Joe Shapiro

Joe Shapiro’s job in 2008 is to harness and shape the almost overwhelming resources at SDSU into classes and programs that help San Diegans advance in their jobs or find new and enjoyable careers.

“We are trying to find ways to help people improve their skills, generate an income, contribute to society and create a new future for themselves and their families,” says the new dean of the College of Extended Studies. “The question is how do you focus in a way that you can do something clearly and do it well.”

A green construction program starts in spring, life science classes are being expanded and more is coming. Both retired military and spouses of active military are getting new programs as well. Health care remains a growing industry and Shapiro expects to roll out offerings those already working in the field can take online and in the classroom.

Shapiro notes his school’s target audience is not just senior management. Indeed, a dozen programs are approved for funding by the San Diego Workforce Partnership.

All told, Shapiro’s college offers 42 degree or certificate programs that can be completed in a year or two, with most of them being “noncredit.” In our workforce effort, our goal is skill development, to get out there and do things,” he says. “If you are going to go work as a dental technician, you don’t need to know the theory of tooth decay.”