Faces of Nelnet: Melissa Marks, Business Development, Health Education Solutions

Interviewed by Dawn Knight, Western Regional Director, Nelnet Partner Solutions

Melissa Marks, Director of Business Development, Health Education Solutions

What are you most proud of within your business segment?

Melissa Marks: I am most proud that Health Education Solutions (HES) has launched a new business focused on the health care market as well as the general public.  We are proud to offer an Online Medical Education and Certification program which bring services to our customers in a way that helps them be more efficient with their time while providing them continuing education credits, online resources, etc.

HES, an expert certification course provider in the health education field, offers a variety of online courses for health care professionals who want to advance their clinical skills and for the general public who want to be prepared for life-threatening medical emergencies. 

What has been your biggest work related challenge during the past 12 months?

Melissa: The biggest challenge has been re-launching the business in a way that truly focuses on our consumers and our partners (American Heart Association and Union College).  We’ve added a tremendous amount of new services, as you can see on http://www.healthedsolutions.com.

For our consumers, we focused on allowing them to do more things online without having to speak to an HES associate, such as making it easier for them to complete courses and/or retake courses online. 

If a school were to ask you what it is you do for Nelnet that impacts them, what would you say?

Melissa: We launched the Heartsafe Campus, which aims to create safer environments for school communities, including students and staff. 

What are the goals of your business segment?

Melissa: This is two-fold.  One primary goal is to be the premier provider of online continuing education.  The other goal is to create a safer community across the country through First Aid, CPR, and Automated External Defibrillators (AED).

If you could be anywhere in the universe for New Year’s Eve, where would you be and why?

Melissa: I’ve always wanted to be in Times Square. 

What is your favorite movie snack?

Melissa: Junior Mints.

Name one thing that many people do not know about you.

Melissa: I was valedictorian of my high school.

Dawn Knight, Rocky Mountain & Western Regional Director (AZ, CO, ID, NV, ND, OR, WA, WY), Nelnet Partner Solutions