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Continuing Education

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What is Continuing Education?

We work with the local and global community to make the U a learning institution for life. Our work can best be described by the audiences we serve. We inspire future Utes through camps and classes designed to engage K-12 students and prepare them for college. We help retain undergraduate students by offering classes at Sandy Center and through alternative modes such as flexible courses. We help international students develop English language proficiency in order to prepare for college and enter the U. We engage adults with learning that meets their needs, from professional training and certification to community and skill building courses, to academic courses at the Sandy Center and faculty-led trips.

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CE Leadership Team

Headshot of Deborah Keyek-Franssen

Deborah Keyek-Franssen
Associate Vice President and
Dean of Continuing and Online Education

Deborah Keyek-Franssen

Associate Vice President and Dean of Continuing and Online Education

Deborah is a creative educator and thought leader with over two decades of experience in IT and higher education. She began her career at the University of Colorado in 1998, where she served as director of academic technology; oversaw strategy and research in the use, implementation, and evaluation of educational technologies; and managed a team of consultants and technologists. Working across the CU System as the AVP for Digital Education and Engagement, she was instrumental in furthering CU campuses' implementation of digital and online education solutions, including MOOCs, and served as the director of the Colorado Learning and Teaching with Technology (COLTT) Conference. In her current role, she is developing, evolving, and assessing a vibrant, nimble, and relevant curriculum of non-credit, for-credit and lifelong learning opportunities for Utahns and beyond.

Headshot of Jodi Emery

Jodi Emery
Associate Dean

Jodi Emery

Associate Dean

Jodi's primary job is to bring energy and honesty to work. People are her passion, and more specifically helping people achieve their personal professional potential is what drives her every day. Jodi completed a BA, MPA, and doctoral coursework in Communication at the U. Jodi has worked with University Connected Learning since 2009 and is thrilled to hold the role of Associate Dean for Administrative Operations.

Headshot of Nate Friedman

Nate Friedman
Associate Dean

Nate Friedman

Associate Dean

From Camp Counselor, to Director of Youth Protection, to Senior Director of University Pathways, Nate has done it all in Continuing Ed. He has devoted his entire professional career to inspiring others to pursue education. With a B.S. and MPA from the University of Utah, he understands the educational value of this institution. His vision is that everyone, regardless of background or place in life, sees the U as accessible and knows that a degree is achievable.

When Nate is not at his desk, he is out enjoying life and learning new things. He may be skiing with his two boys, riding a mountain bike with his wife, or cooking dinner with family.

What is our mission?

Continuing Education provides unique pathways to and through higher education and inspires a love of learning through innovative, educational experiences for all ages and people.

How We Bring it Together

Have a question You may find the answer on our Frequently Asked Questions page.