Hsa Mu Na

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,” says Hsa, who is now pursuing a liberal arts associate’s degree through the College of Professional Studies.

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.

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.”

“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 (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.,” says Hsa. “If I had to work overtime, I would come home at 11 p.m. 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 ���ϲ�����’s Part-time HEOP

In February 2014, Hsa, along with 45 other people from 29 countries became U.S. citizens at the U.S. Northern District Court House in ���ϲ�����.

In January 2022, he returned to SEOC to attend college preparation classes with the intention of going to college to become a social worker. He would drive by ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ����� is the only school that accepts part time HEOP students. So, finally and happily, I decided to choose to go to ���ϲ�����,” Hsa says.

Hsa (far left) and fellow refugees at Nu Poe refugee camp

HEOP 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 ���ϲ����� has New York state’s only

HEOP provides academic support and financial assistance to 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 ���ϲ����� 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 ���ϲ�����’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 ���ϲ�����, has shown remarkable resilience and perseverance in the face of adversity. He enrolled at ���ϲ����� in the summer of 2022, pursuing a liberal arts associate’s degree. His goal is to become a social worker at a refugee’s center in ���ϲ����� and to go on to pursue his bachelor’s degree.

By taking a holistic approach to leadership, sustainability leaders consider the long-term impacts of their decisions on the environment, society and the economy. They are committed to promoting sustainable practices in their organizations and communities, and they encourage others to do the same.

In partnership with , ���ϲ����� announces a three-phase . Phase I of the program is a two-part virtual session engaging participants in discussions facilitated by instructors Karin Botto, senior human resources business partner at ���ϲ����� and Hilary McManus, professor of biological and environmental sciences at Le Moyne College. Phase II is an in-person, on-site retreat hosted at ���ϲ�����’s Conference Center in Blue Mountain Lake, New York, from June 3-6, 2023. Phase III is an additional virtual session to solidify the key learnings from the program.

Throughout the Sustainability Leadership Program, participants will:

• Learn about climate change issues by connecting the dots between personal, organizational and planetary thriving.
• Deepen self-awareness, personal well-being and resilience through learning a variety of contemplative practices aimed at mitigating eco-anxiety.
• Develop and present SMART leadership goals for yourself, your community and/or your organization.
• Engage with change management practices to support your leadership goals.
• Experience a variety of peer coaching methods and professional mentoring.
• Expand network of change-makers to enhance community engagement.

Upon successful completion of phases I-III of the program, participants will earn a foundations microcredential. Additionally, participants can continue to earn an impact microcredential by completing a portfolio review.

The registration deadline for the Sustainability Leadership Program is Friday, May 5, 2023. Interested participants can .

About the Instructors

Karin Botto, senior human resources business partner at ���ϲ�����

Karin Botto has worked in higher education for more than three decades in areas such as leadership development, human resources, enrollment management, strategic planning, mission integration and faculty development. She currently serves as senior HR business partner at ���ϲ����� where she partners with senior leaders to shape, develop and deliver plans and strategy in line with the needs and priorities of the organization including organizational development, performance management, talent management, professional development, workforce planning and employee relations. She also teaches Individual and Collective Discernment in the Master of Business Administration program at Le Moyne College.

Botto holds a Master of Science in Training and Organizational Development from Saint Joseph’s University and earned a Doctorate of Education from Creighton University in Interdisciplinary Leadership. Her dissertation research focused on developing the ecological self for sustainability leadership. She was recently interviewed by Jesuit Schools Network about her research for the Ignatian Inquiry Podcast.

In 2015, Botto co-developed a leadership model published in the Journal of Jesuit Business Education (2015). She co-authored a chapter of Success After Tenure (2019) by Stylus Publishing and wrote a chapter of Women Courageous: Leading through the Labyrinth (2021) by Emerald Publishing.

Botto’s specialties include sustainability leadership, group dynamics and decision-making, leadership development, coaching and mentoring, management training, and integrating contemplative practices into one’s life and leadership. Her most important role is mother to Jack, Gwyn and Gavin.

Hilary McManus, professor of biological and environmental sciences at Le Moyne College

Hilary McManus is a professor of Biological and Environmental Sciences at Le Moyne College in ���ϲ�����. She teaches about the science of the climate crisis in the classroom and local community and aims to nurture the current and next generations of environmental stewards through hands-on experiences connecting with nature. McManus co-chairs Le Moyne’s Environmental Sustainability Steering Committee, developing a comprehensive campus-wide framework for a greener campus, and is also a certified executive leadership and career coach.

In 2018, McManus was selected as a participant in Homeward Bound, a global leadership development initiative for women in STEMM, which culminated in a three-week voyage to Antarctica with 78 other women from around the world. Currently, with over 700 women strong, the network continues to grow as an international collaboration of women scientists aiming to lead and influence decision-making as it shapes our planet. McManus is also a member of the Climate Reality Leadership Corps founded and led by Al Gore. She delivers presentations with interactive components that offer audience members an opportunity to brainstorm climate action items on the individual, community and policy levels.

McManus’s time away from Le Moyne is spent with her two sons, hiking, camping, gardening and sitting zazen.

The AACSB-accredited business management degree, which represents a partnership between the College of Professional Studies and the Whitman School of Management, is ranked No. 8 in Best Online Bachelor’s in Business Programs (No. 5 in private schools), while ���ϲ����� additionally earned a ranked spot (No. 13) for Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans (No. 3 in private schools).

This is the highest ranking ���ϲ����� has achieved in the history of its online undergraduate programs.

“Our rapid movement through the U.S. News rankings is a direct result of ���ϲ�����’s commitment to quality, rigor, high-touch student support and distinctive excellence in online education,” says Michael Frasciello, dean of the College of Professional Studies. “And while the rankings are a confirmation of our excellence, the more important measures are found in the data – in the dramatically expanded access we are creating to ���ϲ�����; in the dramatically increasing numbers of military-connected students we are serving; in our exceedingly high credit transfer rates, and our rapidly increasing persistence and graduation rates. To be more precise, our success in this year’s rankings are a direct correlation to the increasing numbers of diverse students who are transforming their lives with a ���ϲ����� education through our online programs.”

���ϲ����� currently offers 10 market-sensitive , as well as eight through the College of Professional Studies.

The maintained its top 10 ranking from last year. “The Whitman School of Management is very proud of our partnership with the College of Professional Studies. This most recent accolade helps to underscore the strength and potential of joint programs, where we leverage the areas of expertise of both partners in better support of our students,” offered Alex McKelvie, interim dean of the Whitman School.

The University’s No. 13 ranking as Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans is a recognition of ���ϲ�����’s commitment to being the best school for veterans, active military and military-connected students, jumping 27 spots from last year’s rankings. ���ϲ����� is the only R1 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 (TA) rates beyond the member’s annual benefit. This means active-duty and reserve students pay no more than $250 per credit (or the current DoD TA rate) after they expend their annual TA allotment.

U.S. News & World Report ranks over 350 public and private U.S. online bachelor’s degree-granting institutions on multiple measures of academic quality alongside factors of program delivery and effectiveness of awarding affordable degrees in a reasonable amount of time. Ranks are based on methodology used by the publication that includes student engagement, services and technologies, faculty credentials and training, in addition to expert opinion provided by high-ranking academic officials which help account for the intangible factors that affect program quality that are not captured by statistics. For more information about the methodology, visit .

U.S. News & World Report college and program rankings are considered to be one of the premier rankings of U.S. higher education institutions. The full rankings, released earlier on Tuesday, are available on the U.S. News & World Report website.

Microcredentials: Filling Skill Gaps and Expanding Opportunities

Microcredentials play a unique role in helping students to upskill or reskill to be more competitive in the job market. By providing short and focused learning experiences, when and where students need it, microcredentials allow students to build a portfolio of demonstrated learning in a short amount of time, whether for professional advancement or personal interest.

The Office of Professional Acceleration and Microcredentials within the was launched in 2021 to expand the University’s portfolio of alternative learning credentials, including noncredit certificates, courses and workshops. Alongside the launch of this new office is the . While official diplomas issued by accredited institutions remain the gold standard for credit-bearing certificate and degree programs, digital badges are fast becoming a similar standard for marking the successful achievement of professional microcredentials.

The first digital badges awarded by ���ϲ����� were to those who completed the Leadership and Governance During Times of Crisis certificate program at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs, which has for decades offered distinguished, non-degree offerings in short-course formats to domestic and international audiences.

“Microcredentials expand our ability to publicly recognize and certify qualifications our alums have earned,” says Daniel Nelson, director of short courses in the Maxwell School Executive Education Program. “It’s a valuable tool for the school and representative of the ways we continually expand our offerings of flexible education pathways. Microcredentials are a great tool to support immediate learning objectives as well as offering opportunities to ‘stack’ these achievements towards enrollment in and completion of a traditional Maxwell degree.”

Digital Badges: Validating Learning Experiences

Through our digital badging platform, ���ϲ����� will recognize successful completion and demonstration of learning by issuing digital badges at various learning levels such as foundational, intermediate and advanced.

“When a ���ϲ����� college, school or special other unit awards a digital badge for an achievement, it means the achievement has been assessed and is now being recognized by that college, school or unit,” says Arthur Thomas, executive director of professional acceleration and microcredentials.

Digital badges serve as more than just an icon that can be shared on social media platforms like LinkedIn. The earning criteria listed on the digital badge help external evaluators and employers determine how to value the achievement of a particular digital badge against their own competency expectations.

Each digital badge provides specific information about not only the type of digital badge awarded, who it was awarded to and the date it was earned, but also what was necessary to achieve it and the awarding organization. The result is an online validation of an authenticated learning experience.

“When clicked on, the digital badge icon takes the user to a dedicated page on the badging platform where that badge is amplified, and its unique background information can be seen and verified,” Thomas says. “The authentic validation that accompanies these digital badges allows these individual journeys to become more ‘readable’ by the viewing public, empowering individuals to show details about what makes them truly unique.”

Powerful Packs of Learning: Personalized Learning and Stackable Badges

Individualized learning goals can be created, tracked and met due to the ability to pursue microcredentials at various levels and on different topics. Students can choose to customize their learning journey by pursuing one or multiple microcredentials that round out their skills for a specific career path or goal. Students may also take advantage of pre-designed pathways featuring courses of advancing depth, which allow for increased knowledge of a specific skillset or subject and earn more advanced digital badges.

“The ability to assemble microcredentials into a combination that is unique for a particular individual serves to define their professional brand,” Thomas says. “A student can assemble a powerful portfolio of digital badges that tells the story of their academic journey.”

The Office of Professional Acceleration and Microcredentials will work with all schools and colleges on the ���ϲ����� campus who want to issue digital badges to their students.

“We have an existing catalog of microcredential programs on campus that are currently recognized with printed certificates,” Thomas says. “We want to empower our students to not only pursue their lifelong learning goals but to also share their accomplishments with their networks. Digital badges allow us to give them that opportunity.”

In Summer 2022, a new and expanded catalog of microcredential programs will be launched alongside the integration of existing microcredentials into the badging platform.

To stay up to date on new programs and how to register, please visit .

“Over the past four years, the University has dramatically expanded its commitment to access for nontraditional learners. We’re excited to share with our Washington, D.C., alumni and friends how this expansion extends our mission and positions the University to provide global access and transformational education opportunities,” says Michael Frasciello, Ph.D., dean of the College of Professional Studies.

From 6:30 to 9 p.m., alumni and friends can enjoy an evening of cocktails and hors d’oeuvres. There will be a brief program with remarks from J. Michael Haynie, Ph.D., vice chancellor for strategic initiatives and innovation, and Frasciello. University Professor , one of only 17 University faculty members to hold this designation, will be the evening’s special guest.

O’Keefe previously served as a presidential appointee during his time leading NASA as secretary of the Navy, as deputy director of the Office of Management and Budget, as deputy assistant to the president and as comptroller and CFO at the Defense Department. He is currently the Howard and Louise Phanstiel Endowed Chair in Leadership at the Maxwell School. Moreover, his achievements also include honorary doctorate degrees from five higher education institutions, as well as the Department of Navy’s Public Service Award.

The event provides the opportunity for post-traditional, online and executive education alumni and students to connect in Washington, D.C.

“Engaging post-traditional alumni is a priority of ���ϲ�����,” says Jeffry Comanici, executive director of post-traditional alumni. “Working with partners from across campus, we have identified over 340,000 post-traditional alumni and are excited to include them in the Orange Family.”

For questions or more information, contact Comanici at jjcomani@syr.edu or 315.443.1409.

With help and guidance from Liz Green, executive director for online student success in the College of Professional Studies, and a pre-workshop CliftonStrengths assessment, participants will explore how their top five strengths can help them support, engage and advocate for themselves and others in leadership. The cost of the workshop supports Nanhi Kali’s initiative to raise funds for uniforms, school supplies and tuition costs for girls in India who are otherwise unable to attend elementary or middle school on their own.

Two Zoom workshop options are available and open to all on April 1 and April 8 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ET. The cost to attend is $52.

The workshop will donate 100% of the profits to Nanhi Kali, “an organization initiated by Mahindra in India, with a goal to educate underprivileged girl children,” says Ruchita Harsora, Nanhi Kali’s ���ϲ����� chapter president.

The workshop will donate 100% of the profits to Nanhi Kali, “an organization initiated by Mahindra in India, with a goal to educate underprivileged girls,” says Ruchita Harsora, Nanhi Kali’s ���ϲ����� chapter president.

“The workshop will encompass multiple avenues for self-reflection and engagement activities for participants to better understand their individual Top 5 Strengths and communicate with others about their strengths,” Green says. “CliftonStrengths provides a common lens for us to share and connect with our colleagues, coworkers and friends, and provides a foundation for us to effectively advocate for ourselves and others.”

As a registered graduate student organization, the Nanhi Kali ���ϲ����� chapter aims to raise awareness about the importance of educational access, Harsora says.

“This specific opportunity helps us give back to the community one of the essentials—education. Education is the steppingstone to success in any field and it’s a golden opportunity for us to give something back to an underserved community,” Harsora says. “We get a chance to give the privilege of education to the generation that is going to shape our future.”

To learn more or to register, visit the .

The University has responded to the need for candidates with data analysis proficiency by launching a new online offered through a partnership between the College of Professional Studies and the School of Information Studies (iSchool).

Tying together the fields of computer science, management and business intelligence, the 120-credit part-time undergraduate degree program will prepare budding analysts to derive insights from complex data, create powerful predictions and drive critical business decisions with measurable performance.

The online program’s dynamic learning environment is built with a blend of asynchronous and synchronous learning. Much of the coursework is designed for students to complete on their own time throughout the week. A weekly interactive live class gives students the opportunity to learn and engage with instructors and classmates in a virtual classroom that can be accessed from anywhere in the world.

Online part-time programs at ���ϲ����� represent the various pathways students can take to earn a degree or certificate at the University. Part-time students who are enrolled in an online degree program are fully supported by the Online Student Success (OSS) team at the College of Professional Studies. OSS advisors help make the transition to online learning seamless by helping to identify program requirements, monitoring academic progress and promptly responding to questions.

Applications are now open with financial assistance available. Students can apply to enroll in any of the six session starts throughout the year. For more information, contact the College of Professional Studies Admissions Office at 315.443.9378, toll free at 1.866.498.9378 or email parttime@syr.edu.

“Orange Academy provides a unique pathway to access all that ���ϲ����� has to offer post-traditional students, as well as those who have earned a college degree but are seeking further educational enrichment,” says Michael Frasciello, dean of the College of Professional Studies. “High school students are also welcome to take Orange Academy courses as a low-stress introduction to the University.”

Courses through Orange Academy are taught by University faculty and instructors. The first four-week session runs from Sept. 20 through Oct. 15, with an enrollment deadline of Sept. 8. Course offerings are Film Production: From Script to Set (led by Donato Rossi, director and video producer at the Center for Online and Digital Learning); The Business of Sport (led by Professor John Wolohan from the Falk College of Sport & Human Dynamics and the College of Law); Social Media Strategies (led by Melinda Sebastian from the School of Information Studies); and The Power of Your Chakras (led by Andrea Willis, director of academic programs in the College of Professional Studies).

The second four-week session runs from Oct. 25 through Nov. 19 with an enrollment deadline of Oct. 11. Course offerings are Historic Cases in Forensic Science (led by Professor James Spencer Ph.D. from the College of Arts and Sciences); Introduction to Brand Development (led by Rich Merrill, a Whitman alum and adjunct instructor in the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications); and Introduction to Project Management (led by Mark Borte, ���ϲ����� alum and adjunct professor in the School of Information Studies).

Orange Academy offers high-engagement learning opportunities in a relaxed academic environment to those wanting to pursue a personal or professional passion or interest. There are no prerequisites to enroll in Orange Academy and no exams or graded papers, which provides the opportunity to advance knowledge in an open, welcoming setting.

“Orange Academy was launched in 2020 as a way to engage the Orange community during the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Frasciello, noting the partnership between the College of Professional Studies and the Office of Alumni Engagement. “Without having to leave the comfort and safety of home, students of all ages and backgrounds interacted with University faculty—and each other.”

The four-week noncredit courses provide weekly evening live sessions with supplemental content provided between class meetings. Attendees can strengthen their skills, learn a new craft and increase their knowledge base.

In 2020, Orange Academy students also had the opportunity to contribute to the University community, according to Jeff Comanici, executive director, post-traditional advancement. Proceeds from the course fees for students enrolled in the Voices Matter: Why You Need to Talk About Race course contributed more than $4,000 to the College of Professional Studies’ Our Time Has Come (OTHC) scholarship fund. “The fund creates possibilities for underrepresented students at ���ϲ����� to earn their degree part time,” Comanici says. “The College of Professional Studies’ Our Time Has Come scholarship will be awarded through the College for the first time this fall thanks to the commitment and generosity of students in that Orange Academy course.”

To learn more or register for Orange Academy fall 2021 courses, . For more information about how to donate directly to the College of Professional Studies OTHC scholarship, contact Jeff Comanici at jjcomani@syr.edu.