Sometimes the training you need does not require going back to college for a degree. UNLV Continuing Education leverages the resources of Southern Nevada’s premier university to offer a broad spectrum of non-credit courses each term.
The fall 2015 Continuing Education Catalog is now available online and in print. Inside, you will find classes to challenge and inspire you. Whether you are looking to build career skills, explore a new hobby, or take a unique journey, the new catalog may have just what you are looking for.
One of our most exciting new professional certificate programs for fall stems from a partnership with UNLV’s Howard R. Hughes College of Engineering. The core courses for engineering’s growing Information Technology (IT) minor can now be taken as a certificate program. Potential IT career applications include data analysis, web development, and database administration. All are high-income, high-growth fields. Certificate students take coursework alongside students pursuing the minor; courses are taught by UNLV computer science faculty. To learn about programs requirements, visit continuingeducation.unlv.edu/catalog/information-technology-it-certificate.  
New in travel is a day trip to Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument in September. Nevada’s second national park is a window into the last Ice Age, when fabled animals such as camelops, mammoths, and sloths roamed the Las Vegas Valley. There are currently no visitor services at Tule Springs, so the best way to experience the park is on a guided tour with a leader who can explain the area’s geology, paleontology, archaeology, and history. Participants will take a short hike into the monument to search for fossil remains; any finds will be documented and left at the site. If the early Jurassic seems more intriguing than the Ice Age, an October weekend Dinosaur Hunt in southern Utah is another option. Information about both programs is available at ced.unlv.edu/catalog/exploring-travel.
If you would like to take a course just for fun and personal enrichment, consider enrolling in a history course sure to make you take a fresh look at the past. Last Call: The Alcoholic Republic and Prohibition will cover the complex origins, history, and impact of Prohibition in the United States. In God We Trust: Religion and the Founding Fathers explores the religious values and ideals of the Founders, and trace those values to modern-day America. Course details and registration are available online.
Staff members are happy to answer any questions you may have about programs or to send a fall catalog directly to your home. Reach Continuing Education by telephone at 702-895-3394 or via email at continuing.education@unlv.edu.

Doris Ostrander brings creativity and collaboration
to the continuing education experience
 
LAS VEGAS – A results-oriented leader has been appointed to advance continuing education within the Division of Educational Outreach at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Doris Ostrander is the new director of Continuing Education, coming to Las Vegas from Washington, D.C., where she was the director of Continuing Education for Corcoran College of Art and Design. 
 
Ostrander brings nearly 20 years of experience in higher education policy development, business analysis, operations management, and instruction to her position. She also has extensive experience working with community partners and academic departments to identify emerging educational opportunities and develop new courses and programs. In addition to her years in higher education teaching and administration, Ostrander was a designer and consultant for more than 15 years.  
 
“While Doris has yielded impressive results in online education, distributed learning, and continuing education, it is her specialized skill and experiences with design thinking that will transform the continuing education learning environment at UNLV,” said Margaret N. (Peg) Rees, vice provost for Educational Outreach. “She uses design thinking and has worked with clients in the entertainment, fashion, and healthcare industries to focus on the people for whom the product is designed and improve client business practices.”
 
As director of UNLV Continuing Education, Ostrander will guide an office responsible for offering UNLV’s wealth of educational resources and learning opportunities to people of all ages and community partners. Continuing Education currently provides hundreds of courses and programs for professional and personal development, and learning for the fun of it.
 
Ostrander has a master’s degree in Foundations of Education from Hofstra University in Hempstead, NY. She completed additional graduate course work in Design, Technology, and Sociology of Media at The New School University in New York City, and earned her BFA in Advertising and Packaging Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology (State University of New York).
 

UNLV Continuing Education will hold a graduation celebration on February 23, 2015 to recognize the new graduates of the UNLV Paralegal Certificate program. The ceremony will be held 5:30-7:30 p.m. in Room 133 of the UNLV Paradise Campus. Graduates are invited to attend along with their families. Light refreshments will be served.

The Grand Canyon is the second-most-visited national park in the country. In-the-know adventurers, however, will tell you there is a better way to experience the Grand Canyon—a raft trip down the Colorado River. This July UNLV geologist Peg Rees and artist/naturalist Sharon Schafer will lead a week-long exploration of the Grand Canyon by motorized raft through UNLV Continuing Education. Taking eight days to cover nearly 200 miles of the river through nearly 2 billion years of the earth's history allows plenty of time for photographing and learning about the natural and cultural history and geologic evolution of the region. 
Rees and Schafer have scheduled three multimedia programs to share stories and images from past Grand Canyon trips. They will cover the canyon’s geology, natural and cultural history, and logistics of a trip of this scale.   
Dates for the multimedia presentations are Jan. 26 in the large conference room of Paseo Verde Library (280 S. Green Valley Parkway, Henderson, 89012), Jan. 29 in the program room of the James I. Gibson Library (100 W. Lake Mead Parkway, Henderson, 89015), and Feb. 5 in the program room of Green Valley Library (2797 N. Green Valley Pkwy, Henderson 89014). Presentations are 6:30-7:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public.
For additional details about the presentations or about the Grand Canyon Raft Trip, call 702-895-5224 or email charlee.zingraf@unlv.edu. Grand Canyon Raft Trip details are also available online.

Continuing Education’s upcoming term features many classes to challenge and inspire you. Whether you are looking to build career skills, explore a new hobby, or take a unique journey, the new catalog may have just what you are looking for. Catalogs will be available at area libraries by Thanksgiving, but the digital catalog and registration are already available online at ced.unlv.edu/cat2015.
Continuing Education’s professional development team works with local industries to create classes and certificate programs which teach the practical skills employers seek. Nevada’s designation as one of just six Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) test sites in the US will open numerous career opportunities in UAS design, testing, and policy. Courses from UNLV’s UAS academic minor can be combined into a non-degree certificate program through Continuing Education. Courses begin in January. For personal trainers, we have expanded National Academy of Sports Medicine certifications to include Essentials of Corrective Exercise Training and Fitness Nutrition Specialist certifications in the spring. Also new in the catalog are two programs for nurses. Experienced nurses can apply their medical knowledge in the growing field of medical law as a nurse paralegal. Recently graduated nurses can gain the clinical experience needed to secure their first job by enrolling in GAP Training for RNs.
For additional information of these and other professional development opportunities, visit continuingeducation.unlv.edu/certificate-programs.
Not to be outdone, the personal enrichment team will also launch numerous new programs for spring. Capture and edit high-quality images with your phone or tablet after taking Cell Phone Photography. Uncover your family history with a new Genealogy course. Take Car Care 101 and extend the life of your car by completing your own preventative maintenance; this course would make a great gift for new drivers. There is a bit of a theme among another set of new courses: Home Winemaking, Home Brewing, Whiskey, Bourbon & Scotch Tasting, World of Craft Beers, and Wine Essentials all will wet your whistle (but only if you are 21 or older!). These courses are only a small sampling of the broad spectrum of available courses.
UNLV travel courses offer unique experiences led by experts from the university and community. Travel options range from a daytrip studying the Mojave’s geology, ecology, and native people, to overnights in Death Valley or California, to a once-in-a-lifetime raft trip through the Grand Canyon. View upcoming travel course itineraries at continuingeducation.unlv.edu/catalog/exploring-travel.
Staff members are happy to answer any questions you may have about programs or to send a spring catalog directly to your home. Reach Continuing Education by telephone at 702-895-3394 or via email at continuing.education@unlv.edu. 

Today the Workforce Connections' Board of Directors approved $200,000 to fund participation for 66 newly graduated registered nurses in the GAP Training for RNs program, a 13-week pilot program which will develop new graduate knowledge, skills, attitudes, and competencies to increase employability and retention in the nursing profession. This program was developed in partnership between UNLV Continuing Education and the UNLV School of Nursing to offer real-world experience for newly-graduated nurses as they transition from school to professional practice.          
Despite high overall demand for nurses, RNs fresh out of school frequently find it difficult to land their first position. Job postings often ask applicants for several years of experience; new graduates are automatically eliminated from consideration. Some hospitals offer their own transitional training programs for new graduates, but applicants far outnumber openings. The GAP Training for RNs program was developed to give new nurses the opportunity to gain experience and demonstrate their skills while working alongside an experienced nurse mentor.
The GAP Training for RNs program will provide RNs with additional education, mentoring/coaching, and clinical experiences to improve competence, professional skills, and employability. The program incorporates:
Precepted clinical experiences (two 12-hour shifts per week at a local hospital)
Mentoring
Leadership coaching
Online learning activities focusing on quality and safety in professional practice
Hands-on training using simulation
Technical skills practice
Interviewing techniques and resume development
Due to Workforce Connections' funding, the training program will be completely free for new nurses who wish to enroll. To be eligible, a participant must be a Nevada resident and a licensed RN (ADN, BSN, and/or entry level Master’s) graduate of any nationally accredited academic nursing program within the previous 18 months who has yet to find employment. The program is also suitable for registered nurses seeking to return to acute care practice after having experienced an extended absence.
Local area hospitals partnering with the program are Sunrise Hospital, Dignity Health, and Nathan Adelson Hospice. The program benefits not only the nurses, but also participating hospitals which will see a significant decrease in the time and cost of hiring and training new nurses. The clinical sites selected for this training currently have open employment opportunities for which participants can apply. 
The funding from Workforce Connections will cover three cohorts of 22 students with the first cohort starting November 10, 2014. Interested participants should register and attend a free information session at UNLV to learn about program requirements and the application process.  Participants may register online at ced.unlv.edu/rn-training or call our registration desk at 702-895-3394.  Applications will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.
For more information about UNLV’s GAP Training for RNs program, please contact Jodi Gilliland at 702-895-3394 or jodi.gilliland@unlv.edu. 

Almost 5 million people flock to the Grand Canyon annually to ogle the deep, dramatic gorge that cuts over a mile deep to expose 2 billion years of the earth’s geologic history.  The Grand Canyon is the second-most-visited national park in the country; peak season is crowded with busloads of tourists from around the world.
Adventurers in-the-know, however, will tell you there is a better way to experience the Grand Canyon—a raft trip down the Colorado River.  A raft trip offers big whitewater adventure, but also moments of solitude, serenity, and communion with nature you simply will not find along the rim. The National Park Service issues just 1100 raft permits annually for the Grand Canyon, so when you set off in your raft at Lee’s Ferry for your 200 miles journey to Whitmore Wash, you are among the privileged few.  
Next July UNLV geologist Peg Rees and artist/naturalist Sharon Shafer will lead a week-long exploration of the Grand Canyon by motorized raft through UNLV Continuing Education. Taking eight days to cover nearly 200 miles of the river through nearly 2 billion years of the earth's history allows plenty of time for photographing and learning about the natural and cultural history and geologic evolution of the region. Each day offers the opportunity to take short hikes to explore amazing places such as the Little Colorado River, Deer Creek Falls, Elves Chasm, and Red Wall Cavern. Nights are spent camping along the river, enjoying delicious meals, watching the stars, and falling asleep to sounds of rushing water.
Rees and Shafer have scheduled three multimedia programs in the coming weeks to share stories and images from past Grand Canyon trips. They will cover the canyon’s geology, natural and cultural history, and logistics of a trip of this scale.  The presentations are free and open to the public. You may just get inspired to join them on an adventure of a lifetime next summer.
Dates for the multimedia presentations are Nov. 6, Nov. 13, and Dec. 4. Presentations are Thursday evenings from 6-7 p.m. and will be held in Room 301 at UNLV Paradise Campus, 851 E. Tropicana.
For additional details about the presentations or about the Grand Canyon Raft Trip, call 702-895-5224 or email charlee.zingraf@unlv.edu. Grand Canyon Raft Trip details are also available here. 

It may be hard to think about fall when summer’s still blazing outside, yet now is the time to start planning for fall classes through UNLV Continuing Education. Catalogs will be available at area libraries in mid-July, but the catalog and registration are already available online at ced.unlv.edu/cat2014.
Continuing Education’s upcoming term features many classes to challenge and inspire you. Whether you are looking to build career skills, explore a new hobby, or take a unique journey, the new catalog may have just what you’re looking for.
On the professional development side, six new programs launch this fall to help you take your career to the next level or in a new direction. If your interests lie in computers and technology, look into the Android Development certificate to build skills in mobile application development, or try Drupal Training to explore ways you can keep digital content fresh and engaging for your audience. In the food and beverage category, there is a new Beer Steward and Connoisseur certificate; the curriculum will build your resume for advancement in restaurant management, liquor distribution and sales, or brewery service. Youth coaches can earn their National Federation of High School Sports (NFHS) certification through UNLV’s new Athletic Coaching Education certificate; NFHS certification is required in Nevada to coach high school interscholastic sports.  UNLV Grant Academy courses begin in September. The program takes participants through the full life cycle of a grant, from laying groundwork, to writing proposals, to managing funded projects. Finally, Mediation Training is a useful skill in many professions—including law, education, human resources, and business. Earn a certificate and learn to guide opposing sides of a conflict to a mutually acceptable resolution.
For additional information of these and other professional development opportunities, visit our certificate program information page.
New travel programs are also featured in the fall catalog. The extreme climate and striking geography surrounding Las Vegas offers endless options for appreciating the natural world beyond the resort corridor. There are numerous opportunities to explore the Mojave up close—from day trips to local wildlife refuges, to a desert survival skills series, to plant and animal identification, to guided extended tours of Death Valley or Palm Springs or the Grand Canyon. View upcoming travel courses here.
On the personal enrichment side, new courses include reiki, Pilates, painting, and cooking. If you are looking for a course a little more out of the ordinary, consider Raising Chickens at Home; it is possible to keep a small flock of poultry in a city setting, but it is helpful to know as much as possible about local regulations and animal care before you purchase your first chick. Registration is also open for fall music ensembles. Did you know community members could participate in UNLV’s men’s glee club, women’s chorus, percussion ensembles, French horn or flute ensembles, marching band, and pep band?
Staff members are happy to answer any questions you may have about programs or to send a fall catalog directly to your home. Reach them by telephone at 702-895-3394 or via email at continuing.education@unlv.edu.

UNLV held its first Academic Achievement Gala on April 17 to honor the distinguished teaching and research of faculty members. Among the honorees was Heath Hiudt, sommelier and Continuing Education instructor, who received the Educational Outreach Faculty Excellence Award. Continuing Education Director Emmanuel (Meni) Sarris nominated Heath for the award, noting the UNLV Sommelier Academy would not exist today without the creativity and dedication of Heath as its designer and lead instructor. Heath has skillfully taught a difficult curriculum through an interactive hands-on approach and in-class experimentation to engage students in learning. Enrollment has exceeded expectations, and glowing feedback has highlighted Heath's amazing talent for teaching this highly specialized topic. Whether novice wine lovers or experienced beverage professionals, all students have made giant strides, with 100% of the first class passing the introductory program's exam. We congratulate and thank Heath for being an excellent educator and promoter of UNLV to the city and the surrounding region.

UNLV Continuing Education has nearly 100 courses available for you to explore this summer. A brochure is now available online detailing the professional development and personal enrichment courses being offered from May through July. It also includes new courses, such as Making the Transition from Manager to Leader, Refreshing Summertime Soups, and the California Philharmonic's Festival on the Green Series. Visit http://continuingeducation.unlv.edu/catalog to view the continuing education brochure.