Friday, March 11, 2011
Associate provost for Outreach and Engagement named at USI
Dr. Mark C. Bernhard
Contact for more information:
Betty Vawter Senior Editor, News & Information Services 812/480-1873 Dr. Ronald S. Rochon, provost, announced Bernhard's selection following a nationwide search. "I am extremely excited about bringing Dr. Bernhard to USI," Dr. Rochon said. "He brings a wealth of experience with outreach and engagement as well as incredible experience working with higher education faculty and administration. His experience in different regions across the United States made him a distinctive candidate of choice. I believe his collaborative approach in developing new initiatives is one that USI will embrace quite well. Dr. Bernhard will make a couple of visits to campus prior to his August 22 start date to begin working with the Outreach and Engagement staff." Bernhard has 13 years of experience in continuing and professional education, workforce education, and economic development at two universities. He has held his present post at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University since November 2006. In that job he leads a 30-member staff that plans and implements up to 400 conferences, workshops, and training programs with more than 25,000 participants each year. During his tenure, net program revenues have increased each year, reaching $1.1 million in 2010. Bernhard is principal investigator for a $17.2 million grant from the U.S. Army Research Office funding a program that conducts national outreach to increase student interest in careers in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) fields. Virginia Tech is the lead institution for a consortium in the outreach agreement. Prior to joining Virginia Tech, Bernhard was a conference planner (1998-99) and senior conference planner (1999-2006) at Pennsylvania State University. His responsibilities included outreach to enhance the visibility of Penn State faculty, research, and knowledge transfer. He managed a number of large initiatives, including a $330,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Commerce for a symposium on economic development and a $2 million workforce program that provided training to more than 1,700 state employees. In 2005, he created a conference called "Glory Days: A Bruce Springsteen Symposium" which Parade magazine called the "College Weekend of the Year." The event received an Exemplary Program Award from the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA). Earlier in his career, Bernhard served as front office manager for Toftrees Golf Resort and Conference Center in State College, Pennsylvania front office manager for Marriott Bethesda Suites and Marriott Washingtonian Center in Bethesda/Gaithersburg, Maryland and director of communications for the American Horse Council in Washington, D.C. Bernhard earned a bachelor's degree in political science at Bucknell University, a master's degree in sport management at Ohio State University, and a doctorate in workforce education and development at Penn State. He is a member of the University Professional and Continuing Education Association, formerly UCEA. As associate provost, Bernhard will serve as the liaison to develop and maintain partnerships between USI and community, state, and regional groups and organizations. The USI Division of Outreach and Engagement provides and facilitates an extensive set of programs. Academic and support programs include the Bachelor of General Studies degree, Army ROTC, dual credit programs, online education, service learning, and instructional technology services. The Centers for Human Resource Development, Applied Research, and Education Services and Partnerships provide outreach to regional businesses, Pk-12 schools, and community organizations. Continuing education programs offer lifelong learning opportunities including professional development and conferences. Additional regional engagement programs include Historic New Harmony, Innovation Pointe, and the NSWC Crane Partnership, among others. The USI Division of Outreach and Engagement was formerly known as the Division of Extended Services. |
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