Baker College Online officials report an upward trend of new students choosing online as a continuing education option. For fall 2011 quarter, new student enrollment at Baker College Online increased by 7.3 percent compared to the same period in 2010. The College also recorded a 6.5 percent increase in new student enrollment for summer 2011 quarter compared to 2010. According to Dr. Julia Teahen, Baker College Online president, this positive direction is attributed to various factors.

“Due to a somewhat improved economy, more people are returning to the work force while at the same time pursuing a higher education in order to further their careers,” said Teahen. “These individuals are discovering that distance education is the logical choice, as it offers the flexibility to fit courses into busy schedules.”

For people who travel for a living or travel frequently for their jobs, an online education is convenient and practical.

“Online classes are accessible from any computer with an internet connection, so Baker students have the freedom to check email, look at the course curriculum, schedule a group conference and even watch missed class sessions through video recordings,” said Teahen.

An online education is also advantageous to students with disabilities and to people living in rural communities.

“Online classes can be constructed to support students with intellectual and physical disabilities, the deaf or hard-of-hearing, and the blind or vision-impaired,” said Teahen. “For students who live in rural communities, an online education removes geographical barriers.”

For Barbi Nicodemi, a new Baker College Online student who lives in a relatively rural section of Western Michigan, an online education makes the most sense.

“With the high cost of gas, attending an on-ground campus didn’t seem like a very good option for me,” said Nicodemi. “Through Baker College Online, I am able to pursue my dream of a higher education.”

Nicodemi chose Baker College Online because of her daughter’s encouragement.

“Jessi recently began taking courses through Baker’s Online program and loves it,” said Nicodemi. “Without her support and enthusiasm for Baker College Online, I would not have had the strength and the courage to start this process.”

Nicodemi is working toward an associate degree in human resources. Targeted completion date is 2014.

At Baker College Online, affordability, new programs and state-of-the-art technology also contribute to a steadily increasing new student enrollment.

“These features continue to be attractive to individuals interested in a career-focused education,” said Teahen.

A total of 52,877 students throughout the Baker College system took Baker College Online classes during fall 2011 quarter.

Left, Maj. Gen. Frank Vavala, NGAUS and NGEF chairman, presents Legion de Lafayette certificate to (right) Shawn Mann, Baker College director of military education programs; Mann is wearing the medal presented during the ceremony. It is similar to the special regimental presentation medal commissioned by the Seventh Regiment for presentation to the Marquis de Lafayette in 1832.

“Our support of the Guard, especially in Michigan, is evidenced by our induction into this organization,” said Shawn Mann, Baker College director of military education programs. As Guard members are increasingly forward deployed and pressed into service for our country, Baker College remains an institution dedicated to guaranteeing that its men and women don’t need to also sacrifice their educational goals and aspirations while they serve. We are very pleased to be recognized for our efforts.”

Since its inception in 1988, the Legion de Lafayette has been awarded annually to individuals, corporations and National Guard organizations for either extraordinary service to the Historical Society of the Militia and National Guard or a minimum financial contribution of $10,000.

The Legion de Lafayette is named to commemorate the long-standing historic relationship between the distinguished French soldier, the Marquis de Lafayette, and the American Minutemen.

During a visit to New York City in 1824, members of the 27th New York Artillery, later known as the Seventh Regiment, served as an honor guard for the Marquis. He compared these militiamen to his own corps, the Garde Nationale de Paris. Honored by this courtesy, the regiment voted to change its name to National Guards, a name that caught on and spread to militia units throughout the country. By the end of the 19th century, militia units in nearly all states were designated National Guard and the name was made official by the Dick Act of 1903.

Inductees into the Legion de Lafayette are presented with a medal similar to the special regimental presentation medal commissioned by the Seventh Regiment for presentation to the Marquis de Lafayette in 1832.

The Military Programs Division of Baker College Online is hosting a grand opening open house to celebrate the completion of its Military and Student Veterans Resource Center on Friday, November 11, from 1 p.m. until 4 p.m., 1116 W. Bristol Road, Flint. The general public, all active duty or military veterans, regardless of theatre of combat operations or time in service, and the media are invited.

“We are pleased to offer a facility dedicated specifically to our students from all branches of military service and look forward to welcoming everyone to the newest Baker College transitional support facility on Veterans Day,” said Shawn Mann, Baker College Online military education programs director.

The agenda for November 11 is as follows:

• 1 p.m. until 1:30 p.m. – Formal welcome by Baker College Online officials
  • Dr. Julia Teahen – president, Baker College Online
  • Chuck Gurden – vice president, Baker College Online, Center for Graduate Studies and Military Admissions
• 1:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. – Waterford National Guard will showcase various military tactical vehicles and, weather permitting, will conduct various military demonstrations
• 2 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. – Meet-and-greet with Michigan State Senator John Gleason and Senator Debbie Stabenow, and representatives from Senator Carl Levin and Congressman Dale Kildee offices; state and federal proclamations presented
• 3:30 p.m. until 4 p.m. – Tours of the new facility
• 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. – Light refreshments will be served; military vehicles, including a STRYKER, Humvee, LMTV (light medium tactical vehicle) and FMTV (field medium tactical vehicle) will be on site

For more information about the open house on November 11, please contact Baker College Online military and veterans program advisor, Jeremy Glasstetter, at 1.800.469.3165.

“We are very proud to once again be named a Military Friendly School by G.I. Jobs,” said Shawn Mann, Baker College Online director of military education programs. “We offer many benefits to individuals with military experience, including waived fees, reduced tuition and lifetime career services. All of our efforts are aimed at helping our members of the armed forces from all branches of the military obtain a quality higher education degree.”

The 2012 Military Friendly Schools list was compiled through extensive research and a data-driven survey of more than 8,000 schools nationwide. Methodology, criteria and weighting for the list were developed with the assistance of an Academic Advisory Board (AAB) comprised of educators from schools across the country. A list of the board members can be found at militaryfriendlyschools.com/article/advisoryboard/.

A full story and detailed list of Military Friendly Schools will be highlighted in the annual Guide to Military Friendly Schools and on a poster, both of which will be distributed to hundreds of thousands of active and former military personnel in October 2011.

G.I. Jobs is published by Victory Media, a veteran-owned business that also publishes The Guide to Military Friendly Schools, Military Spouse and Vetrepreneur magazines, and annually rates the nation’s “Military Friendly Employers,” “Military Spouse Friendly Employers” and “Best Corporations for Veteran-Owned Businesses.”

“Baker College has a long history of providing active-duty Army and veterans with exceptional courses and programs, however the needs of the individual service branches for voluntary education opportunities has sharply risen over the past 10 years,” said Dr. Julia Teahen, president, Baker College Online. “With his impressive military-focused higher education background, Shawn was the ideal candidate to address those needs. We are thrilled that he has accepted the challenge as we continue to strengthen our partnerships with all branches of the military, and leverage our technology to better serve these highly motivated and mobile military students.”

Mann joins Baker College Online from Coastline Community College, Fountain Valley, Calif., where he was manager, military outreach programs and off-campus activities. While there, he established seven National Testing Centers on military bases throughout the United States and created the PocketEd program, which condensed 13-hour telecourses plus full Internet-based classes onto an SDRAM card. This medium provided asynchronous, interactive college course work to deployed submariners and military personnel who may have lacked consistent Internet connectivity. Mann has approximately 15 years of higher education experience, with more than a decade of that time focusing on military students. He also has an extensive background in instructional design, marketing and web development.

A resident of Long Beach, Calif., Mann holds both a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in English from the University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, Mo.

“Our steadily increasing numbers are an indication that individuals continue to see the advantages of an online education,” said Dr. Julia Teahen, president, Baker College Online. “At Baker College Online, in addition to flexibility, affordability and accessibility, we offer the types of programs that will enhance or advance a career. Case in point is our new bachelor’s degree in game software development program, which focuses on leading programming technologies. According to the Entertainment Software Association, entertainment software is one of the fastest growing industries in the U.S. economy.”

A total of 50,816 students throughout the Baker College system took Baker Online classes this fall quarter. This total includes:

• 6,181 students who took 100 percent of their classes online, including * 5,318 undergraduate students and a total of 863 MBA, MSIS, MOT and DBA students
• 8,335 students who took a combination of online classes and campus-based classes
• 36,300 students who took campus-based classes that also included online coursework, a 15.8 percent increase over fall 2009

For the past 10 years, Automation Alley has recognized an outstanding educational program that develops a skilled labor force for Southeast Michigan. Additional award criteria includes:

• An undergraduate or graduate educational program that positively impacts the industry’s skilled labor market
• An institution that identifies a mutually beneficial partnership between education and business
• An institution that shows a strong desire to engage children and adults in technology

“Recognition from a prestigious organization like Automation Alley is a testament to our continuing mission to provide rigorous, relevant and high quality programs to a global student body via e-learning technologies,” said Dr. Julia Teahen, president, Baker College Online.
Other finalists for the Educational Program of the Year award included Cisco’s Networking Academy in Southfield and Walsh College in Troy.

Baker College Online is proud to be included on G.I. Jobs 2011 list of Military Friendly Schools. The list honors the top 15 percent of colleges, universities, and trade schools which are doing the most to embrace America’s service members and veterans as students.

Baker Online has long served as a resource for military personnel and their families. Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and a longtime partner with GoArmyEd program and other branches of the military, Baker Online is experienced in meeting the particular needs of military students:

• Baker Online is SOC, DANTES, and VA approved.
• We grant credit for prior college-level work and past work experience.
• Earn a certificate, associate, bachelor, master’s, or doctoral degree.
• Training in the high-demand fields of business, health, and IS.
• We partner with GoArmyEd.com and other military branches.

“This list is especially important now because the Post-9/11 GI Bill has given veterans virtually unlimited financial means to go to school,” said Rich McCormack, G.I. Jobs publisher. “Veterans can now enroll in any school, provided they’re academically qualified. So schools are clamoring for them like never before. Veterans need a trusted friend to help them decide where to get educated. The Military Friendly Schools list is that trusted friend.”

Derek Blumke, president of Student Veterans of America and a member of the list’s Academic Advisory Board, agrees. “The Military Friendly Schools list is the gold standard in letting veterans know which schools will offer them the greatest opportunity, flexibility and overall experience. It’s especially important now with so many schools competing for military students.”

To learn more about Baker Online and how we can help you achieve your goals, a href=“http://bakercollegeonline.com/info/”>contact us today.



A total of 40,205 students throughout the Baker College system took Baker Online classes this spring quarter. This total includes: 


• 5,810 students who took 100 percent of their classes online, including 4,957 undergraduate students and 853 graduate students.
• 8,370 students who took a combination of online classes and campus-based classes.
• 26,025 students who took campus-based classes that also included online coursework, a 28 percent increase over spring 2009.

“Our enrollment numbers are indicative that Baker College Online students continue to enjoy the convenience, flexibility and affordability of an education at an accredited career college,” said Dr. Julia Teahen, president, Baker College Online. “Moreover, Baker students are able to work around their busy schedules and earn degrees that will help them build toward the future.”

A total of 45,391 students throughout the Baker College system took Baker Online classes this winter quarter. This total includes:

• 6,149 students who took 100 percent of their classes online, including 5,241 undergraduate students and a total of 908 graduate students
• 8,573 students who took a combination of online classes and campus-based classes

30,669 students who took campus-based classes that also included online coursework, a 57.9 percent increase over winter 2009.

A CCME member for three years, Heberling has been president of Baker College Center for Graduate Studies, Flint, Mich., since 1998. He is responsible for the operation and quality of Baker’s four graduate programs: information systems, occupational therapy, MBA, and doctor of business administration. Prior to joining Baker College, Heberling was a senior policy and business analyst at Anteon Corporation, Dayton, Ohio.

He earned a bachelor’s degree and officer’s commission at Cornell University through its U.S. Air Force ROTC program. Heberling holds a master’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado through the GI Bill, and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University through an Air Force-sponsored doctoral program.

Retiring as a lieutenant colonel after 21 years of service with the Air Force, Heberling recorded 1,500 hours of flying time in the B-52 Bomber. His last assignment was with the Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio. While there, he served on the faculty as a program director and department head.

“We attribute our steadily increasing enrollment numbers to a variety of factors, including flexibility, affordability and accessibility,” said Dr. Julia Teahen, president, Baker College Online. “We also strive to offer the types of programs that will enhance or advance a career. Case in point is our new bachelor of nursing degree, which offers RNs the opportunity to continue their professional growth through an online program.”

A total of 45,687 students throughout the Baker College system took Baker Online classes this fall quarter. This total includes: * 6,188 students who took 100 percent of their classes online, including 5,256 undergraduate students and a total of 932 MBA, MSIS, MOT and DBA students * 8,149 students who took a combination of online classes and campus-based classes * 31,350 students who took campus-based classes that also included online coursework, a 56.4 percent increase over fall 2008

“Baker College is extremely proud to receive this recognition and we look forward to a long and valued partnership with the IACBE as we work together to promote and ensure quality business education,” said Denise Bannan, Ph.D., Baker College System vice president for academics. “Special congratulations and thanks go to JoDee Salisbury, system director for business administration programs, and her self-study team. This achievement is the direct result of their diligence and untiring efforts throughout the 18-month process.”

Other self-study team members included Amie Losee, Baker College Online dean of business, V. Lynn Carlino, JD, LLM, Baker College of Clinton Township associate dean of business, Jack Jordan, JD, Baker College of Jackson dean of business, and Robert Payne, Baker College Online associate dean of business.

The IACBE accreditation process for Baker College was based on the eight principles the organization uses to define quality business education: outcomes assessment, strategic planning, curriculum, teaching (covering two principles that relate to hiring of quality faculty who remain current in their respective fields through continuing education and scholarship), resources, internal and external relationships, and innovation.

As a direct result of the accreditation review process, IACBE also bestowed two prestigious commendations to Baker College: one for its facilities and the other for progressiveness.

“We are pleased and humbled by this special recognition,” said Salisbury, Ph.D., SPHR. “It is a testimony to our commitment to design programs that anticipate the ever-changing business environment, and to deliver them in an environment that supports quality education for our business students.”

Salisbury adds that the system-wide accreditation of an entire program area, a first for Baker College, validates the quality curriculum, instruction and operations that help support excellence in student learning and achievement.

“Baker College prides itself on its application-based learning experiences and ability to expose students to the ‘real world’ through highly qualified instructors who are active in their professions and focused on what is happening in business today,” said Salisbury. “Advisory boards and other
business professionals have always driven our curriculum. This ensures that our students are learning what they will need to know to be successful in their chosen careers.”

The IACBE accreditation is valid for seven years.

Lesley Morgan, Ph.D., MBA, ARNP, has been appointed director of the online BSN nursing program, responsible for its development and oversight.

“Under the tutelage of Dr. Morgan,” said Julia A. Teahen, DBA, Baker College Online president, “the BSN program will help licensed registered nurses to develop into leaders of research, practice, education and administration within the health care environment.”

Teahen is pleased that Baker offers RNs the opportunity to continue their professional growth through an online program.

“Our new online BSN program gives nurses the flexibility to work around their busy schedules and at their own pace,” said Teahen.

With more than 30 years of nursing experience, Morgan stresses the importance of continuing education.

“In today’s fast-paced, ever-changing environment,” said Morgan, “it is imperative that professional nurses continuously strive to maintain and enhance their skills in order to positively function in healthcare settings that are responsive to individual and community needs.”

Program applicants must hold an unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse (RN) in the United States, District of Columbia or U.S. territory, or an unencumbered license as a Registered Nurse in Canada. Students are expected to maintain licensure throughout their academic career and pass all health science courses with a minimum B- (2.7) in order to remain in and graduate from the program.

Although the program is entirely online, there are three courses in the Baker College Online baccalaureate curriculum that involve clinical experiences. Students are required to perform clinical activities involving client or staff teaching, program changes or systems alterations.

Graduates of Baker’s Associate Degree in Nursing (ADN) program are eligible for up to 90 hours of credit toward the BSN degree. All applicants will receive a minimum of 45 hours of credit for their RN licensure.

Morgan adds that there are no limitations on enrollment. “As the applicants already have their RN license, there are no restrictions on class size by the state board,” said Morgan. “We can add course sections to meet the demand.”

For more information about Baker’s online BSN program, contact the admissions department at 800.469.3165, or online.

Rankings are based on GetEducated.com’s national survey of online MBAs with tuition and fees based on publicly posted rates for 390+ MBAs offered from 168 accredited distance-learning business schools in the United States.

Baker College Online programs named in the Best Buy Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Business & Management category include:

Online degree rankings are based on GetEducated.com’s spring 2009 survey of affordable online business and management bachelor’s degrees. The organization compared and ranked the publicly posted tuition rates at 83 distance-learning bachelor’s of management or administration programs offered through regionally accredited universities in the United States.

“We are pleased by the affirmation from GetEducated.com as we continue to provide affordable, high quality education to our students,” said Dr. Julia Teahen, Baker College Online president.

Established in 1989, GetEducated.com was the first online counseling center for adult learners seeking accredited online college degrees. The organization’s college experts evaluate every program to help consumers get educated about what it takes to succeed in online learning. GetEducated.com offers listings only to colleges and universities accredited by the Council on Higher Education Accreditation.