October, 2014 Luncheon
Tue, October 28 2014, 11:30am
Campus Club ABC
Dean Mary Nichols to address challenges of online learning at October 28 luncheon
Having spent 13 years as dean of the College of Continuing Education, Mary Nichols has been on the front line of nontraditional education. She has the responsibility for, and has helped create, a wide array of programs, many conducted in partnership with other colleges at the University, that respond to the needs of learners seeking individualized or applied undergraduate or graduate degrees, academic certificates, and education for career advancement or professional development.
She has been on the faculty of the University since 1975 and holds an appointment as professor in the Carlson School of Management. Her research and teaching specialties are in strategy implementation, leadership, and change in organizations. She earned degrees in mathematics and Ph.D. in organization studies from the University of Kansas.
Prior to becoming dean of the College of Continuing Education, Dr. Nichols served in leadership positions in the Carlson School. She was associate dean for academic programs for more than six years, leading curriculum redesign across all undergraduate and MBA programs. She helped deepen the linkages to the community through a range of education and research programs.
Since becoming CCE dean in 2001, Dr. Nichols has led her college through a period in which technology has enabled a great deal of change in the design and delivery of education. During those years, Dean Nichols has seen a number of “disruptors” that have come across the educational landscape—such as the recent appearance of MOOCs (massive open online courses).
It is important, as Dean Nichols reminds us, for some within the University to be monitoring, experimenting with, and evaluating emerging educational innovations. Under her leadership CCE has put that forward as one of its strategic priorities, aligning with the University’s strategic plan. Dr. Nichols represents the University on the national research University Continuing Education Deans group, the Governor’s Workforce Development Council, and the Minnesota Job Skills Partnership Board. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of Minnesota Public Radio.
We look forward to the opportunity to hear and talk with her on October 28.
— Hal Miller, UMRA President
Upcoming Events
If you currently live in your own home or apartment, have you looked ahead to when you might want to consider a senior living option? Do you have any idea what those options might be? How much they cost? What they provide? UMRA’s May 14 workshop will provide an overview of the world of senior living and the basic information you need.
You’re invited to join the final Family History Interest Group meeting for 2023–24. This will be an opportunity to ask questions related to family history, share insights, talk about recent projects, and suggest topics for next year.
Stephanie Daily will lead the discussion of Fuzz: When Nature Breaks the Law by best-selling author Mary Roach when the UMRA Book Club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17.
The May 20 hike will start at the Historic Lift Bridge in Stillwater and go along the river to the new bridge, cross over and then back on the Wisconsin side, a total of approximately 5 miles. Most of the route is paved. We will eat lunch after at Brian's Bar and Grill in Stillwater. Car pooling will be available.
Climatologist and meteorologist Mark Seeley joined the U of M faculty in 1978 and has been a weekly commentator on Minnesota Public Radio since 1992. We are honored to welcome him as our guest speaker for UMRA’s May Luncheon Forum and 2024 Annual Meeting. He is always entertaining and informative.
UMRA’s Fourth Friday Book Club welcomes back, for the second time, author Julie Schumacher, U of M Regents professor of creative writing and English, for a conversation about her novel The Shakespeare Requirement.
We are in for a treat on June 3! Lynn Anderson, will lead us on trails at two parks near her Monticello home. Bring a bag lunch and we will gather in Lynn's yard along the Mississippi River for eating and socializing after the hike.
Get out to the ballpark with fellow UMRA members for the annual U of M Day at Target Field as the Minnesota Twins take on the Oakland Athletics on June 14 at 7:10 p.m.
Please join us at 9:30 on June 17, 2024 for a walk around Lake Como in St. Paul before attending the UMRA Summer Social and Picnic starting at 11 at the Como Pavilion. A perfect opportunity to get in a walk before we gather to celebrate summer.
Picnic under the covered, open-air Como pavilion, gaze at the water, spy some birds, catch up with friends and former colleagues, and meet new members. We’ll have lunch with plenty of time for visiting and then compete in teams as we are challenged by our Quiz master(s)!
Healthy aging, mindfulness, fighting ageism, and more will be the focus of the third annual Age-Friendly University Day to be held on the U of M Twin Cities campus.