Strategic Plan 2015-2020 — Continuing & Professional Education, UAlberta Extension

Continuing & Professional Education Strategic Plan 2015–2020

Vision

Introduction

Lives change through learning. Across Alberta and beyond, we enable individuals and communities to grow and evolve, professionally and personally.

Change is part of our context in Alberta and at the University of Alberta today. In the Faculty of Extension, we recognize these changes as opportunities for growth and we respond in the best way we know how:

by delivering innovative and responsive continuing and professional education programming.

This strategic plan has evolved in response to changes we have experienced, changes we observe around us, and changes we anticipate. It looks to the future with optimism and insight, and it is from this perspective that we frame our understanding of the role of continuing and professional education at the University of Alberta and in our society.

Mission

Through the delivery of innovative and responsive continuing and professional education, the Faculty of Extension at the University of Alberta creates opportunities for individuals to advance their careers and enrich their personal lives, for the betterment of all our communities.

In crafting this plan, we build upon the Faculty of Extension’s history of bringing the university to the people since 1912. As a public institution, the University of Alberta belongs to all Albertans. Increasing and enabling access to continuing and professional education is one way we exemplify and act upon the promises made by the university to uphold the shared and public value of the institution. With this in mind, we continually ask and respond to the question: How can we best serve our communities of learners as they work to achieve their professional and personal goals throughout their lives?

We believe in the possibilities change can bring. We believe people strive to change their lives and their communities through the actions of learning. We believe in the work that we do, work that creates opportunities for such changes to occur.

Within this context and from these beliefs emerge our vision and mission for continuing and professional education in the Faculty of Extension.

Extension at a glance

47 programs

7,000 students

15,000 enrolments

2,100+ international students

18 faculty members

3 research centres

2 graduate degrees

The CPE Strategic Planning Process Over the summer of 2015, the Faculty of Extension brought together emerging and seasoned CPE talent to brainstorm, collaborate, and imagine the future. Mirroring the age range of our CPE students, we brought together perspectives and experiences spanning four generations. We also received input from faculty members and from staff within our English Language School.

Setting the context

Located in downtown Edmonton at Enterprise Square, the Faculty of Extension embraces community engagement in all of its research and teaching activities. The Faculty offers 47 programs to nearly 7,000 students , resulting in 15,000 enrolments annually.1 Alongside Extension’s continuing and professional education (CPE) programming, the Faculty’s English Language School (ELS) plays a key role in the University of Alberta’s international strategy , notably through the ELS Bridging Program.

In all, the English Language School students (all ELS programs combined) comprise one-quarter of the Faculty’s total student population.

1

2014–15 data.

Extension’s research connects the university to the community.

Through its 18 faculty members and its research centres , Extension’s engagement scholarship research mandate and community-engaged research generates funding from granting agencies and contract research.

Further, Extension’s research also connects the Faculty to its community of learners through two graduate degrees, the Master of Arts in Communications and Technology (MACT) and the Master of Arts in Community Engagement (MACE).

Strategic Priorities and Goals

The following strategic priorities and goals are future-oriented. We recognize that these goals will need to be updated over time and in response to changes within our university and our world.

In crafting these priorities and goals, we have aimed to articulate what we believe is possible for CPE at the University of Alberta.

priority

1 Goal

Engaging Communities Create positive experiences of the University of Alberta for Albertans through access to high-quality continuing and professional education.

Rationale

Strategies

The University of Alberta belongs to Albertans. One way in which Albertans share the benefit of the University of Alberta is by engaging with continuing and professional education offerings.

Emphasize opportunities for all learners, new and returning, to engage with the University of Alberta through continuing and professional education in our communications and promotions strategies.

While many of our learners are UAlberta alumni, at present, over 80% of Extension students are coming to and connecting with the University of Alberta as learners for the first time. And while many of these learners hold degrees and other post-secondary credentials, nearly 15% of Extension students are engaging with the post-secondary education (PSE) sector for the first time because of the opportunities made available through some of our programs.2 Continuing and professional education at the University of Alberta creates opportunities for Albertans.

Foster engagement with Indigenous communities by developing programs in partnership and collaboration with Indigenous people and by creating access to new and existing programming.

Sustain the collaborations with our current Campus Alberta partners while exploring opportunities for new partnerships across Campus Alberta.

Develop a strategy to further promote our online programs across Alberta.

2

Based on 2013 programming survey data.

priority

2 Goal

Engaging UAlberta Alumni See the University of Alberta become recognized by alumni as their first choice for CPE.

Rationale

Strategies

Graduates of the University of Alberta are forever connected to their alma mater. Creating careerenhancing opportunities for UAlberta alumni through continuing and professional education is one way the Faculty of Extension can support and foster tangible and lifelong connections between the University of Alberta and its alumni.

Create tangible benefits for UAlberta alumni engagement with CPE programming to support professional and personal development throughout the full range of their career and life stages.

Currently, 18% of Extension CPE graduates are UAlberta alumni.3 We believe alumni participation in CPE will grow by following a strategy of identifying and meeting their learning needs, including the needs of alumni in the early stages of their careers.

3

Based on Extension graduation data (UAlberta alumni graduates / total Extension CPE graduates) from 2005–2014.

Foster relationships with UAlberta alumni by working collaboratively with Alumni Relations.

Build upon our current knowledge about UAlberta alumni and other degree-holder participation at the Faculty of Extension to further explore their specific learning needs.

priority

3 Goal

Leading Continuing and Professional Education within UAlberta, for Alberta Ensure that learners from across Alberta and beyond can easily find, access, and participate in the full range of UAlberta CPE opportunities.

Rationale

Strategies

With more than 100 years of experience developing and delivering relevant continuing and professional education programming, as well as contemporary CPE administrative and academic expertise, the Faculty of Extension is well-positioned to create an environment for collaboration and opportunities for the development and delivery of CPE within the University of Alberta.

Enhance and create collaborative strategies and frameworks for partnering with other UAlberta Faculties in the delivery of continuing and professional education.

Within the University of Alberta, build awareness and understanding of current program offerings and strengths alongside opportunities to collaborate.

Provide leadership in and continue to foster the Faculty of Extension’s connection to the Canadian Association for University Continuing Education (CAUCE) and to international organizations of a similar nature.

priority

4 Goal

Developing and Delivering Relevant, Accessible CPE Programming Over the next five years, create new programs and courses, while updating and adapting current programs, to specifically address the skill-development needs of Albertans and Canadians.

Rationale

Strategies

With more than one-third of working Canadians participating in job-related education and training annually,4 and with this proportion set to increase even more, access to relevant, university-based continuing and professional education plays a key role in the skills development of Canadians, through the full range of their career and life stages.

Instill a culture of innovation as we build upon, strengthen, and create connections with partner organizations, including professional associations, municipalities, and aligned organizations.

Extension’s CPE program development begins with identifying the needs of adult learners.

The Faculty regularly surveys communities about their skill development and education needs, gaining insight through market research and analytics. With additional insights drawn from faculty members, academic advisors, instructors, and advisory committees, Extension’s programs are designed and delivered with the support of instructional designers, eLearning specialists, and skilled program staff.

4

Source: Statistics Canada, Access and Support to Education and Training Survey (ASETS) 2008. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/pub/81-004-x/2009006/article/11126-eng.htm

Develop and maintain relevant face-to-face, online, and blended programming, emphasizing learner needs for skill-based and professional development.

Explore new opportunities for online learning programs and courses, building upon the systems and supports for existing online CPE and graduate programming.

Create new, unique courses of value to our learner communities by increasing CPE’s connections to the knowledge-mobilization activities of Extension’s faculty members.

Working both within the Faculty and in partnership with the UAlberta campus community, create laddering opportunities for learners where appropriate.

priority

5 Goal

Facilitating Learner Success Continue to foster an environment and culture where learners experience success, tell us that they’ve had positive experiences while learning with us, and are encouraged to share their stories.

Rationale

Strategies

Ask Extension staff what they enjoy most about their work, and they will say that they love making a difference in the lives of our learners.

By providing advice, information, registration support, learning and eLearning support, a word of encouragement, and an opportunity for celebration on graduation day, we all work together to facilitate learner success.

Build upon and further develop an internal culture that emphasizes learner success and provides opportunities that create exceptional student experiences.

Behind the scenes, Extension ensures exceptional student experiences by bringing its expertise to the management and development of CPE programming.

This includes registration and records management, facilities management, risk management, finance, instructor support, and academic support.

Emphasize the value of facilitating learner success by providing opportunities for new and continuing staff to develop and grow skills in this area.

Review, adapt, and revise internal processes to discuss and explore current and future programming configurations and our need to be nimble and responsive in the service of learners.

Further identify, define, and evaluate factors that contribute to the successes and challenges our learners experience and then explore opportunities to provide supports that facilitate success.

Contact us:

Faculty of Extension Dean’s Office tel. 780 492 8162 extensiondeansoffice@ualberta.ca

extension.ualberta.ca