A familiar face will be guiding University College partnerships to better serve and support a variety of programs, students and faculty both on and off Temple campuses.

Barbara Korns, who has been a part of the Temple University community for 24 years, has been appointed Director of Business Development and Strategic Partnerships in University College.
University College has the responsibility to assure the quality, effectiveness and staffing of academic programs and courses offered at Temple campuses, centers, and other off-site locations. University College coordinates the academic offerings of Temple University's Ambler, Center City, and Harrisburg campuses as well as supporting online, summer, off-campus and continuing education programming offered by schools and colleges.

University College also offers its own programs through noncredit, training and continuing education programs both on and off-campus, including the ProRanger program (undergraduate and post-baccalaureate certificates in national park service management) and the undergraduate certificate in sustainability.

"I will be identifying and developing new corporate alliances in addition to proposing new programs," said Korns. "We're heavily focused on building strong relationships with companies and looking for ways to match their educational needs with University College offerings."

Prior to her new role, Korns was Director of Temple's Real Estate Institute for 12 years, with classes offered at the Temple University Center City Campus and off-site locations throughout the Philadelphia area. She also taught a variety of real estate courses at Temple in the 12 years prior to taking on the directorship.

"In her new role, Barbara will create new relationships and promote partnerships related to non-credit, continuing education and summer programs offered on and off campus throughout the year," said Dr. Vicki Lewis McGarvey, Vice Provost for University College. "She has cultivated so many colleagues and connections in the corporate world during her time at the Real Estate Institute (REI). We are excited to have her continue to support REI while extending her expertise and relationships to our other University College and off-campus training programs."

According to McGarvey, Korn's initial focus will be on corporate training partnerships while also working closely with the Real Estate Institute Director, Brian Brillman, to deliver off-site Real Estate continuing education at organizations around the region.

"I think there are great opportunities to bring existing non-credit programs to corporations and companies that are looking for these particular types of training. I look forward to working with REI, the Office of Non-Credit and Continuing Education and other University College programs to indentify programs that we think will be of great benefit in business environments," said Korns. "Our Certificate in Project Management, Certificate in Leadership, Professional Meeting Planning, Contract Negotiations — that definitely has big potential — are all programs that will help people improve their skills and boost their companies."

In 2014, Korns nearly hung up her real estate education hat, retiring after 12 years as the Director of the Real Estate Institute. She continued to support the Real Estate Institute operations in part-time capacity throughout the search process. In Fall 2016, Barbara's passion for teaching and real estate education returned her to the Real Estate Institute classroom. 

"It has been wonderful to rely on Barbara to help with the transition to the new director, Brian Brillman. Barbara has put together a remarkably accomplished group of faculty who are all experts in the field. Temple's Real Estate Institute is acclaimed throughout the region," said Temple University Provost JoAnne Epps. "We know that Barbara will continue to work very closely with Brian to maintain REI at the highest standard of quality, building upon the solid foundation she has created. Her ability to develop corporate synergies will be invaluable to all University College programs moving forward."

Korns said she will be working with the University College team and corporate partners on continual "needs assessments."

"We'll help them assess what programs might be of greatest benefit to them and how we can help them become more successful," she said. "If we don't have what they are looking for, that is an opportunity to develop a new program that will meet their needs."  

Know of an organization that is interested in corporate training or bringing Real Estate Continuing Education to an off-site location? Contact Barbara Korns at bkorns@temple.edu.