News>Free education offered by the University of Phoenix
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Mel Hagan, University of Phoenix associate faculty member, gives a leadership class to the Erwin Professional Military Education Center?s Airman Leadership School Class 13-A on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 29, 2012. The University of Phoenix started this program for members across Okinawa to help advance education in the community. Hagan is a retired U.S. Air Force Chief Master Sergeant who has been in Okinawa since 1979 and was a commandant at the PME Center in the 80?s. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
Mel Hagan, University of Phoenix associate faculty member, gives a leadership class to the Erwin Professional Military Education Center’s Airman Leadership School Class 13-A on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Nov. 29, 2012. The University of Phoenix started this program for members across Okinawa to help advance education in the community. Members who attend these seminars also receive professional development credits through the Airman and Family Readiness Center. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins)
by Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins
18th Wing Public Affairs
12/4/2012 - KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- The University of Phoenix has reinvigorated a community outreach program to help foster education for military members across Okinawa.
"The program started because we felt the need to help advance education in the community," said Scott Goldberg, 18th Force Support Squadron faculty development liaison.
The 11-month-old program is open to all branches of service and civilians. The classes offer a variety of course topics from effective communication, leadership skills and personal and stress management.
Goldberg said the program is important because the skills taught at the seminars are relevant to life and the work environment.
Although the university office is located on Kadena, its staff works with units to schedule a time for instructors, who are either prior military or civilians who have experience in the business world, to teach a seminar.
"We work with a lot of the units across the base and we can customize (the seminars) to fit their needs," Goldberg explained. "We provide a benefit to the military because there is no cost to attend the classes."
The classes use a hands on approach and usually range from 20 to 120 members. They also can offer a different view point for senior or junior leadership.
While most classes are held during the day, Goldberg said the instructors are flexible to accommodate a unit's need for night or weekend classes.
Goldberg also added that members who attend classes also receive professional development credit through the Airman and Family Readiness Center.
"We want to get the word out because this really is a valuable service," Goldberg said.
If a unit would like to schedule a time for a seminar to be held at their unit, they can contact Scott Goldberg at Scott.Goldberg@phoenix.edu.
