Sandra Day O'Connor was the first woman to be appointed to the Supreme Court, received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and has been described as one of the most powerful women in the world. Justice O'Connor's success in school, with degrees from Stanford University and Stanford Law School, took her in a direction very different from the cattle ranch she had known as a child.

Do you sometimes wish you had pursued a different career path or not taken the "bird-in-the-hand" position offered to you that may not have been quite what you wanted? Or are you simply ready for a change, however modest or drastic, and looking for training and certification that can prepare you for a new challenge? At UCR Extension, it is our goal to offer educational programs that are matched to current workforce needs, bring new dimensions to your career and help you find job satisfaction.

On the other hand, not all learning has to connect to work or a career. Why not take some time to branch out and learn something completely new? Have you thought of taking a photography course while exploring the Mojave Desert, or trying your hand at screenwriting or riding with the last of the wild Mustangs? Maybe it's time to acquire a new skill that might lead to meaningful projects in your leisure time or success in your career.

As you browse this catalog, keep in mind that it's never too late to move beyond your comfort zone, take a new direction, or just have a little adventure. Our world might be a poorer place if Justice O'Connor had stayed on the ranch.

Sincerely,

Sharon Duffy, Ph.D.
Dean, UC Riverside Extension