Whatever your goal, it’s never too late to learn and seek knowledge. For those living in the southwest in New Mexico, the Continuing Education department serves as the center for lifelong learning by providing innovative educational, training and personal enrichment opportunities for students, businesses, and community partners. For more than 80 years, Continuing Education has played a major role in community service and outreach for UNM, with a focus on economic and workforce development.
It sounds great, but does it work? It sure does. Marketing Director Kim Halpern tells us of a story of one of their students. Dr. Susan Brandt Graham (a busy doctor who runs a successful Gynecology practice at the Women’s Hospital in Albuquerque) had been interested in photography for a long time. She did some research and discovered a class called 
“How to use your Digital Camera” at UNM Continuing Education. Because she was working full time, the evening short format class met her needs. She learned how to use her camera, but more importantly, discovered that she really wanted to know more about digital photo editing, lighting, and the business of photography. Then she decided she also wanted to start a business and build her own website. Susan signed up for more classes, then certificate programs and an independent study session. A little more than a year later, she had accomplished her goal. To launch a new photography business called Albuquerque Maternity Portraits (www.abqmaternityportraits.com). Now, she is even teaching a class for UNM Continuing Education called “Becoming Your Own Health Advocate.” Susan took her own talent, drive and enthusiasm – combined them with the learning opportunities available at Continuing Education – and created a business that showcases her passion for photography at it’s very best.
Plus, the staff at UNM-CE are fast learners themselves! Email was not a part of their marketing mix 6 years ago. They started with a list of a handful of customers when they first got started. Now, we have over 7,000+ readers on their master list spanning seven product category lists. Email has become a major part of their marketing strategy and they’ve even won a few awards in our professional educational organizations for them. The program managers they support firmly believe that their email campaigns bring immediate enrollments and interest in their classes.
University of New Mexico Continuing Education
1634 University Blvd. NE, Albuquerque, NM 87102
www.unm.edu
Kim Halpern (Marketing Director)
505-277-1584
khalpern@unm.edu
