The value of continuing education goes beyond revenue generation: Cortens

In a recent interview with the Illumination podcast, Evan Cortens (Mount Royal University) discusses the value of a university’s continuing education unit. Cortens emphasizes the fact that continuing education thrives on responsiveness: Factors such as local community needs, a lack of base funding, and the circumstances of learners ultimately define a continuing education department’s offerings. He further notes how the department facilitates access to higher education and training for more members of the community. “I think in general, it makes little sense to task a university unit solely with that goal of profit generation if it comes at the expense of serving the needs of the community,” says Cortens. “I flip that equation around: Serve our community first, while meeting a sensible financial mandate.”