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N e v e r S t o p L e a r n i n g

PortalPortalTHETHE

S P R I N G 2 0 1 0 | V O L U M E 1 0 | I S S U E 1

Believe it or not, it’s time to begin thinking about spring. We hope this first Portal issue of the new decade helps you spring into action and take advantage of our wide range of high‑quality courses, certificates, and programs.

The College of Extended Studies continues to focus on anticipating and meeting the education and training needs of the greater San Diego community. Creating opportunities was the overall goal of the 26th Annual SDSU Writers’ Conference which was held at the Doubletree Hotel in Mission Valley the last weekend of January.

Career opportunities also await students in the Professional Certificate in the Business of Wine program. Less than two years after earning his certificate, Eddie Zavestoski successfully passed the prestigious Court of Master Sommerlier’s exam at Level One and Level Two and is now a trained wine expert.

Opportunities for advancement are also available to non‑financial hospitality professionals through the Hospitality Finance for Non‑Financial Professionals program which begins with the

course “Thinking About The Numbers.” Students are taught

by leading executive‑level professionals who bring

their own real‑life financial management

experience to their roles as classroom teachers and mentors.

Opportunities for career advancement

also motivate employees to grow their

careers and optimize their potential within organizations.

In collaboration between the College of Extended Studies and Mitchell International, a program was developed to enhance the skills needed for Mitchell managers to ascend to broader leadership roles within the Mitchell environment.

Other opportunities to take advantage of the expertise of SDSU faculty for career advancement, degree completion, or personal enrichment are available through the SDSU Open University Program. SDSU philosophy faculty Peter Atterton helped non‑traditional students in our Osher Lifelong Learning Institute achieve a better understanding of contemporary problems and profound philosophical questions regarding the meaning of life.

See Dean’s Message on page 2

Dean’s Message

College of Extended Studies

Unveils New Web Site

The College of Extended Studies is very pleased to have recently unveiled our new www.neverstoplearning.net web site. Featuring bold and colorful photos and a powerful new registration system, the site is designed to provide course details in a customer-service fashion, to facilitate easy enrollment in courses, and to enable visitors to access additional class information via videos, blogs, and other social networking components.

“Our new web site is designed with our students in mind,” said Joe Shapiro, dean of the College. “We hope the enrollment process will be a positive experience for all students, whether they are enrolling for a one-day class, for a year-long certificate program, or a master’s degree.”

“While we’ve designed the site to provide all the information a prospective student might want to know, we would like to encourage

See Web Site on page 2

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San Diego State University, College of Extended StudiesVolume 10 | Issue 1 | Summer, 2010

The Portal is published three times annually by SDSU’s College of Extended Studies. This publication is free and available to any interested parties. To contact the editor, or to be added or deleted from our mailing list, send correspondence to:

Mail: San Diego State University, College of Extended Studies, Attn: Marketing Department, 5250 Campanile Drive, San Diego, CA, 92182

Phone: (619) 594-5704 | Email: extended.std@sdsu.edu | Web site: www.neverstoplearning.net

VisionTo be recognized as the portal of opportunity at SDSU for collaboration with business, education, government and civil society.

MissionThe mission of the College of Extended Studies is to provide self-support education and training to enhance careers and transform lives and organizations.

Dean’s Messagecontinued from page 1To help facilitate the dissemination of information about the multitude of opportunities available through the College of Extended Studies, we launched a new web site with students in mind. Please take a moment to help us improve our services to you by visiting the new site and letting us know what you think.

Thanks for your interest in our programs at SDSU College of Extended Studies and welcome to another semester of creating tomorrow’s futures. n

Joseph B. Shapiro

continued from page 1you to call and speak with us in person if you have any questions about enrolling in our programs or courses or if you have any feedback about our new web site,” added Shapiro.

Please take a moment to help us improve our services to you by visiting the new site at www.neverstoplearning.net, and letting us know what you think. You can email your comments to us at extended.std@sdsu.edu, or call us at 619‑265‑SDSU. n

Web Site

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College of Extended Studies Upcoming Programs and Classes

Below you’ll find some of the upcoming courses at the College of Extended Studies. For a complete schedule, please visit our web site at www.neverstoplearning.net.

Grammar for Journalists, Begins Feb. 22

Forensic Science and Crime Scene Investigations, Begins Feb. 26

Thinking Like A Leader*, Feb. 26

GRE (Graduate Record Examination) Prep Sessions*, Begins Feb. 27

Casino Surveillance and Security*, Begins March 1

Video Production for the Web I, Begins March 6

Dynamic Wine and Food Pairing I*, March 13

Explore SDSU, March 20

Project Management for Construction Supervisors (online), Begins April 5

Philosophy in Literature (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute)*, Begins April 6

Thinking About the Numbers*, April 14

Green Facilities Management (Online), Begins May 3

*SDSU Research Foundation Program

Business of Wine Program Helps Student Climb Career Ladder

Eddie Zavestoski enrolled for the experience when he took the Professional Certificate in the Business of Wine program through SDSU’s College of Extended Studies. It turned out to be more than an adventure; it has evolved into a great career.

A little more than two years after earning his certificate, he has already passed the Level One and Level Two exams administered by the prestigious Court of Master Sommeliers, certifying him as a trained wine expert.

Zavestoski is currently a wine manager at BevMo with his eyes focused on one day working at an upscale restaurant or winery. (He also dreams of joining the fewer than 200 people worldwide who have passed all four exams to become Master Sommeliers.)

Not bad for someone who originally took the Business of Wine curriculum through CES to expand his knowledge of wine.

“As I took more and more classes, I went from doing it on my own to learning how to apply it on the job,” he said. “All of the classes expanded my knowledge of wine and helped me get to where I am now.”

The Business of Wine applies to a pair of audiences; both of which fit Zavestoski at different stages. It is either for those interested in expanding their knowledge of wine or actually working in the business.

Zavestoski, 25, was working at a stock brokerage when it ceased operations in June 2007. A month later, he was hired by BevMo and applying the principles he learned in the CES wine certificate program.

He recalls several classes having a direct impact on his career. “Exploring Wine” provides an overview of the business. “Dynamic Wine and Food Pairing I and II” helps him when customers want to know which wines would compliment their meals. “Selling Wine for Managers” enables him to know what customers desire and how much they are willing to pay for a particular wine.

“The certificate program instructors work in the business and are very knowledgeable,” Zavestoski said. “They are very willing to answer questions. They make sure everything is clear.”

The lessons aided Zavestoski in passing the exams in the Court of Master Sommeliers.

“I had an advantage,” he said. “I was the only one who came in already having knowledge of the whole business from taking the wine certificate program.” n

“All of the classes expanded my knowledge of wine and helped

me get to where I am now.”~Eddie Zavestoski

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There is no manual for life after college. Success outside the classroom takes a combination of skill, tenacity, vision, and hard work. These are qualities found in SDSU’s Aztecs for Life.

It’s no coincidence that SDSU alums power San Diego, the ninth largest American city. Hundreds of thousands of young men and women have graduated from San Diego State with a quality education and deep‑rooted Aztec pride. Every day, in their personal and professional lives, they apply the valuable lessons they learned on Montezuma Mesa.

This March, the San Diego region is invited to join in celebrating the vast contributions of Aztecs for Life, and the synergy that links the San Diego region with its oldest and largest university.

The eighth annual SDSU Month will once again feature 31 days of fun and stimulating academic, arts, and athletic events, as well as offers from local businesses and organizations for SDSU’s growing

family of friends and colleagues.

SDSU’s College of Extended Studies will offer 10% off all non‑credit courses, with a maximum discount of up to $100, during SDSU Month in March. The discount will not be available online. In order to apply for the discount, you must call the Extended Studies registration office at (619) 594‑5152.

A long‑time SDSU Month tradition is Explore SDSU: Open House, a special university‑wide public showcase. On Saturday, March 20, admitted/prospective students, alumni, and community members have an opportunity to visit campus and learn all about what SDSU has to offer. This year’s open house will feature information booths, free exhibits, tours, live entertainment and a Family Village, including a bounce house and appearances by some of PBS’ most popular characters.

For aficionados of arts and culture, the much anticipated SDSU Downtown Gallery will officially

open its doors on Thursday, March 25, with a free opening event in conjunction with the Museum of Contemporary Art’s popular Thursday Night Thing (TNT) program. The gallery’s inaugural exhibition, Divergence: The Work of John Baldessari, Deborah Butterfield, and Andrea Zittel, features three influential artists and SDSU alumni.

A highlight of the month’s academic events is the third annual Student Research Symposium on Friday, March 5, and Saturday, March 6. This two‑day event provides a public forum for SDSU students to present their outstanding research, scholarship or creative activities.

During SDSU Month, you may also enter the “Aztec for Life” Video Contest to win a vacation getaway for two and other prizes. Submission period runs through 10 am, March 10.

For more details on the entire SDSU Month, including official submission guidelines for the video contest, visit www.sdsumonth.com. n

Save the Date: Explore SDSU: Open House, March 20

Aztecs for Life Star in 8th Annual SDSU Month

San Diego State University’s College of Extended Studies partnered with Mitchell International, Inc. during the fall 2009 semester to prepare Mitchell managers for senior level positions in the company.

The Mitchell Advanced Leadership program was a series of courses, customized by Mitchell’s upper management that focused on critical skills needed for managers to transcend to broader leadership roles with an emphasis in execution in the Mitchell environment.

The series started in late June and culminated in December.

“Developing the leadership talent at Mitchell International is the most important thing we can do in the company for it is our leadership team that works together to establish our strategic vision, ensure execution of our operating plans, and create the environment here at Mitchell where employees can grow their careers and optimize their potential. We want to be recognized as an ‘employer of choice’ and we can only achieve

this by investing in our leaders through high-quality leadership programs like the one developed in partnership with San Diego State University,” said Jack Farnan, senior vice president of human resources at Mitchell.

Mitchell International, Inc., is an established market leader when it comes to improving business practices for companies in the insurance, collision repair, medical claims, workers’ compensation, and auto glass replacement industries. n

Mitchell International Partners with SDSU’s Extended Studies

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SDSU Writers’ Conference is the ‘Write’ Choice for Authors

Heather Leigh is a perfect example of what can happen after someone attends the SDSU Writers’ Conference.

She went to the SDSU Writers’ Conference in 2009 with hopes of getting a book published. Sure enough, her book Hey, Little Baby will be hitting a bookstore near you this spring.

“My agent works for the literary agency that had sent me a rejection notice just a few weeks before I attended the SDSU conference,” she said. “Meeting her in person and receiving her critiques made all the difference. I tell all of my writer friends the importance of attending the SDSU conference. It certainly changed my life!”

Could there be more Heather Leighs on the horizon?

A multitude of hopeful authors attended the 26th Annual SDSU Writers’ Conference at Doubletree Hotel in Mission Valley the last weekend of January with similar hope of making connections that could lead to selling their book.

This annual conference is among the largest of its kind on the West Coast. It annually includes one‑on‑one consultations and hands‑on editing assistance. Participants learn ways to sharpen their writing skills and make connections with editors and agents of fiction, nonfiction, and

screenwriting while learning how to publish in the traditional manner or on the Internet.

The conference offers participants workshops on fiction and nonfiction each year. Industry experts are on hand to discuss how to produce screenplays from inception to finished product and how to attract the necessary attention to get them produced. Top editors, agents, and industry professionals are available

to meet one‑on‑one to critique writing and offer specific advice about how to take a project forward.

Numerous success stories have come out of the conference, including:

2007: At age 82, Marjorie Hart published her first book detailing her summer of 1945 in Summer at Tiffany.

2006: Cynthia Tocci pitched her young adult fantasy The Road to Kiva at the SDSU Writers’ Conference, and it became reality.

2005: Laura Preble attended the Writers’ Conference for the third time and has since written three novels for and about teens.

2005: Maria Ritter went on to publish her book Return to

Dresden, which contains the story of her family during and after World War II.

2004: Erin Quinn has had three books published since attending that year’s SDSU Writers’ Conference.

2001: Mary Castillo is now writing her sixth book as a result of attending the SDSU Writers’ Conference.

For more information, call (619) 594‑2517 or visit www.neverstoplearning.net

Plans are already underway for the 27th Annual SDSU Writers’ Conference, scheduled for Jan. 28‑30, 2011. n

“I tell all of my writer friends the importance of attending the

SDSU conference. It certainly changed my life!”

~Heather Leigh

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CES American Language Institute Surpasses 1,000 Students

The SDSU College of Extended Studies American Language Institute (ALI) has a worldwide reputation for providing unsurpassed quality to international students.

The ALI continues to grow, emphasized by the fact it has exceeded 1,000 students during both the fall 2008 and fall 2009 semesters, marking the first time in the post 9/11 era that the ALI has reached this milestone.

According to class surveys, “word of mouth” is by far the number one reason students are being drawn to the ALI.

A shining example of an ALI student is Waleed ALKalash from Saudi Arabia, who at various times studied Intensive English for Communication (IEC), English for Academic Purposes (EAP), and in the pre‑MBA

program. This preparation led to Waleed receiving a MBA degree in Finance with Honors from California State University, Long Beach, in May 2009.

He said this all would not have been possible without the preparation he received through ALI.

“I’ll always remember ALI and how many benefits I received from studying at this outstanding institute,” he said. “The teachers here were very helpful for other students and me. The materials here made me stronger.

“I was not cautious or afraid to enter the university as a graduate student, which is quite different than undergraduate study. The teachers at ALI prepared me for writing, reading, listening, grammar, presentation skills, research, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), and business language,” he added.

The ALI offers a variety of programs to foreign students including EAP, Pre‑MBA/Graduate Business, IEC, several test preparation courses, Business for Global Practices, teacher training programs, Semester at SDSU,

Workplace English, and more.

In addition, ALI offers an amTEFL (Americans Teaching English as a Foreign Language) program, a 140‑hour certificate course that prepares novice instructors to successfully live and teach English overseas. More than 200 amTEFL graduates have been employed in 60‑plus countries with the help of ALI’s job placement assistance program.

For more information on the ALI, call (619) 594‑5907, email ali@mail.sdsu.edu or visit www.americanlanguage.org. n

“I’ll always remember ALI and how many benefits I

received from studying at this outstanding institute.”

~Current Harvard University Ph.D. student Waleed ALKalash

Former ALI student Waleed ALKalash.

Have you – or someone you know – ever thought about attending courses at San Diego State University, but didn’t want to go through the process of being formally admitted?

SDSU classes are open to the public through the College of Extended

Studies Open University program, which allows individuals to enroll in courses (on a space available basis) without formal admission to the university. Open University is available during the spring, summer, and fall semesters.

Participants can take classes

to finish a degree, for career advancement, or for personal enrichment. Certain restrictions apply. A free information packet and more information about Open University are available by calling (619) 265-SDSU or visiting www.neverstoplearning.net. n

SDSU Classes Available through Open University

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CES in the Classroom, CommunityCollege Offers New Hospitality Finance Program

SDSU’s College of Extended Studies will offer a new professional certificate program in Hospitality Finance for Non‑Financial Professionals with the first class titled “Thinking About the Numbers” taking place Wednesday, April 14.

In this program, you’ll become comfortable navigating the major

financial statements (operating statement, balance sheet, and statement of cash flows); but the real emphasis will be on how successful hospitality leaders think about and use this critical information to drive results.

You will take a practical, hands‑on, and down to earth approach; in essence, the mentorship you wish you had on the job.

Jeff Campbell, Brinker Executive in Residence at SDSU’s School of Hospitality and Tourism, has pulled together this top‑notch program and will instruct two of the six sessions. Campbell is the former CEO of Burger King Corporation and a former senior vice president of Pepsi‑Cola. He serves as chairman of San Diego’s Chairmen’s Roundtable.

Campbell will be joined by Rich Fox, VP of finance at Pick Up Stix; Tjeerd Brink, VP of finance

at Pechanga Casino; and other financial professionals who’ve been handpicked for their exceptional skill in cutting through the jargon, talking about how to think strategically about financials, and mentoring non‑financial professionals. n

Acushnet CompanyAera EnergyATK Space Systems and SensorsBAE SystemsBarona Valley Ranch Resort and CasinoBristol Meyers Squibb Medical ImageryCardinal HealthChromalloy San DiegoCity of San DiegoCommander Navy Region SouthwestCounty of San DiegoCox Communications

General AtomicsGoodrich Aerostructures GroupHarrah’s Rincon Resort and CasinoJack in the BoxKPBSKyocera L-3 CommunicationsLPL Financial ServicesLa Jolla Beach and Tennis ClubMarine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, AC/S, Logistics Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Civilian Leadership DevelopmentMission Federal Credit Union

NASSCONorthrop GrummanOverland Storage, Inc.Pacific Southwest Structures, Inc.Pechanga Resort and CasinoREMEC Defense and Space, Inc.SAICSDSU Associated StudentsSharp HealthcareSouthwest Division, Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC)Southwest Region Maintenance Center (SWRMC)

Sycuan CasinoSymitar, a Jack Henry & Associates CompanyTaylorMade–adidas GolfTemecula Valley Winegrowers AssociationTyco Health CareUnified Port of San DiegoVeridiam, Inc.Viejas Enterprises

We are Pleased to Recognize Our Preferred PartnersDon’t see your company listed? To find out how your organization can benefit through our Preferred Partner program,

contact the Professional Development Division at (619) 594-5640 or send an email to tmcleod@mail.sdsu.edu.

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Osher Students Honor Professor Peter Atterton

Peter Atterton, Ph.D., was quite surprised when his students in the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute program through SDSU’s College of Extended Studies presented him with a plaque, trophy, certificate, and card at a holiday luncheon following the fall semester.

Atterton has taught six Osher classes over the past three semesters, including “Great Minds of the Western Intellectual Tradition” and “Contemporary Moral Problems II” during the fall.

“We were just so impressed with him,” said student Art Alvarez. “He took the time with us and his interactions were tremendous.

“It was like a tour de force,” Alvarez added. “It was watching a stage performance. He’s in a class by himself. I wouldn’t miss his classes for anything.”

Atterton, who’s also an associate professor in the Department of Philosophy on the main SDSU campus, had no idea what his students planned for him.

“I thought they were going to give me a Christmas card. I was very shocked,” he said.

His plaque had the following inscription:

Peter Atterton, Ph.D.2009Student Educator of the YearThank you for your unparalleled presentations in helping us achieve a better understanding of life.SDSU Osher Class

The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute is a unique place offering adults 50 and better a chance to return to campus and study a fascinating array of topics from political science to art history, literature to astronomy. Taking a class at the Osher Institute puts students in a state‑of‑the‑art classroom with curious fellow learners and outstanding instructors including SDSU faculty, faculty from other area universities, and award‑winning authors and artists. There are no tests, grades, or exams – just a chance to dive into learning and recapture the thrill of intellectual growth and the camaraderie of a vibrant learning community.

Besides teaching in the Osher

program, Atterton has been a full‑time professor at SDSU since 2005 and became tenured in 2007. He was a lecturer at both SDSU and UC San Diego starting in 1995.

He said he’s surprised that his Osher students actually have less “resistance” to his philosophy teachings than students on the main SDSU campus. Most people would think the Osher students would be more resistant to change at their age than much younger students on campus, he added.

“The Osher students are there because they want to be,” Atterton said. “They are not required to be there to take general education classes. You are teaching willing students.”

For more information on the Osher program, call (619) 594‑2863, email osher@mail.sdsu.edu or visit www.neverstoplearning.net. n

“I wouldn’t miss his classes for anything.”

~Student Art Alvarez