Lifelong Learning and Community Engagement
UW Oshkosh is committed to lifelong learning and community partnerships. Throughout the institution, this commitment is expressed through the many ways in which students, faculty and staff are involved with the community.
Continuing education, nontraditional programs, community outreach, adult education — all of these are among the terms that describe the focus of the Division of Lifelong Learning and Community Engagement (LLCE). The division continually strives to be a national leader in providing personalized assistance for high-quality, cost-effective, customized education and training while expanding access to UW Oshkosh through active professional mentoring and creative delivery of high-quality programming.
Through partnerships and flexible program delivery, LLCE uses innovative technologies to provide affordable and accessible higher education for residents of northeastern Wisconsin and the global community.
The division consists of the following departments: Adult Nontraditional Student Resource (ANSR) Office, Center for New Learning (CNL), and the Office of Continuing Education and Extension (CEE).
Center for New Learning (CNL)
In 2007-2008, the Center for New Learning (CNL) began delivering the Bachelor of Applied Studies in Learning & Organizational Studies program and, in collaboration with the College of Education and Human Services, the Human Services Leadership Online program. Enrollment in both the hybrid and online versions of the Organizational Administration program continued to grow.
Another cohort graduated from the Workplace Communication Certificate program delivered at Mercury Marine headquarters. Progress also has been made on many new initiatives, including delivering the Leadership Development program at UW-Waukesha and the Organizational Administration program at UW-Manitowoc and UW-Sheboygan. With funds provided by the first phase of the Growth Agenda, LLCE plans to hire jointly with Public Affairs Department and the Communication Department.
Adult Nontraditional Student Resource (ANSR) Office
In 2007-2008, office staff assisted 539 prospective students and met with currently enrolled undergraduate and graduate nontraditional students in an additional 840 visits, providing resource information and support. ANSR staff members presented to 188 students attending three special nontraditional orientations.
To demystify the process of going back to school, the ANSR Office and CNL cosponsored four Start Here, Start Now session for 50 potential students. Twelve monthly newsletters provided visibility about the office’s services to approximately 1,621 undergraduate students, 1,185 graduate students and to campus staff and faculty. ANSR Office staff helped re-launch the Credit for Prior learning option by assisting in developing Interdisciplinary Studies 145, Assessment of Prior Learning course, and helping students to work through the credit for prior learning process.
The ANSR Office sponsored two open houses and eight Lunch Bunch sessions with 82 nontraditional student participants. The Nontraditional Student Organization (NTSO) received its first funds as an official organization in fall 2007 and met seven times to provide student information and support. Graduation Project staff assisted 253 former students who live in 18 different states to help them complete their baccalaureate degrees. Twenty-nine graduation project students graduated in 2007-2008.
Office of Continuing Education and Extension (CEE)
In 2007-2008, the Office of Continuing Education and Extension served 2,798 people across the state of Wisconsin through 59 programs. Programming included professional development conferences, seminars and workshops for social workers, counselors, educators and others.
Continuing Education also offered several camps for area youth, including Fire Science Camp, Broadway Bounce (musical theater workshop), GOAL (academic camp), Choir Camp and String Camp.
The Learning in Retirement program grew to 350 participants and in the last year offered 142 programs, processing 8,769 registrations for those programs. The Office of Continuing Education also collaborated with numerous local/regional civic and educational organizations and institutions to meet their constituents’ educational needs.
Click here to read last year's report.
