Three Grantham Alumni Graduate from Sergeants Major Academy

On Tuesday, May 15th, three Grantham University alumni graduated from the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA).  Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth O. Preston was the commencement speaker for Class 57 of the Sergeants Major Academy at the Plaza Theater in downtown El Paso. Preston stressed the importance of leadership and stated that the graduates’ excellent leadership ability will help drive the army of the future. Command Sergeant Major (CSM) B. Kinsey, Grantham alumnus, was one of the 621 students who graduated from the nine month program.

While attending the Sergeants Major Course at the Academy, CSM Kinsey completed a Master of Business Administration degree from Grantham University.  CSM Kinsey chose to earn his master’s degree at Grantham because its 100% online program was a great fit for his family.  Other deciding factors included Grantham’s low per credit hour cost and its Military Scholarship program. 

“The educational experience was demanding and competitive,” said CSM Kinsey.  “My instructors worked with me through e-mail and phone calls late at night and really pushed me to complete my classes.”

While serving in the Army, CSM Kinsey has gone from holding a GED to earning his MBA.  He firmly believes in the importance of education and has encouraged all of his soldiers to complete their degrees.

Grantham alumni, CSM Daniel Moore and CSM Michael Indyck, also graduated with Class 57 of the Sergeants Major Academy.
 
The resident Sergeants Major Course (SMC) is a nine month program of instruction conducted once yearly at USASMA. The course prepares new and prospective Sergeants Major for their duties as senior noncommissioned officers in positions throughout the Department of Defense and allied nation forces. Participation in this program is highly selective and consists of noncommissioned officers in the ranks of Master Sergeant, First Sergeant, Sergeant Major, and the equivalent ranks from sister services and allied nations. Course completion is mandatory for promotion to Sergeant Major and Command Sergeant Major.

The U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy, established July 1st, 1972, began instruction in 1973. Since then it has trained over 22,000 senior noncommissioned officers in the Sergeants Major course.

Grantham University Graduates

March and April 2007

Congratulations on a job well done from all of us at Grantham University!

Grantham University Launches New Student Site

On Wednesday, May 16th, Grantham University launched its new student Web site.  The site has a brand new look and feel and is intended to be more user-friendly.  We have received great feedback about the updated site and hope that you are finding it easy to navigate.  Over the next few months, modifications may be made to the site to improve your online experience.  In the meantime, many new items have been added, and the procedure for accessing your courses and course guides has changed slightly.  Please read below for additional information.

New Features:

• Your Student Progress Representative’s (SPR) name and phone number is prominently displayed on the left hand side of the screen.  You can also send your SPR an e-mail by clicking on their name. 
• You can view your cumulative, current, or pending IEP information.  The IEP displays your current registration start and end dates for easy reference and the date you completed a course.
• You can now print your yearly 1098T for individual tax purposes (NOTE: if you did not directly make any payments to Grantham University, your 1098T will be completely blank).
• There is a new section on Financial Aid.

Accessing Your Courses:
After logging into the site, course content may be accessed in the following manner:

1. On the left Navigation Bar, click or hover over the IEP link
2. Choose Current or Cumulative from the IEP Directory screen or from the drop down list
3. Click Start/Open Course Content
4. Click Enter Course for the course content you would like to access

Access to Course Guides
All course guide PDF files can now be found within the student’s online course. Students can find the PDF file containing course content (minus multiple choice tests) in the Lessons section of their online course. Students will only have access to the PDF files for the specific course versions in which they are enrolled.

If there are any additional features that you would like to see, please send an e-mail to webmaster@grantham.edu. 

Dave and Buster’s Student Social a Blast

On May 17th, Grantham University hosted an evening of fun at Dave and Buster’s for those students living in the Greater Washington DC Area.  About 15 students and guests attended, and everyone had a lot of fun networking, talking about classes, learning more about each other, and of course, playing games.  A few of our students even braved the traffic and made the trek down from Baltimore, Maryland to attend the event. 

The Student Social is a great forum for you to meet one another, sign up for study partners, share your experiences and let us know how we can better serve you.  Keep your eyes peeled – a Student Social may be headed to your area.

Grantham Provides Scholarship for The IACP Foundation

Grantham University will donate a one-year scholarship to the International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) Foundation’s Survivors' Education Law Enforcement Trust.  The trust provides scholarships to family members of officers killed or permanently injured in the line of duty. 

“I am grateful for the generosity and support of Grantham University,” said Chief Mary Ann Viverette, Chair of the IACP Foundation.  “The IACP looks forward to working with Grantham University to make this tremendous opportunity possible for a deserving candidate."

Applications for the scholarship are available on the IACP Foundation’s Web site: www.theiacpfoundation.org.   Click on "Foundation Scholarships" to view the eligibility criteria and to download the application form. 

“Grantham University is proud to support the IACP Foundation in its efforts to aid the families of law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty,” said Tom Macon, Chairman of Grantham University.  “Giving back to the community is an essential part of Grantham’s mission, and it is important to recognize and thank those who work hard to keep our nation safe.”

Established in 1990, the mission of the IACP Foundation is to serve law enforcement by securing and providing financial resources to support leadership, education, training and research programs, and to assist survivors of law enforcement officers killed and disabled in the line of duty.  For more information, visit www.theiacp.org.

DC United Soccer Team Hosts Armed Forces Appreciation Day

On Saturday, June 16th, the DC United Soccer Team, located in Washington, DC, is offering reduced rate tickets to all members of the uniformed services (Active, Guard & Reserve), retirees and military family members for its 7pm game against the Chicago Fire.  Tickets are typically sold for $26 each, but the rate for military families is $15 per ticket.  For more information and to purchase tickets, please contact Michael Smith, D.C. United RFK Stadium, by calling (202) 587-5465.

Kansas City Royals Military Appreciation Program

The Kansas City Royals baseball team is offering all active and retired military personnel and their family’s complimentary admission to any Monday home game, excluding Opening Day, during the upcoming season. In addition, members of the military will receive half-price tickets to all other home games, excluding Opening Day and the St. Louis Cardinals series, during the 2007 campaign as part of the club's expanded military ticket program.

All branches of the United States Military, including the National Guard, are invited to take part in this program.

Tickets may be purchased in advance or on game days (beginning 90 minutes before game time) at any Kauffman Stadium ticket window. For more information, please call the Royals' Ticket Office at (816) 504-4040 or visit: http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/kc/ticketing/military.jsp.

Learn to Work a Career Fair -- Before, During and After

By: Peter Vogt, MonsterTRAK Career Coach

It isn't often that a bunch of employers will gather for several hours in a purposeful effort to meet you and other job seekers. So when a career fair is held in your city or, even better, right on your own base, it's smart for you to attend.

But to get something from the experience beyond a few free key chains, you need to understand what you should do before, during and after the career fair -- and then follow through.

Before

• Develop a Strong Resume: Highlight your skills and accomplishments. The document should be error-free, concise and graphically pleasing. Don't forget to make several copies, since you'll probably visit with more than one employer.
• Get or Make Business Cards: You can buy blank business cards at stores like Office Depot, and then use a computer and laser printer to create some personalized cards. List your name, contact information, and perhaps your major and the career you'd like to pursue after graduation.
• Study the Organizations Attending the Fair: Nothing impresses an employer less than someone asking, "So what do you guys do?" Instead, be one of the few jobs seekers who know something about each of the companies. The more informed you are, the more likely you will be positively remembered.
• Develop a 30-Second Commercial: "Tell me a little about yourself." You're likely to get that invitation from many of the employers at the fair. So spend a little time beforehand figuring out your response. Think of your reply as a 30-second, self-promotional commercial you'll deliver to each employer who asks.

During

• Introduce Yourself and Shake Hands: In many ways, a career fair is a test of your social skills. While employers are almost always friendly and outgoing, they'll expect the same of you. If you haven't done much ice breaking before, practice in advance with a career counselor or friend.
• Dress Appropriately: In most cases, you'll want to dress professionally to attend a career fair. Sometimes business casual is fine, but don't go too casual. When in doubt, overdress. Substitute a briefcase or bag for your backpack; you want to look like a future professional.
• Ask Intelligent Questions: If you've studied up on the organizations, you'll probably have some questions you'd like to ask. Not only will you get some answers, but you'll also show yourself to be someone who does his research.
• Focus on What You Can Offer: You'll be a refreshing change to most company representatives if you tell them what you can do for them and their organizations instead of asking what they can do for you.
• Leave Your Resume and Card with Each Representative: Then be sure to grab each representative's card.

After

• Take Notes: After the fair concludes, jot down notes about conversations you had with company representatives. If you wait too long, the conversations will start running together in your head, and you'll forget what you said to whom.
• Follow Up on Promises: If, for example, a company representative expressed interest in looking at your Web site, make sure to email the URL like you said you would.
• Send Thank You Notes: Write or email each of the people you met and thank them for their time. Reiterate your interest in the company and your relevant skills and experience. Most job seekers fail to take this simple step, often losing out in the end to those who did express their thanks.

There will be few other times in your life when employers will make such a concerted bid to get your attention. So when they participate in a nearby career fair, make the most of the opportunity to present yourself favorably, gather useful information and meet new contacts. Your small investment of time and effort -- before, during and after -- might very well turn into an opportunity you wouldn't have otherwise had.