OUR VISION AND MISSION

Vision
Continuing Education (CE) at John F Kennedy University aspires to serve as the Bay Area's premier lifelong learning hub, integrating programs and resources that are individually focused, professionally relevant, and socially purposeful.

Mission
As an entrepreneurial force of John F. Kennedy University, CE provides the greater Bay Area with accessible and forward-thinking lifelong learning opportunities that empower individuals and organizations to engage their disciplines, interests, and ambitions in germane, connected, and creative ways.

To learn more about the learning solutions available from CE, click here.

OUR STAFF

Dean
Joshua Lachs, EdM, MA
Director of Programs
Kimberly Twilla, MA
Administrative Director
Naomi Raine
Registration & Faculty Coordinator
Renee Hikiji

Joshua Lachs, Dean
Joshua Lachs brings over 13 years of higher education leadership to John F. Kennedy's Continuing Education (CE) division. In his role, Joshua is responsible for the overall strategic direction, outreach, administration, and financial matters for CE. Prior to his tenure at JFK University, he served as of Director of Lifelong Learning & Continuing Education at California Institute of Integral Studies (CIIS) and as Director of Academic Outreach Programs for the Heald College 11-campus system. Most recently, he served as the Executive Director of Continuing Education for the six-campus Alliant International University system.

Joshua presently serves on the Board of Directors for the Pleasant Hill Chamber of Commerce and is active in the Contra Costa Council's Workforce Development & Education and the Small Business & Entrepreneurial Task Forces. He holds membership in the University Continuing Education Association (UCEA), the Council of Adult and Experiential Learning (CAEL), and the Association for Continuing Higher Education (ACHE). In the past, Joshua has served on the Board of Directors of the Marina Counseling Center in San Francisco and on the Industrial Advisory Committee of Opportunities Industrialization Center West (OICW) in San Mateo. Joshua earned his undergraduate degree from UC Berkeley and holds two masters degrees from Columbia University in New York City.

Kimberly Twilla, MA, Director of Programs
A member of the CE department since 2003, Kim has held the department's posts of Administrative Director and Assistant Director. In her current role, Kimberly is primarily responsible for the department's entire range of program development and assessment, ensures CE's accreditation compliances, and oversees faculty recruitment. In addition, she helps facilitate the department's outreach and marketing functions. She has a background in radio marketing and advertising. Kimberly recently earned her graduate degree in Integral Psychology at JFK University and has an undergraduate degree from Flagler College in St. Augustine, FL, with a degree in Communications and specializations in Journalism and Psychology.

Naomi Raine, Administrative Director
As the Administrative Director, Naomi provides support for the department's students, staff and courses, and manages special projects. She successfully served as coordinator at the Mathematical Sciences Research Institute and at Tippett Studio, both located in the Bay Area. Among other things, Naomi has also been a licensed massage therapist for 18 years, is a practicing artist, and a graphic designer. She graduated from Cal State Hayward in 2000 with a BA in art and is currently pursuing an MA in Transformational Art through the School of Holistic Studies at JFK University.

PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Sukie Magraw, PhD
Kristin Hancock, PhD
Sandra Mattar, PhD
Lynn Ireland, PhD
Kimberly Twilla, MA
Joshua Lachs, EdM, MA

HEALTHCARE ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Vidya Iyengar, MFT
Ben Martella, MS
Sandra Mattar, PhD
Rachel Michaelsen, LCSW
William Parham, PhD
Julie Robbins, LCSW
Molly Stuart, Esq
Paula Szloboda, RN, MA, NI
Henry Venter, PhD
Donna Wigland, MSW
Kimberly Twilla, MA
Joshua Lachs, EdM, MA