Dean Shaeffer Honored for Commitment to Continuing Education
March 20, 2015
James Shaeffer, founding Dean of Old Dominion University's College of Continuing Education and Professional Development, is set to receive the highest award in the profession of continuing education by the national organization UPCEA.
On March 31 in Washington, D.C., during UPCEA's 100th annual conference, Shaeffer will be presented the Julius M. Nolte Award for Extraordinary Leadership. This award of the highest distinction recognizes unusual and extraordinary contributions to the cause of continuing education.
"On behalf of the awards committee and the leadership of UPCEA, we thank you for your leadership, which provides a model to which your colleagues can aspire," the UPCEA awards committee chairman wrote to Shaeffer.
"I was shocked and humbled by this recognition," Shaeffer said. "What I want to say is thank you. The thanks go to everyone who has ever supported me, to the Association, and to those who have nominated me, and my family."
Shaeffer's recognition will be presented as part of the 2015 Association awards. The awards have been given out since 1953 to recognize UPCEA members' outstanding contributions to the field of continuing and online education; as well as their achievements in innovative programming; marketing and promotion; community development and services; research; and publications.
UPCEA is the leading association for professional, continuing and online education. Founded in 1915, UPCEA now serves more than 400 institutions, including most of the leading public and private colleges and universities in North America.
Old Dominion's Board of Visitors approved the creation of the college late in 2013 and the University's administration immediately launched a nationwide search for a dean. As founding dean, Shaeffer, who started at ODU last summer, oversaw the formal launch of a college envisioned as Hampton Roads' primary source for advanced workforce development.
After working at five different universities across the country, Shaeffer relocated to Norfolk from James Madison University because he was attracted by the opportunity to build something that could act as a pivotal link to the community at large.
"I see our responsibility to provide access to education, and that extends beyond the traditional classroom. Education equals advancement, and that helps all of us," he said.
For information, visit the College of Continuing Education and Professional Development website.