Randy M. Ataide and Cathy L. Gallagher, director and manager, respectively, of the Fermanian Business Center at Point Loma Nazarene University, have developed an Entrepreneur Enrichment Program that focuses on sustaining, just as much as developing, a business enterprise. (photo/alandeckerphoto.com)

For decades the matriculation mantra for the working professional enrolled in a continuing education program has been simply Survive — survive the marathon of coursework with dashes through classes and a steeplechase of hurdles to study.

But today, in the new track of continuing education being paved by San Diego institutions of higher learning, the curriculum trend is to change that mantra from Survive to Thrive.

For an institutional sector whose main value is to prepare its students to succeed in being and leading the workforce in today’s business world of unprecedented technological, international and informational change — amid a milieu of economic vagaries — it’s about time. And it’s never been more about value for the student.

The most important enterprise in continuing education for schools is how to provide more value to new students. In 2006, several graduates of Point Loma Nazarene University approached the university to explore ways to foster the entrepreneurial spirit among all students and programs. These conversations with Professor Randy M. Ataide, director of the Fermanian Business Center in the School of Business, led to creating the Entrepreneur Enrichment Program last spring.

The program supplants competition-driven business projects and models for collaboration and counsel between students and industry leaders, entrepreneurs and financiers.

“We believe that successful entrepreneurs are often the ones able to leverage good business planning and conception while simultaneously having solid personal and professional relationships,” says Ataide. “The EEP recognizes that the ultimate value in these programs is not always obtaining venture funding in a ‘winner takes all’ format but rather the enhancement of relationships that will sustain the enterprise for the long term.”

The new program is open to all undergraduate and graduate students, no matter their area of study at Point Loma. The Fermanian Business Center hosts and manages the EEP, helping students through creation, refinement and presentation of their entrepreneurial business models to the creation of a market-ready business plan.

“We were extremely pleased with the high level of interest, diversity of interests and quality of applications for the inaugural EEP,” says Cathy L. Gallagher, manager of the Fermanian Business Center.

The bridge — and from many students’ point of view, the gulf — between theory and practice is the overarching focus in management education at California State University San Marcos. Its MBA program specifically seeks to be that bridge and provide students with skills and knowledge to advance in their careers.

The emphasis on career is reflected in the program schedule, designed for full-time working professionals with Saturday and evening classes. A distinguishing feature is that 15 of the required units, one unit per course, are independent study projects to help students better understand how ethics, technology, globalization, environmental sustainability and diversity can provide a competitive edge.

“Cutting edge” takes on a new definition in fields where the edge can be subatomic. Going from lab to marketplace is challenging enough; amid a field of international players in a race to market, it is patently daunting.

Connect, San Diego’s world-renowned public benefits organization to foster local innovation, assists and mentors selected aspiring technology and life science entrepreneurs — and even companies and venture capitalists.

Innovators are paired with Entrepreneurs in Residence who have related domain expertise and experience in raising capital — or companies. The coaching helps develop a business proposition, model and commercialization strategy over three to five months and culminates in a presentation to a panel of VCs, angel investors, lawyers and industry experts who offer feedback. Connect has more than 80 CEOs and business leaders available to serve in the program.

Since its launch in 1993, more than 300 companies have completed Springboard, and more than 100 scientific and technological breakthroughs have been guided through the process of innovation to commercialization this year alone.

Today more than ever, the University of San Diego is opening its doors to San Diego adults while providing windows for professional growth. Its corporate and professional education now includes the Certificate in Event Management, Management Academy for Small and Emerging Business‚ Small Business Management and Profitability Workshops and Certificate in Real Estate Finance, Investments & Development.

The USD Family Business Forum offers family-owned business principals educational programs designed to assist them with their specific challenges to ensure their enterprise’s success for succeeding generations. The corporate and professional education programs as well as the Family Business Forum workshops are offered monthly and most do not exceed 12 to 16 hours.

A generation ago, National University set the standard in higher education for adults with its pioneering format of one course per month. That innovative flexibility in scheduling remains a compelling force in admissions today. National now has 22,000 full-time equivalent students, to go with nearly 110,000 alumni.

National is the second largest private institution in California with 29 campuses, 14 in San Diego County alone. It offers 100 undergraduate and graduate degree and 16 teacher credential and certificate programs. More than 40 of National’s degrees, credential and certificate programs are online.

Specifically designed for the adult learner is the San Diego campus of Chapman University College, offering undergraduate and graduate degree, certificate and teacher credential programs. The school has gained particular note for its program in organizational leadership. Chapman offers classes in a nine-week, year-round schedule, and a variety of courses are available online.

For decades, San Diego State University has been the school of record when it came to new business hires in the county, and the SDSU College of Business Administration continues to provide both bachelor’s and master’s programs, with evening, weekend and online classes in a host of disciplines.