Online Graduate Programs has merged with several professional and continuing education programs across Drake to form Drake Online and Continuing Education. Christina Trombley will serve as the executive director and includes what was formerly Executive Education out of the President’s Office and has stronger ties with the work done through the Center for Professional Studies and training and development at The Robert D. and Billy Ray Center.
Drake Online and Continuing Education will strengthen collaboration and centralize many services, increasing both efficiency and effectiveness of Drake’s continuing and professional education services while eliminating duplication of efforts and confusion in the marketplace. Drake Online and Continuing Education will oversee all new business moving forward, including decisions on pricing, contracts, marketing, curricular and programmatic changes, and responsibilities.
The new team has spent the last three months strategizing and developing major goals for the next year. These goals establish both the direction for this new team and the guidelines for how Drake will proactively work to become a resource for businesses and organizations in the Des Moines metro and the state of Iowa. The goals are as follows:
- Develop the model/processes to create “multiple touches” from DSM businesses
- Clarify markets and customer benefits to streamline sales
- Identify new opportunities and leverage goodwill within DSM and Iowa
- Develop and maintain human capital resources to provide training/consulting
- Clarify financial management and budgets for programs
- Develop system(s) and processes for registration and reporting to quantify economic data impact
Drake University has ample opportunity for market penetration and product development. By working together under the umbrella of Drake Online and Continuing Education more businesses can be reached without duplicating efforts. In addition, by focusing on business and customer needs, new products and programming can be developed to meet the changing needs of businesses. Currently, work is happening to strengthen marketing efforts for Leading Others, determine specific stand-alone programming for both open enrollment and customized training, and to develop certificate programs for the area’s workforce.
Christina Trombley, Drake Online and Continuing Education