Education is a lifelong pursuit. Education does not end when the diploma is framed and hung on the wall. That is merely the end of one chapter.

For many people acquisition of a diploma is when the most interesting learning begins. That idea lies at the heart of Community Education at Mohave College. This is where residents of Mohave County can learn something new, explore an interest, develop a skill, discover a hobby, meet people and keep education going.

Community education is sometimes overlooked because it doesn’t fit neatly into the traditional image of higher education. There are no grades. Most classes don’t lead to a degree. Students may attend for an afternoon, several weeks or an entire series. And that is precisely the point.

Education For The Sake of Learning

Community Education is education for the sake of learning, living and connecting. Mohave College describes its Community Education & Youth Programs as non-credit opportunities for personal enrichment, creativity and lifelong learning for adults and young people. Classes are designed to help participants learn new skills, pursue hobbies, stay active and connect with others in the community.

For a sprawling and diverse place like Mohave County, that mission carries considerably more importance than the phrase “non-credit classes” might suggest. At its simplest, Community Education provides opportunities for people who want to learn without necessarily pursuing a college degree or certificate. That can mean learning digital photography, tapping into a long-suppressed urge to paint or work with ceramics, or improving computer skills.

From learning about artificial intelligence to participating in a wellness or fitness program, CPR or first aid or simply discovering new hobby, community education programs are a portal to learning. Mohave College’s current Community Education offerings encompass areas including arts and crafts, business, computers and technology, health and wellness, along with youth programs. In other words, there is no single definition of a Community Education student.

An Educational Asset

Curiosity, as it turns out, is a pretty good prerequisite for education. And lifelong learning is a community asset.

The phrase “lifelong learning” sounds like a promotional slogan written on a college brochure. In practice, it is a remarkably practical concept. Daily the world changes. Technology, industries, interests and people. They all change with the passing of time. A skill that was useful twenty years ago may need updating today. A person who dedicated 20 years to a career in one profession may discover an entirely unrelated interest after retirement. A young person launching their working career may discover a passion.

Mohave College specifically describes its Community Education mission as supporting the educational and enrichment needs of the community while providing academic, recreational and personal-enrichment opportunities for learners of all ages. The program emphasizes engaging, hands-on experiences and instructors who bring real-world knowledge to their subjects.

That last part is important. Community education connects the classroom with the community. That creates an opportunity for something wonderfully old-fashioned. People teaching people.

A Diverse County

Mohave College actively seeks Community Education instructors in Bullhead City, Kingman, Lake Havasu City and Colorado City. That geographic reach matters because Mohave County is enormous, and its communities have distinctly different economies and interests.

The workforce of tomorrow may very well begin in a Community Education classroom today. That is another dimension that is easy to overlook. In an increasingly digital world, opportunities for face-to-face interaction become more valuable, not less. A community education class can put a dozen people in the same room who otherwise might never have met. They share an interest, learn together, and talk. Education becomes a social connector.

This isn’t a trivial benefit. Strong communities are built through relationships. And relationships are built when people learn together. The growth of Community Education at Mohave College suggests that residents recognize the value of these relationships.

Written by Jim Hinckley’s America