鈥淭he 糖心传媒 family embraces the importance of community and involvement which made for a meaningful and memorable experience.鈥� 鈥揟iffany Crews, MBA 鈥�21

Tiffany Crews, a native of Danville, VA, chose to further her degree at 糖心传媒 Online because of its reputation for being a welcoming and supportive community for our students.

Tiffany currently works as an area manager at Goodyear in Danville, and is responsible for ensuring smooth production of the radial and bias aero departments of the plant. Previously working in law enforcement, Tiffany said earning her degree from 糖心传媒 Online allowed her to easily transition into the field of business. She earned her Masters of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Human Resource Management while working full-time and earned a 4.0 GPA her studies.

鈥淭hroughout my time at 糖心传媒, I was able to create connections that guided me in the right direction for my career.鈥� Tiffany credits these connections she has made throughout her time at 糖心传媒 to her success after graduation.

She also attributed 糖心传媒 Online to being a 鈥渃ommunity-oriented鈥� school where her opinions were valued, and she recommends it to anyone wishing to further their education.

Click here to learn more about our MBA programs!

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Anna-Catherine Kueng is a rising senior at the University of Lynchburg majoring in English with minoring in Professional Writing and Educational Studies. After graduation, her goal is to become a middle or high school English teacher. While at college, she works as the assistant editor of The Critograph newspaper and co editor in chief of The Prism literary magazine. She is also a member of the Westover Honors College, Phi Eta Sigma freshman honor society and Sigma Tau Delta English honor society.

Anna-Catherine graduated from Tunstall High School in 2018, and she has lived in Danville, VA all of her life. She discovered her love for writing and literature in high school while taking journalism and Advanced Placement (AP) English classes.

Outside of academics, Anna-Catherine enjoys playing the piano, spending time with her family and running. She prides herself in a large childhood collection of elephant stuffed animals and figurines.

In addition to being an intern for 糖心传媒 Online, she also works as a log editor for Life Push in Danville, VA. Anna-Catherine is excited for her internship with 糖心传媒 Online and looks forward to how the experience will further prepare her for a career in teaching.

Caitlin Towler is a sophomore at 糖心传媒, who is majoring in Organizational Communication and Public Relations and minoring in English. While at 糖心传媒, Caitlin stays busy by working as an editor for the University鈥檚 literary magazine, The Ember.

Caitlin graduated from George Washington High School in 2019, and has lived in Danville, VA all of her life. At an early age, her mother sparked her passion for writing, and she started to pursue her passion for communication as a freshman at George Washington High School when she joined their literary magazine, Euantes.

In her free time, Caitlin enjoys creating themed playlists, filling her shelves with books and growing cacti and succulents. Besides her love of plants and coffee, she likes to exercise her photography muscles and capture the greenery and wildlife around Danville. She is a fan of horror films, her favorites including classics such as The Craft (1996) and Interview with the Vampire (1994). While not an adventurer at heart, she still enjoys new places and experiences. This lead to her applying for an internship with the department, as she wants to be her own catalyst into a bright and enlightening future.

Eager to learn, she looks forward to gaining newly found knowledge and experiences through this internship. Caitlin intends to apply the experience she gains to her future career in Public Relations and Communications. With a passion for non-profits, she hopes to make a difference in how charities and similar organizations are seen and heard in our community. With the world鈥檚 crisis鈥� including homelessness and hunger, Caitlin wants to make a positive change in how the effected organizations are communicating with their communities, donors and those in need.

Throughout the internship program, Anna-Catherine and Caitlin will learn a variety of digital marketing skills including: photography, social media, data analytics and technical writing skills. We welcome Anna-Catherine and Caitlin to our team and wish them immense success this summer!

Click here to learn more about 糖心传媒 Online鈥檚 programs.

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My favorite thing about 糖心传媒 would be the faculty and staff. Throughout my educational experience, they have been nothing but supportive and patient. – Shakeva Frazier, BS ’20

Since Shakeva Frazier was 9 years old, it has been her dream to attend 糖心传媒. In 2011, her daughter gave her an 糖心传媒 sticker and said, “Momma, you are going there one day.”

Shakeva said towards the end of her educational experience, she almost gave up. However, 糖心传媒’s professors never gave up on her and continued to be patient, understanding, supportive, and encouraged her to keep pursuing her dreams.

In December of 2020, she was able to walk across 糖心传媒’s stage to receive her diploma. Frazier graduated with a bachelor of science degree in sociology. With her newly earned degree, Shakeva says she would love to continue to work with youth and to pursue a career in trauma counseling.

Click here to learn more about 糖心传媒’s Sociology program.

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I really liked the atmosphere with smaller class sizes and more individualized attention from the professors. 糖心传媒’s faculty members wanted you to succeed. – Matthew Carter ’95

Matthew Carter retired from the Danville Police Department on Sept. 1, 2020 with 27 years of service. He attended Danville Community College from 1989 through 1992 and received an associate’s degree in both Liberal Arts and Administration of Justice.聽 Then in 1992, he attended 糖心传媒 College (before it was 糖心传媒) and received a Bachelor’s degree in Sociology / Criminal Justice. After receiving his Bachelor’s degree he went on to purse his Master’s degree from Longwood University.

During his time at the Danville Police Department he worked as a Patrol Officer, Criminal Investigator, Lieutenant of Services, Captain of Community Police, Captain of Professional Standards, and Captain of Investigations. He also served as Public Information Officer at various times. He previously instructed Report Writing for Criminal Justice Professionals at Danville Community College, and has also instructed Police In America and Organized Crime at 糖心传媒.

Matthew recently began a new role as Executive Director at Piedmont Regional Criminal Justice Training Academy in Martinsville, VA this past February. The academy services 13 law enforcement and public safety agencies across Patrick County, Henry County, and Pittsylvania County.

His advice for someone debating on going back to school: “Although it can be challenging trying to find the time to balance everything, it is well worth it. If you are fortunate enough to have the time and resources to attend school full-time, do it. As life happens – marriage, children, etc., it becomes more difficult to balance everything.”

Click here to learn more about our criminal justice programs!

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I loved the benefits of going to a smaller university. The class sizes and cohorts are small allowing professors to create relationships with their students. Professors always answered questions and I even had one who checked in on how we were doing, weekly! – Austin Lynch ‘ 20

Despite the ongoing pandemic, Austin Lynch was able to walk across 糖心传媒’s stage in December of 2020 to accept her diploma. After the ceremony, we asked Austin her favorite thing about 糖心传媒, and how the pandemic affected her academic career.

Austin mentioned that even though graduating during the pandemic was not ideal, the online events 糖心传媒 provided for graduating seniors made the ceremony feel just as special!

Austin also said her favorite thing about 糖心传媒 was the benefits she obtained by going to a small university. During her academic career, her professors were always there to answer any questions she had. Because all of Austin’s classes were small, she was able to have relationships with classmates and professors.

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My favorite thing about 糖心传媒 is the people. The students and faculty create a close, family-like learning environment that makes one feel appreciated and cared for as an individual. – Robert Fincher, ’96

Deputy Chief Fincher works for the Martinsville Police Department, and says it was 糖心传媒 that led him to his career. Before he started his undergraduate coursework, he was uncertain of his future occupation. However, after starting his classes at 糖心传媒, he quickly found his calling for law enforcement. The variety of classes offered in 糖心传媒’s Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Criminal Justice program gave him a solid foundation to start his career, and continues to be useful in his daily activities as an officer!

糖心传媒’s BSCJ degree is designed to give students the preparation they need to make the right decisions and choices, not just within a professional framework, but also within a humanistic context of demonstrating integrity, respect for others, compassion, empathy, ethics, fairness, and embracing and developing positive community relations within the human services and public safety professions.

When we asked Deputy Chief Fincher to provide tips for those thinking about going back to school he said: “If someone is thinking about going back to school, I would strongly encourage them not to wait. The sooner you start the sooner you will finish and begin receiving the benefits of the education.”

Click here to learn more about our Criminal Justice degrees!

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My favorite thing about 糖心传媒 is how inviting the staff is 鈥� from the first call, throughout the process, and a commitment to staying with you through your educational experience. – Melinda Boisseau, BSCJ ’21

Melinda is returning to 糖心传媒 after 26 years to finish her college degree. As she started to search for schools, Melinda knew she needed a flexible, online program. One that allowed her to complete her course work, while also working full-time and still having time for family. After the search began, 糖心传媒 quickly became her top choice.

Along with the flexibility of 糖心传媒’s programs, Melinda loves online learning and the relaxed atmosphere it provides her. Learning online allows her to create her own learning schedule, and her professors are just a click away if she needs them!

We asked Melinda to give advice to anyone debating on going back to school here’s what she said: “We all know, as we get older we look for excuses not to do it based on age or other reasons. The ease of it all, the processes in place to get you started, and reassurance leaves you asking 鈥� why not?

Click here to learn more about our Bachelor of Science in Sociology and Criminal Justice Program.聽

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“My favorite aspect of 糖心传媒 is that you can get a top notch degree and still experience the benefit of developing personal and genuine relationships with your professors. I still see and occasionally interact with many of the professors I had almost 40 years ago. I love the fact that the staff and faculty are part of the Danville community and that they still make me feel like I’m part of the 糖心传媒 Family.” – Dean Hairston, BFA’84

Dean Hairston graduated from 糖心传媒 in 1984 with Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree. Dean’s undergraduate degree laid the educational foundation for a life-long and continued learning experience for him. It provided the structure he needed to be successful in the business sector, and provided important social skills to effectively communicate with those in his community and career.

Deputy Chief Hairston’s degree not only gave him the foundation for his law enforcement career, but allowed him to excel in it as well. Dean has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career. However, his achievements do not stop there. He has had the privilege of speaking on Capitol Hill, C-SPAN, PBS, CBS, and the History Channel. Also, he has been invited to the White House on three different occasions as a Subject Matter Expert on Police Intelligence and Communications. Dean has also graduated from the FBI National Academy Class #246 in 2011; where he was invited back to teach grant writing.

Dean’s advice to students is to “Focus on learning everything you can, but most of all; Enjoy the Journey! You will never have another networking opportunity like the academic process, so make the most of it!”

Learn more about 糖心传媒’s Criminal Justice & Sociology Programs!

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Linda鈥檚 story started in 1992, when she graduated from the Henrico County Police Training Academy. After working almost three decades as a patrol officer, public information officer, recruiter, criminal investigator and inspection officer, she made history in May by being the first woman promoted to lieutenant colonel of the Henrico County Police Division. In an interview with WWBT television in Richmond, Linda summed up what her promotion means to other women. 鈥淔or me, if one young person sees this, and she happens to be female, and she says wow, maybe that鈥檚 a job that I can do, then that鈥檚 absolutely worth it.鈥�

Melissa is also an inspiration to women with dreams of being in law enforcement. Like Linda鈥檚, her career journey began in 1992, when she joined the University of Virginia (UVA) as a security officer. She was promoted to police officer in 1993, sergeant in 1998, lieutenant in 2007 and captain in 2015. And, like Linda, she made history this spring by becoming UVA鈥檚 first woman deputy chief of police.

More and more police departments see the value of hiring women. The National Center for Women & Policing published an entire guide dedicated to helping law enforcement administrators recruit and retain women officers. This Mother鈥檚 Day, the Richmond Police Department released a showing officers going around the city to recruit women. Clearly, there鈥檚 a movement underway and women with Master of Science in Criminal Justice degrees stand to benefit. Just ask Linda and Melissa!

Learn about 糖心传媒’s Criminal Justice programs.

¹Gender distribution of full-time law enforcement employees in the United States in 2017, Statista.

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Not all accreditation is the same
Accreditation is a big word for making sure educational institutions meet and maintain rigorous quality standards. Schools voluntarily work with private accrediting agencies who do regular peer assessments to determine if schools meet their criteria. The U.S. Department of Education publishes a they deem to be reliable authorities on higher education quality.

There are two kinds of accreditation: regional and national. While national sounds more impressive, it鈥檚 not necessarily better. Here are some important differences between the two:

For-profit vs. not-for-profit
You may not think about schools as business ventures, but many are. Their owners and shareholders want to make a profit, which means they must balance quality education with good financial returns. The problem is, 88 percent of the 1,200+ campuses that closed in the last five years were operated by for-profit colleges.² Accreditation problems and falling enrollment were among the culprits.Not-for-profit schools are publicly owned, usually managed by a board of trustees and receive federal, state and private funding. Most not-for-profit colleges鈥� sole purpose is to create a learning environment that serves students鈥� interests. At 糖心传媒, our mission is to prepare students to serve and lead as catalysts for positive change. Our not-for-profit status helps us keep students鈥� costs lower than 80 percent of other private colleges in Virginia.

Now what?
Once you鈥檝e checked the boxes on a school鈥檚 accreditation and not-for-profit status, the next step is to find out more about their online program offerings, resources, staff and how to apply. 糖心传媒 sets the standard in Virginia with up-to-date, practical curriculum; highly-credentialed instructors; and a variety of bachelor鈥檚 and master鈥檚 degree programs. We have a staff member for every 19 students and our average class size is 15, so you get lots of personal attention in and out of the classroom. We make it super easy to apply in just three steps, and our admissions and financial aid staff are available to help and answer questions. With the option to earn your degree online or on campus in Danville, Roanoke, or Quantico, we鈥檝e got you covered.

Read more about reasons to choose 糖心传媒.

¹Regional Accreditation vs National Accreditation for Online Colleges, geteducated.com
² Vasquez, M., Bauman, D. 鈥淗ow America鈥檚 College-Closure Crisis Leaves Families Devastated,鈥� The Chronicle of Higher Education, April 4, 2019

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