Source: Rosanna Vail, 785-532-2720, rvail@k-state.edu
Website: http://www.dce.k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Kayela Richard, 785-532-2535, media@k-state.edu

Friday, April 8, 2011

OUTSTANDING PROGRAMS, TEACHING AND MARKETING EFFORTS WIN DIVISION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION NATIONAL RECOGNITION

MANHATTAN -- The University Professional and Continuing Education Association is recognizing Kansas State University's Division of Continuing Education for excellence in several areas, including programs, teaching and marketing.

The honors, presented at the association's annual conference, April 6-9, in Toronto include:

* The Distance Learning Community of Practice Exemplary Program Award to the Big 12 Engineering Consortium's nuclear engineering program. The program provides, with assistance from the Division of Continuing Education, online undergraduate courses in nuclear engineering to Big 12 engineering students. "We're grateful to receive this wonderful national recognition for our efforts to make nuclear engineering education accessible to students and professionals from various campuses and industries via distance education," said Mohammad Hosni, professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering at K-State. "Our primary goal is to create an atmosphere of collaborative teaching and learning, and help educate our future nuclear engineers who will be successful in their chosen careers and professional fields."

* Research and Scholarship Award to Royce Ann Collins, assistant professor in educational leadership at K-State. Her research interests include adult learning, accelerated programs, cognitive development and faculty development. Collins also won the association's Regional Award in Research and Scholarship in Adult and Continuing Education in 2010. "I'm excited that someone recognizes research and scholarship with adult learners," she said. "The study of adult learning and techniques to teach this population are often overlooked. This award has been given to professors at Harvard, so it recognizes K-State as a place with high standards and quality research and teaching."

* Excellence in Teaching Award to Terrie McCants, instructor of family studies and human services. McCants was instrumental in the development of K-State's online conflict resolution undergraduate and graduate certificate programs. "I feel greatly honored and delighted with the recognition in this area of teaching," she said.

The Division of Continuing Education also received five awards for marketing and publications. The awards include:

* Gold Award for the Wildcat Success Road Map, an interactive marketing website.

* Gold Award for the intersession call for proposals email.

* Silver Award for the division's annual report.

* Bronze Award for a feature story about Nick Leckey, a former K-State football player who is in the division's Second Wind program, which helps former K-State athletes finish their degrees.

* Bronze Award for the Healthful and Safe College Life banner pen.

More information about the K-State Division of Continuing Education is available at http://www.dce.k-state.edu.