04 Fall2.indd - CSUSB Magazine - California State University, San ...

C O L L E G E N E W SC O L L E G E N E W SSusan Summers, interim dean . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Extended LearningA NEW LOOK, A NEW PROMISEBusy working adults in the Inland Empirehave spoken. In a survey conducted for theCollege of Extended Learning (CEL) last year,a significant percentage of the groups surveyed— current students, prospective students (peoplealready on mail lists) and people who havemoved to new residences in the Inland Empire— said they were now accustomed to takingcare of personal business on-line.With the help of the Claremont firm ofWilkin-Guge Marketing, current students andthose unfamiliar with CEL were surveyed ontheir awareness of the college and its services,opinions about the college’s image and reputation,as well as attitudes about the value ofcontinuing education.The survey showed that these students andprospective students expect online service evenfrom non-profit organizations, such as educationalinstitutions. The students are also lookingfor better access to educational programs,whether they’re coming by automobile or byInternet.The cumulative impact of these responseswas inescapable, said Susan Summers, interimdean for CEL. “The College of ExtendedLearning had to move forward in becomingeven more convenient, customer-centered andaccessible for our students. It’s clear that theyput a high priority on convenience, service andquality education programs that meet theirparticular professional advancement needs.”There’s no big surprise here, she added.Everyone values convenience and quality. Sowhat difference does the data make? In CEL’scase, Summers said, it will make a big difference.Beginning in October 2004, CEL studentscan browse the college’s certificate and courseofferings on its Web site (http://cel.csusb.edu), and also registerat the same site. Theycan even purchasecampus parking permitson-line, savingtime and energy whenarriving for classes.The college is alsoimproving access toits extension offeringsby adding many moreon-line courses, andsoon it will add staffingat the Palm DesertCampus to increasecontinuing educationservice to theCoachella Valley.In addition, a varietyof discounts areavailable for membersof certain professionalassociations,as well as for educatorswho register forCEL bulletin of courses covermultiple courses in the same quarter. Popularprograms, such as the certificates in humanresources, grant development and management,Web page design and logistics managementand desert studies courses, are the samethis year. But the computer-aided draftingcertificate and the management and leadershippractices certificates have been updated withnew materials and software.With all the changes, Summers and herstaff have also given the college a new look.She believes it conveysthe messageof convenience andquality that’s “withinreach” for area residentsand even thoseabroad.CEL has alreadyused that look on itsbulletin of coursescover and in newspaperads. The cleanand simple style highlightsthe Web site aswell as faces of students.And the newlook includes a newlogo, which was chosenby several sampleconstituent groups.It combines theuniversity’s logo witha fresh use of color,and incorporatesCEL’s “within reach”tag line. The college’s look, Summers said,now emphasizes its promise of convenience,service, quality, access and affordability.INSIDE THE HALLS OF POWEROne of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious legislative fellowshipprograms has selected Qiana Charles, former program administratorin the College of Extended Learning, for the 2004-2005 Jesse MarvinUnruh California Assembly Program.Qiana was chosen as one of 18 participants from a field of 300 applicants,which went through a rigorous two-stage selection process. The11-month program provides an introduction to public policy formationand adoption in the California Legislature through full-time work asa professional legislative staff member. Qiana wanted to enter the fellowshipprogram to learn how laws are created, written and eventuallypassed. When she’s done, she hopes to have a better understanding oflocal governance and how it impacts the community.Qiana’s areas of interest include higher education, jobs, economicdevelopment, cyber crime, bridging the achievement gap and urbanyouth. She looks forward to utilizing the fellowship program as a stepping-stonetoward attending law school and becoming a communityactivist. She is an alumna of CSUSB, graduating from the universityin 1998 with a B.A. in communication, and then going on to HowardUniversity, where she earned an M.A. in organizational communicationin 2000. Says Qiana, “As a proud product of all things wonderful in SanBernardino, I could not think of a better way to give back to the community.”If this were not enough, the League of Women Voters in SanBernardino honored Qiana as a 2004 Citizen of Achievement. She wasrecognized for performing more volunteer service in her young adultlife than many people do in a lifetime. Beginning with her volunteerismwith the Black Future Leaders, Inc., she ascended to a board of directorsposition, and is responsible for outreach and enrollment. In addition,she has volunteered her time and technology skills in the assistance ofthe national Council of Negro Women and to the Kappa Alpha Sorority.Qiana left her post as an administrator in the College of ExtendedLearning this fall to take up her new duties as an Unruh Fellow inSacramento.Fall/Winter 200413CSUSB