November 20, 2003 - Webster's Dictionary defines a cohort as "a band of soldiers, any group or band, or an associate."  Daniel Webster College defines a cohort as a model for its degree completion program curriculum (as well as its MBA program) where students progress through a sequence of courses for 18 months, staying together as a team throughout the process.  It is a team-building way for working people to attend classes and work together toward the completion of a bachelor degree in Organizational Management or Management & Information Technology.

Recently, Daniel Webster College faculty and friends had the opportunity to see what a cohort can accomplish when an EXCEL cohort delivered its capstone (culmination) presentation earlier this month.

"This is a culmination of many of the concepts they've learned and acquired," said Professor Neil P. Parmenter, Business and Management Division, who is the EXCEL Curriculum and Technology Coordinator.  "They started the capstone process six months ago."

Professor Parmenter explained that the EXCEL group chooses a fictional product and among themselves selects who will take on the different business roles traditionally found in a business, such as CEO, CFO, VP Marketing, etc.  Working collaboratively, the group develops its business plan and determines how they will present it.

This November cohort was comprised of Holly Asselin, of Somerville, MA; Deborah Belanger of Manchester; Paula Hartmann of Hollis; Charles Hendron, of Manchester; Robert Korenman, of Francestown; Adam Robitaille, of Nashua; and Laura Valliere, of Hudson.

"Everybody pitches in," said Paula Hartmann of Hollis.  "We put in many hours of this.  It was a joint effort, deciding who would do what.  It's a good group to work with."

"It's really a good program," said Adam Robitaille, of Nashua.  "It's convenient, and it really works with a busy schedule."

"I think it's a wonderful program for working full-time and learning a significant amount of information in a short period of time," explained Laura Valliere, of Hudson.

"It's amazing how many hours they have put in, even to the very end," observed Professor Parmenter.  "It's a presentation involving a lot of work and dedication."  Professor Parmenter also noted that these cohort students, like most of those enrolled in Daniel Webster College EXCEL programs, hold jobs, attend other classes, and have family responsibilities.  Yet despite these demands, the cohort rose to the challenge.  "All I'm looking for is excellence, and they give me excellence," Parmenter declared.