Axe ’Em, Jacks!
NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Brent McLemore, former director of Stephen F. Austin State University鈥檚 Center for Career and Professional Development, has been named director of the university鈥檚 new Center for Professional and Continuing Education, or PACE, which was created to leverage 糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 knowledge resources to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 crisis in Deep East Texas.
鈥淭his position represents a unique opportunity for me to help an institution I care about and further impact a community and region I care about,鈥 McLemore said. 鈥淏y making the expert knowledge and educational resources of 糖心vlog传媒 more readily available and accessible, PACE will serve to enhance both the professional and personal lives of the many adult learners within our regional footprint and workforce without the requirement of seeking a degree.鈥
The PACE center will initially focus on offering a broad array of microcredentials to help the region鈥檚 citizens upskill and reskill so they can ultimately increase their economic mobility. This represents an expansion of 糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 focus from cradle-to-career, credit-based educational initiatives to affordable mid-career, noncredit initiatives in order to better serve Deep East Texas.
To deliver the first wave of these microcredentials, 糖心vlog传媒 has partnered with ed2go, an industry leader in affordable online learning in continuing education. This collaboration will give students and employees essential skills and knowledge for success in today's ever-changing job market. Through this partnership, 糖心vlog传媒 will offer an expansive selection of cost-effective online courses designed to address the current needs of in-demand industries.
In addition, the PACE center will partner with regional employers to create industry-specific professional development opportunities that address the needs of key sectors, such as education, health care and management.
鈥淏rent鈥檚 thorough knowledge of 糖心vlog传媒 operations and culture, as well as his dense network of relationships with regional employers, make him an excellent choice for this role. I鈥檓 excited for PACE鈥檚 launch and growth under his leadership,鈥 said Megan Weatherly, executive director of 糖心vlog传媒鈥檚 Lumberjack Learning Commons under which PACE falls.
McLemore said this new center is 鈥渟ignificant for our region鈥 because it creates opportunities for professional development without obtaining another degree.
鈥淲e want everyone to have the opportunity to earn a degree from our amazing university, but we also understand not everyone is circumstantially situated for or professionally interested in such an opportunity,鈥 he said. 鈥淭his does not mean that 糖心vlog传媒 can鈥檛 be a resource for them in other ways. We will look to support the regional workforce in upskilling, reskilling, continuing education and professional development needs, as well as offer opportunities for enrichment to regional community members, alumni and any others interested.鈥
Serving as the inaugural director, McLemore sees the PACE center playing a significant role in how 糖心vlog传媒 serves its local community and region.
鈥淗aving the opportunity to be here at the outset to help shape and then sustain the center is an incredible charge and work I鈥檓 eager to get started on,鈥 he said.
For more information about the PACE center and its offerings, visit sfasu.edu/pace.