SCE Dean

What is the program’s mission statement or statement of purpose? Why does the program exist?

The School of Continuing Education (SCE) creates and delivers excellent student/consumer-sensitive programs through a wide variety of educational delivery systems. These outreach programs, in a cost effective manner, enhance opportunities for economic, educational, and professional development for individuals seeking to continue their education. Recognizing the rapidly changing educational needs of a global/lifelong learning society, the School extends the academic resources and services of the University beyond campus boundaries in an affordable manner and provide access to on-ground, online and off-campus higher education programs for the nontraditional students.

How does the program mission align with the university mission?

"Eastern Illinois University is a public comprehensive university that offers superior, accessible undergraduate and graduate education."   Through the School of Continuing Education Eastern Illinois University has offered off-campus classes/programs since the earliest days of the institution (1920) in support of its mission as a regional public higher educatin institution.  EIU's commitment to its Illinois service region and the Illinois nontraditional student has been a point of pride for generations.  Thousands of Illinois citizens have earned degrees, taken both credit and noncredit classes/programs and obtained professional certifications.  Credit and noncredit programs offered in partnership with the academic departments, community colleges and the larger community serve to increase access to university resources and continue the development of the whole person through a personal philosophy of lifelong learning.

Whom does the program serve?

The School of Continuing Education serves a wide range of students, persons and organizations, from youth who attend summer session offerings, summer camps; undergraduate and graduate degree-completion students attending EIU evening courses, online, on-ground at area EIU off-campus locations; teachers; clientele requiring conference planning services; management of professional association memberships; children's programming, as well as the Academy for Lifelong Learning providing over 100 non-credit personal/community enrichment opportunities each year to encourage interaction between the community and EIU.

What are the services provided? How do these services align with the university mission and program mission?

All services provided by the School of Continuing Education align with the University mission of access, a campus diverse and inclusive and the development of responsible leaders and citizens. 

SCE provides program marketing, recruitment and academic support to adult learners to EIU through the BA General Studies and in partnerships with academic departments and colleges through the Office of Academic and Professional Development.  The Bachelor of Arts - General Studies, (formerly the Board of Governors, then Board of Trustees) serving non-traditional/adult learners since 1972, attracts a wide range of adult learners who bring to the University significant depth and breadth of experiences as evidenced by their portfolio evaluations.  These students have access to an EIU degree through evening, weekend, online and off-campus courses, delivered by EIU faculty in a variety of instructional modalities.  

Additional services and support include marketing, recruitment, faculty compensation and academic support to online  programs:  B.S. Organization and Professional Development and the RN to BSN program; in hybrid graduate programs - the MS in Speech-Language-Pathology, the MA in Art Education, the MA in Music Education; and in off-campus, evening and weekend degree completion programs.  These include courses offered on the EIU main campus, Parkland College, Triton College, and the University Center of Lake County and beginning Fall 2014 courses at Harper College as well.   Select degree cohorts have been offered in OakBrook, Springfield, Danville, Decatur, Mattoon, Effingham, Vandalia, Olney, Mount Vernon, Ina, Norris City and Carterville.  Increased visibility and enrollments through off-campus marketing and academic support increase transfer enrollment and generate credit hours to a variety of undergraduate and graduate programs: BA General Studies, BS Business, BS Organization & Professional Development, MBA, MS Counseling, MS & Specialist in Educational Administration, MS Elementary Education, MS Technology.

Coordination of faculty-led travel with the Study Abroad office, as well as coordination and oversight of Summer Session marketing/recruitment is also provided. 

Comprehensive coordination, sponsorship and co-sponsorship of non-credit conferences and events is also a service provided to the campus community.  This includes planning and needs assessments, publicity, facility coordination, instructional support, participant registration, and assessment.  Examples include teachers conferences, camps for high school students, professional development, children's programs and the Academy for LifeLong Learning.

Coordination by SCE of State Authorization and Licensure (securing approval to enroll students who reside outside the state of Illinois in distance, online and/or physical presence/practicum courses ) for all EIU programs.  http://www.sheeo.org/projects/state-authorization-postsecondary-education

Describe the program’s origins (e.g. year established, purpose, expectations).

Enriching and improving the lives of the adult citizens of Illinois has been an important aspect of Eastern Illinois University since its founding and fully in support of its mission as a regional public higher education institution.   The School of Continuing Education has continued to create and deliver excellent student/consumer-sensitive programs through a wide variety of emerging educational delivery systems.  From evening courses to off-campus, and online degree offerings, SCE has been at the forefront of responding to non-traditional students, business/industry, and community engagement.  These outreach programs have long enhanced opportunities for economic, educational, and professional development for individuals seeking to continue their education. Recognizing the rapidly changing educational needs of a global/lifelong learning society, the unit extends through partnerships, with EIU colleges and departments, the academic resources and services of the University beyond campus boundaries in an affordable manner and provide access to on- and off-campus higher education programs for nontraditional students.

How has the unit changed or adapted over time?

SCE's focus continues to adapt over time with the constant of providing access to individuals unable to complete their degree goals on the main campus in Charleston, to inform the University of trends in adult learner demographics and enrollment patterns, to engage the academic colleges and departments in the use of alternative delivery systems, to partner with departments in faculty selection and compensation, to leverage resources to bring programs and participants the finest continuing higher education offerings.   

The use of multiple delivery modalities respond to the changing student demographics and employer demands including non-credit programs, post-baccalaureate programs and degrees, online and off-campus university offerings for students of all ages.   Through programs of academic rigor, the SCE extends the highest quality academic and professional resources of the university beyond the traditional campus to the region, the state and beyond.

As increasing numbers of adults are returning to complete their degrees, and 'traditional' students are more like adult students in their social, familial (parenting) and employment roles, it is important that the University recognize these changes, and provide the academic support and advisement required for successful outcomes.   The BA in General Studies with expanding opportunities for focused degree minors continues to demonstrate a keen understanding of opportunities to serve adult students in the region, our state and the nation.

Financial models have been adapted to address consistency and equitable support to the academic departments.  The general education "Johnson Model" is being phased out effective Spring 2015.  Dollars formerly disbursed to relatively few departments will be utilized in a competitive granting of awards that support the development and expansion of degree programs and best practices in adult higher education.

The development of three 'major' courses in the BA General Studies speaks to the changing rigor of the program.   See the BA General Studies section for additional information.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the program’s history and relevance to university mission.

SCE provides a wide variety of programs and services to meet the needs of the University and community through outreach, the OASIS student organization, degree completion, support of online programs including faculty support and learner needs; conferences and events; campus partnerships; programs for youth - camps, competitions, ...etc; intergenerational curriculums; senior engagement; faculty-led study abroad programs; credentialling through continuing education units and continuing professional development units;  and summer sessions.

SCE also hosts the home office of Alpha Sigma Lambda - the founding honor society for adult learners, currently serving over 300 college and university chapters across the nation.

Provide data, if available, on the numbers of students, faculty, staff, or others served by the program during the past four years. If no data are available, please estimate the numbers served annually.

Data for the BA General Studies and for off-campus and online degree programs are available showing 10th day statistics for academic terms from Spring 2010 forward.

Non-credit programs including camps, conferences, Academy for Lifelong Learning serve nearly 4400 individuals annually.  Persons who begin their affiliation with the University through non-credit programs often confirm their ability to pursue higher education and enter degree programs and encourage family and friends to attend EIU.

Does the program offer any co-curricular opportunities for students (e.g., internships, RSO support, service-learning activities)? Please describe.

Student interns in the Summer Youth programs is but one example of collaboration with academic programs.  Further, SCE employs graduate assistants and student workers, thereby increasing their professional work ethic and skill sets.

Does the program contribute to the delivery of academic programs (e.g., providing professional expertise, serving as adjunct faculty)? Please describe.

SCE collaborates with academic departments to increase the scheduling of off-campus/online courses.    Some departments are able to offer the sections as part of a faculty member's regular Assignment of Duty, i.e. load.  Others are not.   SCE (the Office of Academic and Professional Development) works with the department to fund overload, and approved department adjunct faculty.   The collaboration not only enables, but increases EIU's presence throughout Illinois' communities. 

In order to better serve the increasing number of online learners, an ad-hoc committee which included staff and faculty from across campus, chaired by a BGS advisor, developed and implemented an Online Student Guide that is accessible from the EIU website and increases awareness and understanding of online learning modalities and resources.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the internal demand for the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., curriculum changes made by another program) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

Faculty have the opportunity to engage in their commitment to service, serving as directors of academic conferences - focusing on the conference curriculum/agenda and participant needs while SCE focuses on the logistics.   

SCE, in addition to the administering the BA in General Studies, is a service unit of the University, providing resources to the academic departments, generating revenue through camps and conferences to housing and dining; through course enrollments - textbook rental, campus improvement, and technology support.   The Tuition Recovery accounting process provides net revenue to departments for travel, memberships, equipment, professional development, course development, ... etc.   Please see the TRM section of the Program Analysis for additional information.

Is the program accredited or approved by a recognized external agency or otherwise certified to meet established professional standards? Provide an executive summary of and link to the program’s most recent accreditation or certification report, if available.

SCE is certified by IBHE to meet the established professional standards for non-credit curriculum and maintain records of all CE Units and CPD Units awarded for professional development credentials. 

SCE maintains and provides statistical data on off-campus and online programs, enrollments, retention and degree completion,... etc for US DoE, ACT, Petersons Survey, Princeton Survey, US News & World Report, College Board Survey, Career Information Systems Survey, Babson Survey Research Group, ... etc.

The BA General Studies maintains EIU admissions requirements, tuition, textbook rental, internal governing policies, UPI agreement, use of faculty approved and recommended by EIU academic departments, and has developed a major core of three courses.

Is the program required to meet any regulatory or legal requirements? Is the program subject to any special auditing requirements?

The Dean of SCE coordinates all state and U.S. territory authorizations/licensures to operate outside the state of Illinois, including distance programs and all physical presence triggers, e.g. internships, co-op, field experince, student teaching, clinical/lab experiences.

Working with Dr. Mary Herrington-Perry and the four college deans, SCE provides information on proposed programs and site locations to ensure compliance with IBHE and HLC.

What are the most important outreach or public service activities supported by the program?

SCE manages association membership for the Mid America Art Council Association (269 members), the Illinois Council for Teachers of Mathematics (620 members) and the Illinois Municipal Treasurers Association (273 members).

In addition to the off-campus and online degree-completion, online graduate and on-campus, off-campus, and online BA in General Studies, the following is a listing of the conferences, symposiums, youth campus, training and professional development activities.   

Academy for Lifelong Learning

Art Conference

Articulation Conference

Camp Invention

Get Paid to Talk (workshop)

History Conference

History Conference (EIU)

History Symposium (Historical Administration Program Association)

Illinois Council for Teachers of Mathematics

Illinois Municipal League

Illinois Municipal Treasurers Association Conference

Illinois Municipal Treasurers Institute

Illinois Sociological Association/Illinois Political Science Association Conference (new)

Illinois State Historical Symposium

Kids’ Summer Programming

Leadership Camp

Lifeguard Training

Math Conference

Mid America College Art Association Conference

Mid America Print Conference (new)

Midwest Lifelong Learning Conference

Minority Teacher Identification Enrichment Program

Smith Waldridge

Summer Art Camp

How do the local community and the region benefit from the program?

The School of Continuing Education extends the academic and public service resources of the University beyond the traditional boundaries.  SCE engages students in community service, partners with academic departments to develop internship opportunities, engages persons of all ages in the life of EIU through credit and noncredit opportunities, conferences, special events, summer courses and enrichment, professional development leading to licensures, and more.  The online, evening, off-campus undergraduate degree completion and graduate programs are of tremendous benefit to the region and the state, increasing the economic impact of the University.

If needed, provide supplemental comments or data sources to help the reader understand the external demand for the program.

What are the two or three more important measureable outcomes tracked to assess program quality? Does the program conduct an outcomes assessment, and if so, what has been the impact?

EIU off-campus and online credit offerings are assessed by the academic departments for program quality and academic rigor.  For the BA General Studies off-campus, on campus and online degree program, please refer to the BA General Studies Program Analysis.

Assessment of non-credit programs and offerings is completed through evaluations with changes and updates made based on feedback. 

What are the two or three most effective best practices that the program has implemented? What benefits have been gained from implementing these best practices?

Increased use of alternative delivery of courses and programs to accomodate the changing roles and responsibilities of adult learners engaging in degree completion, graduate and non-credit programs thereby increasing access, participation and enrollments.  

The development of the Academy for Lifelong Learning extends the campus resources to the community and brings the community to the EIU campus increasing visability and opportunities to recruit a variety of students.

What external recognitions (e.g., awards, accommodations, professional certifications, references in trade publications) have the program and its staff received in the past three years?

SCE received the 1st Place Brochure/Flyer award from the Lifelong Learning and Service Coalition for the The Academy for Lifelong Learning publication - September 2011.

Ms. Kim Redfern has completed the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL) certification in Prior Learning Assessment; Ms. Jackie Johnson has completed the CAEL Career and Education Advisor Certification.     Both are academic advisors in the BA General Studies department.

Is the program active with any regional, national, or international professional organizations?

SCE maintains institutional membership in the Education Advisory Board - Continuing and Online Education, the American Association for Adult & Continuing Education (AAACE), the Association for Continuing Higher Education (ACHE), and the University Professional and Continuing Education Association (UPCEA).   It is an active member of the Lake County Chamber of Commerce, the Council of Member Institutions (CMI) of the University Center of Lake County and the Illinois Council of Continuing Higher Education (ICCHE) with the SCE Dean representing Public Universities.  Additional institutional memberships include the Council for Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), the Learning Resources network (LERN), the National Central Conference of Summer Sessions (NCCSS),  the North American Association of Summer Session Administrators (NAASS). 

Note any presentations, publications, or offices held in the last three years.

Dean Regis Gilman served in an advisory capacity to the UPCEA Board of Directors for the South Region prior to coming to EIU.  She has served as Association for Continuing Higher Education (ACHE) Vice-President 2012-13, President-Elect 2013-14, and will be President of the international association 2014-15.  Recent presentations by Dean Gilman include:  “Fulfilling the Educational needs of the Region and the State: Distance and Continuing Education” Focusing Our Vision 3rd Annual WCU Leadership Retreat – May 29, 2013; “Partnering for Innovation” Paper/Concurrent session presented to ACHE Annual Conference & Meeting – Austin, TX   November 2012; “Online Collaborative Learning Beyond Course Registration” Awarded ACHE Creative Use of Technology Award . Presentation – ACHE Annual Conference & Meeting – Austin, TX   November 2012     

Dr. Pam Collins is serving her second term on the ACHE Board of Directors; 2011 Proceedings editor ACHE 73rd Annual Meeting and Conference - Orlando, FL.     Dr. Pam Collins, Beth Craig, 2012 March, Marketing Strategies and Tactics to increase summer session enrollments. Presented at annual conference of the North Central Conference on Summer Sessions, Chicago, IL. 

Drs. Carrie Johnson and Pam Collins co-authored a book chapter "What do they know?  Assessing learning outcomes in an adult degree completion program."   2013, C.J. Boden McGill and K.P. King, (Eds.), Developing and sustaining adult learners.  Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing, Inc.

Dr. Carrie Johnson - PEER REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS:

• Johnson, C., & Rose, A.D. (in-press) Negotiating space: Challenges expressed by faculty who teach adult accelerated courses. In J. K. Holtz, S. B. Springer, & C. Boden-McGill (Eds.), Building sustainable futures for adult learners.Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
• Johnson, C., Collins, P. J., Milburn, J. (2013) What do they know? Assessing learning outcomes in an adult degree completion program. In C. Boden-McGill & K. King (Eds.), Developing and sustaining adult learners. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
• Johnson, C., Richardson, W., & Lamczak, A. (2012) The lived experience of graduates of an adult accelerated degree program. In C. Boden-McGill & K. King (Eds.), 21st Century adult learning in our complex world. Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.

Dr. Carrie Johnson - CONFERENCE PRESENTATIONS:

• Johnson, C., & Rose, A.D. (2013, November) Negotiating space: Challenges expressed by faculty who teach adult accelerated courses. Presented at the annual conference of the American Association of Adult Continuing Education, Lexington, KY. 
• Johnson, C. Panel Presentation (2013, November) Interactive conversations about developing and sustaining adult learners. Presented at the annual conference if the American Association of Adult Continuing Education, Lexington, KY.
• Johnson, C. (2012, October) What do they know? Assessing learning outcomes in an adult degree completion program. Presented at the annual conference of the American Association of Adult Continuing Education, Las Vegas, NV.
• Johnson, C., & Richardson, W. (2011, October) The lived experience of graduates of an adult accelerated degree program. Presented at the annual conference of the American Association of Adult Continuing Education, Indianapolis, IN.
• Panel Presentation (2011, October) The power of collaboration. Presented at the annual conference of the Adult Higher Education Alliance, Indianapolis, IN.

Dr. Carrie Johnson - SERVICE TO THE PROFESSION:

• Contributing Editor, (2011-present). Adult Education Quarterly: A Journal of Research and Theory.
• Editorial Board Member, (2012, 2013, 2014). Book Series: Adult Learning in Professional, Organizational, and Community Settings.

Beth Craig Publications:

• Book Review: Craig, B. (2012). Handbook of adult & continuing education.      Retrieved from http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/review_of_higher_education/toc/rhe.36.1.html

Presentations by Beth Craig:

• Financially Successful Credit and Noncredit Summer Programs, March 2009, North Central Conference on      Summer Sessions Annual Conference in Chicago, IL
• Panel Discussion Participant on Noncredit Programs, March 2010, North Central Conference on Summer      Sessions Annual Conference in Chicago, IL
• Marketing Strategies and Tactics to Increase Summer Session Enrollments, March 2012, North Central      Conference on Summer Sessions Annual Conference in Chicago, IL
• Marketing Strategies Roundtable, September 2012, Illinois Council on Continuing Higher Education (ICCHE) and Illinois Council for Continuing Education & Training (ICCET) Combined Conference in Utica, IL

Leadership in Organizations:

• Beth Craig is serving as Executive Board Member and Membership Chair of North Central Conference on Summer Sessions (NCCSS)
• Beth Craig is serving on the Executive Board Member of Illinois Council on Continuing Higher Education (ICCHE) 

If needed, provide supplemental comments or data sources to help the reader understand the quality of program outcomes.

Note any special benefits (e.g., personnel support, equipment, permanent improvements) that the program has received in the past three years from its grants and other sponsored programs.

How does the program benefit from donor gifts (e.g., scholarships, endowed chairs)? Does donor support provide a significant percentage of the program’s overall funding?

At this time donor gifts support scholarships.   SCE has thirteen scholarships, six which are fully endowed, three that have not yet met the threshold to allow scholarship awards, and four that provide Cash-In Cash-Out awards.  

List two or three key relationships that the program maintains with external constituencies (e.g., community colleges, other universities, government bodies). How do these relationships advance the university mission or otherwise benefit the university?

Recruitment of adult degree completion students increased with the hiring of Ms. Jackie Johnson, representing SCE and EIU at Triton College, the University Center of Lake County, the Chicago City Colleges, Harper College, College of DuPage, ... etc. 

Hosting the Home Office of Alpha Sigma Lambda brings recognition to the University and provides funding to support Home Office staff.

Dean Gilman is coordinating State Authorization and Licensure/Exemption for EIU through correspondence/contact with each states' Attorney's General, Higher Education Commission, General Administration, ... etc.   The confirmation of EIU authorization to admit out-of-state students into not only EIU online programs, but also placement in out-of-state internships, field experiences, student teaching, clinical rotations, is critical is removing risk associated with DOE 600.9

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the resources generated by the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., revenue pass-throughs) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

The $44/credit hour Continuing Education fee supports the campus improvement fund, faculty travel/expenses, marketing and recruitment efforts, services to departments, faculty and students, and select staff of SCE.

Provide an executive summary of and link to any metrics or benchmarks that the program tracks to measure productivity.

Using google analytics SCE tracks activity on our websites to evaluate and adapt information for outreach, recruitment, enrollment and retention efforts. 

Using institutional data resources, SCE tracks enrollments in online and off-campus programs including the number of classes, number of students, total credit hours, unduplicated head counts, part- and full-time equivalency; graduate and undergraduate trends, race/ethnicity, first-time, continuing, transfer, and former student status.

SCE also measures its productivity against national association/agency benchmarks in best practices.

What initiatives has the program implemented to enhance staff productivity (e.g., access to training, workflow improvements)? Briefly describe the costs and benefits of these initiatives.

Upgrades to computer hardware/software, staff cross-training, review of the non-credit student management system; commitment to staff and reassurance of support to enhance SCE morale.  Analysis of strengths/weaknesses and aligning duties with skills.  Three desk audits in 2013-14.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the productivity of the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., accreditation requirements, curricular changes, program restructuring) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the costs associated with the program. Note any clarifications or special circumstances (e.g., expenditures made centrally or externally, expenditures made on behalf of other units) that should be considered when reviewing the above data.

How does the program seek to distinguish itself from similar programs at other institutions?

Access to degree completion programs through evening, off-campus, online and weekend offerings.

Portfolio assessment, rigorous course offerings, regular EIU faculty teaching courses.

Note any unique and/or essential contributions that the program makes to the university.

SCE is unique in that it serves the adult student population in off-campus and online degree completion and graduate programs, as well as continuing education and professional development.  It generates tuition and fee income that would not be available to the university budget without the adult learner enrollments.

Provide any program-specific metrics that help to document program contributions or program quality. Examples of some commonly used program-specific metrics may be found here.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand the program impact on the university mission.

Provide a link to or listing of the program’s goals and/or strategic plan.

NA

What role will the program have in the implementation of the university’s strategic plan (provide link to strategic plan)?

We support the University's strategic plan and are able to provide data and resources to address changing student demongraphics and community/business/industry interactions.

In the next two or three years, what best practices, improvements in operations, or other opportunities to advance the university’s mission are likely to be implemented?

Standardizing partnership agreements with internal and external constituents.

Surveys of faculty, students, departments and community needs analyses will be completed to identify needs and opportunities to advance programs and services to adult students and the larger community.

Integration of adult student degree-completion applicants into the recruitment operations of the University to address admission to EIU, and follow with SCE determining admission to the major, i.e. BA General Studies.

Address misalignment of policies/procedures for on-campus and off-campus/online students.

If needed, provide supplemental comments to help the reader understand future opportunities for the program.