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UC Irvine Reappoints Gary W. Matkin, Dean of Continuing Education

Reappointment Follows Standard Five-Year Administrative Review

IRVINE, Calif. – July 13, 2005 – University of California, Irvine (UCI) today announced that Dr. Gary W. Matkin has been reappointed as dean of continuing education.  The reappointment follows the normal five-year administrative review.  Matkin is responsible for all aspects of UC Irvine’s continuing education initiatives, including UCI Extension, the Distance Learning Center (DLC) and Summer Session.

“Dean Matkin has been an outstanding representative of UCI,” said Michael Gottfredson, executive vice chancellor of UC Irvine.  “During his five years at UCI, he has worked aggressively to increase Extension’s ability to serve the community and the campus.  His commitment and vision for distance learning has helped propel UC Irvine to the forefront of distance learning.”

Viewed by many as a visionary of distance learning, Matkin created a business model for the UCI Distance Learning Center (DLC) which creates and delivers high-quality online educational programs.  The DLC has since established a national reputation for its programs and expertise in distance learning and, today, offers more than eight certificate programs online and UC Irvine’s first online masters degree in Criminology, Law and Society.

In addition to his distance-learning successes, Matkin has been recognized for his work with several important community-based programs, including the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) which currently has more than 750 members. He is also actively involved in OCTANe@UCI, UCI’s contribution to innovation-based economic growth in Orange County.  Matkin was also instrumental in the development of UCI Extension’s LEAP program, which enrolls more than 150 UC Irvine employees per quarter in career-oriented and professional development courses.

Matkin’s objectives for his second term include increasing community and campus awareness of UCI’s capabilities for service and the development and delivery of continuing education programs for Orange County, national and international students and corporations. 

“UCI is home to a diverse array of continuing education programs necessary for Orange County’s economic, social and business development,” said Matkin. “In addition, our programs are supported by the most innovative distance learning technology available today to better support professionals locally, regionally and nationally with career development needs and emerging workforce opportunities.

Prior to becoming UCI’s dean of continuing education in March 2000, Matkin was associate dean at UC Berkeley extension, where he was chief academic officer and responsible for the UC Extension distance learning program, including its rapidly expanding online education initiative. 

Matkin began his career in continuing education in 1973.  He holds a doctorate in higher education, a master's degree in business administration from UC Berkeley, and a bachelor of science degree from the University of San Francisco.

Matkin is a certified public accountant and the author of Effective Budgeting in Continuing Education (1985), Technology Transfer and the University (1990), and Using Financial Information in Continuing Education: Accepted Methods and New Approaches (1997).  He resides in Irvine, Calif., with his wife, Maya, and their son Ethan.

As the continuing-education arm of a prestigious university, UC Irvine Extension is dedicated to providing a transforming learning experience for students, offering thousands of exciting courses and programs to local, regional and global constituencies. UC Irvine Extension offers a rich array of academic and personal development programs to support a diverse audience from a wide selection of academic programs to numerous campus events and activities. UC Irvine Extension continues to provide a university-level learning experience to all students.