UCLAx2028: The Future of Continuing Education

UCLA Extension's Strategic Plan

Students walking into UCLA Extension main entrance at the Gayley Center

For more than 100 years, UCLA Extension has empowered students of all ages to explore their passions, enhance their skills and succeed in their careers.

Today, that mission is more vital than ever.

UCLAx2028: The Future of Continuing Education updates UCLA Extension's strategic plan to address urgent challenges facing higher education and society, from the effects of disruptive technology on global job markets to the essential need for more equitable and widespread prosperity in our communities.

At UCLA Extension, the future of continuing education means opportunity and access for all. Here's how we'll get there.

This update to the UCLA Extension strategic plan comes at a pivotal time for our institution and our community. With Los Angeles set to host the next Olympic Games, and as we prepare to welcome students to our newly expanded campus downtown, we are more committed than ever to ensuring that all Angelenos have access to the personal and professional opportunities that continuing education provides. The strategic priorities detailed below are a reflection of that commitment.

Eric A. Bullard, Ph.D.

Dean, Division of Continuing Education and UCLA Extension

Our Strategic Priorities

Developed with input from diverse stakeholders and thought leaders from across UCLA Extension and the broader Los Angeles community, this strategic plan update aims to keep our institution at the forefront of innovation and opportunity in continuing education for generations to come.

Each of the strategic priorities identified below is intended to build on institutional strengths and help us explore new ways to engage with our partners, deepen our alignment with the strategic goals of UCLA as a whole, and serve our students with personalized resources that help them thrive.

Strategic Priority #1: Academic Excellence, Innovation and Scholarship
Strategic Priority #2: Global Engagement
Strategic Priority #3: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging
Strategic Priority #4: External Affairs
Strategic Priority #5: Institutional Effectiveness
Strategic Priority #6: Student Success

Download UCLA Extension's Strategic Plan Summary

Strategic Priority #1: Academic Excellence, Innovation and Scholarship

Each of our academic units rigorously maintains course content that is challenging, accurate and evidence based, ensuring that it remains relevant in an ever-changing marketplace. By fostering an engaging learning environment, promoting diversity and inclusion, and emphasizing the practical application of learning, we aim to create opportunities for all learners to excel regardless of background or circumstance.

We will continue to embrace innovation in programming, teaching and learning, and anticipate future trends to meet the evolving needs of our learners as part of a dynamic global workforce. Through these efforts, we will position UCLA Extension as a global leader in lifelong, inclusive education and professional development.

Objectives

Strategic Priority #1: Academic Excellence, Innovation and Scholarship

Course content that is appropriately challenging and thorough.
Professional courses that result in meaningful advancement and marketplace relevance.
Courses that build upon students' existing knowledge and skills and provide new tools that they can immediately use in their careers.
An innovative and research-informed learning environment that promotes student engagement.
Access to equitable and inclusive education in a safe environment that actively values diverse perspectives and counters systemic bias in education.
Opportunities for instructors, students and staff to give back to the broader UCLA Extension community.

Strategic Priority #2: Global Engagement

Nearly 2,000 international students from roughly 80 countries around the world enroll in UCLA Extension courses each year. Our International Programs unit will continue to provide wraparound support services for these students, focusing on holistic learning experiences that prepare them to live and lead in a global society. We will work to expand and foster an extensive worldwide network of academic and institutional partners to support international student success and global education programs.

Objectives

Strategic Priority #2: Global Engagement

Strengthen International Programs as a central hub for international student success and global education programs.
Provide wraparound support services and a holistic learning experience that prepares students to live and lead in a global society.
Strategically grow and support our extensive global partner network.

Strategic Priority #3: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging

By recognizing equity, diversity, inclusion and belonging as a strategic priority for the whole of our institution, we commit to focusing time and resources on creating a safe, respectful and thriving environment for learning and working that welcomes all. Together with UCLA and partners from across Los Angeles, we will serve as a bridge between the university and our community, supporting the shared goal of inclusive excellence and using it as a lens to focus all aspects of our vision and mission.

Objectives

Strategic Priority #3: Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging

Create a welcoming workplace and classroom environment where all students, instructors, staff and community members' perspectives are valued and their contributions recognized.
Develop a system of quantitative and qualitative EDIB data and benchmarks that accurately represent our community.
Prioritize equity and inclusion in recruiting, hiring, onboarding and training employees.
Develop UCLAxBridge (Belonging, Race, Inclusion, Diversity, Growth and Equity), a new program that will serve as a hub for the creation and dissemination of EDIB certificate programs at UCLA Extension and establish the institution as an innovative leader in education, thought and practice in EDIB efforts.

Strategic Priority #4: External Affairs

UCLA Extension's first ever External Affairs unit connects the resources and reputation of UCLA with our local and global constituencies. Through events, relationship building, philanthropy and community engagement, External Affairs focuses on expanding access to socially just pathways for students of all kinds to pursue knowledge.

By highlighting UCLA Extension's impact both in Los Angeles and worldwide, we will solidify our role in stimulating economic and workforce development by connecting alumni, students, instructors and other partners to a diverse and thriving community.

Objectives

Strategic Priority #4: External Affairs

Drive workforce development through innovative continuing education programs and courses.
Amplify inspiring stories of personal growth, student success and community impact.
Activate one of the nation’s largest communities of lifelong learners through alumni engagement.
Curate events that inspire student and community engagement, creativity, and social change.
Relationships and partnerships: Establish and strengthen strategic partnerships to better serve Los Angeles.

Strategic Priority #5: Institutional Effectiveness

UCLA Extension must continuously be prepared to meet the dynamic needs of its community. By creating and implementing robust and data-driven processes across the institution, we will identify areas in which we excel and opportunities to become more efficient and effective.

Building a comprehensive and integrated data structure to facilitate analysis and evidence-based decision-making will foster a culture of transparency, responsiveness and adaptability. This approach will facilitate employer and alumni engagement as well as philanthropic efforts. The adoption of new data tools will provide invaluable insights about student learning preferences, accessibility, enrollment patterns, use of technologies and emerging job trends.

Objectives

Strategic Priority #5: Institutional Effectiveness

Inform institutional decisions with accurate data to achieve strategic priorities, optimize use of resources, make decisions about technology infrastructure and streamline business operations.
Develop metrics to measure institutional performance and support accountability in advancing the goals of improving overall organizational efficiency and effectiveness.
Conduct robust market research to enhance the program development process and support the creation of innovative, relevant and accessible programs.

Strategic Priority #6: Student Success

UCLA Extension is reimagining the institution’s engagement and relationship with prospective, current and continuing students by utilizing data to inform decisions that affect their success. We remain committed to putting students first, elevating the notion that younger and seasoned professionals alike benefit from guidance in navigating their continuing education journey.

By interacting and engaging consistently, we will attract more students, assure a better student experience and nurture participation in alumni events.

Objectives

Strategic Priority #6: Student Success

Reimagine engagement with prospective, current and continuing students to foster recruitment, retention and success.
Apply technical solutions and streamlined institutional processes to create a more informed learner experience.
Promote experiential learning opportunities through mentoring, internships and apprenticeship.
Provide staff and instructors with opportunities to foster meaningful student engagement to further support their success.