New director sees continuing education as a pathway for learners at every stage

CENTER VALLEY, Pa. — Providing continuing education and workforce development opportunities for learners of all ages is more than just a job for Audree Chase, Penn State Lehigh Valley’s director of continuing education and workforce development.

“It’s an area I feel passionate about,” Chase said.

Learning doesn’t — or shouldn’t — stop the moment students receive a diploma and turn their tassels. In fact, Penn State Lehigh Valley believes education is an ongoing process. Through the Office of Continuing Education and Outreach, the Lehigh Valley campus offers numerous programs for adult learners who want to hone new skills, build upon existing skills, or simply explore a topic in greater depth.

Chase has spent most of her career in the field, coming to Penn State from Northampton Community College where she served as associate dean for community education, and at Lehigh University’s College of Education before that. She stresses that the “workforce development” component of her job title is an important one.

“It broadly encompasses continuing education, whether it’s up-skilling or re-skilling, whether on a personal or professional level," Chase said. "As an education institution, Penn State should be concerned with learners at all levels and all stages.”

The commitment to learning opportunities for all aligns with Penn State’s mission as a land-grant university, and in her director role, Chase said she plans to build new partnerships while strengthening existing relationships to broaden the scope of the Lehigh Valley campus' continuing education offerings.

“Continuing education is a vital expression of Penn State’s land-grant mission,” said Chancellor Tina Q. Richardson. “Our responsibility extends well beyond traditional degree programs. We are committed to serving learners at every stage of life by providing accessible educational opportunities that strengthen individuals, support employers and contribute to the economic vitality of the Lehigh Valley.”

Senior Adults Gaining Enrichment (SAGE) and the Arts Project

Senior Adults Gaining Enrichment (SAGE) and the Arts Project are just two Lehigh Valley programs aimed at the 55+ population that allow adults to learn more about various topics and, in the case of the Arts Project, tap into their creative side.

SAGE is a lecture series about a wide range of topics, from cultural trends and evolving technologies to food, wine, politics, religion, economics, history, and much more. Lectures are held in room 135 on the Lehigh Valley campus; attendees are invited to socialize with peers and presenters prior to and following each presentation.

“There’s an incredibly vibrant senior population in the Lehigh Valley and beyond who have a tremendous need and interest in learning about social and international policy issues. They’re also very interested in discovering or rekindling hobbies they used to do pre-retirement,” Chase said. “They now have the time and monetary resources to devote to lifelong learning in ways they weren’t able to do when they were working and/or raising families.”

The Arts Project allows adult learners to take non-credit arts classes in various mediums at various levels, from beginners who have never made a piece of art, to advanced creatives who have worked in the medium for some time. Chase cites a jewelry-making class taught by Ann Lalik, lecturer, arts coordinator and director of the Ronald K. DeLong Art Gallery, as one of the most popular offerings.

“Ann is a renowned arts professional, and her jewelry-making class is practically full for the fall,” Chase said. Other courses have included ceramics, photography and metal-smithing.

“Art has always been a way for people to continue growing throughout their lives,” said Ann Lalik. “Our classes welcome learners at every experience level, whether they’re discovering a new creative outlet or returning to a passion they haven’t explored in years. It’s exciting to see the confidence and sense of community that develops in these classes.”

Career-focused workforce programs

Continuing education at Penn State Lehigh Valley also includes career-focused workforce programs that prepare learners for in-demand professions. Among the campus’s most established offerings is the Licensed Practical Nursing Program, an intensive, state-approved program that prepares adult learners for careers as licensed practical nurses through classroom instruction, laboratory experiences, and supervised clinical practice.

“Many of our students are adults who are making a significant career change or returning to education after years away from the classroom,” said Steph Schleef, licensed practical nursing program coordinator. “The practical nursing program provides a direct pathway into a meaningful, high-demand profession while giving students the support and hands-on experience they need to succeed. It’s incredibly rewarding to watch them gain confidence and graduate ready to make an immediate difference in the lives of patients.”

Contracted training opportunities for companies

Moving beyond the borders of the campus, Chase and her staff manage contracted training opportunities for companies in and around the Lehigh Valley who identify employees for various specialized courses. Programs are customized to meet the company’s needs.

“Our expertise is broader than folks might think, as we have access to experts in different fields,” Chase said. “We offer contracted training in almost anything.”

She adds her office is always open to requests for specialized contract training.

“We can work with different individuals — corporate, non-profit — to address whatever need they have. With the depth and breadth of the Penn State network and the resources we have within the Lehigh Valley, I’m pretty confident we can address just about any need.”

Commonwealth campuses are uniquely positioned to create a more innovative definition of what it means to be a Penn State learner, said Ryan Abramson, director of strategic communications.

“One of the most important aspects of continuing education is that it expands our understanding of what it means to tell the story of a Penn State student,” Abramson said. “The stories we tell aren’t limited to traditional undergraduates. They’re artists discovering a new creative passion, professionals earning new credentials in nursing, human resources and other in-demand fields, lifelong learners exploring history and culture, and community members investing in themselves at every stage of life.”

Chase invites lifelong learners to explore Penn State Lehigh Valley's growing portfolio of non-credit programs and said she is excited to strengthen the campus's role as a community resource. She also hopes to expand partnerships with Penn State Extension, the University's statewide educational outreach organization that brings research-based education and expertise to communities across Pennsylvania. Together, Chase said, she believes the campus and Extension can develop new programs to meet the evolving needs of residents, employers and lifelong learners throughout the Lehigh Valley.

“While Penn State Lehigh Valley is reinvigorating its commitment to continuing education, it remains open to exploring new opportunities,” she said.