The Edge mission is all about finding your competitive edge with relevant news, original content, podcasts, and free newsletters to keep you informed about what’s happening in your field of interest. If you’re focused on advancing your knowledge and pursuing your online degree – including associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral – Edge is your online publication for finding news, information, tips, and updates about the many critical industries that encompass our growing global community of American Military University and American Public University students and alumni.
Edge’s award-winning content is curated for working professionals and learners by our dedicated editorial staff. Our staff works in collaboration with leading university faculty-practitioners who – in addition to developing curriculum and instructing our more than 80,000 current students and over 100,000 alumni – are often active leaders in their industries.
Whether serving in the military or their communities, our global network of lifelong learners are passionate about higher education and their career advancement, and we’re equally passionate about covering essential topics that include online career advice, online education, military and veteran news, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence – along with homeland security, intelligence, public safety, space, environmental, and health and fitness. We invite you to explore Edge, sign up for our complimentary newsletter, share top-of-mind content on your social channels or contact us at content@apei.com.
AMU Edge
Wes O’Donnell is an Army and Air Force veteran and managing editor covering military and tech topics. Serving on active duty for just over ten years, Wes participated in Operation Desert Thunder and Joint Interagency Task Force South – Counter Drug Operations. As a sought-after professional speaker, Wes has presented at the U.S. Air Force Academy, AMEX, United Health Group, and TEDx, among many others, covering trending topics ranging from data visualization to veterans’ advocacy. Wes is an adjunct professor at Baker College and has an MBA with a concentration in IT Management, and a B.A. in International Relations from American Military University.
Glynn Cosker is a regular contributor to Edge and focuses on politics, homeland security, emergency & disaster management, and related industries. Glynn has more than 20 years of experience in journalism, corporate writing, creative writing, editing, and content strategy. Now a U.S. citizen (but born and raised in the U.K.) Glynn worked for the British government from 1991 to 2002, and he served as Vice-Consul in the Consular Section of the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. from 1998 to 2002. He is also one of the hosts of AMU’s Protect & Secure podcast.
APU Edge
Leischen Kranick is a managing editor for Edge. She has more than 12 years of experience working in media including writing, editing, publishing, and promoting articles, podcasts and videos. She currently oversees the production of 10 podcast channels for the university. Leischen has an M.A. in Management from American Military University and a B.A. in Business Administration from Franklin & Marshall College. She won the 2019 “Best Use of eBooks” award from Content Marketing Institute and received the 2017 Award of Excellence from APUS.
Susan Hoffman is a Quality Assurance Editor and an Edge Managing Editor, whose articles on business, education, and cybersecurity have appeared in multiple print and online publications. Susan is an award-winning blogger with expertise in social media, SEO, and content analytics, and she is also a book reviewer for Military History magazine. Susan has a B.A. cum laude in English from James Madison University and an undergraduate certificate in electronic commerce from American Public University.
Allison Philips has over a decade of experience covering education, financial services, technology, travel, and healthcare industries. Her work has appeared in campaigns for clients such as AARP, Audi, Bloomberg BNA, Blue Shield, Burger King, Citibank, Marriott, Oracle, American Military University, and American Public University.
Senior Management
James Thompson leads messaging, storytelling, and copywriting across APEI’s digital, multimedia, SEO, and publishing platforms as part of its award-winning content marketing operation. He oversees enterprise copy compliance and drives high-performance campaign concepts and multichannel messaging for blog site, public web, landing pages, podcasting, video, magazine, advertising, and subscriber-based newsletters collaborating with internal stakeholders and external media partners or agencies. He served as a communications vice president for Bank of America, as a contractor for IBM and the U.S. Department of Energy, and developed original content acquired by CBS/Paramount T.V. He earned his bachelor of arts from East Carolina University and master of fine arts from the American Film Institute.