Na (middle) at refugee camp
Hsa Mu Na (far left) at refugee camp
A New Beginning as a Refugee in the US
From 2008-2014, approximately 109,000 Burmese refugees arrived in the United States from camps and urban settings in Thailand and Malaysia. Hsa was among this large group of refugees, resettling in the United States in 2008 with the hopes of having a better life.
After arriving in the U.S., Hsa found employment working at an optical company. “It was a good job, but I was not yet satisfied with my life. I believe that education is very important. Going to a college was one of my dreams, but I also thought that college was not a possibility.”
“Going to a college was one of my dreams, but I also thought that college was not a possibility.”
Hsa Mu Na
“The higher education level you have, the better job you will get. I knew that education was my greatest goal. However, it’s not easy to get your GED as a full-time worker because you need to manage your time, schedule and be aware of your living costs, too. I could only study part time in my situation at the time. If I worked part time and studied full time, I could not afford my rent or bills,” Hsa says.
In 2013, Hsa joined the English as a Second Language (ESL) program through the Syracuse Educational Opportunity Center (SEOC). The SEOC provides urban communities with innovative academic programs leading to higher education, and vocational training programs leading to gainful employment and economic self-sufficiency. “I studied ESL from 9 a.m. to Noon and then worked from 12:30 to 9 p.m.,” said Hsa, “If I had to work overtime, I would come home at 11:00 PM or midnight. Often, I did not have enough time to do my homework or sleep.”
Through the SEOC, Hsa was able to earn his GED after studying grammar, vocabulary, mathematics, science, social studies, reading, and writing in English. Due to his work schedule, Hsa had to step away from his educational studies for a few years.
A Goal Realized Through Syracuse University’s Part-time HEOP
In February 2014, Hsa, along with forty-five other people from twenty-nine countries became U.S. citizens at the U.S. Northern District Court House in Syracuse, NY.
In January 2022, he returned to the SEOC to attend college preparation classes with the intention of going to college to become a social worker. He would drive by Syracuse University and see students walking around campus. Feeling inspired, Hsa looked into going to several local institutions to pursue his bachelor’s degree but learned that they didn’t accept part time students through the Arthur O. Eve Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP). “I learned that Syracuse University is the only school that accepts part time HEOP students. So, finally and happily, I decided to choose to go to Syracuse,” Hsa said.
The Higher Education Opportunity Program was established in 1969 by the New York State Legislature to provide access to independent colleges and universities for economically and educationally disadvantaged students from New York State. While there are many colleges and universities that have full-time HEOP programs in New York State, the College of Professional Studies at Syracuse University has New York State’s only Higher Education Opportunity Program for part-time students.
HEOP provides academic support and financial assistance to eligible students and covers the majority of the cost of tuition, fees, books and parking. HEOP students also receive one-on-one counseling from advisors who are qualified to help them discover their strengths, overcome roadblocks to success, and choose an academic program that meets their interests and career goals.
“The greatest benefit to any student in this program, is they can receive a quality Syracuse University education at little to no cost to them or their families. It goes without saying, this program is a life changing opportunity that provides scholarships and grants to students who otherwise could not attend,” says Marsha Senior, director of Syracuse University’s part-time HEOP. “Our part-time HEOP students are hardworking, dedicated and appreciate the opportunity they’ve been given. They take nothing for granted, and they work hard to maintain their grades.”
“I feel like I am very lucky to be here because of the HEOP program. It is an extraordinary program for part-time students who already have a high school diploma. And it is a very helpful program for students who have to take care of their family and work full-time and want to continue their education,” Hsa says.
Hsa, like many post-traditional students that choose Syracuse University, has shown remarkable resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. He enrolled at Syracuse in the Summer of 2022, pursuing a liberal arts associate’s degree. His goal is to become a social worker at a refugee center in Syracuse and to go on to pursue his bachelor’s degree.
