APPALACHIAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE J. Paul Combs, Director The Appalachian Regional Development Institute (ARDI) is an applied research and public service program of Appalachian State University. Through ARDI, the University makes its resources, faculty and professional staff available to address economic, business, government, and social issues and problems related to regional development. The Institute conducts research on regional development problems and provides direct assistance to local and regional organizations involved in economic and community development. It works within and outside the University to improve the quality of life and economic opportunities for people in western North Carolina. By focusing on regional development, the Appalachian Regional Development Institute integrates the University's teaching, research and service missions. The University's teaching mission includes adult skill development, strategic planning assistance and development of leadership skills. These are all important components to build the economic capacity of local areas. Within all its areas of emphasis, ARDI provides a broad range of training and continuing education programs, including workshops, courses, seminars and conferences. Although its primary geographic area of operation is western North Carolina, ARDI also tackles national and global issues relevant to regional development. ARDI's activities are organized into functional areas. The Appalachian International Business Center (AIBC) supports international trade; especially export development, for western North Carolina. The Information Technology Center promotes telecommunications and electronic commerce as tools for economic and social development. The Workforce Development Center conducts labor market studies and carries out research on various workforce development issues. In its state-of-the-art computer lab, this center offers hands-on seminars and workshops covering many computer technology applications. The Energy Center supports energy research and development by faculty, staff and students in areas of energy efficiency, renewables, policy analysis, and forecasting. In its Regional Outreach function, ARDI matches Appalachian faculty with the technical assistance and applied research needs of business, government, and nonprofit organizations in the University's service area. In addition, ARDI assists with all aspects of strategic and technical assistance for economic development organizations, local governments, not-for-profit organizations and businesses through its Economic and Community Development efforts. And finally, its Entrepreneurship initiatives support innovation, technology transfer and business development in the region. DIVISION OF CONTINUING EDUCATION Richard B. Parrott, Director In cooperation with each of the colleges of the University, The Division of Continuing Education strives to provide educational experiences for those outside the confines of the University through field-based courses, conference, and camp programs. Although the Division of Continuing Education does not grant degrees, the offices within the Division of Continuing Education work closely with all other academic departments and divisions of the University to better serve the various groups and populations calling upon the university for its services. The offices within the Division of Continuing Education are: The Office of Conferences and Institutes Camp Broadstone The Office of Extension Instruction Appalachian Learning Alliance OFFICE OF CONFERENCES AND INSTITUTES Peter Vandenberg, Director The University encourages the use of its resources and facilities by groups that are interested in providing educational and/or recreational workshops, clinics, camps, retreats, conferences, seminars, and meetings. The Office of Conferences and Institutes is responsible for the development, coordination, promotion and management of non-credit continuing education programs. Programs are offered to individuals from 8 to 80 years of age, utilizing the resources of a diversified faculty and staff and the modern facilities, equipment, and accommodations at the Broyhill Inn and Conference Center, Camp Broadstone, the main campus, and the surrounding region. Increasingly business, industry and professional associations are requiring their members to return periodically to school in order to maintain a high level of currency in their fields. Appalachian responds to these needs within its service region in arranging for specially designed non-credit courses and programs and uses the Continuing Education Unit (CEU) as a measure of academic achievement. For information, contact the Director of Conferences and Institutes, University Hall, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC 28608. Phone (828) 262-3045. CAMP BROADSTONE In an effort to encourage learning and appreciation of the natural world through discovery and participation in firsthand encounters, Appalachian State University provides the facilities and resources of Camp Broadstone to groups seeking outdoor learning experiences during the fall, winter and spring. The 53-acre camp is located in Valle Crucis alongside the Watauga River, only six miles from the main campus. The camp facilities provide year-round housing for 100 people (groups and family) and a multipurpose dining hall capable of feeding 150. During the summer months the camp operates a six-week residential enrichment program for gifted and talented children. The University encourages the use of the camp by students, faculty, staff, community and civic groups, and constituents of the University's service region. For information, contact the Director of Camp Broadstone, 1431 Broadstone Road, Banner Elk, NC 28604. Phone (828) 963-4640 or 262-3045. OFFICE OF EXTENSION AND DISTANCE EDUCATION Tom Fisher, Director The Office of Extension and Distance Education serves as liaison between the many constituencies in Appalachian's service region and the colleges, divisions and departments of the University in delivering educational services to students in field-based settings. The primary function of the office is to promote, develop and administer the off-campus courses and programs that are a part of Appalachian's commitment to the region and its citizenry. The University offers undergraduate programming through the Admissions Partnership Program (APP) and the Appalachian Learning Alliance. Graduate programming is offered through the Appalachian Learning Alliance as well as at selected sites in western NC. Non-credit courses are administered at selected off-campus locations. The Admissions Partnership Program was originally funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York and offers talented high school seniors the opportunity to complete collegiate coursework in their home high schools while concurrently completing the requirements for a high school diploma. Students are admitted to the University using the same criteria as entering on-campus college freshman but are taught by high school faculty who have the appropriate credentials to teach at the college level. Currently, Appalachian has APP courses offered on the campuses of high schools in Avery, Caldwell and Davie Counties. The Appalachian Learning Alliance is comprised of ten area community colleges and Appalachian State University. The goal of the Alliance is to provide undergraduate degree completion and graduate degree programs on the campuses of these community colleges in order to support increased access to educational opportunities for individuals who are unable to attend on-campus offerings at Appalachian State University. The community colleges included in the Appalachian Learning Alliance are: Caldwell Community College and Technical Institute, Catawba Valley Community College, Cleveland Community College, Forsyth Technical Community College, Isothermal Community College, Mayland Community College, McDowell Technical Community College, Surry Community College, Western Piedmont Community College, and Wilkes Community College. Appalachian offers graduate degree programs at the UNC Graduate Center on the campus of Winston-Salem State University and selected other locations. For a list of current programs and locations please consult the Office of Extension and Distance Education web site at www.ext-dl.appstate.edu. For additional information about credit and non-credit courses and programs offered off campus, please contact the Office of Extension and Distance Education, P O Box 32054, University Hall Drive, Boone, NC 28608 or call (828) 262-3113 or 800-355-4084.