New facility will help support students, employers and community learners
Cedar Rapids, Iowa (April 16, 2015)—Kirkwood Continuing Education and Training Services (CE&TS), High School Completion and its training pathway (KPACE) programs are now under one roof at the Kirkwood Center for Lifelong Learning in the former RuffaloCODY building on Kirkwood’s main campus in Cedar Rapids.
The strategy behind the move is twofold. First this new location will provide increased access to lifelong learning, professional development and training opportunities. Secondly, it will open the eyes of students from primary and secondary education, and training short-term programs to opportunities at our community college.
Wide arrays of class and certificate programs are offered at the new facility. CE&TS offers over 5,000 courses and/or certificate programs, ranging from professional development, to employee training to Kirkwood Interactive Camps for Kids (K.I.C.K.).
According to Evone Vognsen, director of CE Program Development, “Our courses and certificate programs expand every year. This year we are offering some high in-demand professional development certificates including Excellence in Leadership and Human Resource Management and a Sales Professional Certificate. Our new facility will also include class offerings in popular programs for personal development including foreign language classes and our popular Pinterest inspired art classes just to name a couple. We also have computer labs at our new location where you can learn the latest versions of software such as Microsoft or learn about graphic and web design.”
Prior to the move, High School Completion and KPACE were located in downtown Cedar Rapids. Now students enrolled in adult basic education, English as a second language and those working toward a high school diploma will go to the new location.
“Having these students on main campus enables them to get a taste of community college,” said Vice President of Continuing Education & Training Services Kim Becicka. “Being exposed to Kirkwood and all we offer will perhaps prompt them to consider continuing their post-secondary education.”
The building is located on the northwest corner of main campus next to the Michael J Gould Recreation Center. Professional, flexible classroom and training environments are an asset to this convenient location which will also better facilitate training for area employers.
For more information, please visit www.kirkwood.edu/ce.