Inside Iowa State

July 24, 2008

Iowa Workers, Companies Benefit from ISU Extension Continuing Education and Professional Development

by Laura Sternweis, ISU Extension Communications and External Relations

Since July 1, ISU Extension has been offering continuing education unit (CEU) and noncredit courses, programs, seminars, conferences and trainings through a new unit. The Continuing Education and Professional Development unit focuses on educational program development and delivery for Iowa's workforce.

Iowa State credit courses and degree programs, including those offered off-campus, are being handled by the ISU colleges through the office of the executive vice president and provost.

ISU Extension Conference Planning and Management will continue to coordinate conferences, meetings and events sponsored by outside organizations or ISU departments hosting outside groups. This unit also will handle large or unique events that are not tied to the educational programs of Iowa State, such as Odyssey of the Mind, Special Olympics USA National Games and the Shrine Bowl. Conference Planning and Management works closely with the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Continuing education

Working adults who seek education on a part-time basis to enhance their careers or for personal enrichment can get what they need from ISU Extension Continuing Education and Professional Development, said Eddie Loo, who directs the unit. "CEU-based programs meet their needs for quick learning."

The unit also provides open access to education through its Web site.

Loo said the unit is expanding workforce education and professional development opportunities with educational programs based on the professional needs and interests of adult learners -- whether in Iowa or throughout the world. The unit also is partnering with public and private businesses to develop company-based learning academies. Iowa companies want their employees to be up-to-date on the latest developments in their industries, but they often don't have the time or the need for credit-based degree programs.

"We can partner with large companies that have their own training infrastructure," Loo said. For example, the unit already has partnerships with Longping High-Tech Agriculture in China and the Iowa Department of Administrative Services and continues to develop partnerships with other companies.

Smaller companies can use Iowa State's infrastructure, if they don't have their own, when they partner with ISU Extension Continuing Education and Professional Development, Loo added.

"We took a hard look at what we had to do to be useful to our clients. Before July 1, we merely helped clients implement their educational programs. Now we are a full-service partner, developing curricula and organizing courses," Loo said.

"We took a hard look at what we had to do to be useful to our clients. Before July 1, we merely helped clients implement their educational programs. Now we are a full-service partner, developing curricula and organizing courses."

Eddie Loo, director of distance education