Getting to Know: Nicole Sheldon
March 25, 2022
In our newest segment, "Getting to Know," we profile recent hires at CCRI and provide
an in-depth look at their role at the college, their background prior to joining our
community, and how their work reflects CCRI's guiding principles. Email [email protected] to nominate a co-worker.
Credit for Prior Learning (CPL) is a great way for students – especially adult learners or those who took time off
between high school and college – to earn college credits based on their learning
experiences outside of the traditional classroom setting. That could be anything from
military service and corporate training to previous work experience and college-level
knowledge tests, such as CLEP (College Level Examination Program).
To help students better understand the benefits of CPL, and, most importantly, determine
whether they’re eligible for such credits, the college recently hired Nicole Sheldon, a former high school counselor and Office Administrator at the University of Rhode
Island, to join the Office of Admissions as its CPL Coordinator. She will be responsible
for leading the rebrand from Prior Learning Assessment – another commonly-used term
to describe this opportunity – to Credit for Prior Learning while helping students
explore these new pathways toward completing their degree faster and more efficiently.
Today, we caught up with Nicole to get a better understanding of her role at the college
and learn more about the importance of CPL for students who may meet the requirements.
Why is CCRI changing the name of this opportunity from PLA to CPL?
“It often trips people up when they hear the word ‘assessment.’ They might think they
have to take a test, but that is not always the case. For example, students may earn
credit for their training in the military or by putting together a specific portfolio.
While this rebrand is new, PLA has been around for a while. A few other organizations
have begun to use the new term, CPL, so there has been a bit of a shift. With PLA,
the term at the forefront is ‘assessment,’ and to an outside student that might sound
scary. The shift to CPL puts the emphasis on the benefit, which is ‘credit.’”
Who is eligible to earn credit for prior learning?
"This applies to all students currently registered and accepted into a degree program
at CCRI. The prior learning must be college-level and used toward credits in your
program of study. It certainly can benefit adult learners or students who’ve had a
year or two off between high school and college, but it can also be an opportunity
for students right out of high school. The majority of students taking advantage of
CPL have not been in college for a bit, but maybe they have military training or work
experience, or perhaps workplace training such as the police academy, apprenticeships,
or real estate.
"CPL is recognition for learning that may have taken place outside of a traditional
college setting, which, for many of our students, could include a world language.
For example, if you are a native Spanish speaker and have strong Spanish language
skills, you could take and pass a CLEP exam for Spanish and earn credit rather than
take a Spanish course. There are a bunch of different avenues students can explore."
Why should students explore CPL?
"Earning credit for prior learning is a faster path toward getting a degree and studies
show it significantly boosts motivation and degree completion. I am living proof.
When I was working to become licensed as a school counselor in Vermont, they wanted
me to take certain classes despite the fact I already had the experience, so I understand
how frustrating that can be from a student’s perspective. I put together a portfolio
with various artifacts showing evidence of my prior learning and was granted the license
as a result."
Why is CPL particularly important at CCRI?
"The diversity of our student body is a big reason why CPL is such a priority. We
have many adult learners who might have the previous work experience or training necessary
to earn college credit and therefore complete their degree faster. That population
is also increasing due to the pandemic and the launch of our COVID Recovery Finish
Scholarship, which is providing new opportunities for adult learners who are looking
to continue their education or reenter the workforce in a new field."
More information on CPL is available online. Please continue to check the website for updates. Students interested in finding out whether they are eligible should
contact Nicole Sheldon at [email protected].
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