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Please feel free to contact any of the following graduates of the master's program with your questions.

Central Iowa Ambassadors

Mike Gudka Karen Miller Massetti Rick Noss Sally Schroeder Jan Snyder

Omaha Ambassadors

Judy Davidson-Whitehead Vanessa Erwin Brenda Schimenti Ralph Lassiter Nicole Bertrand John Walkenhorst Carla Zak

mike.gudka@mortgage.wellsfargo.com	Mike is the Vice President of Learning and Development at Wells Fargo Home Mortgage. "The master's program at Drake is very challenging from an intellectual perspective, while at the same time it is grounded in today's actual corporate learning issues and opportunities. The balance between theory and reality makes for an exciting learning environment! One of the strongest aspects of the program is the interaction with other outstanding learning professionals both as instructors and class participants. Each class represents an opportunity to stretch your thinking and broaden your perspective."
jsnyder@nwicc.cc.ia.us	Jan is the Executive Director of Institutional Advancement at Northwest Iowa Community College in Sheldon, Iowa. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at Iowa State University in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. "Participating in Drake University's Masters program in Adult Learning and Human Performance & Development was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. As an adult learner, I was able to experience learning in a different manner than I had in the past. The courses were interesting and informative. The class schedule was something that worked for my family and my career. As a student I was engaged in dialog that was thought provoking and lively. I gleaned a tremendous amount of knowledge from both the faculty and my classmates. The faculty's passion for learning was evident. In many respects it was contagious. I would highly recommend this program to individuals pursuing advancement in either higher education or human resources." Top
miller_karen@bah.com.	Karen is an Instructional Systems Designer for Booz Allen Hamilton "I found the Concentration in Adult Learning and Organizational Performance to be the perfect complement to my Master's degree. It not only helped me become a better instructional designer, but also a better manager. I especially appreciated the weekend course offerings and the chance to interact with faculty and students who were also working in the field." Top
rick.noss@firstdatacorp.com	Rick is Director, Client Development, for First Data Resources in Omaha, NE. "The Drake University Adult Learning and Organizational Performance graduate program transcends the education field into all areas of professional life. Courses such as Strategic Planning, Human Performance Improvement, and Leadership Essentials helped me grow both personally and professionally. The instructors are fantastic at making assignments applicable to our careers so we have a usable product upon completion. The entire program is a blend of academic and real-life learning." Top
sally.schroeder@ed.state.ia.us	Sally Schroeder is an adult education consultant with the Iowa Department of Education. She is responsible for professional development in the areas of ESL (English as a Second Language), ABE (Adult Basic Education) and GED (General Educational Development). She serves as a mentor in Drake's ASSIST program. "My adult education degree from Drake University is one of my most treasured accomplishments. The theories and applications I learned are used on a daily basis for professional development in Iowa's community colleges." Top
Omaha Ambassadors
nrmason@earthlink.net	Nicole Bertrand is a Performance Information Analyst at HDR, Inc. in Omaha, NE. She has more than ten years of experience in the field of Human Resources and her current responsibilities include survey design and analysis. “The Adult Learning, Performance and Development Master of Science degree program offered by Drake University has proven to be an excellent opportunity. For those interested in the field of adult education, this program successfully offers the perfect balance of qualified instructors and challenging coursework. In addition, the Omaha cohort benefits greatly from the convenient class schedule and the priceless relationships formed during the two-year program. I would highly recommend this degree program to any professional interested in furthering their education in training and development. It is truly a unique educational experience – one that benefits students both personally and professionally.” Top
CampbellL@FCSAmerica.com	Lynette is Director of Organizational Development and Learning for Farm Credit Services of America in Omaha. She formerly was an Organizational Effectiveness Consultant, using coaching, consulting and facilitation and collaboration to champion systems thinking, focus on increasing personal mastery, galvanize team learning, help people through change and collaborate on process improvement. "Before signing up for a program that demands so much energy and commitment,I carefully examined a variety of graduate programs, both on campus and on-line. The Adult Learning, Performance, & Development Graduate Degree Program at Drake most closely aligned with my career goals! However, it was not until I got into the program that I discovered how well I was able to customize my learning, and choose areas of study that mattered most to me - for me the Leadership Concentration. I was especially thrilled to find I could precisely align significant projects at work with research and reading assignments in classes. This was a win for me personally, and it also contributed to my organization's success. The classes in this program focus on how to maximize a company's most important asset - its people. As I facilitate programs and strategic planning events, it becomes clear that helping adults learn creates an important competitive advantage. If you can't tell from what I've written, although it's a lot of work, I love this program! It is not meant only for educators. It is also a leadership program. I would recommend it to any manager or executive. Actually, to anyone who has a goal of helping people become more productive!" Top
jdavidso@notes.state.ne.us	Judy Davidson-Whitehead works with the Information Management Services division of the State of Nebraska as a training coordinator; primary areas of focus are professional and organizational development. "I found the Drake program to be an exhilarating and workable solution that allowed me to participate in a quality graduate program while working full time and being a mother to two small children. The content and knowledge gained from the courses were easily transferable to both organizational and personal goals and objectives. I thoroughly enjoyed the challenge and experience, although hesitant to attend the first course I found myself engaged and desiring to be a part of the dynamic learning environment the cohort offered. I have no regrets and encourage those looking for a graduate program designed for the working professional to consider Drake University." Top
verwin@oppd.com	Vanessa Erwin is a Performance Improvement Specialist in Customer Services Operations at the Omaha Public Power District. "I am thrilled to be part of the cohort program for the Adult, Learning, Performance and Development Master's program offered in Omaha. The curriculum and the class schedules were convenient and accommodated my busy life-style. I chose to pursue both the concentration in Human Resource Management and the concentration in Leadership Studies. I found each class interesting and challenging. I not only received my Master's degree from Drake University, I also received a well rounded education." Top
rlassite@hdrinc.com	Ralph Lassiter is national director of Training and Organizational Development for HDR Engineering, Inc. He has more than 25 years of experience in the design, implementation and evaluation of performance improvement systems for organizations, their managers and employees. "Two unsuccessful attempts through other executive-type graduate programs preceded my participation in Drake's Adult Learning, Performance and Development Master's program. Fortunately Drake's program was a perfect fit for me in several respects. First and foremost, the content of each class was immediately applicable to my job as a director of training and OD. In addition, I have gained the research and theoretical foundation that gives me a fuller understanding of a number of concepts and practices learned on the job. Naturally the instructors are top-notch with excellent academic credentials and real-world experiences but equally rewarding are the relationships developed with other professionals who made up my cohort. Without reservation, I recommend this Master's program from Drake University!" Top
brenda@assocoffice.net	Brenda Schimenti serves as Executive Director for several trade associations through her employment with McBride & Associates, an association management company. "This degree program is unlike any other available in the Midwest. It features a faculty of professionals who live their subject daily, leading-edge instruction and peer learning exchange unlike anything I had ever experienced in an academic setting. Couple this with the convenient nontraditional format and excellent learning facilities and you can't beat the experience you receive through this Drake program." John is the Staff Development Specialist for Financial Positions at Mutual of Omaha." Top
JohnWalkenhorst@aol.com	"Three key success factors of the Drake Masters of Science Program in Adult Learning and Organizational Performance are the instructors, the students, and Drake's reputation. The instructors are excellent educators combining theory, application, and practical experience. They are well versed in their topics and current on latest developments in their specialties. With diverse business backgrounds and common eagerness to share experiences, the high caliber of students is a second key success factor of the program. I made many new friends and reliable business contacts. Finally, Drake University has a reputation that is unsurpassed. Everyone has heard of Drake. I feel I really earned this degree and it was worth every step."
Carla.zak@physiciansmutual.com	Carla Zak is a Sales Trainer at Physicians Mutual Insurance Company. The Omaha Cohort of the Adult Learning and Organizational Performance Master’s program through Drake University has proved to be an excellent choice for me. I started taking classes through the Drake program because the topics interested me, however, I wasn’t sure that I could commit to complete my Master’s Degree due to my work travel schedule. I found that the program offered me an opportunity to develop my knowledge and skills, but also could fit with my work schedule and still have a life. The courses have been invaluable in the information learned. However, it is the faculty that truly makes the program successful. In addition, the Omaha Cohort provides an environment for students to interact and learn from each other, which has been invaluable. I would recommend the program to anyone interested in pursuing a Master’s Degree in a truly supportive environment.

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For questions, general information, or to receive a packet of information contact:

Tom Westbrook, Ph.D., Program Coordinator, 1-800-44-DRAKE or 515-271-3078
thomas.westbrook@drake.edu
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