Excelsior College Joins Forces with Support Services Alliance

ALBANY, NY (11/28/2007)(readMedia)-- Excelsior College, a world leader in online education, has been named by Support Services Alliance (SSA) as a preferred educational provider. The agreement enhances access to a college degree for the more than 100,000 employees of its 14,500 small business members throughout New York state.

“Excelsior College is pleased to expand the benefits offerings of SSA with higher education tailored to meet the needs of working adults,” said Excelsior College President John F. Ebersole. “Small business owners and entrepreneurs can enjoy greater success through education and we are pleased to join with SSA to strengthen the business climate in our state.”

Excelsior College offers students choices for meeting degree requirements. The College’s online courses and examinations are delivered in several formats in order to serve students at the time they are ready to learn, and in a place that is convenient to them. Regardless of geographic location, working hours or the necessity of business travel, an Excelsior College education is available to SSA members.

The College also accepts in transfer credits earned from a variety of accredited sources, including traditional and online courses from other institutions, for-credit exams, and military and corporate training.

"We're proud to offer our small-business members and their employees the opportunity to enhance their learning opportunities through this program,” said Christopher Koetzle, SSA’s Vice President of Membership and Marketing. “Through the terms of this agreement, SSA is able to provide small-business owners and their employees the same access to higher education opportunities that big businesses enjoy."

SSA joins major United States institutions including Tyson Foods and McDonald’s® USA in selecting Excelsior College as a preferred education provider.

Support Services Alliance (SSA) (www.ssamembers.com) provides benefits and assistance to thousands of small businesses and the self-employed in upstate New York. Combined, SSA's member companies employ more than 100,000 New Yorkers. SSA members purchase a variety of services and programs at prices and terms usually reserved for large companies. SSA staff use their expertise, experience, and contacts to assist small business with more than 20 programs and services.

SSA's programs and services include advocacy in the state legislature; group insurance programs, including health, dental, vision and life; payroll and benefits administration; a bi-monthly news magazine; and a toll-free member help line. SSA was founded in 1997 to strengthen the economic position of small business by forming a purchasing alliance.

Excelsior College (www.excelsior.edu) is a private, nonprofit institution of higher learning and a recognized world leader in the field of online education. Founded in 1971 and located in Albany, N.Y., it is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Excelsior College Examinations are recognized by the American Council on Education (ACE), Center for Adult Learning and Educational Credentials, for the award of college-level credit.

U.S. News & World Report’s “America's Best Colleges” report has repeatedly recognized Excelsior College with top rankings for number of transfer students in the nation and the highest percentage of students over 25 years old.

(Top 100 Lists http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/rankwebex_brief.php)

-30-