For Immediate Release
September 29, 2009

UCR Extension brings certificate programs to Chino University Hall

Residents of Chino and surrounding areas will now be able to take a wide array of courses from UCR Extension including many that will lead to a professional certificate.

UCR Extension will be offering 17 classes at Chino University Hall on the second floor of the Carolyn Owens Community Center, 13201 Central Ave., beginning Sept. 9.

“We will be the first continuing education institution to offer certificate programs there, to help you sharpen your skills or train for a totally new career,” said Cristina Sanford, a UCR Extension marketing analyst, who negotiated the move.

Courses being offered include: “Introduction to Interior Design”; “Green Design for Your Home”; “Performance Appraisal and Evaluation”; “Market Research,” and “Principles of GPS Technology.”

A two-day workshop on “Raising Capital for Small to Mid-Sized Companies” Sept. 18 and 19 will be the first in the Executive Entrepreneur Academy series presented by Amro Albanna, business consultant and chairman/CEO of Avisio Inc. The series is designed for executives of small and medium-sized companies.

Many of the courses at Chino University Hall count toward the more than 100 professional certificates UCR Extension offers. The certificates provide students with specialized knowledge and skills that allow them to advance in their current jobs or to prepare for new careers.

All courses are taught by professionals in their field and have been approved by the University of California, Riverside, Academic Senate. Certificates will bear the UCR seal.

Previously, UCR Extension offered a limited number of classes in the Chino Business Resource Center. Now, it will be sharing space with other universities including Cal Baptist University, Cal State Northridge and University of La Verne.

Sanford said that about 30 percent of UCR Extension students drive from Chino and surrounding areas to Riverside for classes. Now, they don’t have to drive as far. Chino University Hall is centrally located to capture students from Corona, Pomona, Yorba Linda and beyond.

“I really think the university programs we have there are good programs for the residents of the Chino Valley,” Sanford said.

Chino University Hall offers seven classrooms ranging from 15- to about 70-square-feet with state-of-the-art technology and wireless Internet access.

Chino Public Information Officer Michelle Van der Linden said University Hall opened in January 2008.

“The city council has a long-term vision of bringing education to the community because it will bring higher paying jobs filled by local residents,” Van der Linden said.

Chaffey Community College is building a full campus in the city of 80,000 but there are no other opportunities for certificate, undergraduate or master’s programs except at University Hall.

To see a full listing of UCR Extension classes with dates and times go to www.extension.ucr.edu