PROVIDENCE, R.I. [Brown University] — Brown University Continuing Education will celebrate the official opening of its new offices at 200 Dyer St. on May 2, 2012 at 5 p.m. Rep. David Cicilline, Economic Development Director for the City of Providence Jim Bennett, Provost Mark Schlissel and Dean of Continuing Education Karen Sibley will speak.
Brown University Continuing Education (CE) delivers on-campus, online, and international programs that serve nearly 5,000 pre-college, undergraduate, and adult and professional students. Beginning this spring, CE will regularly offer free public programs featuring experts from Brown and the community.
The new Jewelry District space will allow CE to grow its executive-level academic programs, increase existing noncredit courses, and broaden offerings for private, public and nonprofit sector employees. These new programs will cover information technology, health services, innovation and entrepreneurship, communication, and other multidisciplinary areas.
“Continuing Education’s 200 Dyer St. location allows us to create greater access to learning opportunities for our community, while continuing to focus on bringing students from across the country and around the world to Brown for academic opportunities,” said Karen Sibley, dean of continuing education. “We look forward to contributing to the growth of a vibrant Knowledge District and to introducing our students to Providence and Rhode Island.”
Purchased in March 2011, the building underwent a $5-million renovation before Continuing Education began moving there in February 2011. There are $3 million in renovations still planned for the building. Approximately 60 construction jobs will have been created over the duration of the project.
Brown University Continuing Education currently occupies 22,000 square feet on the first floor of the 41,000 square foot building.
The educational spaces include classrooms and meeting rooms, with multimedia and lecture-capture capabilities. The administrative side of the building contains offices, conference rooms, and breakout areas for Continuing Education faculty and staff. Other features include a multimedia studio, control room, and editing suite, as well as a lounge and café area for students.