UNM Continuing Education

What UNM Continuing Education does

UNM Continuing Education is a non-credit continuing education division of the University of New Mexico, a public state university headquartered in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Established in 1929, it has served hundreds of thousands of New Mexico community members over 95+ years through academically oriented programming without admissions requirements, tests, or grades. The division operates three primary consumer-facing lines: Professional Development courses across business, technology, healthcare, test prep, legal, and real estate verticals; Personal Enrichment classes spanning arts, languages, fitness, and hobbies; and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) for adults 50+, which is the only OLLI in New Mexico and part of a 125-institution Bernard Osher Foundation national network.

The underlying technology stack is built on Canvas LMS for non-credit course management, an e-commerce-style registration student information system, Zoom for synchronous online classes, and Credly for digital badge issuance. Recent platform investments in 2024 added a personalized recommendation engine to the registration system and digital badging capability. The organization delivers through multiple channels — a self-serve online portal, phone registration, in-person enrollment at 1634 University Blvd. NE, and a 650-seat Conference Center for venue rental and community events such as the New Mexico Arts & Crafts Festival.

The business model combines one-time course fees (varying by program, with examples from $129 to $2,300 for the AI Essentials certificate), a $40 annual OLLI membership, conference and event venue rental, and professional services revenue from a University Partnerships program that administers non-credit training for UNM internal departments such as the Anderson School of Management and UNM ECHO. Custom corporate training is sold directly to organizations on a contract basis. Customer segments span working professionals seeking career advancement, adults 50+ in the OLLI program, personal enrichment learners, UNM internal departments, and external event organizers. Recent strategic emphasis has been on launching AI-focused certificate courses in partnership with Silicon Valley-based Ziplines Education.

Name

UNM Continuing Education

Legal name

The University of New Mexico Division of Continuing Education

Website

https://ce.unm.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1929

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

UNM Continuing Education is the non-credit division of the University of New Mexico, offering professional development, personal enrichment, and OLLI lifelong learning courses to New Mexico consumers, organizations, and UNM departments via Canvas LMS and Zoom.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Adult and Continuing Education

NAICS

Educational Services (61), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (611310), Computer Training (61142)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Workforce Development & Continuing Education Divisions (Noncredit) (EDAHADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Lifelong Learning Institutes (Osher/OLLI-style) & Senior Academies (EDAAAMAA), Online/Hybrid Lifelong Learning Platforms & Open Enrollment Programs (EDAAAEAL), Professional & Applied Skills Noncredit Certificates (Non-licensure) (EDAAAEAD), Language & Communication Continuing Education (EDAAAEAF)

Keywords

• Continuing education programs
• Professional development courses
• Adult education services
• Online certificate programs
• Lifelong learning programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Albuquerque

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Course and Program Fees: Tuition-based fees for professional development courses, personal enrichment classes, and certificate programs. Pricing varies by course with specific fee structures per program area.
2. OLLI Membership: Annual membership fee of $40 (non-refundable) required for OLLI course registration, events access, and member benefits including library card privileges.
3. Conference Center Rental: Venue rental income from 650-seat auditorium, banquet rooms, meeting rooms, and event spaces at 1634 University Blvd. NE location.
4. University Partnership Services: Administrative services for UNM departments including registration software, Canvas LMS, instructional design, marketing support, and CEU granting.
5. Corporate Sponsorship (OLLI): Corporate sponsorships with recognition in spring and fall catalogs, website listings, and marketing materials reaching members, alumni, and community.
6. DWI Awareness Program: $25 study guide purchase required for first-time NM licensees ages 18-24 or DWI/DUI convicts.
7. Donations to OLLI: Tax-deductible donations to support OLLI program operations, offsetting costs of classes, events, marketing, and catalog printing.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

UNM Continuing Education delivers non-credit lifelong learning through professional development certificates, personal enrichment courses, custom corporate training, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) for adults aged 50+. The unit also operates a Conference Center and partners with other universities to broaden program access.

Product overview

UNM Continuing Education is a division of the University of New Mexico offering a comprehensive portfolio of non-credit educational programs. The main offerings include Professional Development (business, technology, healthcare, test prep, legal, real estate courses), Personal Enrichment (arts, fitness, cooking, languages, hobbies), Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI - for adults 50+), Conference Center (event space rental), Custom Programs (tailored organizational training), and University Partners (services for UNM departments). Recent additions include AI certificate programs (AI Essentials and AI Automation) offered through partnership with Ziplines Education. The organization also administers community programs like the New Mexico Arts & Crafts Festival, None for the Road DWI Awareness, and the Spanish Resource Center.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute): An academically oriented non-credit programming for adults 50 plus, offering courses taught by UNM faculty and community experts. No admissions requirements, tests or grades.
• UNMCE Conference Center
• None for the Road DWI Awareness Program
• Spanish Resource Center
• New Mexico Arts & Crafts Festival

Products and services

• OLLI (Osher Lifelong Learning Institute)

Quantifiable outcome

• 95+ years of community service
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration5 records

AI capability9 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Bernard Osher FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2007The Bernard Osher Foundation, founded in 1977 by Bernard Osher, supports a national lifelong learning network for adults 50+. The foundation established OLLI at UNM in 2007, providing the only OLLI in New Mexico. The foundation supports 125 OLLI institutions nationwide. OLLI membership fees help support the program as a requirement of the foundation's support.
• Ziplines EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSilicon Valley-based education company collaborating with UNM Continuing Education to deliver AI certificate courses (AI Essentials, AI Automation). Ziplines provides design, instructional, and administrative services. Courses are approved by UNM CE and lead to university-issued certificates of completion.
• Home2 Suites by Hilton Albuquerque / Downtown - UniversityminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner hotel located two blocks north of the Conference Center. Offers special rates for UNM CE conference attendees. Part of Hilton brand with virtual tour available.
• Collette ToursminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorTravel tour operator providing OLLI travel opportunities. Collette builds trips around conversations started in OLLI courses, lectures, and special interest groups, offering destinations like Thailand, Scotland, and Italy.
• Anderson School of Management (UNM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNM department utilizing University Partnerships services for non-credit training administration, registration software, and marketing support.
• College of Education & Human Sciences (UNM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNM department utilizing University Partnerships services for non-credit training and professional development offerings.
• School of Public Administration (UNM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNM department utilizing University Partnerships services for non-credit course delivery and administration.
• Mentoring Institute (UNM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNM department utilizing University Partnerships services for training program administration.
• UNM ECHOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNM department utilizing University Partnerships services for non-credit program delivery.
• National Hispanic Cultural CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in hosting the Spanish Resource Center, an official outreach of the Government of Spain promoting Spanish language and culture in New Mexico.
• Ministry of Education and Science of SpainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment ministry collaborating on the Spanish Resource Center, an official outreach venture promoting Spanish language and bilingualism in New Mexico.
• New Mexico Department of EducationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState education department collaborating on Spanish Resource Center and None for the Road DWI Awareness Program.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Coursera: Large-scale online learning platform offering professional certificates and continuing education content from universities. Competes with UNM CE for the same adult professional learners but at much larger scale and lower price points.
• LinkedIn Learning: Subscription-based corporate and professional learning platform serving similar working-professional upskilling needs as UNM CE's Professional Development portfolio. Broad incumbent rather than a direct competitor in niche or in-person formats.

Direct peers

• UCLA Extension: Continuing education division of a major U.S. public research university offering professional development, certificates, and lifelong learning programs. Directly comparable in mission, structure, and product mix to UNM Continuing Education.
• University of Chicago Graham School: Continuing and professional education arm of the University of Chicago offering certificates and short courses. Comparable as a university-anchored continuing education provider targeting adult learners and professionals.
• Georgetown University School of Continuing Studies: University continuing studies division providing professional certificates and non-degree programs. Comparable structure and product mix to UNM Continuing Education.
• UC Berkeley Extension: Continuing education unit of another flagship public university providing professional certificates, online courses, and customized corporate training. Operates the same model as UNM CE: university-affiliated non-credit continuing education.
• NYU School of Professional Studies (NYU SPS): University-based division delivering non-credit professional certificates and continuing education across business, technology, and liberal arts. Comparable to UNM CE in scope and audience but at much larger scale and broader geographic reach.

Emerging players

• ed2go: Online partner that already distributes certificate programs through UNM CE and many other university continuing education units. Operates the same channel with broader catalog reach.
• Ziplines Education: Silicon Valley-based education company partnering with UNM CE to deliver AI Essentials and AI Automation certificate courses. Acts as both a content/operations partner and a comparable certificate provider working with other universities.

Others

• Bernard Osher Foundation / OLLI Network: Funder and operator of the OLLI network of 125 lifelong learning institutes, of which UNM's OLLI is a member. Comparable as the umbrella organization for the closest peer segment (adult 50+ lifelong learning).

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/loboalerts
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unm-continuing-education

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about UNM Continuing Education