Many UCES programs focus on professional development in a host of fields.

At 35, UCES Remains a Step Ahead

By Shayne Schroeder

Veteran transportation executive David Armijo was serving as director of operations for the Orange County Transportation Authority in the late 1990s when he decided to pursue a master’s degree to advance his career. He found the ideal program to fit his busy schedule—a new distance learning version of CSULB’s long-standing Master of Public Administration, developed by University College and Extension Services (UCES).

Armijo went on to become general manager for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transit Authority’s San Fernando Valley and Westside/Central Service Sectors, and recently returned to Orange County as chief toll operations officer of the Transportation Corridor Agencies. A 2004 distinguished alumnus of CSULB’s College of Health and Human Services, Armijo credits much of his professional success to the 22-month MPA program.

“I had a very positive experience through UCES,” said Armijo, the Graduate Center for Public Policy and Administration’s 2001 outstanding graduate and an adjunct faculty member. “It gave me the opportunity to do things with my education, such as teach, which I have been doing the past three years. It would have been very difficult to get my degree in a regular classroom setting and I probably would not have, but this program allowed me to do so and achieve some of my personal goals.”

Staying a step ahead of what’s new in education is what UCES has been doing successfully for more than three decades.

“We exist to serve the community and we’ve been doing so for 35 years,” said Marilyn Crego, now in her third year as dean of UCES. “We try to spot the newest trends and provide programs that serve those needs. We always have to be on the cutting edge of finding out ‘what’s next.’ We are looking for what people are going to need, not now, but a year from now. One of the advantages of UCES is that we can be flexible and respond quickly to those needs.”

In the early 1970s, those needs became clear, and CSULB responded by expanding its range of academic services when then-President Stephen Horn made it official by changing the Office of Summer Session to the Office of Summer Session and Extension. Soon after, the official name became University Extension Services (UES), and in 1994, it was designated University College and Extension Services.

As one of CSULB’s eight colleges, it serves as a highly visible community outreach branch of the university that is supported entirely by student fees. Approximately 25,000 students annually enroll in more than 550 credit and non-credit programs for professional development as well as personal enrichment.

“Our goal is to identify educational needs and respond in whatever way is appropriate and most beneficial for our students,” said Crego, noting that the college has served approximately 750,000 students since 1971. “We really want to serve our alums, and we are always looking for input to find ways we can help with their needs. We are always open to new ideas. Whether it is programs on campus, seminars in the community or programs delivered through advanced distance learning technology, we strive to provide whatever our students need.”

According to Crego, UCES sees itself as a research and development unit of the university and because of that unique position, can experiment with courses and programs without requiring any general funds.

“We are always piloting and testing things out,” Crego said. “Sometimes we are ahead of our time, but we could not do what we do without the incredible academic departments we work with. The university is so supportive of what we do.”

For example, Southern California is a major international gateway for business and visitors, so UCES developed its Strategic Industry and Education Programs to serve these audiences. The Center for International Trade and Transportation (CITT) is a university/industry/non-profit economic collaborative partnership that serves the needs of the region’s international trade and multimodal transportation industry through courses, workshops and conferences. CITT offers the Global Logistics Specialist Professional Designation and administers the Master of Arts in Global Logistics. The center also provides hazardous materials and work-site compliance training.

It is largely for the benefit of working people like Armijo that UCES offers 15 degrees (mostly master’s) in business administration, social work, professional studies, sport management, criminal justice, health care administration and others. These degrees are the same curricula as in the traditional CSULB classroom, but are offered in intensive, flexible formats that can include online, video, evening or weekend coursework.

The college also partners with companies, organizations and government agencies to develop customized professional development programs for employees at their worksite or on campus. Reaching abroad, its American Language Institute provides English as a Second Language instruction for international students who need to improve their language skills before enrolling at CSULB or other U.S. colleges, and also offers short foreign study trips for university credit.

Moreover, anyone looking to take advantage of CSULB’s vast array of classes without formally applying to the university can enroll in nearly any regular course on a space-available basis through UCES’ Open University program.

“Open University is a great way to engage individuals who otherwise may not do so,” Crego noted. “Providing this opportunity could make a difference in someone’s life and may eventually lead them into a degreed program.”

The college’s forward-thinking approach was rewarded in June when the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce honored UCES with the Community Service Award for its ongoing efforts to provide additional access and educational opportunities to students of all ages, local businesses, and numerous civic and governmental organizations.

For more information about University College and Extension Services, visit www.uces.csulb.edu.

***