Jessica Mahoney, Berkeley College alumna; Alexis Gonzalez, Berkeley College student; Elaine Quijano, CBS host; and Earl Brown, Berkeley College Business Developer, pose on set before the CBS Town Hall discussion title ‘Millenials – “The Change Agens?’

Five Berkeley College millennials share their opinions on the presidential nominees and the state of America in an appearance on “The CBS Evening News with Scott Pelley” tomorrow as part of a college Town Hall discussion. The segment, titled “Millennials – The Change Agents?” aired this fall.

Hosted by Elaine Quijano, who moderated the Vice Presidential Debate, the CBS Town Hall features interviews with millennial voters from 12 states, many of whom are voting for the first time. The interviews took place at YouTube Space NY, a 20,000-square-foot collaborative production facility above Chelsea Market in New York City.

For more stories about Berkeley, scroll down:

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx and Aaron Fichter, New Jersey Acting Commissioner, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Visit Berkeley College in Woodland Park, NJ
Berkeley College School of Health Studies Celebrates Opening in Woodland Park, NJ
Berkeley College Ranks Among the ‘Best for Vets’
Berkeley College Ranked in Top 100 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report

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Berkeley College CBS Town Hall Participants

• Alexis Gonzalez, 19, was initially a Bernie Sanders supporter, but will support Hillary Clinton for President. As a first-generation American, Mr. Gonzalez condemns Donald Trump’s inflammatory rhetoric, saying, “I cannot vote for someone who can see my academic achievements, my community service, and my dreams of living a better life as an American and say, ‘You are not an American. You are an anchor baby.’ ” Mr. Gonzalez is a Berkeley College Honors student from Astoria in Queens, NY.
• Jessica Mahoney, 25, is a New York City attorney and a staunch Trump supporter. “Secretary Clinton represents herself as caring for women’s rights, and yet she wants to take away my ability to protect myself,” she said. “Her plan to further reform gun control is unacceptable. As a woman and the wife of a police officer, I stand by the rights that the second amendment provides to me.” During the broadcast, she spoke about the need to stop vilifying police officers in the media. Ms. Mahoney is a Berkeley College alumna.
• Earl Brown, 31, is an undecided voter, but is leaning toward the Democratic ticket. As a Business Developer for Berkeley College, he believes the most important election issue is the economy and getting workers established in not only jobs, but in long-term careers. During the taping, Mr. Brown said that if Democrats and Republicans could come together for meaningful discussion the same way millennials had during the broadcast, much more could be accomplished in Washington.
• Elyssa Marx-Alaimo, 27, is a mother, a college student, and a veteran of the U.S. Army Reserves. During the broadcast, she spoke about the importance of higher education, a benefit she feels should be accessible to all without creating a burden on students and their parents. Ms. Marx-Alaimo is a Berkeley College Honors student and an undecided voter.
• Danyal Sorel, 29, is a finance professional, an author and a photographer. He supports Hillary Clinton, and said he does not believe the government should create greater barriers for those who wish to become U.S. citizens. His paternal grandparents migrated from the West Indies Caribbean Antilles and were successful professionals in the fields of medical radiology and social work. His maternal grandparents were born U.S. citizens and worked until retirement. His grandfather was employed for more than 20 years with the U.S. Post Office and his grandmother was a homemaker and church deaconess.

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (second from right), Chair, Higher Education Subcommittee and Member, Education and the Workforce Committee; enjoys interacting with and hearing the perspectives from Berkeley College students during her visit to the Woodland Park, NJ, campus.

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx and Aaron Fichter, New Jersey Acting Commissioner, Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Visit Berkeley College in Woodland Park, NJ

Berkeley College administrative officials and students welcomed visits and meetings with representatives from both the federal government and the State of New Jersey in Woodland Park, NJ. U.S. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, Chair of the Higher Education Subcommittee and Member of the Education and the Workforce Committee, and Aaron R. Fichter, Acting Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development met with Berkeley College President Michael Smith and Board Chairman Kevin Luing as well as students.

“Berkeley College understands that students need more than a one-size-fits-all higher education system,” said Congresswoman Foxx. “By tailoring solutions to their students’ needs, they are making postsecondary education more accessible and affordable. Their emphasis on innovation, access and completion will continue to open the doors of higher education to more students.”

“The day was productive,” said Teri Duda, Berkeley College Senior Vice President, Government Relations, and Member, New Jersey State Employment and Training Commission. “The dialogue was open and honest, and included discussions about the great work being done in New Jersey with regard to the State Employment and Training Commission under the direction of Acting Commissioner Aaron Fichter. He and Congresswoman Foxx brought valuable insights, along with thoughtful discussion encouraged by Berkeley College representatives, including President Michael Smith, Chairman Kevin Luing, and Career Services Vice President Brian Maher.”

Taylor Almendinger of Lake Hopatcong, NJ, who graduated from the Medical Assistant program this fall, was one of the speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the Berkeley College School of Health Studies in Woodland Park, NJ.

Berkeley College School of Health Studies Celebrates Opening in Woodland Park, NJ

Berkeley College and members of the community were pleased to celebrate the opening of the School of Health Studies at the Woodland Park, NJ, campus this fall, when students, alumni, faculty, staff and administrators gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Renaissance Hall. The renovation of facilities to accommodate the School of Health Studies was part of a construction and enhancement initiative that invested nearly $12.5 million in improvements made on campus since 2010.

The School of Health Studies facilities at Berkeley College in Woodland Park include nine teaching laboratories, staff offices, and faculty work stations. The labs are used to teach students enrolled in the Medical Assistant, Practical Nurse, Patient Care Technician, Surgical Processing Technician, and Surgical Technology programs. Berkeley College in Woodland Park also offers an accelerated program for Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) to earn their Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) degrees in less than three years. The facilities are located adjacent to Renaissance Hall, a modern hub for campus activities, student resources and amenities, and student services such as the Library and the Center for Academic Success.

“Just like the Berkeley name is associated with the highest level of professionalism and career preparedness in business and online learning, Berkeley College is going to be synonymous with excellence in the healthcare fields,” said Michael J. Smith, President of Berkeley College.

“Our mission is not to have students just start the race. Our mission is to help students finish the race,” said Eva Skuka, MD, PhD, Dean, Berkeley College School of Health Studies. “With the help of many, especially the faculty, support staff, and employer partners in their respective fields, Berkeley College is able to offer a comprehensive team-based learning environment, guidance and pathways for career success in a thriving and important sector of our economy.”

Taylor Almendinger of Lake Hopatcong, NJ, who graduated from the Medical Assistant program in September 2016, was one of the speakers at the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“Berkeley does everything in its power to help a student succeed,” Ms. Almendinger said. “It’s an amazing feeling knowing that thanks to all the hard work and studying I had to do, I know I have a great job to support myself and my son.”

From the employer point of view, Bruce Berman, Human Resources Manager, Atlantic Health System, commented on the importance of program accreditation. “There are very few jobs in healthcare today that don’t require formal training. Any potential student searching for a health-related program should consider one very important factor – ‘Is the program accredited, and by which accrediting bodies?’ CAAHEP is the largest programmatic accreditor in the health sciences field. All Berkeley healthcare programs are CAAHEP accredited. Accreditation by CAAHEP lets an employer know the CMA has graduated from a top-notch program.”

Mayra Arce of Totowa, NJ, a recent graduate of the Practical Nurse program, looks forward to getting her license and applying to Berkeley College in 2017 for the accelerated LPN to BSN in Nursing program. “At Berkeley College I got to know my self-worth and learned not to limit my personal growth,” she said.

Recovering from an accident which required seven surgeries involving both hands and his back motivated Frank Ferraro of Brooklyn, NY, to start a new career. “I was amazed to see how the health professionals who cared for me went about their business — it was inspiring to me,” he said. Mr. Ferraro researched surgical technology programs within a two-hour driving distance from his home, then narrowed it down to just a few schools. Because of his conversations with a healthcare provider, he decided to enroll in the Berkeley College School of Health Studies.

Berkeley College has been named to the Military Times magazine “Best for Vets: Colleges 2017” list.  In the Berkeley College Veterans Resource Centers, veteran students get the information they need about programs and issues pertaining to them.

Berkeley College Ranks Among the ‘Best for Vets’

Berkeley College has been named to the Military Times “Best for Vets: Colleges 2017” list for the fourth time. This recognition ranks Berkeley College among institutions that go above and beyond in providing academic and personal support for veterans pursuing a college degree. According to the Military Times, more than 500 schools responded to this year’s detailed survey, with university culture and academic outcomes carrying the most weight in survey results.

“It is an honor for Berkeley College to be recognized once again for our commitment to veterans and military students,” said Richard E. Robitaille, EdD, Berkeley College Assistant Vice President, Office of Military and Veterans Affairs. “We’re proud of the fact that we have six on-site Veterans Resource Centers – at the New York locations in Midtown Manhattan and Brooklyn and at the New Jersey locations in Dover, Newark, Woodbridge and Woodland Park. We also offer an Online Veterans Resource Center that has enabled us to reach a greater number of veteran students, including those stationed overseas,” said Dr. Robitaille.

Dr. Robitaille added that Veterans Resource Centers provide a location for veterans to receive information about their U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits. It is also a place where veteran students can meet with representatives from the College’s Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, socialize with other veterans, and obtain information about programs pertaining to military and veteran students.

Berkeley College supports the G.I. Bill and Yellow Ribbon Program, and collaborates on national ventures with the National Guard, the Army and the Air Force, the GoArmyEd distance learning program, and the Navy College Program Distance Learning Partnership.

For the full college rankings and survey methodology, go to:
www.militarytimes.com/bestforvets-colleges2017.

For more information about the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs at Berkeley College, visit: http://berkeleycollege.edu/military.

Berkeley College Ranked in Top 100 Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Reports

Berkeley is one of ten colleges in New York and one of two in New Jersey to receive the distinction.

For the third consecutive year, Berkeley College has been ranked among the Best Online Bachelor’s Programs for Veterans by U.S. News & World Report. Berkeley College was one of ten colleges in New York and one of two in New Jersey to receive the distinction. Berkeley College ranked No. 83.

The Berkeley College Office of Military and Veterans Affairs provides support to its student-veterans through six on-site veterans resource centers (VRCs) in New Jersey and New York, as well as through an Online VRC. At the VRCs, military students can meet with staff, network with their peers, and learn about Veterans Administration benefits.

In April, the Berkeley College Office of Military and Veterans Affairs will honor veterans at its 4th Annual Salute to Veterans. The event will feature a presentation of and by veterans who participate in the Veterans History Project in conjunction with the U.S. Library of Congress; the awarding of honor cords to student-veterans who will graduate at this year’s Commencement Ceremony on April 29; the launch of the Goldstar Reflection Project to highlight and honor families of those lost in combat; and faculty or staff appreciation awards presented by Berkeley College student-veterans.

“Berkeley College continues to set the standard for military and veterans affairs programs and support,” said Richard E. Robitaille, EdD, Berkeley College Associate Vice President, Office of Military and Veterans Affairs. “From opening six on-site veterans resource centers and an online veterans resource center, to collaborating on national programs such as the Veterans History Project, Berkeley College strives to help our military and veteran population achieve rewarding and lasting careers after they graduate from Berkeley College.”

According to U.S. News & World Report, colleges are ranked on factors such as student engagement; faculty credentials and training; and student services and technology. Student engagement includes opportunities for students to interact with professors and fellow classmates in a campus-based setting, as well as an overall quality college experience that keeps students enrolled and on track to a degree.

Approximately 500 military students and veterans are enrolled at Berkeley College in New York and New Jersey, and through Berkeley College Online®. Berkeley College participates in the Yellow Ribbon Program under the G.I. Bill and collaborates on national ventures with the National Guard, the Army and the Air Force, the GoArmyEd distance learning program, and the Navy College Program Distance Learning Partnership.

A leader in providing career-focused education since 1931, Berkeley College is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education and enrolls approximately 8,300 students – including more than 700 international students – in its Baccalaureate and Associate degree and Certificate programs. Students can study in more than 20 career fields. Berkeley College is comprised of the Larry L. Luing School of Business, the School of Professional Studies, the School of Health Studies and the School of Liberal Arts. The School of Graduate Studies offers a Master of Business Administration degree in Management online and in Woodland Park, NJ.