Success Spotlights

Meet Jacksonville CP Melissa Ryan

Concorde Staff

Concorde Staff

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Updated July 15, 2016. The information contained in this blog is current and accurate as of this date.
Melissa Ryan, Jacksonville CP

It's summertime and the students are hot. So, why don't we stick with the sunshine, heat and humidity motif that is the great Sunshine State of Florida in the ongoing series we like to call, "Meet Your Campus Presidents?"

Today, we're heading to the northeast corner of the state to Jacksonville to meet our Concorde Career Institute - Jacksonville Campus President (CP) Melissa Ryan. Ryan said she didn't expect her college background in computer science to lead to a career in higher education, but that's exactly what it did, taking her first to the northeastern U.S. before heading south to the sand and surf of Florida.

Let's read on and learn more about what makes our Jacksonville CP tick, from her love of students to her love of scary movies and origins as a physical therapy major.

 

What's been your journey to becoming a Concorde CP?

 

I've been in education since 1988 and spent the first 15 years of my career at Boston University in a variety of positions, from IT support to eventually running the Corporate Education Center and its five locations. I've since worked as the Vice President/General Manager of New Horizons Learning Centers of Boston, Regional Executive Director-Massachusetts for Lincoln Educational Services and then moved my family here to Florida. I joined Concorde six years ago.

 

What's been the best part about being a Campus President?

 

By far, it is being able to change lives. Seeing our students achieve their dreams and walk across the stage makes every day worth it.

 

What is it that makes the Jacksonville campus stand out for its students?

 

Our team. The majority of the Jax team has been with Concorde for more than five years each. They are here because they love our students and our campus. We are also well connected to our community.

 

What's the best piece of advice you were ever given?

 

Do the right thing. Having the best interests of the students and Concorde never leads you down the wrong path.

 

What's a favorite TV show, recent movie you've seen or book you've read?

 

I love a good scary movie about hauntings. I just saw the Conjuring 2. Should I admit this?!

 

What is a hidden talent, favorite hobby or little-known fact people don't know about you?

 

I come from a long line of educators and started my college years as a physical therapy major only to end up in computer science, thinking that I would not have a career in education. Yet, that is exactly where I landed.

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  1. Program length may be subject to change dependent on transfer credits and course load. Please refer to current course catalog for more information. Concorde does not guarantee admittance, graduation, subsequent employment or salary amount.

  2. Professional certification is not a requirement for graduation, may not be a requirement for employment nor does it guarantee employment.

  3. Financial aid is available to those who qualify but may not be available for all programs. Concorde does not guarantee financial aid or scholarship awards or amounts.

  4. Clinical hour requirements and delivery may vary by campus location and may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee clinical site assignments based upon student preference or geographic convenience; nor do clinical experiences guarantee graduation, post-clinical employment or salary outcomes.

  5. Registration and certification requirements for taking and passing these examinations are not controlled by Concorde, but by outside agencies, and are subject to change by the agency without notice. Therefore, Concorde cannot guarantee that graduates will be eligible to take these exams, at all or at any specific time, regardless of their eligibility status upon enrollment.

  6. Externships are a non-paid in-person learning experience, whose length and location may be subject to change. Concorde does not guarantee externship placement, graduation, post-externship employment or salary outcomes.