About
Continuing Education

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 intensive 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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Continuing Education's Culture Values are Involved, Adaptable, and Genuine

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. Her marketing and communication career included brine shrimp, an international humanitarian nonprofit, coffee, public radio, and the University of Utah. Jodi has worked with Continuing Education for over nine years, and is thrilled to serve in the interim leadership role during this pivotal time for higher education.

Outside of work Jodi is a serial home remodeler, loves to visit new national parks with her family in their Airstream, and takes advantage of the nearby mountains with skis, bikes, and her hiking shoes.

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.

Headshot of Anya Petersen-Frey

Anya Petersen-Frey
Finance and Operations

Anya Petersen-Frey

Finance and Operations

Anya Petersen-Frey was born in Brooklyn, NY and grew up in New Jersey and Georgia. She is a nomad who has lived in 10 states (including Alaska) and traveled in several countries but is happy to call Utah her forever home as she continues to explore the world. She loves to learn and stays current on new technologies and trends in the marketplace. Along the way she has completed her MBA, doctoral coursework in business, and holds various certifications. In her spare time Anya loves to play outside hiking and biking in our beautiful state.

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.

Annual Report

Read our Annual Report to learn more about what we've been doing.

financial year 2018 annual report

How We Bring it Together

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