3.4.2 Continuing education/service programs
The institution’s continuing education, outreach, and service programs are consistent with the institution’s mission.
Judgement of Compliance:
Compliance
Narrative:
The published Mission of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) is as follows:
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is an engaged, metropolitan university committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service, and dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of the region through strategic partnerships and community involvement.
The University’s continuing education, outreach, and service programs are primarily represented by four distinct units: The Division of Continuing Education and Public Service, The Center for Community Career Education, Cadek Conservatory, and the Challenger Center. Through a combination of strategic partnerships, both on campus and in the community, each of these units provides a variety of programming and services designed to meet the needs of the local community and the region.
Division of Continuing Education and Public Service
The University’s Division of Continuing Education and Public Service develops its mission statement based on the University Mission Statement. The current mission statement reads:
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Division of Continuing Education is an integral part of the overall university, an engaged, metropolitan university committed to excellence in teaching, research, and service. The division is dedicated to meeting the diverse needs of the region through strategic partnerships and community involvement through a commitment to lifelong learning.
Programs and services provided by the Division are developed consistent with this mission. The professional development programs and Elder Scholars program provide opportunities for life-long learning. Youth University and the Meeting Management service are two ways the Division of Continuing Education partners with the Chattanooga community.
Center for Community Career Education
The Center for Community Career Education is a non-profit, career and educational counseling and training center within the College of Health, Education and Professional Studies at UTC. The center provides direct service to individuals and technical assistance to organizations and agencies, which allows the Center to apply its skills in the classroom as well as share "best practices" with many non-profit and for profit organizations. The Center also houses two TRIO programs that help high school students prepare for college: Upward Bound and Gear Up.
Cadek Conservatory of Music
The Cadek Conservatory of Music is dedicated to training individuals in music and fostering musical awareness in the entire community. Consistent with the University’s mission to seek involvement with the community, the conservatory offers a series of affordable individual and ensemble classes to a wide variety of ages throughout the community.
Challenger Center
The Challenger Center, one of several across the country, uses an informal approach to science education to excite young people about studying science, math, and technology. Approximately ten thousand students visit the center each year from local and regional schools. The Center’s website explains that:
Students participate in simulated space missions that reinforce and introduce students to real-world applications of science principles and concepts discussed in their classrooms. In addition, we hold numerous teacher professional development workshops that strengthen math, science and technology concepts for teachers from those same states.
Documentation:
- Office of Continuing Education
http://www.utc.edu/ce - Center for Community Career Education
http://www.utc.edu/Outreach/CommunityCareerEducation/ - Upward Bound
http://www.utc.edu/Outreach/UpwardBound/ - GEAR-UP
http://www.utc.edu/Outreach/BradleyWalkerGEAR-UP/ - Cadek Conservatory
http://www.utc.edu/Outreach/CadekConservatory/ - Challenger Center
http://www.utc.edu/Outreach/ChallengerCenter/About%20Us.htm
