Lessons in University Continuing Education: A 25-Year Perspective

Abstract

This article examines the enrollment patterns of a continuing education institution over 25 years of its history. The institution is an auxiliary unit of a major state university system with the mission of providing postgraduate professional training to nonmatriculated students. Our study illustrates that both the quantity and the quality of academic offerings impact enrollment patterns in a continuing education unit such as the one considered here. Using historical data, we validate this correlation in three disciplines in which courses are offered. In addition to studying the factors influencing enrollments, we reviewed the institution's recent financial performance. For the period of transitioning from financial distress to stability, we document major leadership decisions and offer lessons of best practices to schools in similar situations. This study suggests several management principles that have been shown to be effective in turning around an organization and offers a deeper understanding of how academic affairs decisions influence the performance of a continuing education institution.

Keywords:

• continuing education
• professional training
• enrollment trends
• university extension
• Silicon Valley

Acknowledgment

The authors would like to thank A. Galloway, Executive Vice Chancellor of the University of California, Santa Cruz, and former Dean of the UCSC Extension, for her guidance and continued support during the critical phase of the turnaround in our history of the Extension.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Andy Hou

Andy Hou is Program Director and University of California, Santa Cruz, CA.

Lynda M. Rogers

Lynda M. Rogers is Dean of UCSC Silicon Valley Extension, University of California, Santa Cruz, CA.