Continuing & Professional Education Strategic Plan 2015-2020

Continuing & Professional Education
Strategic Plan 2015–2020

Introduction
Vision
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.
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).
1 2014–15 data.

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.

1priority
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
3 Based on Extension graduation data (UAlberta alumni graduates / total Extension CPE graduates) from 2005–2014.

priority
3
Leading Continuing and Professional
Education within UAlberta, for Alberta
Goal
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.

4priority
Developing and Delivering Relevant,
Accessible CPE Programming
Goal
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.
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.
Instill a culture of innovation as we build upon,
strengthen, and create connections with partner
organizations, including professional associations,
municipalities, and aligned organizations.
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.
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

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