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Whether you are looking to start a small business, learn a new language, train your employees, travel locally or abroad or help your child learn about science, you will find what you need through Continuing Education and Outreach (CE) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.
“Continuing Education is a vehicle for self and community improvement,” said Jennifer Hess, associate director. “We are here to empower and uplift people through education and experiences.”
More people are taking advantage of the offerings as well. This past year there were nearly 18,000 enrollments, a 39 percent increase over the previous year.
“We have rebuilt CE back to pre-COVID levels over the last few years,” said Hess. “We are fully staffed again and have contributed more than $800,000 in program revenue to reinvest in strategic initiatives for the campus.”
CE offers programming based around business services/professional development as well as personal enrichment services.
Several new business programs will begin in January 2024, including the inaugural Lean Six Sigma Green Belt program, which offers a six-month project and certification for more effective workplace productivity; a Supervisory Management Certificate program for new managers; and the Unspoken Series, a program focused on supporting women in business and industry. Additionally, a third offering of the Inclusive Excellence Certificate program will begin in the new year.
One of CE’s fastest growing programs is its conference planning services. Ranging from registration assistance to full conference management, support is currently provided to groups of up to 1,200 professionals in health care, natural resources, agriculture and other occupations in locations across the state.
Several offerings, such as the Women Trailblazers and Entrepreneurs Conference, have doubled in attendance in just two years. Long-standing programs, such as the Good Ideas Conference, now in its 39th year, offer older adults a day of inspiring and educational lectures. CE received a two-year grant from the Community Foundation of North Central Wisconsin to offer scholarships for those with limited or fixed incomes.
Certificate programs, including those for coaching in health and wellness, caregiving and addiction and recovery, offer professionals additional training by experts in their field. CE also partnered with the American Indian Chamber of Commerce to offer a certificate on building business relationships with Wisconsin Tribal citizens and nations.
CE is also growing in its customized training experiences and strategic planning solutions for business, industry and non-profit employees. The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) provides free, confidential advising and resources as well as fee-based workshops for startup and existing businesses, from hiring to expanding locations. It covers Adams, Langlade, Lincoln, Marathon, Oneida, Portage, Vilas, Waupaca and Wood counties. The SBDC serves 400 entrepreneurial clients a year within the nine-county radius, infusing $4 million into the regional economy.
“It’s so exciting to watch our clients’ business ideas come true,” said Patrick Gatterman, SBDC director. “It takes a lot of courage to be an entrepreneur. We hope that we can empower people to gain confidence in their new management role.”
On the side of personal enrichment, CE offers many options for learners of all ages. Classes and programs are held online or in-person, and at Stevens Point, Marshfield and Wausau.
“We are constantly evolving our offerings based on community requests and feedback, as well as current trends and timely topics,” said Anne Rogalski, associate director. “We bring people together to share similar interests and offer an opportunity for connection.”
Learning Is Forever (LIFE) is a long-standing program aimed at older adults that provides informational lectures, discussions, workshops, theatre, athletics and travel opportunities for a $59 biannual fee.
“UWSP’s LIFE program is a great buy and offers insights into the world,” said one member. “No homework, no exams, just up-to-date offerings in a wide range of subjects.”
CE offers community, college and high school musicians the chance to join the Central Wisconsin Musicians at UWSP at Wausau and Hub City Symphony and Hub City Winds at UWSP at Marshfield. Performances and ticket sales have grown in the past years.
Adventure Tours offer one-day trips to Wisconsin attractions, including Bucks, Brewers and Packer games and Broadway-style shows. The popular Mystery Trip takes participants to surprise-themed locations around the state. Multi-day trips in 2024 include Alaska, Charlston S.C., New York City, Yosemite National Park, Northen Iceland: Women’s Wellness and Culture, Iceland: Knitting Under the Northern Lights and Acadia National Park.
Courses for adults include those in cooking, writing, dance, languages, being a landlord and birding, with new classes offered as requests come in and interests grow.
Youth are offered music, health careers and dance camps over the summer. STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) Point Days, offered in February 2024 and in the summer at UWSP at Marshfield, give middle-school age boys and girls the opportunity to learn from university professors with hands-on experiments and activities.
CE offers something for everyone, with several new opportunities in 2024. Learn more about Continuing Education and Outreach at www3.uwsp.edu/conted/Pages/default.aspx or call 715-346-3838.
“My hope is that our programs create a positive impact for individuals that they carry into their communities, families, volunteer work and business,” said Hess. “Any program we can use to lift people up – that is where I find my joy.”
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