The public is invited to a free open house from 6 to 8:30 p.m. January 7 to meet with staff who can answer specific questions.
KSU’s College of Continuing and Professional Education is located at 3333 Busbee Drive, Kennesaw
Information: ccpe.kennesaw.edu or 470-578-6765.
Along with the perennial “lose weight” New Year’s resolution, Andrea Cochran of Kennesaw State University suggests adding a few new ones. Learn a second language. Take an art class. Earn a certification for a new job. And she has many more suggestions as well.
Opportunities to grow, learn and meet new friends are offered as part of KSU’s College of Continuing and Professional Education, headquartered close to the main campus at the KSU Center on Busbee Drive. Since becoming a college five years ago, the division has attracted about 17,000 students a year who sign up for courses whose leading prerequisite is enthusiasm.
In the five years that Cochran has directed the hospitality, languages and personal programs segment of the college, enrollment has mushroomed, particularly for enrichment classes and professional certification.
“Our largest enrollment is for professional certificates - programs that are great for people looking for a new career or opportunity,” she said. “Our culinary apprenticeship program has been so popular that we’re looking to expand it. Currently, it’s nine months of training that puts people to work in the very hot restaurant field. And health care is another place we’re looking to expand.”
Among the almost 60 professionalization courses are Teaching English as a Second Language, Professional Landscaping and Group Fitness Instructor, to name a few. Sessions are taught by industry professionals who bring real-world experience into the classroom.
“That’s one of the unique selling points of our programs - they’re geared toward what’s going on in the field right now,” said Cochran. “Students have told us they love that these professionals have that up-to-date experience. We also offer 100 percent online classes that are great for people who can’t come in person. We have quite a few people who live out of state and are looking for additional training, and they can get it just by logging in.”
The college also has an extensive selection of courses related to hobbies or personal pursuits, taught by professionals or instructors who have particular talents and hobbies to share. Topics cover the gamut of interests: “getting to know your iPad,” photography, sewing, bread making, the Civil War, yoga and Italian influences on opera are just a few.
Ernest Varner, a retired military officer, has been leading courses in drawing and painting for as long as the division has been around. The former president of the Portrait Society of Atlanta has shared his personal passion for painting with students from ages 12 through 75.
“Some people have some basic skills, and others want to get better,” he said. “One lady who started out doing a simple flower is now doing portraits of her grand kids and having a wonderful time. My intermediate and advanced classes have people who have been coming for a few years. Each class gets together, talks, paints and interacts. And every soul who walks through the door wants to be there and be a better artist or creator, and I love that.”
The college also offers a range of summer camps for kids and special programs for those 50 and older through the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute. Pricing varies by course, and a variety of financial aid programs, payment options and scholarships are available.
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