Extended Learning Goals and Objectives

Goal 1. Create and maintain a capacity-building support system for the design, development and delivery of current and new 100% online and off-campus offerings in partnership with the academic units.

Objective A. Conduct a pilot project to:

1. Assist with gathering additional information such as: the cost and resources (faculty, staff, services, marketing expenses, equipment etc.) needed to maintain and expand a program. This will include working with current successful online programs to gather information and knowledge about the program development process.
2. Collect the information needed to provide academic units with assistance in areas such as market research, trouble shooting issues related to registration and other student service needs for their program, connecting programs to appropriate resources for choosing a program design (if needed) and helping programs identify the resources they will need to sustain long-term success and to maintain on-going assessment and move forward with on-going improvements.

Objective B. Develop a long-term sustainable system of support in the College of Extended Learning for assisting new and current online, off-campus and continuing education programs through the development and retooling processes.

1. Address the intended outcome by providing academic units with a resource to assist with all of the non-academic processes involved with program development. This type of assistance will allow academic units to focus on building a quality curriculum and will provide a solid structure to support on-going program design, sustainability and growth.

Objective C. Increase the number of grant dollars received in the university to support the development and maintenance of new on-line, off-campus or professional development opportunities.

Goal 2. Increase enrollment in 100% on-line and off-campus offerings through the creation of marketing and data analysis tools while creating enhanced visibility of the home campus.

Objective A. Develop and improve a process for tracking 100% on-line and off-campus students for gathering data to better recognize and influence enrollment trends.

Objective B. Work with integrated marketing, and academic departments/ program chairs and deans to collaborate on market research for the development of systematic competitive profiles and marketing plans for on-line and off-campus offerings.

Objective C. Implement a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system in the College of Extended Learning to track and communicate with prospective students as well as generate other data or market profiles, developed with and for use in coordination with Student Affairs and Information Technology offices.

Objective D. Create a process for communicating and collaborating with internal stakeholders.

Objective E. Devise an external communication plan focused on external audiences.

Goal 3. Build new and strengthen existing, partnerships with educational institutions, businesses, industries, non-profits and community groups and across greater Minnesota and beyond.

Objective A. Continue to seek out opportunities to meet with and collaborate with program staff at 2-year institutions who work in programs that are related to programs at MSU, Mankato in order to establish, update and review program articulation agreements. Create a process template in collaboration with university departments for the development of articulation maps and ease of updating these agreements.

Objective B. Continue to seek out and build relationships with external public and private organizations, businesses, individuals, and groups for the purpose of expanding access to education opportunities leading to certificate and diploma programs.

Objective C. Develop further opportunities to partner with Mankato Life Long Learners group to expand partnership.

Goal 4. Work collaboratively across internal university departments to evaluate the needs of on-line and off-campus students, improve and maintain processes and services to support these students.

Objective A. Conduct and complete a gap analysis from pilot program, surveys, student and academic meetings. This information will help to further clarify what some of the issues are for current on-campus and on-line students.

Objective B. Work with all stakeholders to troubleshoot current issues.

Objective C. Partner with the on campus Office of Non-Traditional Students to create a task force/committee to identify and address issues impacting 100% on-line and off-campus students.

Objective D. Create a streamlined process of for advising students regarding program planning from admission through matriculation, which includes enrolling, registering, advising, and career services.

Goal 5. Assess the needs across greater Minnesota and beyond for credit and non-credit professional development opportunities and develop new programs and courses that align with identified needs.

Objective A. Improve needs assessment tools for evaluating non-credit and other professional development opportunities.

Objective B. Successfully meet time to market demands with new certificates and other offerings to compliment and not compete with degree programs.

Objective C. Become another support mechanism to the global solutions strategic effort by fulfilling identified non-credit needs of business and industry.

Objective D. Identify where needed an external instructional talent pool to support the delivery of innovative non-credit offerings.

Objective E. Expand Mankato Life Long Learners group through the creation of new learning opportunities and increasing membership.