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Center for Learning & Innovation

Engaging experiences to discover new passions.

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The Center for Learning & Innovation offers exciting opportunities to discover new passions and gain new skills. Our experiential learning programs extend beyond typical educational courses, allowing you to learn the kinds of adaptable skills that will serve you for a lifetime.

Courses

Winter/Spring 2024 Courses

Course information coming soon! A complete list of courses will be available for viewing/registration by January 5, 2024.

Register NOW! Many classes fill quickly. Classes may be canceled if minimum enrollment is not met at least three business days before class begins. Register as soon as possible to ensure a place in the course(s) you want.

Ways to register:

Online: Use this link
Call: (970) 943-2885
Email: center@western.edu

Mail request to:

Center for Learning & Innovation
303 Taylor Hall
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

Ways to pay:

Payment must be received before course begins. Cash, Credit Card. Visa, Discover, or MasterCard. (Must call Cashier Office: (970)943-3003 between 9 a.m.-4 p.m., please have your ID number from your invoice. Check can be mailed to address above.

Registration Confirmations

Center for Learning & Innovation staff will send out an email confirmation as reminders of class dates and times. Participants will be notified if there are changes, such as location, time, date, or instructor. If classes are canceled, notification will be made as soon as possible.

Registration and Payment Information

Payment for classes is due with registration. Check or cash payments are accepted with registration. AFTER you have received your Registration Confirmation, please call the Cashier’s Office at (970) 943-3003 to make a payment with a Visa, MasterCard, or Discover card. Checks that are returned for non-payment are assessed a $20 service charge.

Senior Discount

Seniors, ages 62 and older, may register for Center for Learning & Innovation non-credit courses at half price. This discount will be applied at the time of registration and may not be combined with any other discounts. Course fees payable to another agency, materials fees, or courses which involve travel do not qualify for discounts. The Center for Learning & Innovation is a part of the Colorado Statewide Extended Campus. State funds were not used to produce this document.

Employee Discount

Center for Learning & Innovation offers a $100 credit for Western faculty/staff per semester. This credit does not include Continuing Education Units cost, credit costs, material fees, tour course fees or outdoor program course fees. This credit does not apply to student employees.

Continuing Education Units (CEUs)

The Continuing Education Unit (CEU) is a nationally recognized method of quantifying the time spent in the classroom during professional development and training activities. Ten hours of instruction = 1.0 CEU. One hour of instruction = 0.1 CEU. CEUs appear on your Western Colorado University transcript; however, they are not college credits and do not fulfill degree requirements.

Graduate Credit

Some classes are offered for graduate credit (510 level). Students must have a bachelor’s degree to register for graduate credit courses.

Prerequisites

Prerequisites for some classes listed in this brochure are mentioned in the course descriptions. Students who enroll in graduate credit must be within 12 hours of receiving their undergraduate degree or must already have graduated.

Transcript Information

Transcripts for credit courses can be obtained by visiting www.parchment.com

Undergraduate Credit

Undergraduate credit classes offered through the Center for Learning & Innovation are based on semester credits and have the same academic expectations, including class time, as those offered through resident instruction.

Cancellations

The Center for Learning & Innovation reserves the right to cancel classes and to make changes when warranted. Participants will be notified via email if a class is cancelled and will receive a full refund.

Refunds for Withdrawals and Dropping a Course

Drops from a course will result in a refund if they occur prior to the week before the start date (unless otherwise specified). Non-attendance or non-payment does not constitute a drop. Full refunds are not given after the last day to drop. All drop requests must be in writing to the Center for Learning & Innovation at center@western.edu

Evaluations

Students have an opportunity to evaluate class content and their instructor at the conclusion of the class. Input from students is important, as it helps improve future classes. Evaluations are anonymous.

Immunization Requirement

Students attending the Center for Learning & Innovation classes are not required to be immunized or sign an immunization waiver.

Liability Waivers

Classes which present a degree of risk may require a signature on a waiver of liability. Waivers will be e-mailed with registration confirmations. Please return these to the Center for Learning & Innovation prior to the start of your course.

Photograph Policy

Photos of students and instructors in various classes are often taken to promote Western Colorado University Center for Learning & Innovation. Such photos are used in schedules of classes, flyers, and other marketing pieces.

Selective Service Information

Males who are 18 years of age or older, born after 1960, and who are not permanent residents of the Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands or the Northern Mariana Islands MUST be registered with the Selective Service to comply with Colorado law and to register for credit classes. Individuals not in compliance are subject to penalty of law and to withholding of transcripts.

Textbook/Materials

Materials and/or material fess needed for a course will be listed with the course description.

Short-term Domestic and International Trips

Join Western’s Art Department from May 3-20, 2024 to study art and art history in Florence with excursions to other art destinations around the country. Click here to view the course flyer and find instructor contact information.

To receive the course application, email center@western.edu and set the subject line as “Art and Art History in Florence, Italy Application”

Instructors: Dr. Micah Russell and Dr. Pat! Magee
Date: April 11-25, 2024
Location: Trip begins in Memphis, TN, and ends in New Orleans, LA

This course offers a two-week immersive expedition on and along the Lower Mississippi River this spring, from Memphis to New Orleans to the Gulf of Mexico. We will be learning about big river management, natural history and ecology, environmental justice, and ecosystem restoration. Along the way, we’ll also have the opportunity to experience southern culture through its history, music, food and literature. Activities include, but are not limited to, a 4-day canoe camping trip, visits to national monuments and memorials, conversations with national wildlife refuge managers and conservation scientists, dialogue with environmental advocates and industry leaders, and more.

Click here for detailed course information.

Click here to view course Q&As and a detailed course itinerary.

Click here to view the course poster.

To receive the course application, email center@western.edu and set the subject line as “Ecosocial Crossroads: Lower Mississippi River Application”

Instructor: David Hyde, Ph.D.
Date: May 19, 2024 – June 12, 2024
Location: Blue Creek, Belize
Application Deadline: March 1, 2024

This is a 6 credit-hour course designed to introduce students to the methods used to collect and analyze archaeological data in a hands-on field setting. The course will take place over the span of 4 weeks at a remote archaeological field camp in Belize, Central America. Students will receive instruction in archaeological excavations, making technical drawings, survey and instrument mapping, and basic field laboratory procedures at the Medicinal Trail Site. In addition, students will have the opportunity to learn about the pre-hispanic Maya through lectures and field trips. Click here for detailed program information and click here to view the program flyer. Interested students are also encouraged to attend an informational meeting on November 30, 2023.

Instructors: Molly Murfee and Thanasis Kinias
Dates: May 21, 2024 – June 8, 2024

Learn of ancient mythologies embedded in the land visiting archaeological sites 5,000 years old; Explore a history as dramatic as the landscape, launching thousands to flee to North America; Experience puffins, lochs, bagpipes and castles while earning academic credit.

INFORMATION MEETINGS

Thursday, November 9. 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. Taylor Hall room 104

Thursday, December 7. 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. Taylor Hall room 104

Offered through the Honors Program

Students not enrolled in the Honors Program may attend Scotland Abroad with faculty permission

Questions? Contact the faculty!

Molly Murfee: mmurfee@western.edu & Thanasis Kinais: tkinais@western.edu

Click here to view the detailed course description.

Click here to view the course flyer.

Outdoor Programs

Center for Learning & Innovation

Fuel your passion for the outdoors.

The Center for Learning and Innovation gives you the opportunity to earn credit while participating in valuable learning opportunities provided by our contract partners. You can embark on field expeditions, explore new cultures, attend leadership trainings and acquire new certifications.

Learn More

Rising to the Occasion

Student Tanner Saucerman ascends to the summit of Mt. Henry on a hike lead by Instructor Paul Tame.

Mapping the future

Lake Fork Valley Conservancy president, Harvey DuChene, shows students around Lake City’s newest river protection projects.

Online Course Center

Center for Learning & Innovation

Develop professional skills from anywhere.

In partnership with ed2go, Western offers online open enrollment programs designed to provide the skills necessary to acquire professional level positions for many in-demand occupations. Designed by a team of professionals from each respective field, our instructor-facilitated, web-based learning programs can be taken from the comfort of your home or office at times that are convenient for you.

Visit ed2go

Remote connections

Our extensive online course offerings allow students to work anywhere there is an Internet connection.

Data science

Gain the knowledge and skills you need to excel.

Career Step is a leading online education company focused on the allied healthcare market. They specialize in medical transcription and editing, and medical coding and billing training.

The Career Step online training courses have been developed in conjunction with industry experts and employers and are designed to help you gain the knowledge and skills you need to be successful in your chosen career. We offer both full career training programs and smaller continuing education and skill development courses. Each program requires approximately 640 hours of coursework. Students have one year to complete the coursework at their own pace. There is an option for a four-month extension, if needed, for an extra fee.

Get a step ahead

Career Step has trained more than 50,000 students and made more than 700 placements with companies.

Upcoming Events

Upcoming Events

View All Events

Dec
04

Gingerbread House Making & Destress Fest w/ Bob Ross

Dec
05

Mary on Trapeze

Dec
05

Blister Series: Courtney Dauwalter

Dec
05

Blister Speaker - Courtney Dauwalter

Dec
06

Ski & Board Prep Fundraiser

Dec
08

PC Pool Party!

Dec
09

The Annual Holiday Gala

Dec
09

Firebird Theatre Season Reveal Party

Dec
10

Well Played - tabletop game event

Dec
10

Citation Station

View All Events

Department Information

Center for Learning & Innovation

Director

Shelley Jansen, M.S.

Director of the Center for Learning and Innovation

Assistant Director of the Center for Learning & Innovation

Ryon Gilbreath

Assistant Director of the Center for Learning and Innovation

Contact Information

970.943.2885

970.943.7068

center@western.edu

8am - 5pm

Campus Location

Western Colorado University
Taylor Hall 303
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

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