When it comes to providing options, Dixon University Center (DUC) makes sure students and faculty have more choices and more flexibility for getting a quality higher education. So it’s no surprise that before beginning a more than $1.4 million renovation project, center officials turned to these same people for their input.

“Most of our students are adult, non-traditional students who lead very busy lives,” said Dr. Kathleen Howley, assistant vice chancellor for academic & student affairs with the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE). “It was important for us to listen to our customers to hear first-hand how they best use the Dixon University Center, and then take that information to make sure we meet their needs.”

The first step was a strategic planning process, which included a series of formal and informal focus groups. Center officials spoke with both students and faculty, using face-to-face meetings and on-line questionnaires. Students were asked to describe a perfect learning environment, while faculty members were asked to lay out the ideal setting for teaching.

Dixon University Center’s new strategic direction resulted in a transformation to a consumer-driven model that increases choice and flexibility in one convenient location, with an optimal teaching and learning environment using wireless and state-of-the-art technology.

“Look how we eat and shop. We want choices,” Howley said. “People want the same consumer model in education – choices for where and how education is offered. We’re proud that we continue to be the leader in the marketplace by offering students 22 different programs of study from 11 public and private colleges and universities – all in one location.”

DUC is an educational and cultural hub situated along Harrisburg’s North Front Street that offers an expansive menu of undergraduate, graduate and certificate programs, professional development and customized training.

“It was important to create informal spaces throughout the building where learning could take place outside the classroom setting,” said DUC administrator Lorelee Isbell.

The recently completed renovations include the addition of technology-enhanced classrooms, designed to create an atmosphere where interactive learning could take place among students and their instructors through a range of multimedia tools. Eleven new multimedia classrooms include six that are equipped with videoconferencing capability. There also are two new two computer labs.

Meeting rooms, public areas, lounges and eating areas feature new furnishings that provide formal and informal learning opportunities. Offices available to partnering educational institutions allow for student advising, and a customer service oriented staff ensures that the needs of DUC guests are met and often exceeded.

All of the rooms at Dixon University Center serve a dual purpose. During the day, groups, organizations and businesses can use the rooms for meetings or workshops. In the evening, they become classrooms.

“All of the furniture – both tables and chairs – are on wheels so it’s very easy to reconfigure the room to best suit your needs,” said Isbell. “Our students and instructors especially appreciate this flexibility.”

“I believe we are ahead of the curve in distance learning and education partnerships,” Howley said. “Our consortium partners are eager to increase programs here in order to meet growing market demand, and we are already adding to our list of partnering institutions with the addition of East Stroudsburg University, Bloomsburg University and Lock Haven University for the coming academic year.”

DUC’s new strategic direction is working. “You just have to look at the statistics,” said Howley. “In just one year, our enrollment has increased almost 24 percent.”

This upcoming academic year, partnering institutions will include eight PASSHE Universities – Bloomsburg, Clarion, East Stroudsburg, Indiana, Lock Haven, Millersville, Shippensburg and West Chester Universities of Pennsylvania; and at least three private colleges and universities –Elizabethtown College, Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Saint Francis University. Dixon University Center also is home to PASSHE’s administrative offices.