college of Extended learning
Susan Summers, interim dean

Fall 2004

A New Look, A New Promise

Busy working adults in the Inland Empire have spoken. In a survey conducted for the College of Extended Learning (CEL) last year, a significant percentage of the groups surveyed — current students, prospective students (people already on mail lists) and people who have moved to new residences in the Inland Empire — said they were now accustomed to taking care of personal business on-line.
With the help of the Claremont firm of Wilkin-Guge Marketing, current students and those unfamiliar with CEL were surveyed on their awareness of the college and its services, opinions about the college’s image and reputation, as well as attitudes about the value of continuing education.

The survey showed that these students and prospective students expect online service even from non-profit organizations, such as educational institutions. The students are also looking for better access to educational programs, whether they’re coming by automobile or by Internet.

The cumulative impact of these responses was inescapable, said Susan Summers, interim dean for CEL. “The College of Extended Learning had to move forward in becoming even more convenient, customer-centered and accessible for our students. It’s clear that they put a high priority on convenience, service and quality education programs that meet their particular professional advancement needs.”

There’s no big surprise here, she added. Everyone values convenience and quality. So what difference does the data make? In CEL’s case, Summers said, it will make a big difference.

Beginning in October 2004, CEL students can browse the college’s certificate and course offerings on its Web site (http://cel.csusb.edu), and also register at the same site. They can even purchase campus parking permits on-line, saving time and energy when arriving for classes. The college is also improving access to its extension offerings by adding many more on-line courses, and soon it will add staffing at the Palm Desert Campus to increase continuing education service to the Coachella Valley.

In addition, a variety of discounts are available for members of certain professional associations, as well as for educators who register for multiple courses in the same quarter. Popular programs, such as the certificates in human resources, grant development and management, Web page design and logistics management and desert studies courses, are the same this year. But the computer-aided drafting certificate and the management and leadership practices certificates have been updated with new materials and software.

With all the changes, Summers and her staff have also given the college a new look. She believes it conveys the message of convenience and quality that’s “within reach” for area residents and even those abroad.

CEL has already used that look on its bulletin of courses cover and in newspaper ads. The clean and simple style highlights the Web site as well as faces of students. And the new look includes a new logo, which was chosen by several sample constituent groups. It combines the university’s logo with a fresh use of color, and incorporates CEL’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 Power

One of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious legislative fellowship programs has selected Qiana Charles, former program administrator in the College of Extended Learning, for the 2004-2005 Jesse Marvin Unruh 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. The 11-month program provides an introduction to public policy formation and adoption in the California Legislature through full-time work as a professional legislative staff member. Qiana wanted to enter the fellowship program to learn how laws are created, written and eventually passed. When she’s done, she hopes to have a better understanding of local governance and how it impacts the community.
Qiana’s areas of interest include higher education, jobs, economic development, cyber crime, bridging the achievement gap and urban youth. She looks forward to utilizing the fellowship program as a stepping-stone toward attending law school and becoming a community activist. She is an alumna of CSUSB, graduating from the university in 1998 with a B.A. in communication, and then going on to Howard University, where she earned an M.A. in organizational communication in 2000. Says Qiana, “As a proud product of all things wonderful in San Bernardino, 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 San Bernardino honored Qiana as a 2004 Citizen of Achievement. She was recognized for performing more volunteer service in her young adult life than many people do in a lifetime. Beginning with her volunteerism with the Black Future Leaders, Inc., she ascended to a board of directors position, and is responsible for outreach and enrollment. In addition, she has volunteered her time and technology skills in the assistance of the national Council of Negro Women and to the Kappa Alpha Sorority.

Qiana left her post as an administrator in the College of Extended Learning this fall to take up her new duties as an Unruh Fellow in Sacramento.