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Serving Iowa's lifelong learners Continuing Education and Communication Services (CECS), in cooperation with the ISU colleges and Extension field staff, delivers off-campus credit courses, degree programs, service-learning programs, noncredit conferences and seminars and ISU Extension educational materials to learners around the world. In the past year, CECS • CECS distributed more than 5 million copies of educational materials throughout Iowa and the United States in hard copy and online. A new user-friendly Web site helps clients find items faster and reduces the time it takes to order ISU Extension educational materials. • Distance education enables CECS to bring quality ISU programming to the world, but Iowa remains the primary audience. More than 82 percent of ISU distance education credit registrations were from Iowans. • CECS facilitated 268 conferences. For example, an estimated 12,000 people participated in the Odyssey of the Mind World Finals hosted by ISU and the Ames Convention and Visitors Bureau. Students from elementary through college age were involved in the competition that fosters creative thinking and problem-solving skills. • Life in Iowa, in its second year, has grown from 20 ISU undergraduate participants to 64. The ISU Extension program combines class work with volunteer service learning and paid internships in communities throughout the state. The program encourages students to stay in Iowa to become the next generation of leaders. • CECS offered nine programs of study through the ISU Outreach Academy, a university-wide initiative that provides research-based, customized education for professional or personal development. Courses range from advanced grain marketing to dietetics to managing nonprofit organizations. • ISU Extension’s exhibit at the Iowa State Fair featured information on food serving sizes. Nearly 3,000 fair goers completed surveys about their eating habits and received information to help them learn appropriate serving sizes. The display continues to be used statewide to help Iowans eat healthier. • CECS produces educational satellite uplink programs on a number of topics. For example, more than 2,000 professionals and volunteers who work with teens increased their understanding of research and practical application through Extension’s national satellite series, “Healthy Teen Development.” In an average year, more than 5,500 commercial and private pesticide applicators participate in continuing instruction via satellite. • CECS facilitates ISU Extension certification programs. For example, 478 food service workers participated in ServSafe training and 90 percent were certified; 17 individuals completed Financial Counseling Certification; and 20 individuals were certified as in-home family development workers. • ISU Extension is upgrading its statewide communications network under a contract with the Iowa Communications Network (ICN). In addition to creating communication efficiencies within the organization, the upgrade will provide opportunities for developing collaborations and for delivering enhanced education and information services. • Most of ISU’s Master of Public Administration (MPA) courses are offered via DVD in addition to on-site in Ames and Des Moines and via the ICN. This makes the program accessible to a wider range of students throughout Iowa. |
Annual Report Edition homepage The Extension Connection is a quarterly publication of Iowa State University Extension. Send a message: Nondiscrimination statement and information disclosures Last update: January 2004
All ISU colleges are partners See Continuing Education and Communication Services Also see |
