Lincoln (Neb.) - Oct. 30, 1997 - The appointment of two long- time educational leaders means new opportunities for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in the growing field of extended education.
Irv Omtvedt (OMT-white), vice chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, was approved for the additional title and duties of vice chancellor for extended education by the NU Board of Regents in September. In addition, Arnold Bateman, formerly coordinator of the Panhandle Extension Center in Scottsbluff, has moved to Lincoln with a new assignment as assistant vice chancellor for extended education and director of the Learning Coordination Division of Continuing Studies and Cooperative Extension Division.
Chancellor James Moeser, in his Aug. 22 State of the University Address, announced his intention to appoint Omtvedt to the position because of a need for coordination and strategy.
"Nebraska is a leader in the field of extended education," Moeser said. "However, without a clear strategy for the future, we may not be able to maintain that lead. We desperately need a vision for what we want to be five years from now and a plan of how to get there. We need someone to provide coordination and leadership in this important new field."
Omtvedt said the goal and vision for the university is to maintain and expand its traditional leadership in extended education by assessing the needs of students seeking lifelong learning. By defining its market niche, the university will offer accessible, affordable customer-driven education in an enlightened, future-oriented fashion.
Bateman said students face critical, skills-oriented employers. "People must continue to learn in order to remain employable. The thing that's changing here is a lot more emphasis is being placed on assessing the needs of learners across the state and using the resources of the university and other institutions of higher learning to meet those needs."
Historically, the university's responsibility has been to provide education for those within the state's boundaries. But, Bateman said, "Many other institutions are getting into extended education. That's why it is really important that we find our niche and strengths and be proactive in addressing those."
The University of Nebraska has enrolled students in correspondence college courses since 1909 and began offering high school diplomas by correspondence in 1929. "Extended education" includes those traditional programs known as distance education and incorporates new online computer technologies using moving imagery, graphics and sound, satellite and other technologies.
Bateman, who served 10 years at the Panhandle Education Center, said the university will gather input from personnel at extension learning centers such as those in Scottsbluff, Grand Island, Norfolk and another being opened in North Platte to assess education needs for credit and noncredit extended education programs. He said a statewide needs assessment will be conducted to determine priorities for the university's extended education "niche."
Omtvedt said the university intends to maintain and expand its leadership position in the increasingly competitive field of distance education by further defining that market niche - probably through increased graduate program offerings - and building on traditional strengths of the past.
"Society in general is increasing emphasis on the need for more education and more opportunities to grow professionally. Our land-grant institutions need to change to ensure we are meeting the needs of the people we serve in the 21st century," Omtvedt said. "Many of the old ways were very effective, but as we see the changing needs of people we need to change our way of doing business as well."
Omtvedt said non-traditional students and "lifelong learners" who want to update skills but live some distance from the university are ideal candidates for extended education. "I cannot overemphasize the importance of this being need-driven and customer-oriented," Omtvedt said of the university's strategy to define its extended education market.
Graduate programs are a likely area of continued emphasis, Omtvedt said.
"We need to look at where UNL is unique," he said. "That
doesn't mean there wouldn't be opportunities for undergraduate
programs, but probably in areas not duplicated by other
institutions across the state. If there is a strong demand, we
will seriously look at it and determine whether it is something
we should be offering. We have a very good base to build on."
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