The University of Wisconsin Extension program and its work on the Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Management has picked up the National “Outstanding Program – Credit” award from other national extension leaders. The award was presented at the annual University Continuing Education Association's convention in San Francisco.

 

The program recognizes escalating costs of energy, shrinking supplies of fresh water, and global climate changes as just a few of the challenges facing the state of Wisconsin and the nation. Recognizing that concern over preserving the environment must mesh with human economics , the UW Extension program found that very few Wisconsin undergrad programs focused on developing effective, engaged, and informed leaders that understood both business systems and natural systems.

 

David Schejbal, Dean of Continuing Education, Outreach and E-learning at

University of Wisconsin-Extension says, “Many management jobs require an understanding

of sustainability, business leaders need relevant and applicable knowledge in

order to be profitable and to contribute to global sustainability. We brought together

the strengths of four UW campuses to craft a degree completion program that equips

workers to lead sustainable business strategies. In just two years, Corporate America

will be able to tap these newly minted Green Collar Managers.

 

Schejbal said the goal of the 63-credit online bachelor’s degree program is marketed nationally. The enrollment goal for the program was 40 students for the first semester in fall 2009. Interest in the program has been so great, however, that the fall 2009 cohort totaled 61 students (166 individual course enrollments) from nine U.S. states, Germany and China. Spring 2010 enrollments are also on-track.

 

The curriculum is collected from statewide sources. UW-Parkside’s College of Arts and Sciences; UW-Stout’s College of Management; UW-River Falls’ College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences; and UW-Superior’s Department of Business and Economics are examples of contributors.

 

Academic, technical support and advising are available in a variety of ways including a toll free number and email. The courses themselves are interactive and participative with multiple opportunities to network with classmates-- including Facebook and Twitter groups-- while granting an autonomous learning experience. Classes include: Environmental Science and Sustainability, Triple Bottom Line Accounting; Natural Resource Management;

Information Systems; Logistics, Supply Chain Management, and Sustainability;

Global Environment Chemistry; Economics of Environmental Sustainability

The new degree program contributes directly to the institutional mission of the

University of Wisconsin System by supporting the UW Growth Agenda. It helps

working adults who have already completed two years of college to earn a B.S. degree.