UPPER IOWA UNIVERSITY – Dawn Novak

Exciting Changes for the MPA program!

  Historically, emergency management has focused on preparation, response, recovery, and mitigation.  Homeland security concerned itself with policy and doctrine.  The already fine line between the two fields is becoming increasingly hard to discern.  Homeland Security Presidential Directive/HSPD-5 issued by President Bush in 2003 attempted to establish a comprehensive framework for preventing, preparing, responding and recovering from domestic incidents.  Domestic incidents in this directive are defined as terrorist attacks, major disasters, and other emergencies.  Since that time there is growing recognition that the country needs a comprehensive strategic approach when addressing domestic incidents.  The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Higher Education Project emphasizes the need for leaders who can bridge the divide between the homeland security and emergency management policy domains.  To effectively carry out the President’s directive public administration must be ready to deal with simultaneous, interconnected, and overlapping crises.  A newly restructured emphasis area that employs an integrated approach to the study of emergency management and homeland security will prepare Upper Iowa University MPA students to provide effective leadership and administrative expertise in this very unsettled environment.

     Effective homeland security policy will require public administrators who have the strategic leadership necessary to respond collaboratively to any man made or natural disaster. Our goal is to create an emphasis area that more fully integrates emergency management and homeland security.  This will allow us to offer potential students with a curriculum that gives them the strategic vision necessary to lead organizations in the current intergovernmental system.  There is little doubt the threats the US faces, natural or otherwise, are not going to go away anytime soon.  Given the fragmented and decentralized nature of the American intergovernmental system there is going to be a growing demand for leaders who have the ability to collaborate across organizational boundaries.  In what follows you will find what we believe is an exciting and unique emphasis for our students. Please contact me if you have questions or concerns. 

     The current Justice and Homeland Security emphasis will remain in effect for those current students who are unable to switch to the new emphasis area.  I encourage all students currently in the Justice and Homeland Security emphasis area to contact me at poppeg@uiu.edu or 414-475-3382.  I would be happy to review your progress to date and discuss the relative merits of upgrading to the new degree plan. 

Jerry

Jerry Poppe, Ph.D.
Master of Public Administration Program Coordinator
Upper Iowa University
620 S 76^th St., Suite 100
Milwaukee, WI 53214
(414)475-3382
(800)547-0296

The online MBA program was rated a “best buy” by the independent review organization, GetEducated.com, in 2010 and was ranked 7th in affordability among 25 distance MBA programs. Launched in 1998, the MBA program is one of four graduate programs offered by UIU.

The UIU Master of Business Administration degree requirements requires 39 semester credits of graduate level course work with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for completion. At UIU, three semester credit courses are scheduled in six, eight week terms, each year. 

The MBA offers areas of emphases in

• Accounting
• Corporate Financial Management
• Global Business
• Human Resources Management
• Organizational Development
• Quality Management

While complementary, the areas of emphasis are distinct. Skill and competence in specific business areas are developed through individual and group assignments that combine theory with practical examples. Learners work both individually and interact as members of problem-solving teams to apply relevant theories to practical case study situations. The program provides a balance of quantitative and qualitative studies to strengthen contemporary managerial skills.

Complete course description and degree requirements are available in the current Academic Extension catalog.

Upper Iowa is a nationally recognized leader in distance education serving over 3,000 degree-seeking students from around the world.

• Academically qualified faculty with practitioner experience
• No on campus residency
• Regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission
• Open enrollment so you can begin your degree during any term
• Flexible schedule for accelerated degree completion
• Asynchronous courses allow you to attend class anytime during the day or night
• Maximum transfer of credits; military, ACE, CLEP, DSST, and experiential learning
• Offer six, eight week terms each year

You can request more information or contact us if you have questions at:

Upper Iowa University
Center for Distance Education
PO Box 1861
Fayette, IA 52142-1861
Direct phone: 563-425-5667 (daytime or after-hours voice mail)
Toll free phone: 800-603-3756 (daytime or after-hours voice mail)
Fax: 563-425-5353
E-mail: distance@uiu.edu

Locations:

Upper Iowa offers the MBA at the Madison, WI, educational center and through the Online Program.

A day in the life of an Admissions Advisor

By Sarah Schulte

Every morning I wake up feeling proud and grateful to be an Admissions Advisor at Upper Iowa University. My office is located at our main campus in Fayette, Iowa, which is only about 45 minutes from where I grew up. After traveling around the world and seeing numerous country sides, I truly believe Northeast Iowa is the most beautiful, heartwarming place in I have ever been. Now I live about 30 minutes from Fayette and I absolutely love my drive to and from work every day.

When I arrive, I’m always welcomed with cheerful smiles and friendly greetings! Throughout the office is the aroma of fresh coffee and home cooking as people often bring in delicious treats to share.

The first thing I do when I get to my desk is check and reply to voicemails and emails from students. Some replies take a bit longer than others as I may need to research the questions in order to find the best answers. Throughout the day I receive notifications from students interested in Upper Iowa and applications from new students. So, I also call interested students, email them the information they requested and our send out application letters and checklists.

During the day I also evaluate official and unofficial student transcripts in order to create degree plans. Once the plans are complete, I work closely with the Academic Advisors to make sure we are going to apply all of the credits properly. Then, our wonderful Student Support Specialist creates an acceptance packet to mail out to our students. The acceptance packets let our students know they have been formally accepted and includes a letter of congratulations.

Some of my other duties as an Admissions Advisor at Upper Iowa University include having weekly meetings with my amazing teammates to discuss ways to keep our students happy and assist them in being successful. We also meet with the other members of the Center for Distance Education team, including the Academic Advisors and Student Account Specialists, for group interviews, professional development workshops and team meetings.

I always continue to check emails and voicemails throughout the day to try and ensure I get back to all of my students within 24 hours. I believe students at Upper Iowa University are proud to be a part of such an amazing educational organization. I know I am!

On a beautiful May day in Fayette, Iowa excitement fills the air. The graduates all in there regalia and smiles on their faces, the family and friends filled with joy, and faculty and staff in awe of seeing the rewards of the their work.  This is my first graduation to attend not as a graduate myself, and it was almost more fun this time.  Seeing all the students achieve this goal they set out to attain years ago was so rewarding. 

Attached are some pictures of graduation and some of our Center for Distance Education graduates.  They traveled from many different states to be a part of this day and celebrate this major milestone in their lives.  I am so happy that we could be a part their special day!  Go Peacocks!

 Starting classes in an online environment can make anyone a little nervous.  We have come up with some tips to help our students be more successful! 

1. Prepare for your class ahead of time. Complete the Student Orientation Tutorial, review the course syllabus and order your books prior to the start of class. Also, verify that you are able to login to your classroom and student email account.
2. Participate! Participation is important in an online class. Good participation will not only improve your grade, it will allow you to learn from your classmates and allow your classmates to learn from you as well.
3. Set aside time to study. You will need to login to your class frequently throughout the week to complete coursework, respond to discussion postings, etc. Your online coursework can be completed at any time of day and the average student spends 15-20 hours per week for one course. Remember that your course may include deadlines and instructions on assignments, but there will not be anyone telling you to “turn in your assignment.”
4. Be polite and respectful. At Upper Iowa University, we want to create a positive learning environment for all of our students. It is important to be polite and respectful in the classroom so that each student feels valued.
5. Ask for help. Remember that you are never alone. Regardless of whether you are having technical difficulties or academic difficulties, we are here to help you. Good communication is important for success in an online course.
6. Apply what you learn. If possible, make connections between what you are learning to what you do in your daily work environment. By applying what you learn, you will remember it more readily. Providing real-world application examples will also help your classmates learn from your experiences.
7. Find a source of motivation. Ultimately, motivation is a big part of what makes a successful online student. Students often tend to lose interest and motivation about half way through an online college course. Online students who can keep their eye on the prize, whether it’s graduation, good grades, or supportive learning partners, end up getting to the last day of class with a good grade and fulfilling educational experience.
8. Connect with your classmates. Online learning brings a huge variety of students together through the convenience of the Internet and other technology tools. What makes a successful online student is being open to learning from other people’s experiences. Developing friendships will also help to keep you active and engaged in your online learning community.

 I hope this helps to ease some fears about learning in an online environment.

Have you ever wondered what it takes to be an Upper Iowa University Peacock?  If not, you should!  Upper Iowa has produced a long and distinguished list of alumni that include: a Nobel Peace Prize winner, the first Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives west of the Mississippi River, a founding father of sports medicine, and the founder of a Fortune 500 Company, just to name a few.  I know that I am proud to be a peacock, and you could be too!

UIU Center for Distance Education is proud to be regionally accredited with academically qualified instructors who are also practitioners in their field. Upper Iowa University has over 150 years of providing educational services to a global community. We presently have over 6,900 students from around the world completing their educational goals through Upper Iowa University.  We offer not only a main campus in Fayette, but also many centers (domestic and international) and distance education.  We are here to fit your needs. 

If you applying to our Center for Distance Education there are just a few things you need to do to be accepted.

1. Complete your application at http://www.uiu.edu/calltoaction/apply.html
2. Pay your application fee of $50
3. Submit all documentation for acceptance.

• In order to complete the application process, a copy of your high school transcripts/diploma and official transcripts must be sent from every college or university you have attended, directly from your previous university or college directly to our office.   
• Upper Iowa University PO Box 1861 Fayette, IA 52142 

If you are interested in applying for financial aid, please visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to apply online.  Our school code is 001893.  If you are planning on using employee tuition assistance or VA benefits, please let us know so we can help you start the process.

Applying is as easy as 1, 2, and 3!  Apply today to begin your journey in becoming a Peacock!

A New Dawn on Education!

Life seems to get busier and busier with no end in sight of things changing.  Your childhood dreams seem to get a little further away with each day that goes by.  Wouldn’t it be nice to know that you can change your life right where you are TODAY? Upper Iowa provides you the ability to get your education right where you are located.  That is what the Center for Distance Education can do for you.  We bring you that opportunity back, in the form of education right at your finger tips.

We offer two different types of delivery for students that want to fit education into their hectic lives.  Our online and independent study programs offer the flexibility and convenience of having your learning tools brought right to you. Our two programs are structured differently, offering opportunities to maximize your learning style while juggling the demands of life (career/family/personal). We want to educate you on our programs so you can find the right fit for your lifestyle.

Success in a distance education program is largely determined by your self-discipline, motivation and amount of time devoted to study. You should carefully consider your commitment to work, home, family, social and community activities in deciding how much time you will have available for study.

UIU’s Online Program offers asynchronous structured courses so that you can attend class anytime during the day or night. You will actively and substantively participate in discussions on course topics that enhance your learning. The Online Program offers six eight-week terms each year so that you never need to wait more than two months to start classes. To be successful, students who study at a distance should be able to:

• Practice time management
• Write well
• Think critically
• Participate actively
• Have access to a computer and a modem (required for online classes)

UIU’s Independent Study Program started in 1973 and was one of the first of its kind in the nation. The enhanced paper/email based program offers independent study courses through open enrollment. Students receive personalized attention through one-on-one interactions with instructors while enjoying the flexibility of studying at their own pace. Each course is designed for independent, distance learning and is structured around written assignments and proctored exams.

No matter what program is best for you, we can help get you back on the path toward your goals.  Upper Iowa University-Center for Distance Education prides itself on providing instructors who work in the field they are teaching, being available to students through different modalities, and always continuing to look for ways to better serve our students.

No matter where you are…YOU ARE UIU!  Apply now at www.uiu.edu/apply or visit us at http://www.uiu.edu/distance/index.html .

Ready…Set…Go…Let the blogging begin!  I am excited to start this journey.  My name is Dawn Novak and I am the Admissions Coordinator for the Center for Distance Education for Upper Iowa University.  I am lucky to have observed Upper Iowa from many different points of view.  My job is to inform prospective students on the opportunities we offer students through Distance Education.  I am located in Fayette, Iowa which is the foundation for our university.

I was born and raised in Cedar Falls, Iowa and graduated from Cedar Falls High School in 1996.  I like so many others “tried” college right out of high school and just could not find the fit I needed.  I tried both a four-year university and a community college to no avail.   So I decided to try the working world, where I had the opportunity to work for the largest credit union in Iowa.  They helped give me the tools and skills needed to grow into a person who knew who I was and what direction would help take me there.  While working and growing in the organization I found a mentor who helped me realize the potential I had, and suggested I go back and give college another try.  While working full-time I decided to enroll in night classes at the Waterloo Campus.  In the fall of 2003 and with a small child at home, I made the commitment to work full-time and devote two nights a week to school (full-time student) at UIU.  While in classes I had my second child, and took one term off.  It was hard to continue my journey, but in August 2006 I completed my Bachelors of Science in Business Administration (summa cum laude, yeah!).  I was very lucky to have such a great support system of family, friends, co-workers, professors, and other students.

After taking some time off, I realized that I missed the atmosphere and culture that I had when being an Upper Iowa student.  I decided to start my Master’s program in January 2007 for Business Administration with an emphasis in Organizational Development.  I was still working full-time for the same company.  The online atmosphere was very different from the center environment.  I could work with non-traditional students like myself but it also opened the entire world to me!  The other students in the classes had so many different experiences (career and personal) and backgrounds that I had not been witness to before living in Northeast Iowa.  The small classes helped me learn about their life experiences that could not be taught from a textbook.   In March 2009, I completed my Masters degree!  I can say that it was challenging and very difficult at times, but the benefits definitely outweighed the sacrifices that were made.

After finishing my Master’s I decided that I wanted to move from finance and start looking at opportunities in higher education.   The difference that was made in my life by the whole experience with Upper Iowa left me wanting to make a difference in other’s lives.  In November 2009, I was able to be an adjunct professor with the Waterloo Center and have continued to enjoy teaching non-traditional students through face-to-face and online classes now and then.  My job with the Center for Distance Education allows me to help new students determine how they can achieve their goals.  I have the ability to help students individually, as well look for unique ways to market our programs, collaborate with the other teams within the Center for Distance Education (CDE), and provide ways to assist our students to succeed!

I am happily married to my husband Adam, who works for John Deere in Waterloo.  The only disagreement in our house is our favorite NFL football team.  He is a huge Green Bay Packer fan, and I am a huge Chicago Bears fan.  We have three children Joshua, Nathan, and Hannah.  We enjoy spending time together (tossing around a football, canoeing, fishing, reading bedtime stories, playing board games, etc.) and traveling as much as possible.  We are huge movie buffs and love to experience something new.

I look forward to sharing my experiences in this blog as well as opening it up to others in the Center for Distance Education to help our students (prospective and established) succeed!  Our team consists of the Admissions Team, the Academic Advising Team, the Student Accounts Team, and other key positions that keep us running smoothly.  There is never a dull moment around here so let’s get ready for some fun!