Institute for Academic Outreach

Mission Statement

The Institute for Academic Outreach seeks to provide support for the broader mission of Truman State University. To respond to a changing economic and public educational climate in the United States, the Institute aims to: (1) provide access to a quality liberal arts and sciences experience for a diverse population of highly motivated and qualified students including those not served by the traditional residential, 4-year educational model; (2) build and grow relationships between the University and community partners locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally, that enhance the public profile of the University and support community institutions and needs; (3) generate sustainable monetary and infrastructure resources that enhance the services provided to students, faculty, and staff, as well as community partners; and to (4) serve as a flexible incubator for creativity and innovation in the promotion of student and faculty learning and scholarship.

About the Institute for Academic Outreach

The Institute for Academic Outreach is an office dedicated to the promotion of exciting new learning experiences that extend beyond the traditional borders of the University. We aim to serve learners from a variety of walks of life: pre-college learners in K-12 programs, adult learners seeking professional development and continuing education, retirees seeking personal enrichment, and much more.

The Institute for Academic Outreach was conceived in early 2009 as an initiative to address a range of University needs, including development of programs and partnerships to generate revenue and support Truman’s mission. These initiatives include developing mutually beneficial partnerships, expanding Truman’s reach to students residing in off-site locations such as St. Louis and Kansas City, developing new on-campus programs to bolster recruitment efforts, and fostering and supporting new modes of course delivery.

The Institute formally opened its doors on August 1, 2009 and is headquartered in McClain Hall 303. The Institute presently oversees graduate certificates, several of the University’s professional development course offerings, summer camps and institutes, conferences, enrichment programs for children, college students, and adults, concurrent enrollment programming for high school students, and the Del and Norma Robison Planetarium.

For more information, please call the Institute at (660) 785-5384 or email institute@truman.edu.

Professional Development Coursework

The Institute for Academic Outreach offers individual courses and workshops (both credit and non-credit) for personal enrichment and professional development. Credit-bearing courses such as Technical Writing, Grant writing, and Directing Forensics are marked with a PD designation. The Institute also administers professional development programs for some academic units that require continued certification after graduation, or for career advancement.

Evolution in Programming

This catalog section lists only credit-bearing courses and programs offered by the Institute. Non-credit offerings and summer enrichment programs can be explored at the Institute website at http://institute.truman.edu. Students looking for information on the University’s Summer Session can visit http://summer.truman.edu. Summer and Interim sessions courses are described throughout the catalog under their appropriate home discipline. Because the Institute is constantly developing new programming, prospective students are encouraged to explore the Institute’s website for the most current program information.