Mission of The Reach Unit Faculty and Programs:

The mission is to raise the overall educational, economic, social, and citizenship levels of persons in the target population who desire opportunities for learning that fits adult lives. The aim is to serve citizens who are technologically sophisticated and capable of learning through alternative delivery methods.

Mission of the Reach Unit:

To help Western Kentucky faculty, staff, and students survive and even thrive in distributed learning environments.

Target Population:

In the long-term, it is the full range of adult learners. In the short-term, we need to target extended campus, correspondence study, and on-campus students.

Implementation Plan:

Phase I: We shall give first priority to Kentucky citizens, current/former Western students, and other technologically sophisticated persons.

Phase II: We will serve a larger geographical area and type of population, particularly those in the surrounding states, the military, early childhood education, leadership positions in business, and tourism development.

Phase III: Western Kentucky University will find its niches that will serve a focused audience nationally and internationally.

Objectives:

The Reach Unit shall:

1. Nurture key certificate and degree programs that will enhance the quality of life of our target population.
2. Cultivate individuals capable of and committed to lifelong learning on faculty/student/administrative levels.
3. Create and maintain an infrastructure such that Western Kentucky University wll serve as a broker for collaborative programs.
4. Build a community across all participants in Reach Unit activities (faculty, students, and administration).

Students shall:

1. Gain content knowledge for their chosen field and beyond to include implementation, integration, and evaluation capacities.
2. Acquire and develop basic contemporary communication skills, from writing to the use of the Internet.