Free education offered by the University of Phoenix

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Malia Jenkins
  • 18th Wing Public Affairs
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan --  The University of Phoenix has reinvigorated a community outreach program to help foster education for military members across Okinawa.

"The program started because we felt the need to help advance education in the community," said Scott Goldberg, 18th Force Support Squadron faculty development liaison.

The 11-month-old program is open to all branches of service and civilians. The classes offer a variety of course topics from effective communication, leadership skills and personal and stress management.

Goldberg said the program is important because the skills taught at the seminars are relevant to life and the work environment.

Although the university office is located on Kadena, its staff works with units to schedule a time for instructors, who are either prior military or civilians who have experience in the business world, to teach a seminar.

"We work with a lot of the units across the base and we can customize (the seminars) to fit their needs," Goldberg explained. "We provide a benefit to the military because there is no cost to attend the classes."

The classes use a hands on approach and usually range from 20 to 120 members. They also can offer a different view point for senior or junior leadership.

While most classes are held during the day, Goldberg said the instructors are flexible to accommodate a unit's need for night or weekend classes.

Goldberg also added that members who attend classes also receive professional development credit through the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

"We want to get the word out because this really is a valuable service," Goldberg said.

If a unit would like to schedule a time for a seminar to be held at their unit, they can contact Scott Goldberg at Scott.Goldberg@phoenix.edu.