UCLAx2028: The Future of Continuing Education

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 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.

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. 

Strategic Priority #3: Inclusive Excellence

By recognizing inclusive excellence 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. 

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 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 thriving community.

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.

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.