ASU to offer community education classes beginning in January 2010

Dec. 8, 2009 -- Gain knowledge, develop a skill, start a hobby, have some fun! This is what the Community Education Program at Arkansas State University offers to participants in the adult and family non-credit education curriculum which begins classes in January.

The Community Education Program, beginning its second year, is directed by Evone Roberts in ASU’s Center for Regional Programs, and she can be reached for additional information at (870) 972-3052 or by e-mail at evone@astate.edu. To view a current list of class offerings, the web site is www2.astate.edu/community-education.

The class offerings include American sign language, acrylic painting, acting, Arkansas history, basket weaving, chess, computer programs, computing for seniors, construction site first aid & CPR, craft workshops, digital photography, emergency survival fitness, exercise classes, gardening, green living, Hebrew, herbology, instant piano by chords, natural health, organic skin care and aromatherapy, paper making, Russian, Spanish for medical professionals, stock market, topiary and vocals.

“To be involved in the community education program, one doesn’t have to be enrolled at Arkansas State,” said Roberts. “These classes are non-credit continuing education classes for personal and professional development, but they can be a lot of fun.  If you’re interested in expanding your knowledge or developing a skill, this program allows you to learn and enjoy at the same time. It’s a great program to get the community involved in learning things people enjoy.”

Roberts said the individual classes are available at reasonable cost and are taught by both faculty and volunteers who excel in the areas they are teaching. She hopes that people will like the idea of a community program designed around their interests and will contact her with new class ideas and potential instructors.  With the holidays approaching, Roberts hopes people will sign up for January classes or consider gifting a class to someone.

January classes include “American Sign Language” levels I and II at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m., (Jan. 18-Feb. 2, Monday/Thursday, ASU-Jonesboro, $59, instructor Dewey Boone), “Acting for the Community Theater” (Jan. 7-Feb. 11, Thursday, 5-6:30 p.m., ASU-Paragould, $95, instructor John F. Michael), “Computing for Seniors” (Jan. 8-Feb. 12, Friday, 10-11:30 a.m., ASU-Paragould, $85, instructor Deanna Harris), “Intermediate Digital Photography” (Jan. 6-Feb. 3, Wednesday, 6-8 p.m., ASU-Paragould, $105, instructor Karole Risker), “Hebrew Language Basics” (Jan. 12-Feb. 16, Tuesday, 6-7:30 p.m., ASU-Jonesboro, $45, instructor Dr. Douglas Wheeler), “Paper Making” (Jan. 9 and 16, Saturday, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m., $49, ASU-Jonesboro, instructor Luci Murray), “Spanish for Medical Professionals” (Jan. 11-Feb. 15, Monday, 6-8:30 p.m., $145, ASU-Jonesboro, instructor. Dr. Yvonne Unnold), and “Russian for Beginners” (Jan. 25-Feb. 22, Monday, 2-3:30 p.m., $40, ASU-Jonesboro, instructor Dr. Irina Khramstova. 

February classes that will be offered are Acrylic Painting, Basket Weaving and Green Living for Natural Health at ASU-Jonesboro and Medical Spanish at ASU-Paragould.
 

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