Kansas State University

Award-winning work: University receives five regional Continuing Education awards

Submitted by Communications and Marketing

Kansas State University programs and staff have received five regional awards from the University Professional and Continuing Education Association.

The awards were presented at the association's central region conference, hosted by Kansas State University, Sept. 24-26, in Kansas City, Mo. Recipients include:

• Bettie Minshall, the Division of Continuing Education's program coordinator for the College of Agriculture, College of Architecture, Planning and Design, and College of Veterinary Medicine, received the association's John L. Christopher Outstanding Leadership Award. Minshall has been a member of the University Professional and Continuing Education Association since 2001, serving in many leadership roles, including co-chair of the central region. She provides coordination and facilitation for the delivery of three noncredit programs, approximately 300 credit courses each fiscal year, seven degree programs and six certificate programs for the colleges at K-State.

• Rosemary Boggs, also a program coordinator for the university's Division of Continuing Education, received the Professional Continuing Educator Award. Boggs is a member of the University Professional and Continuing Education Association and coordinates distance education programming for the College of Education, including nine graduate programs or endorsements and many special courses in the education field. She has presented at technology and online learning events, including at the Teaching, Learning and Technology Showcase; Axio Conference; the university's faculty teaching retreat; and the National Academic Advising Association conference.

• The Academic Chairpersons Conference received the association's Mature Noncredit Program Award. This national conference is approaching its 30th year and allows academic chairs, administrators and faculty from all areas of higher education to share successful, innovative ideas and strategies. It is one of the longest-running conferences coordinated by the Division of Continuing Education and plays a large role in helping department chairs enhance their leadership skills, learn to navigate the politics of higher education institutions and network with others who serve in similar roles.

•  The Go Teacher program received the Innovative Noncredit Program Award. The award is given to a newly launched noncredit program that demonstrates program success and deals with social, diversity or educational issues. Go Teacher lets teachers from Ecuador complete Kansas State University's intensive English Language Program through the office of international programs and the Teaching English as a Second Language program through the College of Education. Ecuadorean teachers then bring their expertise to their country as they teach English to students in their own classrooms.

• The Reading Specialist Endorsement program, offered through the College of Education, received the Innovative Credit Program Award. This 18-credit online program was developed with the support of the Division of Continuing Education's internal grant funding program and helps meet the demand for highly qualified reading specialists as school districts emphasize reading instruction to meet educational requirements. The program is accredited by the Kansas State Department of Education and the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education.

"Kansas State University continues to excel in both exemplary professional staff and programs in the field of continuing education," said Sue C. Maes, dean of continuing education. "These five regional awards are a testimony to the high quality of distance and professional education developed at the university."

Learn more about Kansas State University's award-winning programs at www.dce.k-state.edu.