The Evolving Mission of Outreach and Engagement at USI
By Trish Shea, Jennifer Hertel '91 & Dawn Stoneking
SINCE ITS INCEPTION in 1974, USI's Outreach and Engagement has connected people, purpose and possibility. What began with six noncredit classes and 202 enrollments has grown into a robust engine for community-based learning, regional partnerships and lifelong education.
Today, Outreach and Engagement supports more than 15,000 learners annually through workforce development, continuing and professional education, cultural enrichment, dual-credit programs, veterans programs, applied research and service learning. Grounded in USI's institutional values, the unit is guided by a clear purpose: "Outreach and Engagement will remain true to its mission and aligned with USI's mission by fostering partnerships, programs and initiatives with organizations and communities; facilitating the mutually beneficial exchange of knowledge and resources that enrich scholarship and culture; enhancing education and the workforce; and addressing societal issues for the public good," said Dawn Stoneking, Executive Director for Outreach and Engagement.
Outreach and Engagement complements the University's traditional role by providing and facilitating quality educational, research and technical services for people, groups and organizations in Indiana and the Tri-state. These activities support and promote individual well- being, social and cultural enrichment, economic opportunity and regional development.
A LEGACY OF INNOVATION AND IMPACT
Outreach and Engagement has undergone several evolutions—once known as Continuing Education, later as Extended Services—but its foundational purpose has remained clear: expand access to meaningful learning experiences.
"Change was constant, but that's only part of the story," said Linda Cleek '82 M'00, who served 43 years in myriad capacities for Outreach and Engagement. "More important was—and is—an enduring devotion to lifelong learning in all its many forms."
In its earliest years, the unit, founded by M. Edward Jones, was a modest operation with a few staff members and a file drawer of student information. The first six courses, launched in spring 1975, quickly filled to capacity. "Every month or so, we'd get one or more new responsibilities," Cleek recalled. "Growth happened at a brisk pace thanks to the visionary leadership of Dr. Jones."
The department supported noncredit education, conference center coordination, and eventually, University-wide programs such as University Division and the Children's Learning Center, both of which were later integrated into other academic areas.
"We used to say, 'see a need, fill it,'" Cleek recalled. "That's how we worked—and still do."
BUILDING BRIDGES, EXPANDING REACH
By the late 1970s, Outreach and Engagement began strengthening connections with the business sector, government agencies and social service providers. These relationships helped shape a unit that valued responsiveness, creativity and collaboration.
"The interdisciplinary team—and the faculty we worked with—was one of our greatest assets," Cleek said. "Even when people were overloaded, they brought so much energy and enthusiasm."
The University's autonomy in 1985 marked a turning point. With that momentum, the department began offering credit courses at Castle High School and other regional locations. Outreach and Engagement was no longer asking for a seat at the table; it was helping set the agenda for how the University served its region.
"These programs reflect a long-held value: meet people where
they are and bring USI to them." - Dawn Stoneking
SIGNATURE PROGRAMS, LASTING RESULTS
Stoneking acknowledges how programming has grown some of USI's most impactful initiatives from those early experiments. "An exemplary program benefiting regional workers, industry, communities and the environment is the Basic Orientation Plus® safety training program," noted Stoneking. "Now in its twenty-second year, the program continues to equip thousands of contractors with certifications in regionally and nationally recognized industry safety standards."
More recent success stories include Engaged Learning Day, an immersive, place-based learning experience for first-year students in the history and culture of New Harmony, Indiana, which was developed in partnership with the Provost's Office, the town and business associates of New Harmony, and USI's Historic New Harmony and New Harmony Gallery of Contemporary Art. USI students have a unique opportunity to explore and discover valuable resources available to them and learn how to incorporate these assets into their academic journey.
LOOKING FORWARD
As USI continues to evolve, Outreach and Engagement will remain a vital bridge, connecting the classroom and community, the present and the future. The unit is continually launching new professional development offerings, and deepening its relationships with employers, nonprofits and K–12 partners to ensure every program and initiative delivers measurable value.
"Our team listens deeply, adapts quickly and builds lasting relationships," said Stoneking. "That's what keeps us relevant and trusted." For those who helped build the foundation, the future looks bright.
"It's been an incredible journey," Cleek reflected. "We truly lived 'Education for the People, By the People.' I hope Outreach and Engagement continues to serve with curiosity, optimism and heart."
