Continuing Education & Lifelong Learning
Economic & Work-force Development
In response to Louisiana’s workforce development needs, attention is diverted to
linkages with community-/faith-based development related needs. Within GSU’s Office
of Continuing Education & Lifelong Learning (CELL), the unit of Economic & Workforce
Development (EWD) functions to enhance the quality of life for citizens throughout
North Louisiana through the following items and/or projects—spearheaded by GSU’s
CareerNET Center--are noted in this unit.
CareerNET Center
Cited as one of the ‘Best Practices’ relative to operating an Adult Basic Education
Program—and was featured by the Louisiana Departments of Education (LDOE) and Labor
(LDOL) as a demonstration/training facility—the GSU CareerNET Center spearheads GSU’s
EWD efforts through the following activities: Adult Basic Education (ABE); Contract
Training (CT); and, the Incumbent Workers Training (IWT) Program.
Contract Training
GSU has engaged in training ventures with local/regional employers desiring to enhance
the skills of their employees. Programs are customized to meet the needs of the
employer and arranged at a time that is convenient for the clients. Training is
conducted throughout the year and can range from customer service to strengthening
personal computer skills. Training is conducted by GSU staff or faculty from various
campus units and facilitated by the Office of Continuing Education & Lifelong Learning
(CELL). Employers in need of customized training are encouraged to contact CELL
by calling 318.274.6141 or by e-mail at gsucellinfo@gram.edu.
Incumbent Worker Training Program (IWTP)
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Special Projects
GSU has been actively engaged in creating job opportunities for individuals residing
in depressed economic regions of North Louisiana through unique external grant funding
entities. Two (2) projects with a focus on economic/workforce development include:
Creating Honorable Opportunities for Individuals through Community, Education, and
Service (CHOICES); and, Expanding Minority Entrepreneurship Regionally Across the Louisiana Delta (EMERALD).
CHOICES—a collaboration between GSU faculty in the Colleges of Arts & Sciences, Business,
Education, and Professional Studies along with staff from the Office of Continuing
Education & Lifelong Learning in Partnership with New Living Word Ministries (NLWM),
Inc. located in Ruston (LA)—is a demonstration project that has created a seamless
transition model for ex-offenders transitioning back into communities and their families.
This project was funded by the U.S. Department of Justice (Office of Justice Programs)
in 2009 in the amount of $200,000.
EMERALD—a collaboration between GSU’s College of Business and the Office of Continuing
Education & Lifelong Learning in Partnership with 6 different community-/faith-based
non-profit organizations located in North Central and Northeast LA—is a project designed
to increase the number of minority small business owners and entrepreneurs. This
project was funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration in 2008 ($250,000)
inclusive of subsequent funding in 2010 ($237,500)
