THE LAW OF ATTRACTION ISSUE - University of … LAW OF ATTRACTION ISSUE Examining the Law of Attraction Building your dream team Dealing with difficult personalities Andre Collins,

THE LAW OF ATTRACTION ISSUE

Examining the Law of Attraction

Building your dream team

Dealing with difficult personalities

Andre Collins, MBA ’09Director of Retired Players, NFLPA Washington, D.C.

Life after the NFL

Your Alumni Magazine | February 2013 PhoenixFocus.com

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PHOENIX FOCUS is produced monthly by University of Phoenix Alumni Association.Visit us at phoenixfocus.com.

Chief Marketing OfficerArra Yerganian

Vice PresidentKathleen Fern, MBA ’99

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Editorial Assistant Bridgett Price

Senior Writer Julie Wilson

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Law of attraction

It’s funny how change can bring out someone’s personality so clearly.

In December, the Alumni Relations team moved to a new office. While this wasn’t exactly an earth-shattering event, it required us to make a big adjustment at an especially busy time of year.

We all handled the change in our own way. Some of us had our files and personal items neatly packed a week in advance. Others—namely me—were tossing things into boxes just as the movers arrived.

Because we all brought our own unique styles to the move, it went smoothly. People are drawn together—professionally and personally—because we balance one another. And each person on our team plays an important part in its success.

At the end of the day, guess who was the first one unpacked and ready to get to work in our new digs? Me. And I wouldn’t have changed a thing.

Enjoy!

Nikki Sandoval, MBA, Class of 2003 Executive Director, Alumni Association University of Phoenix [email protected]

LETTER FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Pulling together

Phoenix Focus won 6 2012 MarCom Awards

Platinum: • Magazine/Association • Design (Print)/ Magazine Cover • Photography/People/Portrait • Writing/Feature Article

Gold: • Writing/Magazine • Design (Print)/Magazine

Nikki’s career tip of the month It’s important to make sure your professional team members work well together. Consider doing teambuilding activities throughout the year to encourage camaraderie. Check out http://bit.ly/TeamBuildingTools for some interesting ideas.

P.S.

Everyone hasa story to tell.Share yours and you could be in anupcoming issue of Phoenix Focus.

phoenixfocus.com/share-your-story

Upcoming issues: • Career trends• Breakthroughs• Fresh start

Kerrie Kelly | MBA ’02

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Ask NikkiEditorial team

Arra Yerganian Chief Marketing Officer

Kathleen Fern Vice President MBA ’99

Nikki Sandoval Executive Director MBA ’03

Jenifer King Editorial Director MBA ’11

Bridgett Price Editorial Assistant

Bridget Gutierrez Online Marketing Manager

ASK NIKKI

Amanda Flatten Senior Editor

JoBeth Jamison Features & Online Editor

Amy Wilson Online Community Manager

Each month, I receive dozens of emails inquiring about resources available to alumni through University of Phoenix. Here are a few of the more frequently asked questions.

Julie Wilson Senior Writer

Q: I saw a UOPX commercial recently with individuals wearing red socks that talked about networking opportunities with alumni. How can I connect with fellow alumni?

A: The new University of Phoenix commercial, titled “Lucky Socks,” shows the power of the university’s 772,000–plus alumni network. Take advantage of the Alumni Mentor program, Alumni Directory, join a local chapter, attend homecoming and networking events and more. To learn more, visit alumni.phoenix.edu.

Q: I am thinking of launching a small business. Do you know of any resources for alumni entrepreneurs?

A: Yes. The week of Feb. 11, UOPX is hosting more than 50 entrepreneur events at campuses across the country that will feature keynote speakers, panel experts, networking opportunities and workshops on funding your startup, developing a business plan and strategies for small business success. Find out more at phoenix.edu/startup.

Also, each year Phoenix Focus dedicates an entire issue to entrepreneurs and our Alumni Business Directory. List your business in the print and online directory by signing up at phoenixfocus.com/alumni-business-directory. This is a complimentary service for alumni and an opportunity to share your business with the UOPX community.

THE L AW OF AT TR ACTION ISSUE

Dana Anthony Marketing Specialist

Take our poll Visit PhoenixFocus.com and take interactive polls to see what your fellow alumni have to say.

25%24%

23%

19% 8%

1%Continue your education

(training, classes, books, etc.) Set goals and make

a detailed plan

Network (it’s all about who you know)

Think positively (things work out better

when you do)

Create avision board

Consult with your mentor

Do you believe in the Law of Attraction?

79% YES

7% NO

14% NOT SURE

Results from our recent online pollsHow do you use the law of attraction to get what you want in your career?

6 PHOENIX FOCUS | February 2013

contents

8Examining the Law of Attraction

A look at the Law of Attraction and harnessing it to get what you want out of life.

Features

24 On the cover: Life after the NFL

Andre Collins, MBA ’09

Super Bowl champion Andre Collins is putting his talents to use off the gridiron to help NFL players adjust to life after retirement.


phoenixfocus.com 7

14Your Career

14 Building your dream team

18 How attractive are you at work? Take the quiz.

20 Dealing with difficult personalities at work

36 Extra! Extra!

24Alumni Profiles

24 Andre Collins, MBA ’09 Life after the NFL

28 Terry Goldman, BSB/MKT ’03 Live from Rockefeller Plaza

32 Curry Mayer, MAED ’10 Kindred spirits

38The Buzz

38 Published by alumni 39 Recognition

40Your University

40 University news: Q&A with Dean James Ness 42 Campus news 46 Community Relations 50 Events

In this issue

CONTENTS



Can you influence what you get out of life?

For a few of us, it’s love at first sight. For others, attraction comes from an inexplicable comfort level with a person or place. And some believe we attract people and things to us through the energy we send into the universe—a practice more widely known as the Law of Attraction.

By Ashley Milne-Tyte

Examining the Law of Attraction

Defining the law of attraction For teacher, motivational speaker and author Marci Shimoff and many others, the universe plays a central role in attraction. She is guided by the Law of Attraction, which essentially says our life is a result of our beliefs.

“Everything in the universe is energy,” she says. “Everything vibrates at a particular energetic level, including our thoughts, words, feelings and actions. We tend to have an energetic vibration and we attract those to us who have a similar vibration.” In this scenario, if you’re always looking at the dark side of life, you’re likely to attract others—be it friends, lovers, even co-workers—who are similarly negative.

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FEATURE | Examining the Law of Attraction

“We call it emotional contagion,” she says. “We become the average of the five people we spend the most time with.” So if you want to have a better life, surround yourself with people who have a positive attitude rather than those who will reinforce your own malaise. Shimoff’s most recent book, Love for No Reason, guides people to creating and attracting unconditional love.

Sue Elliott, editor of Law of Attraction Magazine, says there is no good or bad in life, only how we choose to see things. “So if you are convinced that whatever you do, your boss will never be happy, you’re going to attract more evidence to support that. Our subconscious mind is so powerful it will block out any evidence that contradicts that.” She says the law works in the most mundane situations.



“Say you receive a package in the mail and it’s damaged. Before calling customer service, if you can get into a calm space, you’ll have an utterly different experience with customer service.” If instead you pick up the phone in a rage, “you will have an experience that will breed anger” for both parties, says Elliott.

The same can be said at work—if your computer stops working and you’re forced to interact with technical support, or an employee has made a costly mistake, for example. Expressing anger and frustration can feel more action-oriented and temporarily satisfying, but really think about your desired outcome and the behavior model that will best attract it. Odds are, it won’t be the one that consists of hurling insults.

Honing in on human attraction New York life coach Jay Cataldo says the age-old reasons for pairing up have not changed significantly, despite a century of changing social roles, at least when it comes to heterosexual relationships.

“Men really are focused on physicality. For women, it’s more about a guy’s personality and nonphysical traits. They’re usually attracted to the alpha male, someone with high self-esteem, someone who can get out there and make money for himself, make money for her and her kids.” Cataldo believes that even though more and more women are becoming the breadwinner, most women—even top earners—want a guy who will bring home the bacon (and maybe even kill the pig).

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FEATURE | Examining the Law of Attraction

Sniffing out the perfect fit Part of attraction may be chemical, too. That’s where the sweaty T-shirt experiments come in. In one famous 1990s study, a group of men was asked to wear a T-shirt to bed two nights in a row. Afterward, a group of women was asked to smell each shirt and rate the smell for attractiveness. The results showed that the women were drawn to the smell of T-shirts worn by men whose immune response genes were most different from their own. To put it in evolutionary terms, if these couples actually got together, their offspring would have the best possible chance of fighting illness and staying alive. In short, we may be able to sniff out a genetically compatible mate.

Opposite genes may attract without our realizing it, but we are consciously attracted to other types of opposite.

“Often we are trying to attract in a partner the qualities we may be lacking. So if we tend to be serious, we may want someone to lighten us up and be attracted to someone with a good sense of humor,” Shimoff says. “We’re looking at our complement in some ways.”

But opposites only go so far. High on the list of priorities for many people looking for love is meeting someone with whom they share common interests, a similar background and a similar outlook on life. The same can be said for people looking for the right career fit, the right city or neighborhood to live in, the right school to attend, or even the right pet to adopt.

Think, feel, act At the heart of the Law of Attraction is manifestation, the idea that you can bring about what you choose by thinking about it (and acting on it). Arielle Ford is a longtime personal growth author and teacher. Her books include The Soulmate Secret and Wabi Sabi Love.

“What happens with love is that people sit on the couch and say, ‘Well, if it’s meant to be, I’ll find the right one.’ You’d never do that with a job,” she says. Getting what you want involves “both metaphysical and active participation.”

For example, Ford works with clients on what she calls “feelingizations,” which get the client into a state where they can experience certain feelings in order to manifest a particular reality.

“Say you’re a graduate and want this new career but you have no idea how to get there. I would have you do a feelingization to imagine what it’s like to wake up in the morning, walk into an office where people are happy to see you, where you’re going to do a great job and get paid well.”

But she adds that feeling and thinking aren’t enough. You need to do this on top of the usual job-related tasks such as applying, following up, networking and so on.

“We call it emotional contagion, we become the average of the five people we spend the most time with.” Marci Shimoff, author of Love for No Reason



Law or hoopla? Christopher Chabris is cynical. He is associate professor of psychology at Union College and co-author of The Invisible Gorilla, about how our intuition can deceive us. “The proponents of this idea that thoughts have resonant frequencies … it’s not a science that’s consistent with the rest of what we know about the physical world,” he says. “In some way, the mind is a coincidence detector. When we see coincidences, we ascribe great significance to them even though, in most cases, they probably aren’t significant.”

He says the problem with the Law of Attraction is that it only seems to consider one side. “What we really need to know is how many people had the same positive thought and didn’t get a positive outcome? And what about the people who didn’t have that positive thought but still got a positive outcome?”

As humans, we tend to seek meaning and order in life, and Chabris says it’s perfectly normal to try to rationalize what happens to us, good or bad.

Whatever you believe, it can’t hurt to be a little more accepting, positive and open to possibility. Whether you call it simply having a good attitude, or you consider it practicing the Law of Attraction, you may just be surprised by the outcome.

Ashley Milne-Tyte is a New York-based writer, public radio reporter and host of The Broad Experience, a podcast on women and the workplace. She has written for the Wall Street Journal and Financial Times and reported on many aspects of business and the economy for public radio’s Marketplace.

First impressionsThe idea of speed dating is based on first impressions and that we can make an accurate judgment about someone within a matter of seconds. But New York life coach Jay Cataldo warns that our instincts are not infallible.

“For some people, their initial snap judgments are always right on the mark. But for others, that instinct isn’t as developed.” Plenty of us have leapt to a quick decision made after a positive judgment only to regret it later, or judged someone harshly only to discover as we got to know them that it was totally inaccurate. Our judgment can sometimes fail us because the person we’re judging is a world-class charmer, adept at working their magic at a first meeting. While some are experts at seeing through these outer layers, a lot of us will be fooled.

Academic research has shown that groups of students, when shown as few as six seconds on video of a professor teaching, make the same assessment of his personality as students who took a whole semester of the professor’s classes. But even the academics behind those studies warn there are too many variables at play to conclude that quick judgments are always the right ones. Much depends on the subject, the context and the personality of the person judging.

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How to get—and keep—one.

Whether you’re an NFL team making a draft pick or you’re a manager hiring a key player for a project, the goal is the same when putting together an effective team: Find someone who will help you and your organization achieve victory.

By Julie Wilson

Building your dream team

A winning team Dr. Ben Dattner, an industrial and organizational psychologist and author of The Blame Game: How the Hidden Rules of Credit and Blame Determine Our Success or Failure, describes the ideal. “The individual components of the team have to be talented, motivated and qualified,” he says. “And the team itself has to [have] a balance of skills and styles and a good diversity of approaches.”

Phyllis Shaurette, human resources consultant and owner of People Development and Staffing, recruits individuals for her clients’ teams, sometimes interviewing close to 20 candidates per week. She’s seen the difference a well-balanced team can make to an organization. When employees are productive and working cohesively to meet their goals, they’re simply a lot happier. “[Having a strong team] certainly improves productivity and reduces turnover,” she says. “It just creates a lot more success.”

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“Interviews are often invalid and unreliable because people do them in an informal way. I suggest standardizing the questions and interview format for each position so you can compare apples to apples.” Dr. Ben Dattner, industrial and organizational psychologist

YOUR CAREER | Building your dream team

Breaking it down While it might sound straightforward, building an effective team can be a tall order, according to renowned industrial psychology expert Dr. R. Wendell Williams, who is the founder and managing director of ScientificSelection.com, LLC. Someone might look good on paper and perform well during an interview, but that’s no guarantee of success. “What we find is that half those people fail to meet [the hiring manager’s] expectations,” he says.

You can increase your odds of assembling an effective team if you take a good look at the kinds of competencies you need in order to meet your goals. Williams suggests asking, “Do the team members have the skills to do what they are supposed to do?” According to him, a highly functional work team includes individuals who are conceptual, analytical, structured and social. “You want all four represented,” he advises.

Williams also explains that there is a continuum of different kinds of team structures. On one end of the spectrum is a team that is highly directed and simply expected to carry out tasks it is told to do only,” he says. “This is a team in name only,” he says. At the other end, there are teams that are self-directed and autonomous. “These people are given the authority and responsibility for managing themselves. They decide what they are going to do and how they are going to do it, within parameters.”

The ideal spot is wherever the organization wants it to be, Williams notes, explaining that different structures work well in different industries and company cultures.

Recruiting the right players Once you’ve identified the best players and structure for your team, determine which candidates in the stack of resumes are a good fit. Dattner recommends what he calls the judicious use of interviews. “Interviews are often invalid and unreliable because people do them in an informal way,” he says. He suggests standardizing the questions and interview format for each position so you can “compare apples to apples.”

Dattner also believes in having two or three individuals interview candidates separately rather than conducting large panel interviews. “Don’t discuss the candidates before you reach your own individual judgment,” he stresses, a practice he says will help prevent bias. “It is less about trying to come up with a group-think conclusion.”

When appropriate, “You might want to do a try-and-buy arrangement,” he says, which means hiring candidates to do a smaller project before adding them to your team on a permanent basis. “If they are successful, offer them a full-time job.”

Keeping them happy Once you’ve put in the legwork to build an effective team, you want to keep it that way. “The first thing you want to do is orient [employees] well to the team,” Dattner says. This includes giving them the opportunity to get to know one another and the company culture.



Next, it’s important that managers are trained to lead and keep the team motivated. “Research shows that 70 to 80 percent of managers have no ability to manage people,” says Williams. “It shouldn’t come as a surprise that people cite their immediate manager as the source of job dissatisfaction.” In short, a quality manager is critical to a quality team.

Once a team has been working together for six months or more, it’s a great idea to conduct a 360-degree team assessment. “You want the team to have a dynamic before you assess it,” Dattner says. “[The 360-degree team assessment] takes the temperature and asks ‘How well do we think we’re doing?’” This quest for continuous self-evaluation and improvement can help teams become stronger and more effective over time.

In the end, there are many moving parts to a highly effective team—individuals with the right skills and motivation, the correct team structure for the tasks at hand and strong leadership. But while everyone brings their own talents to the group, it’s important that they all share one mutual sentiment in order to be successful. “There is no team without trust,” sums up Shaurette.

Following these guidelines can help you build and maintain your professional dream team—one that is more likely to enjoy playing the game and win it as well.

What to do when it’s not a good fitYou’ve tried everything to help integrate a player into the team: training, time, guidance, support. But sometimes an employee just isn’t right for a team despite their qualifications and best efforts.

“A good leader should see if it’s a misalignment,” says Dr. Ben Dattner, an industrial and organizational psychologist and author. “Sometimes the leader has to intervene and make the difficult decision.”

This may mean finding the employee another position in a different department, or it may mean letting them go. In the end, though, it’s for the greater good of the team—and the organization.

traded:

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Take our quiz to see how your co-workers see you.

You may be a highly competent worker with a resume the length of an interstate highway, but are you also an attractive employee?

By Jenny Jedeikin

How attractive are you?

“Being attractive in an office environment means being emotionally attractive,” explains author Tim Sanders, who wrote The Likeability Factor. “If you’re emotionally attractive, it means you’re someone who consistently delivers positive emotional experiences for the people you work with.”

From having an open mind and being empathic to having the ability to be authentic, there are certain traits that will make you a more attractive employee. Do you have them? Answer these questions to find out.

1. On your way to work you get a speeding ticket and are late for a meeting. When you walk in, a temporary receptionist smiles warmly and asks you how you’re doing. You likely:

• Gruntandmoveon.(y)• Grinweaklyandoffersomethingslightlysarcastic. (b)• Thankhimorherforaskingandtakeamomentto

acknowledge them. (g)

2. A co-worker pulls you aside to tell you about their fear that they are going to be laid off. You:

• Reassurethemit’snotgoingtohappenandencouragethemto think positively. (b)

• Sitthemdownandtellthemasimilarstoryabouthowyouwere laid off. (y)

• Listentowhatevertheyhavetosayandrespondbylettingthem know you heard their concerns. (g)

3. While talking to a colleague you don’t know well during a meeting, you notice they have a piece of food on their mouth. You:

• Touchyourownmouthontheside,hopingtheywillget the hint. (b)

• Tellthemaboutitrightawaytohelpthemavoidembarrassment. (g)

• Donothingandstareblanklyatthem.(y)

4. If you polled your co-workers about your listening skills, they would say that you are:

• Oftenmulti-taskinganddisengaged.(y)• Veryattentiveandgoodatmakingsomeonefeelliketheyare

the only one in the room. (g)• Amoderatelygoodlistenerwhoissometimesdistracted.(b)

5. Which of these statements is most true about your energy level?

• It’sprettyclearwhenyouworkwithmethatIstrugglewith health issues and it’s difficult to keep up the pace of a demanding job. (y)

• I’mfairlyhealthy,butIoftengettiredduringalongdayandam challenged physically under stress. (b)

• Itakegoodcareofmyselfandapproachmyjobwithafullycharged and dynamic level of energy. (g)

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YOUR CAREER | How attractive are you?

6. What do you think about the mission of the company you work for?

• Itinspiresmetodomyjobeveryday. (g)• Idon’trememberwhatitis.(y)• Itseemstofitthegoalsoftheorganization.(b)

7. During a brainstorm session, a junior co-worker enthusiastically brings up an idea similar to one that recently failed. You:

• Interruptgentlyandletthemknowthatasimilaridea hasn’t worked. (b)

• Cutthemoffimmediatelytosavetimeandtellthemwhytheir idea sucks. (y)

• Activelylistenandencouragethemtoexplain their thinking. (g)

8. How well read are you about your industry?

• I’maconsummatereader,extremelyuponthelatestindustry trends. (g)

• I’maboutaverage.Ipickupinformationalongtheway.(b) • Ifit’snotthrustuponme,Idon’tseekoutinformation.(y)

9. When you meet a new person and have to engage in light conversation:

• I’machattyKathy;it’sasnap.(g)• Itmighttakesometime.(b)• Istruggletoconnectwithnewacquaintances.(y)

10. If you felt you were unjustly treated in your last job:

• Everyoneinyournewcompanyhasheardaboutit.(y)• Afewco-workersmightbeawareofyoursentiments.(b)• It’sirrelevanttoyourcurrentjob.Youneverbringitup.(g)

The questions above correspond to 10 general traits of attractive work attributes: friendliness, empathy, authenticity, ability to be present, energetic, mission buy-in, open mindedness, being current, ability to connect and being positive. So, how attractive are you as an employee and co-worker? Tally your answers by giving yourself 10 points for every green answer, five points for every blue, and zero for yellow.

70-100: You are a highly attractive employee. You most likely respect the people around you and you’re probably in demand in whatever role you have at work.

40-69: You’re a moderately attractive employee. If you’d like to improve your attractive employee quotient, start by studying your answers, then note the yellow and blue areas where there’s room to grow.

Below 40: Your score indicates that you should make some adjustments, if you want to become a more attractive employee. Take a look at those questions where you chose yellow or blue, then see where you might start shifting your priorities to begin contributing to other people’s positive experiences more often.

Jenny Jedeiken lives in Northern California. Her writing has appeared in San Francisco Chronicle Magazine, Rolling Stone and In Style, among other publications.



Tips for dealing with difficult personalities at work.

Can’t we all get along?

Troublesome co-workers can sabotage your relationship with the boss, take credit for your brilliant idea or ruin the office potluck, but did you know they also can shorten your life?

By Julie Wilson

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YOUR CAREER | Can’t we all get along?

In a study published in 2011 by the American Psychological Association, researchers found that those who have a good peer support system at work may live longer than those who don’t.

While most of us have little say in whom we work with, there are some ways to mitigate the impact that colicky colleagues can have on your career—and your lifespan. Here are some common personalities at play in the workplace and techniques for how to interact with them successfully.

The narcissist Personality snapshot: What do you get when you put together a giant ego, a self-centered outlook and a sense of superiority over everyone else? A narcissist. “These are people who feel they are unique or special and that the rules don’t apply [to them],” says Dr. Alan Cavaiola, author of Toxic Coworkers: How to Deal with Dysfunctional People on the Job and psychology professor at Monmouth University. “They are often in positions of power.”

Common challenges: Narcissists may think nothing of taking your hard work and passing it off as their own. They also lack empathy, so they may not be able to understand things from the perspectives of others.

How to work nice: Since narcissistic individuals feel they are special, you can motivate them by singling them out for their skills. “You can say, ‘I am going to give this job to you because you are the only one who can do it,’” suggests Cavaiola. And if you come up with a slam-dunk idea at work, spread the word. “Let other people know what you are working on so [the narcissist] can’t steal your credit,” he adds.

The thinker Personality snapshot: Deliberate, careful, slow to act. These words all describe thinkers—the individuals at work who seem to move at a snail’s pace, analyzing every piece of information available to them before they make a move.

Common challenges: “They are slow decision makers because they want to be precise and detail oriented. They sometimes suffer from analysis paralysis,” explains Arnold Sanow, author of Get Along with Anyone, Anywhere, Anytime and certified speaking professional. “They are seen as negative because they ask a lot of questions.”

How to work nice: Because thinkers rely on facts and data, it’s important to be accurate with your materials. To help speed up the decision-making process, Sanow suggests offering thinkers a short list of options from which to choose, as well as their pros and cons. “Say, ‘Here are a couple of options, and here are three facts for this one and three facts for that one,’” he says. “Be ready and prepared.”

The passive aggressive Personality snapshot: “What the passive aggressive gets delight in is aggravating and annoying other people,” says Cavaiola. These negative colleagues often are considered wet blankets, complaining about anything and everything at work. “They tend to undermine the morale of an organization.”

Common challenges: Because passive aggressive individuals love to get a rise out of others, they may do things just to incite you, such as show up late for work or purposely miss deadlines.

How to work nice: “What a passive aggressive person wants is to see you get angry. That is the goal,” says Cavaiola. “The first thing [I] suggest is don’t react.” Instead, he recommends building rewards into projects or tasks to motivate these individuals to stay on track. “You could say, ‘If you get this done by Thursday, you can leave early on Friday,’” he says. “Positive reinforcement works much better than punishment.”

“What a passive aggressive person wants is to see you get angry. That is the goal.” Dr. Alan Cavaiola, author of Toxic Coworkers: How to Deal with Dysfunctional People on the Job



The accommodator Personality snapshot: These unhurried individuals are supportive and nonconfrontational. “They have a need for a cooperative environment,” says Sanow, “and they’re uncomfortable with change.”

Common challenges: Because of their aversion to confrontational situations, accommodators often don’t react well to direct challenges. They also can be shy and less likely to speak up during meetings than their colleagues, which can make it difficult to know what they really think.

How to work nice: When conveying difficult news or constructive criticism, “You need to use a lot of non-inflammatory language,” counsels Sanow. Since change is difficult for them, he says to “show them what’s in it for them” to get them on board.

The obsessive compulsive Personality snapshot: Your classic control freaks, these individuals do not like to delegate, instead preferring to take care of everything on their own. “Their motto is if you would like something done right, do it yourself,” says Cavaiola. They’re also extremely rigid and are sticklers for the rules.

Common challenges: “What happens is [obsessive compulsive people] often get lost in the minutia, and they miss the whole picture,” he explains. And since they won’t relinquish anything to their colleagues, they often aren’t seen as team players.

How to work nice: The key to working successfully with someone with obsessive compulsive qualities is to gain their trust. Ask them to give you smaller tasks, and then check in with them. “See if you can get at least a part of the work that is being done,” says Cavaiola. “Then seek their guidance on it.”

In the end, it’s worth your while to try to bridge the difference between you and your colleagues because doing so can have a positive impact on your quality of life. But if all else fails, remember why you’re at work in the first place. “You are getting paid to do a job,” says Cavaiola. “Try to stay focused on that.”

are you the problem?Sometimes “It’s not you, it’s me” really is true. Certified speaking professional Arnold Sanow offers this advice for making a change when you’re the problem, not your co-workers.

1. Be aware. Listen to what your manager or co-workers are telling you, even though it might be hard to hear.

2. make a commitment. This means making a promise to yourself and others that you want to improve the situation.

3. take action. Dr. Sanow suggests working on a behavior—whether it’s not interrupting others or being less abrasive—for 21 days to make it a habit.

FEATURE | Top 5 new business venturesFEATURE | Education outlook

Find your next career opportunityon the Phoenix Career Services portal.

The portal features:•Thousandsofpotentialjobopportunities•Companieswhovalueaneducatedworkforce

phoenix.edu/alumni/career

Top U.S. companies are interested in University of Phoenix graduates.


Super Bowl champion Andre Collins, MBA ’09, is putting his talents to use off the field to help NFL players adjust to life after retirement.

Millions of boys grow up dreaming of dazzling roaring crowds as they make a game-winning play on the gridiron. But for Andre Collins, this childhood fantasy became reality.

By Julie Wilson Photos by Bruce Racine


Life after the NFL

phoenixfocus.com 25

Andre Collins, MBA ’09Director of Retired Players, NFLPAWashington, D.C.

ALUMNI PROFILES | Andre Collins


Collins, a former linebacker who played for the Washington Redskins, Cincinnati Bengals and Chicago Bears, knows the thrill of the game first-hand. For a decade, this All-American and Super Bowl XXVI champion earned his living wowing fans with his speed and defensive moves.

“My football career was a dream come true,” he says.

Retirement But every athletic career eventually comes to an end, whether it’s due to injury or the natural aging process. So what happens the day after you retire, when your identity is no longer defined by football and you’ve been replaced by the latest draft picks, fresh out of the NCAA?

“The stage is so big, and we revere football to the highest [degree] here,” says Collins, who today works as director of Retired Players for the NFL Players Association. “Our players are the direct beneficiaries of all that attention, but when they step off that stage, it’s like falling into the deepest, darkest hole imaginable.”

That’s where Collins comes in. In his role with the NFL Players Association, he and his team of seven help 15,000 retired NFL players in 40 chapters across the country transition to a successful

life after professional football. After years in the spotlight, it’s not uncommon for retired players to struggle as they adjust to what most of us consider ordinary life, whether it’s with finances, finding a new purpose or dealing with depression.

He focuses on the areas of community, compassion and opportunity when he works with former NFL players. “The community aspect of it is what we are doing to get players to come out of the cave after retirement,” he explains. Collins defines the compassionate role of the NFL Players Association as “when guys are in that low place, lost and hurting, to be able to help them rebuild their lives.” And he and his colleagues offer opportunities for retired players by encouraging them “to always look for ways to improve yourself and to serve and provide for yourself and your family.”

His own transition Collins’s advice comes from the heart, and he draws upon experience from his own retirement from pro football. “Even though I was 31 at the time, that’s a little long in the tooth for a football player,” he

THE FIND YOUR PURPOSE ISSUETHE L AW OF AT TR ACTION ISSUE

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ALUMNI PROFILES | Lily Nie

explains. “I played hard and fast, and that was all my body could take, so I packed my little suitcase and never looked back.”

For a while, Collins stayed at home with his young daughter and tried to figure out his next move. “I was a little bit lost and a little bit confused about what to do next,” he admits. “You always want to do something that will bring the same energy as a professional football career.”

That’s easier said than done, but fortunately Collins had an education to fall back on. In 1991, he had earned a Bachelor of Science in Health Policy and Administration from Penn State where he played college football, and he had kept in touch with his advisor from his practicum at Virginia Hospital Center in Arlington. When an opportunity in the hospital’s emergency room administration opened up, Collins seized it.

Finding a new purpose “It was the perfect fit. There were people who needed help right there in your face, and there was no drifting back into the glory days. [The work gave me] a feeling of pride, of doing something meaningful and noble,” he says. “For me, helping people matched that same energy that being on a football field in front of 100,000 people produced.”

When the opportunity to help fellow NFL retirees presented itself, Collins was a bit reluctant. “I had found something meaningful at the hospital,” he says. But when he went for the interview with the NFL Players Association, he discovered he could make a major impact there, as well, and he accepted the position.

“When I took the job with the NFL Players Association, I learned really quickly that I needed a tune-up and I needed one fast,” he says. He turned to University of Phoenix, where he earned his MBA in 2009. His degree provided him with the skills he needed to expand his organization’s offerings and better serve retiring NFL players.

WEB EXCLUSIVES Visit phoenixfocus.com to explore additional content related to this article.

Fostering comebacks Of all the interactions Collins has had with struggling former football stars, one particular experience stands out. “A former player shows up on maybe the coldest winter day ever in [Washington] D.C. wearing just a T-shirt,” he remembers, of the retired athlete who was fighting an addiction. “He was gone. There was no hope in his eyes. There was no hope in his heart.” Collins got him into a rehab program that very day, despite the fact that his organization had no program in place to take care of that kind of need.

At that moment, Collins decided that the NFL Players Association had to look beyond career and financial support for its members. “We had to add more human and social services to what we do,” he says. In the years that followed, he created relationships with hospitals across the country to help players who need more than just a loan or guidance choosing a new career.

“We’ve built up the whole social services aspect of what we do,” explains Collins. “This is the thing I am most proud of.”

As for the struggling player who was the catalyst for the change to the NFL Players Association’s structure, eight years have passed and he is gainfully employed and working to help others who struggle with addiction. “He is forever grateful to the players union for helping him,” says Collins, who plans to continue helping others just like him for years to come.

ALUMNI PROFILES | Andre Collins


Terry Goldman, BSB/MKT ’03Director of Social Media, USA NetworkNew York, New York


phoenixfocus.com 29

From Hollywood to the Big Apple, Terry Goldman’s dream of a career in entertainment has come true at NBC Universal.

From his desk on the 21st floor of 30 Rockefeller Plaza in the heart of New York City, Terry Goldman spends his days enticing viewers to tune into the USA Network’s smash-hit shows like Burn Notice, Suits, White Collar and Royal Pains.

By Julie Wilson Photos by Bruce Racine

from rockefeller PlAZA

ALUMNI PROFILES | Terry Goldman

live


As director of social media, he’s charged with using time-tested networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and a steady stream of the latest social platforms to engage viewers and keep USA on top as the No.1-rated cable network.

Flashback It wouldn’t be surprising if Goldman has a sense of déjà-vu every time he enters his building at 30 Rock. After all, he had visited that exact spot with his 12th grade theatre class decades ago, traveling all the way from his hometown of Houston to take in the sights of the Big Apple.

“I had completely forgotten that I had been [here before],” admits Goldman, whose memory eventually was jogged by an old photograph from the trip. “If someone had told me in high school that I would be working inside this building, I would have thought they were nuts.”

Tinseltown beginnings Though not exactly your prototypical

small-town-boy-makes-it-big-in-Hollywood, Goldman’s story comes close. At 19—and with the blessing of his family—he left Texas and set off to make a name for himself by following his passion: entertainment. “Growing up, I had wanted to work in film and television, and I also had a very strong passion for Broadway.”

He packed up and headed out to Los Angeles. “When I went to California, everyone told me one of the easiest ways to break into the studios was to become a tour guide at Universal [Studios],” he remembers. In fact, many big names in entertainment—director John Badham, studio exec Michael Ovitz and singer Jack Wagner—got their start as studio guides.

A starry-eyed Goldman passed the grueling interview process, which included auditions, call backs, memorizing a thick book of Universal Studios history and a trial run on the iconic tour tram—and landed the job. And like many before him, his studio guide beginnings marked the start of a long-standing career in entertainment.


phoenixfocus.com 31

ALUMNI PROFILES | Isadore Hall, III


Over the next 13 years, Goldman had the opportunity to work in a range of divisions at Universal. “I worked in the publicity department and promotions, and then I got a job in human resources,” he says. The breadth of his work gave him an inside view into every area of the company, enabling him to make valuable contacts and gain priceless experience.

The education gap Although Goldman had enjoyed success in the entertainment industry, having attended three years of film school at Columbia College Hollywood as well as taking continuing education courses at UCLA, there came a time when he knew he had to get back into the classroom. “Spending time at Universal, I started to see that it would be difficult to climb the ranks without a degree,” he says. Urged by his mentor, he began investigating online programs that would enable him to continue his education without sacrificing the career he had worked so hard to build.

He enrolled at University of Phoenix and earned his Bachelor of Science in Marketing in 2003, an achievement that gave him great satisfaction despite his prior professional success. “I’m just so happy that I did,” he says. “Who knows where I’d be now without it?” Of all his classes, there’s one that especially has made a lasting impact.

“The only college textbook I have is for integrated marketing,” he notes. “I refer to it all the time. It is exactly what my day-to-day is. That class has really proven to be the most important class that I ever took.”

New York bound In 2004, Goldman decided it was time for a change. “I wanted to shake up my life and do something different,” he says. So, with no job prospects and no place to live, he again made a bold move—this time to New York. He crashed in a friend’s spare bedroom for a couple of months until he landed a job at a digital marketing agency. “They told me my first client was going to be Universal,” he says, laughing. “I moved three thousand miles across the country, and I still can’t escape [the studio].”

In his agency role, Goldman developed strategic, integrated digital marketing campaigns that included social media, promotions, publicity and content distribution. His clients included USA Network and the History Channel, as well as Broadway productions such as the Tony Award-winning show, The Book of Mormon, and others.

Full circle In 2011, he left the agency to officially return to his entertainment roots at Universal, this time with USA Network. “To me, it was a homecoming. I’m close to the people here and the casts of our shows,” says Goldman, who helped launch Burn Notice and Psych several years ago, and promotes those shows along with the rest of the network’s lineup, through social media marketing programs. “One of the things I love most about the company is that we’re all in this together. We all sink or succeed together.”

As director of social media marketing, he does his part by creating opportunities for fans to engage with their favorite characters and shows. “We try to pay back the fans as much as we can,” he says. “Without them, we wouldn’t be the No.1 cable network for seven years in a row.”

The next adventure? At the age of 40, Goldman already needs a new bucket list. He’s checked off Hollywood, television, movies and Broadway. So what’s next? “I honestly don’t know,” he admits, but right now he’s happy in his current role. “This industry is changing so fast. I am sure whatever it is will be exciting.”

ALUMNI PROFILES | Terry Goldman

During a brief stint working for composer and film editor John Ottman, Terry Goldman amassed the following film credits:

Miscellaneous Crew1999: Cruel Intentions (assistant: Mr. Ottman - uncredited)1998: Fantasy Island (TV series) (assistant: Mr. Ottman)1998: Apt Pupil (assistant: Mr. Ottman - uncredited)1998: Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (assistant: Mr. Ottman)1998: Goodbye Lover (assistant: Mr. Ottman) Music Department1999: Lake Placid (assistant to composer)

Source: imdb.com

to his credit


Serendipity struck when Curry Mayer, MAED ’10, and Ed Hodder, MAED/CIESL ’11, were brought together through a learning team during their online master’s degree studies at UOPX. Both expected to get a quality education, but neither expected to find a best friend.

The University pairs students in learning teams to enhance the educational experience by working together on projects and offering built-in support. For Mayer and Hodder the experience was far more. “I truly consider Ed my best friend,” says Mayer, chief of training for the California Emergency Management Agency based in Sacramento, California. “He’s like my big brother.”

By Dena Roché Photos by Bruce Racine

kindred spirits


phoenixfocus.com 33

ALUMNI PROFILES | Curry Mayer

Curry Mayer, MAED ’10Chief of training, California Emergency Management AgencySacramento, California


THE POLITICS ISSUE

The pairing didn’t start off so smoothly, though. “In the beginning, I thought he was obnoxious,” Mayer says with a laugh. “Ed is not PC and he’s persnickety. I’m more of a diplomat. But we really complemented each other well.”

As the two got to know each other, they realized they shared a strong work ethic and similar views about learning, so they requested to be on the same team. “Curry and I are sounding boards for one another, intellectual intimates. We are seekers of understanding;wequestionauthority,”saysHodder,ateacher,nowbased in Zouping, China. “We are both learners for learning’s sake. This, above all, is our common bond and the single element that has kept our friendship stimulating.”

A surprising twist Soon after being pair together, Mayer and Hodder realized that their families knew each other. Both of their fathers worked as medical professionals in the military and shared several duty stations together. However, because Mayer is much younger than Hodder, they didn’t have much interaction growing up. “I think it’s so lucky that Ed and I were paired together,” says Mayer. “Ed thinks that fate would have brought us together in some way, but I don’t know.”

It took more than a year for the two to finally meet in person, but according to Mayer, when they did, it felt like they had known each other forever. “Our relationship today is a commitment to each

other’s success as lifelong best friends,” says Hodder. “Our immediate families are friends. My wife, Rocio, and Curry are two women cut from the same cloth: smart, engaged and articulate.”

Career paths Before coming to UOPX, Mayer had spent nearly two decades in emergency management, a career she says she fell into. “When I was working for Booz Allen Hamilton, I was placed in the White House Military Office,” says Mayer. “I was in my late 20s and I had to quickly learn about nuclear and chemical protection training. I always felt it was important to work in the public sector. My parents instilled in me a huge obligation to give back. Emergency management was the perfect place to do it.”

Mayer, who has an undergrad speech communication degree with a teaching certification, sought a master’s degree that would give her a formal credential in curriculum development, despite the fact that she was already the lead instructor for the California Emergency Management Agency, overseeing all other trainers. “My parents always told me that education changes your quality of life,” Mayer says.


Ed Hodder, MAED/CIESL ’11, with his students from the Zouping No. 1 Middle School in China.

phoenixfocus.com 35


As the chief of training, Mayer teaches emergency management courses to state and local government employees and is a sought-after speaker regarding California’s emergency management system. Her role encompasses training, program management and curriculum design.

Mayer also co-chairs the California Emergency Management and Homeland Security Education Consortium’s Bachelor Degree Taskforce, which is comprised of individuals from the education and emergency management fields tasked with developing standards in the California school system for individuals interested in pursuing an emergency management career. Mayer is one of only two on the task force who has a background in both areas. So far, she has worked to create a high school career track for a career in emergency management without a college degree as well as programs in the California colleges for degrees in the field. Cal State Fresno will roll out the first program this year.

Throughout her career, Mayer has developed and implemented training for several federal departments including the Department of the Army and National Guard. She also developed a decision support tool for the United Nations and taught Incident Command System (ICS), a structure of roles and responsibilities for managing emergencies, to members of Congress.

Like Mayer, Hodder is also involved in education. He is co-director and teacher at the Zouping No. 1 Middle School in China, known for its international transitional English programs. Hodder’s road to education was untraditional to say the least. After college, he spent eight years working

ALUMNI PROFILES | Curry Mayer

for the Seattle Post-Intelligencer before returning to construction, an industry he began working in when he was 16.

During his 35-year construction career, he held a variety of jobs, eventually working as a construction superintendent. On the job, he encountered workers who didn’t speak English, which he quickly realized was a safety hazard on a job site. On his own time and dime he created “Lunch Box English,” where he taught the basics they needed to know to be safe on the job.

When the real estate market crashed, the construction industry felt the impact and Hodder had to make a choice: either retire or pursue a new path. Hodder didn’t want to retire and decided to parlay his affinity for languages into a career teaching English. Thus, his UOPX experience began.

When he found it difficult to get a teaching position because he didn’t have traditional classroom experience, Hodder turned to Mayer for advice. “Working with Curry, having another person who had real-world experience, not just being a teacher or administrator, validated many perceptions, which I have been able to transfer directly into my current work overseas,” says Hodder.

The next chapters Education has a hold on Mayer’s heart. She expects to eventually get her doctorate in education from UOPX and would ultimately like to teach emergency management at the university level. She currently teaches a class in the subject at the Institute of Technology in California.

And Mayer and Hodder’s serendipitous friendship continues to grow to this day. They often act as career confidants for one another. “We are in constant contact. We collaborate on teaching methods, article writing (we edit each other’s work) and a variety of work-related issues. Plus, we have a relationship that encompasses a wide variety of mutual interests from politics to organizational management and personnel dynamics. Few topics are off limits between us,” says Hodder. “Our relationship is part classic Victorian, part professional colleague and part just damn good friends.”


Extra! Extra!

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Must-reads and online resources for exploring the law of attraction.

By Paula Boon

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BOOKS

1. The Secret By Rhonda Byrne Any Law of Attraction list would be incomplete without this mega-bestselling book, which popularized the concept. Containing wisdom from a number of teachers, it’s worth a read.

2. Excuse Me, Your Job Is Waiting: Attract the Work You Want By Laura George A job seeker’s guide like no other, this book will help you land the job of your dreams by harnessing the power of focused, positive thinking and feeling.

3. The Soulmate Secret: Manifest the Love of Your Life with the Law of Attraction By Arielle Ford Inspiring, practical and hopeful, this book outlines techniques, rituals and projects to help you take control of your romantic destiny and bring your ideal partner into your life.

4. Feel It Real!: A Guided Approach to Bringing the Law of Attraction into Your Life By Denise Coates This bestseller provides a fun and practical approach to the Law of Attraction, including games, questionnaires and visualization exercises designed to attract the things you desire.

5. Opposites Attract: How to Use the Secrets of Personality Type to Create a Love That Lasts By Renee Barron For everyone living with someone temperamentally opposite to them and now being driven crazy by what initially attracted to them, this is a practical program for coming to appreciate your differences.

6. The Power of Intention By Dr. Wayne W. Dyer An internationally renowned author and speaker offers a deeper look at intention, which he describes as a universal source of energy that, when tapped into, can help you co-create your life.

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phoenixfocus.com 37

EXTRA! EXTRA!

MAGAZINES and ARTICLES

7. Law of Attraction An entire magazine, launched in 2012, devoted to helping people become happy, wealthy and healthy, with practical tips and insights from experts.

8. Colorado Biz, June 2012 “Seven tips to put the Law of Attraction to work for you” By John Heckers The Law of Attraction works in business, but only when approached with understanding and discipline. This article outlines practical ways to make this happen.

9. Psychology Today, January 2008 “Fast Forces of Attraction” By Psychology Today staff Learn how your brain determines whether you are attracted to another person using “thin slices” of judgment based on multiple factors.

ONLINE RESOURCES10. How the Law of Attraction Works

http://bit.ly/AskDeepak Deepak Chopra explains that the Law of Attraction is much more than a wish magnet and describes how to use this knowledge to make choices and changes.

11. Thoughts Become Things http://bit.ly/ThoughtsThings Mike Dooley, author of a series of New York Times bestsellers, gives a 7.5-minute speech about why positive thinking and visualization are so powerful.

12. Attract a life http://attractalife.com/home/ Life coach Linda Forde offers inspiring and informative blog posts about getting unstuck and attracting what you want in work and your personal life.

Paula Boon is a freelance researcher, writer and editor whose work has appeared in publications in the United States and Canada.

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The BUZZWe want to celebrate you in our alumni announcements. Share your story and be part of “The Buzz.” Email us at [email protected].


Published by alumni

Through the Eyes of Mine By Miriam Cauley

Miriam Cauley, BSHA ’11, penned this book of poems while working, attending school full time and raising her son. The writings express insight of real-world interactions involving relationships, friendships and self-reflection based on the author’s past experiences.

The book is available through amazon.com.

American Christianity: Truth or Tradition? A Personal Perspective By Dr. Scott Glenn

In American Christianity: Truth or Tradition? A Personal Perspective, Dr. Scott Glenn, EdD ’10, explores the five major religions of the world, comparing and contrasting them to Christianity.


Trestle Creek, Things The Dead Fear By Chris LaPrath

Awarded honorable mention at the Hollywood Book Festival last summer, this read is based on the true story of its author, Chris LaPrath, AAPSY ’10, This book chronicles a young boy’s journey from an underworld childhood to manhood while caught between his earthly reality and a spiritual realm. The main character’s gift is what helps save his life from future turmoil.


A Symphony of Silence: An Enlightened Vision By George A. Ellis

In A Symphony of Silence: An Enlightened Vision, by George A. Ellis, MBA ’10, insights and stories, from multiple perspectives, are shared by pioneers who helped bring knowledge and experience of higher stages of human development to the world.


phoenixfocus.com 39

Recognition

CaliforniaFountain Valley In December, Dr. Karin J. Storm, EdD ’10, was elected National President of the Federal Probation and Pretrial Officer’s Association (FPPOA). FPPOA provides national leadership in the professional growth of probation and pretrial services, working closely with the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, the Federal Judicial Center, the Bureau of Prisons, the Sentencing Commission and the Parole Commission.

Modesto Galen Carroll, BSB/M ’01, has been named the new chief of police for the city of Modesto. Carroll was formally introduced as chief in December and took office in January. Most recently, Carroll served as a commander in the North Patrol Division of Long Beach police. He has spent more than 18 years with the Long Beach Police Department.

Santa Barbara In December, Shiela Rojas, MBA/MKT ’09, was awarded Online Teacher of the Year at Santa Barbara Business College. Rojas has been teaching for the past eight years and credits UOPX with her success. “I am very excited and humbled by this award,” says Rojas. “If it wasn’t for University of Phoenix, I would not have had these opportunities to teach.”

Tulare The United Way of Tulare County selected Rosemary Caso, MBA ’09, as its new executive director. Previously, Caso served as executive director of the YMCA and oversaw employees, 1,300 program participants and a budget of $4 million. “I’m looking forward to exploring how the United Way can expand its services and support of local programs,” says Caso.

FloridaVero Beach Outhouse Ink Publishing announced author Michael Hofer, MAED/AET ’10, and his book Major Manners Presents Nite-Nite Soldier, has been named a finalist for USA Book News’ 2012 USA Best Book Awards in the Best New Children’s Picture Book category. A Florida educator, Hofer introduced his latest character, Major Manners, in hopes of inspiring positive behavior in children.

New JerseyAudubon Ann Coyle, BS/P ’12, was chosen as the winner of the 2012 Amazing Nurse Contest, sponsored by the Johnson & Johnson Campaign for Nursing’s Future. Ann was acknowledged at the CNN Heroes: An All-Star Tribute event, broadcast in December. Coyle has been a nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at the Virtua Voorhees hospital for almost three decades.

Mickleton In January, the Board of Trustees for Friends School Mullica Hill appointed Beth Reaves, DBA ’08, as the new head of school. Reaves started her career with Friends School Mullica Hill in 2010 as its advancement and admissions director. This past July, she served as interim head of school. Reaves was selected following a national search of educators, administrators, parents and business professionals.

THEBUZZ



University News

P hoenix Focus recently sat down with College of Criminal Justice and Security Dean James J. Ness, Ph.D.,

and asked about current industry trends and what’s new with the college.

Phoenix Focus: What hot industry trends are you seeing in the field of criminal justice and security?

Dean Ness: According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, employment of police and detectives is expected to grow by 7 percent from 2010 to 2020, slower than the average, but demand for public safety will lead to new openings for officers in local departments. However, both state and federal jobs may be more competitive. Correctional officer jobs are expected to grow by 5 percent, slower than the average, but demand will lead to new job openings. Employment of security guards and gaming surveillance officers is expected to grow by 18 percent from 2010 to 2020, and this is where our growth as a college will be.

PF: What new things are taking place in the next few months in the College of Criminal Justice and Security?

Dean Ness: The College of Criminal Justice and Security has created four new concentration areas within our programs.* These include the MSAJS concentrations in Law Enforcement Organizations, and Global and Homeland Security, and the BSCJA concentrations in Cyber Crime

Q&A with Dean James J. Ness, Ph.D.

industry insights: criminal Justice & Security

and Security. We are also creating a field experience course and are in the process of replacing existing “Read Me First” documents, which students read at the beginning of all courses, with audio versions called “Listen to Me First” files.

PF: What industry events have you recently attended?

Dean Ness: During the past year, I have made presentations at the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives and ASIS International conferences, and have provided training for several agencies. I also presided over graduation at the Cincinnati Campus, and we initiated the first Education and Training Roundtable in cooperation with Arizona Peace Officer Standards and Training to determine education/training needs of agencies in Arizona. The Education Roundtable concept will be initiated at the national level for both the criminal justice and security aspects of the discipline.

*For more information about each of these programs, including on-time completion rates, the median debt incurred by students who completed the program and other important information, please visit: phoenix.edu/programs/gainful-employment. In Maryland, the MSAJS has emphases in Law Enforcement Organizations, and Global and Homeland Security. The BSCJA has emphases in Cyber Crime and Security.

phoenixfocus.com 41

YOUR UNIVERSITY | University News

UOPX Orientation Workshop receives top award In November 2012, the University Orientation Workshop was awarded the Showcase in Excellence Award from the Arizona Quality Alliance (AQA). The AQA award criteria is based on the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, the highest level of national recognition a United States organization can receive for performance excellence. The workshop, introduced in November 2010, allows prospective students to assess their college readiness for UOPX at no cost. “To earn an award of this prestige is truly an honor. Our commitment has always been to provide our students with the tools they need to be successful,” says Dr. Bill Pepicello, president of University of Phoenix. The award will be presented to University of Phoenix at a ceremony featuring keynote speaker Governor Jan Brewer.

UOPX and Wounded Warrior Project award scholarships University of Phoenix and Wounded Warrior Project (WWP) recently awarded 2012 University of Phoenix Wounded Warrior Project scholarships to Jeremiah Pauley of Petaluma, California, Jessica Raines of Hagerstown, Maryland, and Nathaniel Van Loan of Roseville, California. Wounded Warriors Project is a nonprofit whose mission is to honor and empower wounded warriors. “University of Phoenix is proud to work again with Wounded Warrior Project and provide each of these scholarship recipients a chance to fulfill his or her educational goals,” says UOPX Associate Regional Vice President for the Military Division Garland Williams, Ph.D., USA Colonel (ret.). The 2012 University of Phoenix Wounded Warrior Project Scholarship Program allows each recipient the opportunity to complete a University of Phoenix bachelor’s or master’s degree program. For more information on UOPX degree offerings and special discounts offered to military members, their families and veterans, please visit phoenix.edu/colleges_divisions/military.html.

Above: UOPX promotes classroom sustainability by sponsoring a contest offering two full-tuition scholarships to Phoenix educators.

University of Phoenix partners with Valley Forward to provide scholarships In a partnership with Arizona nonprofit Valley Forward, University of Phoenix reaffirmed its commitment to education and sustainability in the classroom by offering two full-tuition scholarships to Arizona K-12 teachers. The recipients are Erika Taylor and LaFawn Berry. At the eighth annual Earthfest Educators Night held at the Phoenix Zoo in late October, eligible teachers were encouraged to apply for one of two scholarships to obtain a Master of Arts in Education degree at University of Phoenix. The purpose of this scholarship program is to provide educational opportunities to local teachers who have demonstrated sustainable practices in their classroom and want to continue to make a difference in their community.

Valley Forward is a 43-year-old nonprofit environmental public interest organization that strives to bring business and civic leaders together to convene on regional issues and promote cooperative efforts to improve the sustainability of Valley communities.


YOUR UNIVERSITY | Campus newsTHE L AW OF AT TR ACTION ISSUE

Campus News

San Antonio Campus brings holiday cheer to children in need The San Antonio Campus recently partnered with the Elf Louise Project to bring holiday cheer to children. The Elf Louise Christmas Project is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing a little bit of joy to Bexar County’s less fortunate children who represent different school districts throughout San Antonio. The campus helped wrap a total of 63,000 presents for 5,700 families.

Cleveland Campus gives local book fair a boost This past November, the Cleveland Campus participated in the Scholastic Book Fair with William Foster Elementary School in Garfield Heights, Ohio. UOPX donated $5 reading certificates to each student, allowing them to purchase a new book at the fair. Campus staff helped children with their book selections.

Above: The Cleveland Campus assists with the Scholastic Book Fair at Williams Foster Elementary School.

Central Valley Campus donates Kindles for lifelong learning The Central Valley Campus recently donated Kindle e-readers to residents of Orchard Park’s retiring community. The goal of the donation was to promote lifelong learning for everyone, regardless of age. Central Valley Campus staff employees were on hand to teach the seniors how to use the new readers.

Right: Orchard Park residents enjoy their new Kindles.

Phoenix Campus supports AZ Diamondbacks Phoenix Campus supported the annual Arizona Diamondbacks Winter Classic in a December school supply drive. The Winter Classic provides school supplies to underprivileged children from across the Valley. Campus staff from all five Phoenix learning centers donated more than 500 new and packaged items to this year’s holiday affair. Additionally, several Phoenix Campus staff members volunteered at the event where they helped fill new backpacks and read to children.

phoenixfocus.com 43

Grade us.Take the 2013 University of Phoenix Alumni Association Survey and tell us how we can better serve you.

Visit phoenix.edu/alumnisurvey to complete the survey and be eligible to win a 64GB iPad 4®.*

It’s quick The survey takes less than 10 minutes to complete.

It’s rewarding By completing the 2013 Alumni Association Survey before February 28, 2013, you’ll help us help you and your fellow UOPX alumni have the best post-graduate experience possible. You’ll also be entered in a drawing to win one of three fully loaded iPad 4® mobile digital devices with retina display.

*The iPad 4® drawing is open to legal U.S. and Canadian (except Puerto Rico and Quebec) residents, aged 18 or older. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited by law. Drawing begins at 12 a.m. EST on January 23, 2013, and ends at 5 p.m. EST on March 1, 2013. Eligibility restrictions apply. Please visit phoenix.edu/alumnisurvey for complete drawing rules. If you are a UOPX graduate and have not received communications regarding the survey, please email us at [email protected].

©2013 University of Phoenix, Inc. All rights reserved.

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YOUR UNIVERSITY | Campus newsTHE L AW OF AT TR ACTION ISSUE

Campus News

Memphis Campus supports Mid-South Food Bank The Memphis Campus hosted a holiday food drive for the Mid-South Food Bank in November. To add to the fun, campus departments were separated into teams that competed to bring in the most food. The campus donated 761 items to the organization, contributing to a donation total of more than 654 pounds of food.

Above: The Memphis Campus donated 654 pounds of food to the Mid-South Food Bank in November.

Milwaukee Campus encourages financial literacy with Junior Achievement The Milwaukee Campus teamed with Junior Achievement of Wisconsin and students from 81st Street School to help prepare students in the Milwaukee area for a financially responsible future through the Junior Achievement Finance Park Program. The workshop included information on personal finance, decision-making and how to make housing and transportation purchases. More than 30 middle school students attended the event.

Minneapolis/St. Paul Campus donates to military families The Minneapolis/St. Paul Campus gave back to the servicemen and women in the military by providing educational holiday gifts for the children in their families. The toys were collected by campus faculty and staff and delivered in time for the holidays.

Right: Minneapolis/St. Paul staff collects educational toys for military families.

Chattanooga Campus volunteers at Chamber of Commerce community event Several staff members from the Chattanooga Campus volunteered at Hixson High School in November for the Reality Check community event. This annual event is sponsored by the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and teaches high school students the value of budgeting.

Above: Chattanooga Campus partners with Chamber of Commerce.

Find an Alumni Chapter near you.

Stay connected with fellow graduates in your area. Join one of 22 UOPX Alumni Chapters today!

connections. community. camaraderie.

ArizonaPhoenixTucson

CaliforniaDiamond BarLos Angeles CountyOrange CountySacramentoSan Diego

Georgia AtlantaAugusta

LouisianaBaton RougeLafayette

IdahoBoise

IllinoisChicago

Massachusetts Boston

MichiganDetroit

MissouriKansas City

North CarolinaRaleigh

TexasDallas/Fort WorthSan Antonio

TennesseeMemphis

UtahSalt Lake City

District of ColumbiaWashington, D.C.

More chapters are coming soon. Find out more: [email protected] or 800.795.2586

Baton Rouge, LA

San Antonio, TX Phoenix, AZ



Community RelationsYOUR UNIVERSITY | Community Relations

Above: Staff members from the Little Rock Campus successfully completed a service project with the Boys & Girls Club of Central Arkansas.

Little Rock Campus helps with renovation The Little Rock Campus came together to help give the Billy Mitchell Boys & Girls Club of Central Arkansas a facelift. Volunteers were able to clean, organize and renovate the art room, teen center, kitchen/café, athletic office, multiple bookshelves and closets.

Chicago Campus hosts holiday cheer The UOPX Chicago Campus recently joined the Chicago Boys & Girls Club in Logan Square to host a holiday carnival. The carnival entertained close to 60 children. The children went through five stations featuring musical chairs, hot chocolate and cookies, obstacle courses, arts and crafts and holiday cards. The cards were later sent to a local children’s hospital and a nursing home to spread holiday cheer.

Houston Campus gives reading room a facelift The Houston Campus has taken another step in its goal to promote literacy. In 2012, staff created the Fort Bend Boys & Girls Club Reading Room by pulling books from shelves, taking down old bookcases, moving tables and chairs, cleaning, taping, painting and laying new carpet. The finished room features bright green bean bag chairs, a bench seat, new wood bookcases, vibrant paint and a carpeted sitting area. The club hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to unveil the new space.

Savannah Campus helps youth set goals The Savannah Campus hosted a goal-setting workshop at the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Coastal Empire (BGCCE). Themed “Live Your Dreams,” UOPX staff invited club members and children to create a clear, vivid and inspiring vision for their futures and helped them identify “action steps” for turning their visions into reality. Workshop activities were designed to reinforce the importance of setting goals and to motivate youth to make strides toward future success.

University of Phoenix has a long and proud history of partnering with Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BCGA) to support local children. With partnerships in more than 72 communities in 39 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, the University is able to help K-12 students excel in the classroom and prepare for higher education and employment in today’s highly competitive job market. UOPX shares BCGA’s goal of helping every member graduate from high school with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve a promising future. Check out how several UOPX campuses are supporting the partnership.

phoenixfocus.com 47

One person can

make a huge di�erence

in someone’s career.

Be the one. Be a mentor.

Alumni Mentor Program alumni.phoenix.edu | 800-795-2586

Alumni Association


YOUR UNIVERSITY | Community Relations

Community RelationsTHE L AW OF AT TR ACTION ISSUE

UOPX School of Advanced Studies donates to Phoenix Children’s Hospital In December, the School of Advanced Studies (SAS) donated 118 new items to Max’s Market, a program that benefits children in the Intensive Care Unit of Phoenix Children’s Hospital. SAS collected new toys, blankets and pajamas for Max’s Market, named for an ongoing patient. Max received the donation on behalf of the program and took part in distributing the items to patients.

Student Success Center leadership team works with local library In November, the leadership team for the Student Success Center in Lenexa, Kansas, volunteered for the Johnson County Library book sale. Every June and November, the local library system gathers books to sell and earn money for library projects and events throughout the year. With the center’s help, this sale earned the Johnson County Library a total of $61,094.78. The campus has helped with the book sale for the past several years.

Maryland Campus helps more than 700 community members On Nov. 27, several UOPX Maryland Campus staff members had the opportunity to volunteer at Our Daily Bread, a soup kitchen in downtown Baltimore. The staff reported that the work was a humbling experience that motivated a few employees to be placed on a monthly volunteer schedule. Overall, the team was able to help distribute food to more than 700 community members.

The Detroit Campus teams up with Everybody Wins USA The Detroit Campus recently partnered with Everybody Wins, a national nonprofit organization that promotes child literacy and provides mentorship in low-income elementary schools. The Detroit Campus will have volunteers visiting a local school each week throughout the academic year and will facilitate one-on-one reading sessions with second graders.

Above: Maryland Campus staff volunteers at Our Daily Bread.

Above: The Lenexa team works to unpack boxes of books for the biannual Johnson County Library book sale.

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FEATURE | Step up your game

do you know someone on this list?

Each month, approximately 8,000 dedicated students earn their degrees and become proud University of Phoenix graduates.

Phoenix Focus magazine now celebrates the newest members of the growing alumni community—now more than 772,000 strong—with an online list of recent graduates. To see the list of graduates from December 1 to December 31, 2012, visit bit.ly/gradlist-february.


EventsTHE L AW OF AT TR ACTION ISSUE

February

2CaliforniaCareer workshop 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 3590 N. 1st Street San Jose, CA 95134 uopxbayarea.eventbrite.com

5ArizonaJob search workshop6–8 p.m. 300 S. Craycroft Rd. Tucson, AZ 85711 careerworkshopsforyou.eventbrite.com

6CaliforniaCareer workshop6–8 p.m. Diamond Bar Learning Center 1370 S. Valley Vista Dr. Diamond Bar, CA 91765

11UtahCareer workshop 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 5373 South Green Street Salt Lake City, UT 84123 uopxutah.eventbrite.com

12Arizona Career workshop 6–8 p.m. 300 S. Craycroft Rd. Tucson, AZ 85711 careerworkshopsforyou.eventbrite.com

15TexasAlumni reception 6–9 p.m. San Antonio Contact: [email protected]

16TexasCommencement 2–4 p.m. 100 Montana Street San Antonio, TX 78205

19Arizona Career workshop 6–8 p.m. 300 S. Craycroft Rd. Tucson, AZ 85711 careerworkshopsforyou. eventbrite.com

23–25CaliforniaThe Council of College and Military Educators 2013 Symposium Hilton San Diego Bayfront 1 Park Blvd. San Diego, CA 92101 ccmeonline.org/annualsymposium

25Utah Career workshop 6–8 p.m. 1366 Legend Hills Drive Clearfield, UT 84015 uopxutah.eventbrite.com

26Southern Arizona Networking workshop 6–8 p.m. 300 S. Craycroft Rd. Tucson, AZ 85711 careerworkshopsforyou.eventbrite.com

March 5Utah Career workshop 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 10235 S. Jordan Gateway South Jordan, UT 84095 uopxutah.eventbrite.com

12New YorkWomen Lead Career Discussion 7–9 p.m. 828 Broadway New York, NY 10003

16CaliforniaCareer workshop 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1200 Clay Street Oakland, CA 94612 uopxbayarea.eventbrite.com

19Utah Career workshop 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 10235 S. Jordan Gateway South Jordan, UT 84095 uopxutah.eventbrite.com

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YOUR UNIVERSITY | Events

Having a meeting? Rent a room.UOPX Facility Rentals at Locations Nationwide

Alumni can receive a 25% discount by visiting phoenix.edu/room-rentals.html and entering discount code “alum25.”

Entrepreneur workshopsUniversity of Phoenix campuses across the country will host a series of Entrepreneur Workshop events during the week of February 11 to help aspiring students, alumni and the community at large explore the idea of going into business for themselves.

The workshops are designed to offer valuable insight from University of Phoenix’s experienced business faculty and successful alumni entrepreneurs who will serve as keynote speakers at the events. Additional highlights include panel discussions with local and alumni entrepreneurs, faculty members and representatives from local or state business and economicdevelopment;andanetworkingforumwhereby attendees have the opportunity to gather valuable, one-on-one advice and information from workshop experts.

Interactive entrepreneur presentations will focus on topics such as: Funding your startup, developing a business plan and strategies for small business success.

In addition, UOPX business faculty experts will present the following workshops:

· You and your business: Strategies for entrepreneurial success

· You and your business: Creative ways to fund your startup

· The business plan: A platform for your big idea

Visit phoenix.edu/startup to find out if there is a University of Phoenix Entrepreneur Workshop scheduled in your area.

28Utah Career workshop 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. 1366 Legend Hills Drive Clearfield, UT 84015 uopxutah.eventbrite.com

For more events, visit phoenixfocus.com.

Get it in print!Use your smartphone to start your Phoenix Focus print subscription today! Only $19.99 for 10 issues.

phoenixfocus.com

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