SIUE Educational Outreach Fall 2019

In direct alignment with the mission to provide learning opportunities that help advance learners’ knowledge, skills, and careers, the Office of Educational Outreach is pleased to lead SIUE’s digital badging pilot. This initiative is partially funded through the SIUE Excellence in Undergraduate Education (EUE) program. Badging partnerships benefit current and new students and can help provide a prepared, trained workforce to area businesses.

A digital badge is an evidence-based, portable credential that can provide a competitive advantage for job seekers by highlighting and defining the abilities relative to in-demand skills or related skills that contribute to a candidate’s overall ability to thrive and adapt in a changing workplace.

SIUE’s approach to digital badging includes intentional alignment with employers and community partners to discover, articulate and develop both technical competencies and applied skills. For technical competencies, this means understanding workforce needs and identifying gaps between the skills employers are seeking and the skills job applicants include and highlight during their job search. In addition to technical skills, the pilot will also focus on credentialing applied skills, such as diversity, teamwork, problem solving, and leadership. Many employers report identifying candidates with the right “soft skills” as a greater challenge than finding candidates with the relevant technical competencies.

More information about digital badges will be available soon on the Office of Educational Outreach webpage and three new digital badges will be announced in the upcoming spring 2020 catalog.

SIUE’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), and Office of Educational Outreach have partnered with BJC and Gateway Regional Medical Center to offer employees a specialized Bachelor of Liberal Studies degree that will allow current medical laboratory technicians (MLT) a pathway to advance their careers by obtaining the medical laboratory specialist (MLS) credential.

The partnership fits into SIUE’s mission driven interest in serving the public good by providing innovative and interdisciplinary programs that empower individuals to achieve their full potential. The program is fully online to accommodate working individuals while providing customized student support through CAS and the Office of Educational Outreach.

Requirements for the MLS certification exam include chemistry and biology courses, but SIUE provides other high-interest courses that align with working adults’ needs. The coursework is built into an individualized plan for each student, in consideration of their prior academic experience and the degree requirements.

 For more information about all of SIUE’s corporate partnerships visit siue.edu/corporate/medical-technology/

Director, Dr. Connie Frey Spurlock hosted the Successful Communities Collaborative’s annual kickoff meeting on September 9, announcing the City of Edwardsville as its partner for the 2019-2020 academic year. Held in the SIUE Lovejoy Library, the event was attended by city officials, community supporters, and SIUE faculty, staff and students hoping to learn more about this year’s projects.

 In his remarks to the assembled crowd, Edwardsville Mayor Hal Patton said that as “Partners for Life” SIUE and the City of Edwardsville will continue to progress together in their collaborative work.  The speakers, including Chancellor Dr. Randy Pembrook and Provost Dr. Denise Cobb, shared information about the Collaborative’s three core projects for the year.

An audience member, interviewed after the event exclaimed, “I didn’t know how the collaborative worked, but as an Edwardsville resident, I am looking forward to learning more and watching the development of these initiatives!”

Learn more about the Successful Communities Collaborative and follow the progress of the working groups at https://www.siue.edu/successful-communities/index.shtml.