It is an exciting time to be in the field of lifelong learning programming. *The importance of lifelong learning to society has never been greater. * The importance of your program to your institution has never been greater. *The opportunity to serve more of your community has never been more needed. Here’s the State of

Some 1,500 people attended the largest conference in the world in lifelong learning programming and continuing education this year. Even better, there were new pioneering breakthrough sessions and techniques that advanced the field. They will be researched and reported on by LERN throughout the coming year. Numbers: Attendees: 1,500 Number attending Sessions: 9,886 Average Number

Stop pushing your existing courses to underserved and diverse neighborhoods. Instead, start creating unique and customized classes for different neighborhoods. That’s what Aviva Hillenbrand and her staff have done in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The concept is called “Authentic Programming,” and it works fantastic. The practice was announced in a breakthrough session attended by hundreds of people

The In-Person conference is coming to exciting Riverwalk in San Antonio March 18-20, 2025. Experience the intimate networking and discussion with your colleagues and leaders in the field. We will be right on the famous Riverwalk, which offers a casual setting in the middle of the history and tradition of old San Antonio. Theme: Expanding Horizons:

Staying ahead of the curve, you will be receiving new services from LERN in 2025. Here’s a list of the top 5 projects. Your LERN staff will be working with members and cutting edge programs. Here’s what you have coming in new best practices and services. 1.Instructor Costs. For the first time ever, you will

Gen Z may be the best generation of managers for the workplace of the 21st Century, according to Julie Coates, one of the foremost authorities on generations. “Gen Z managers know that no one is normal,” she states. “Success depends on embracing individual differences and turning those differences into assets that can build organizations. We

Here’s what new and pioneering sessions lead the advanced practical how-to sessions for the LERN Annual Conference, Nov.  18-21, 2024. -Authentic Programming, with Aviva Hillenbrand; Minneapolis, MN -No-cost Search Optimization, with Goher Murtaza, CPP; New York, NY -Using Social Media for Needs Assessment, with Travette Webster, Houston, TX -Data-based Email Promotions, with Dawn Prosser; Frederickton,

The new LERN Dashboard has changed the field of lifelong learning and continuing education forever.  You must be data-driven now. For the first time ever, your program has No-Excuses. You now have the numbers, the averages, the benchmarks for what your program can achieve. You can see what the Top 25% of programs in your

Experience the intimate networking and discussion with your colleagues and leaders in the field. The LERN 2025 in-person conference will be March 18-20, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. We will be right on the famous Riverwalk. The hotel offers a casual setting in the middle of the history and tradition of old San Antonio. The

Only 20% of programs have a slogan or tagline on the cover of the brochure, LERN consultant Jordan Kivley has found. Both slogans and taglines grab the reader’s interest. Marketing experts confirm that the key to generating engagement with your promotions is through eliciting an emotional response, which both slogans and taglines can do. And

Testimonials are the best marketing. The abundance of neighbors-talking-over-the-fence in commercials is proof enough that testimonials work. In our field of lifelong learning, testimonials are seen as authentic. They are recognized by potential participants as actually coming from a real past customer (as they always do). Include testimonials in email promotions, as videos, as social

Leading the field, here are some of the exclusive new LERN member services being developed and offered for 2025. 1.Interest Group Networking. Individuals with member organizations can sign up for one or more Interest Groups at no charge. This year each Interest Group will meet online up to 3 times to network, hear from top

Gen Z may be the best generation of managers for the workplace of the 21st Century, according to Julie Coates, one of the foremost authorities on generations. “Gen Z managers know that no one is normal,” she states. “Success depends on embracing individual differences and turning those differences into assets that can build organizations. We

Move Up to Premier Benefits.  There’s no additional charge; just register for the LERN Annual Conference, Nov 18-21, 2024; Online. New 2025 benefits: *Cohort Consulting. Ask your toughest question. Then listen while your colleagues ask their most pressing questions. Take home all the answers. *Save 20% on Promotion. For U.S. members, LERN can save 20%

Starting in 2025, UGotClass will limit the number of UGotClass Partners to an Elite 200 Organizations. Join us now. UGotClass is Superior.Quality.Education. “We want to work with a select group of programs in branding and marketing,” announced Brendan Marsello, the LERN Vice President in charge of UGotClass.  “All LERN members and partners say UGotClass is

Inaccurate school and college grading is now damaging the economy. The obsolete grading system denies college to 2 million smart students every year. In just the last few months, we are now seeing the effects to the economy and society. -Colleges closing an average of once a week. -Over a million fewer students in college

Mark your calendars! Get ready. LERN’s in-person conference will be held right on the famous Riverwalk in San Antonio, TX, March 18-20, 2025. It’s designed for an interactive and more intimate conference experience. Along with presentations, you will have networking and discussions with your colleagues on the top issues of the coming year. The conference

LERN member programs named the top issues in the field today in last month’s exciting Virtual Gatherings. The leading issues for lifelong learning programs today: *Relationship Marketing *Articulating Your Value *Leading Gen Z *Utilizing AI *Wellness for your staff *Emergency Safety Responses *Solutions to Staffing Shortages The 7 top issues will all be addressed in

Now your online students and their employers can find out “where they stand” after taking a certificate from UGotClass. UGotClass jumps out ahead of the for-profit competition even more with this new educational service to add to its superior quality classes. In the new economy, employers and employees alike are interested in skill and knowledge

Gen Z may be the best generation of managers for the workplace of the 21st Century, according to Julie Coates, one of the foremost authorities on generations. “Gen Z managers know that no one is normal,” she states. “Success depends on embracing individual differences and turning those differences into assets that can build organizations. We

The Wellness Crisis in society has opened up a new opportunity for lifelong learning programs. Employers and managers in the workplace are now acutely aware of the issue, and the impact wellness has on employee productivity and workforce satisfaction. Companies and work organizations are now eager for wellness activities for their people, and are looking

The latest and greatest LERN News on what LERN has planned for you coming up. Photo: The LERN staff hold a retreat in Puerto Rico earlier this year. New Chair Extends Dashboard Jill Korsok, Director of Orange Community Education in Pepper Pike, Ohio, became the new Chair of the LERN Board of Directors this spring.

For you, and your community, the new online class starts September with Betsy Flanagan, Fortune 500 consultant, as instructor. “Introduction to ChatGPT” is one of the new UGotClass courses starting this fall.  The difference between UGotClass and the for-profits is the instructor. Click Here for the course description and agenda. Check out Betsy Flanagan’s resume:

The 5 big new directions for 2024 were outlined by the 50 best experts and 1,491 professionals leading the field at the LERN conference, now the most important week of the year. These were the hottest topics for discussion and exploration, and research by LERN for your program.

A dashboard with the 6 most vital statistics is now available. You can now find out where your program stands. Compare your program to the average. Even more importantly, compare your program to the Top 25% of programs. And compare your program’s stats to the LERN recommendation.

“AI is the wild west,” summarized Danessa Gray of Bremerton, Washington. Most professionals agreed with that statement. Artificial Intelligence (AI) has clearly arrived for the field of lifelong learning programming and continuing education.

Here’s the 3 hottest marketing tips of the year, as voted on by your colleagues at the big LERN Annual Conference.

With 1,491 people participating, the LERN Annual Conference was a huge success. The average participant attended 8.6 sessions, up from 7 sessions attended last year.

Organizations may have the answers to their own staff shortages, according to two surveys of current staff.

The registration wave continued. Registrations are back to the pre-pandemic normal. As usual LERN members had 10% higher registrations than non-members.

Leaders are needed more than ever. There’s a leader demand at work for the field of lifelong learning and continuing education. Your leadership is also welcome for the community and your off-work time with community organizations, efforts, tasks and groups.

March 2024 will see two in-person conferences. Both are focused on a more intimate setting ideal for networking and face-to-face interaction and discussion.

Will the human race end soon due to climate change? In the first ever poll of professionals in the field, here is what you say. And what LERN plans to do.

Exciting new professional development opportunities for fall are led by our new LERN C.E. Model Institute that premiered this spring.

Vaccinations for your program participations has created a huge issue for the field. The two major topics: 1.Whether to mandate vaccinations for in-person class participants; and 2.Coping with the resulting revenue problems for programs accepting non-vaccinated people for in-person classes.

Your Must-Read article this month is “Blow Up the Silos,” the new Recommendation from LERN that was created by your fellow LERN leaders and colleagues.

Find out how relocating even a few courses in your print brochure can generate tens of thousands of dollars in additional revenue and profit. No-cost tips on the right pages and page locations to place your best classes to optimize registrations.

Here’s the latest from your colleagues around North America, from just-held LERN Leader meetings.

Answers to one of the most popular questions LERN members ask: How Many Responses Do I Need to a Survey?

“Integrated Marketing Certificate” leads off the new LERN/UGotClass Courses premiering in September.

Tell us what’s on your mind. Find out what your colleagues are thinking about.

Here’s our latest LERN heroine story.

You must have a strategic plan supported by a one-year business plan.

A wave of in-person registrations is expected for lifelong learning programs. But many programs, having just had cutbacks and fewer resources, are not prepared.

Two big new events are taking place in April. Check em out.

There’s too much confusion and misinformation revolving around lifelong learning programs and continuing education, says LERN President William A. Draves.

Children, youth and their parents want to get back to in-person classes, LERN leaders unanimously agreed in recent meetings.

By popular demand, your 2021 New Year’s Resolution, take care of yourself. So you can take care of your staff and your community.

Just a few weeks into 2021, and we already know the worst 2021 mistake you are making. From our exclusive survey of what you plan to do, and not plan to do, in 2021, we have the results.

Excitement across North America over LERN’s new service that starts on February 1, exclusive to members.

Your Career. Your Move. Here’s the new spring programs from LERN. Plus get the most comprehensive and intensive professional development in the field with our online Institutes.

Your 2021 Game Plan Checklist, just out. A way for you to review the Top 20 Recommendations from LERN on Your 2021 Game Plan.

A surprise ending to the historic Fall 2020 session in the field of lifelong learning programming. Some 1,500 people at the first LERN Virtual Conference created history itself for the field, creating a whole new model for virtual conferences.

New strategies for increased effectiveness for the field premiered at the big LERN Virtual Conference this fall. At least three pioneering breakthroughs won International Awards. Here’s two every program should adopt.

You made enormous contributions to your community and audience this year. You stressed out. You lost money. People bitched. Yet your sacrifice has paid off in ways you know not.

Historic, and pioneering. That’s the Fall 2020 session. You are not only seeing the first full session responding to the ongoing pandemic situation. You also are seeing the first session fully addressing online classes.

The field of lifelong learning was saved, once again, by LERN this Fall 2020. We were the only organization or person to recommend you keep your print brochure.