New college program reaches out to Valley with practical and recreational classes

MAT-SU -- Mat-Su College is currently gearing up for its spring battery of classes. However, along with the usual offerings in the arts, sciences and technologies come a number of topical and recreational classes geared toward interested community members rather than full-time college students.

The classes are operated through the college's new Community and Business Services (CBS) Department. CBS's upcoming workshops in January include Wilderness First Aid and Avalanche Safety. In February, a short workshop will also be held on Learning Map, Compass, and GPS. The classes are offered to anyone interested enough to apply -- there are no prerequisites.

"We're really excited to be offering a program that is nationally recognized and accredited here in the Valley," said Cathy Baxter, program director for the Continuing Education Department at the college.

Several other workshops and classes on topics such as Outdoor Photography and the History of Hatcher Pass are scheduled for later in the term. According to Baxter, these classes emphasize developing a broad knowledge base rather than intensive study of academic areas.

"The Outdoor Photography class, for example, is just for fun and recreation," she commented. "It's not targeted toward the fine arts."

Classes offered through CBS don't follow traditional semesters or term systems. Since their durations vary from four months to one day, college credits and associated grades are not awarded for completion. Instead, participants receive a number of continuing education units, or CEUs, that do not count toward a degree but do appear on a college transcript and demonstrate evidence of real-life business and community skills when the participants apply for jobs or further education. They also afford other benefits -- for example, participants who complete the Wilderness First Aid course will gain Wilderness First Aid and CPR certification.

Mat-Su College earns distinction among colleges in the University of Alaska system for its concern with its surrounding community.

"These new programs are really a measure of the college's outreach to the community," said Scott. "Lots of larger colleges don't have courses like these."

The college is committed to developing not only the Valley's academic opportunities, but also its job market skills, and remains active in the community by hosting local events such as the Valley Artists exhibition last fall.

Affiliated with the new courses are the CBS classes for certified public managers and certificate of supervisory management. According to Scott, these classes encourage the development of "on-demand" training for supervisors and corporate leaders, especially those newly hired or promoted. The CBS department also offers classes in office skills such as word processing, Excel, and time management

"These are courses that are invaluable in developing basic business skills," said Scott. Applicants are also encouraged to design their own custom classes that incorporate many aspects of business training.

Registration for these classes remains open, and sessions begin in the middle of January.

The program will also be hosting a brown bag lunch at the Mat-Su Borough building in Palmer from noon to 1 p.m. on the third Thursday of every month starting Jan. 15.

For further details and registration procedures, visit http://www.matsu.alaska.edu/CBS/community_interest.htm or contact the Community and Business Services Department at 745-9741.