Mission and Mandate

Strengthening the impact of universities through excellence in continuing education. 

Advancing learning and workplace readiness in 21st century Canada, CAUCE is dedicated to supporting the success of our members in serving professional and adult learners and diverse learning communities. We accomplish this by fostering best practices in lifelong teaching and learning, flexible learning models, including online learning, and university-community engagement. 

As a professional organization, we value collaboration, openness, courage, trust, creativity and innovation, equity, diversity and belonging, excellence, agility and resilience. These are hallmarks of our practice.

• We promote activities aimed at fostering a greater role for universities in responding to Canada’s needs for training and retraining;

• We participate in forums affecting educational policy-making; acting as an advocate for expanding lifelong learning opportunities;

• We sponsor research aimed at applying theoretical and empirical analysis to improving professional practice in continuing education;

• We recognize, through awards and honors, outstanding contributions to the field of university continuing education;

• We offer conferences, professional development activities, publications and communication networks designed to leverage the successful efforts of individuals and institutions in order to promote the collective advancement of continuing education.

Season's Greetings from CAUCE!

As the Fall semester winds down and we approach the close of 2024, I want to extend my warmest wishes to you and your loved ones for a wonderful and restful holiday break. May this time offer you the opportunity to recharge, reflect, and spend quality moments with family and friends.

There is no doubt that 2025 will bring its own set of challenges as we continue to navigate institutional budget deficits and enrollment struggles. However, I remain optimistic about the future of Continuing Education in Canada. It is my sincere hope that, together, CAUCE and its members can change the narrative around the crucial role CE plays in contributing to our respective institutions, supporting industry and strengthening the Canadian workforce.

CAUCE is working diligently to position itself as a thought leader in Canadian higher education. This is a pivotal moment for our voices to be heard, and we need the collective strength of our membership more than ever.

I encourage you to get involved and engage with your fellow CAUCE members in the coming year. We have an exciting opportunity ahead with the Deans and Directors meeting scheduled for February 27th and 28th in Montreal. This event promises two days filled with professional development, networking, and brainstorming—an invaluable chance to connect and shape the future of CE together.

Additionally, our annual conference on May 28th -30th hosted by our colleagues at Brock University in the beautiful Niagara region, will be another key moment to share insights, foster collaboration, and celebrate our successes.

As we move into the new year, let’s embrace the challenges as opportunities for growth and transformation. Together, we can continue to advance Continuing Education as a critical force in the evolution of Canadian education.

Wishing you a joyous holiday season and a bright, prosperous year ahead.

With gratitude and best wishes.


Jennie Atkins
Executive Director – Continuing Education,
University of Windsor
CAUCE, President 2024/2025