Athens State University does not currently have an office of continuing education. Continuing education opportunities are available, developed and coordinated by the College of Education. For example, the College of Education has, as part of its organization, the Athens State University Regional In-Service Center. The Center serves the counties of Limestone, Lawrence, Blount, Cullman and Morgan, as well as the schools within those counties, a total of ten school systems. It is funded by the state of Alabama to serve teachers in the public schools through workshops, seminars, and general support. Within the Center are housed several state initiatives. The Alabama Mathematics, Science, and Technology Initiative (AMSTI), the Alabama Science in Motion (ASIM), Alabama Technology in Motion (ATIM) and the National Board Teacher Certification grants (NBTC) are a part of this outreach.

Each of these programs provides opportunities for working with the community and the public schools. AMSTI is the elementary science, math, and technology program that is used in K-12 schools. The science portion is for K-8 grades and the mathematics and technology programs are for K-12. AMSTI is a hands-on learning system, and all materials are stored, sorted, pre-packed, and provided for the teachers in the schools. Two-week summer workshops are offered for training teachers to use the materials, and dedicated specialists work with the teachers in the schools during classes, to help them use the modules with children.

ASIM provides science learning modules for grades 9 – 12. It is somewhat different than AMSTI, in that the specialists deliver the materials to the schools via large panel trucks that are operated by the University through the grant. The science equipment for high schools is highly technical and expensive, so the specialists do a great deal of training during regular classes in the schools. Systematic teacher training is done in summer workshops.

Teacher training for ATIM is done through workshops offered by the regional ATIM specialist. The specialist conducts these workshops in schools and area community classrooms, using computers and technological equipment that is provided by the grant.

A new project begun by the College of Education is the Summer Enrichment Academy. The pilot of this program was done in the summer of 2009 at Tanner Elementary School in Limestone County. Several faculty of the College taught grades K-3 in a two week summer school that included enrichment activities in reading, science, and math. Teacher candidates from the Athens Teacher Program assisted the professors in these classes as part of their field experience work.

Faculty members in the College of Education (COE) routinely offer services and expertise to the public schools. They also give workshops and seminars when requested, on all areas of teaching and learning. The College of Arts and Science (CAS) works closely with the College of Education in these endeavors. All three colleges are currently involved in the Athens Middle School Project, where teacher-candidate students from both the COE and the CAS mentor at-risk students from the Middle School. Professor Laura Lynn Kerner, from the College of Business (COB), has developed the curriculum for this program, which is called Success. Professor Kerner is one of the key players in the project, and continues work with the COE and CAS as the key developer from the University.

The College of Business, accounting chapter, has participated in an international student chapter award program titled the “Award of Excellence” sponsored by the Institute of Management Accounting (IMA) from 2000 – 2001 until the present. The accounting club has won awards for their participation every year since 2000. In 2003, 2006, and 2007 the chapter was awarded the highest level of accomplishment, the “Outstanding Student Chapter” award. The accounting chapter has always gone beyond the minimum requirements in this area. The Athens State Chapter of IMA has contributed to the community in a variety of ways over the last nine years including but not limited to, canned food drives, counting money at annual walk-a-thons, volunteer income tax assistance (2000 – 2007), Christmas angel project and financial assistance for local elementary students to attend field trips. Other activities include participation in the MDA Jerry Lewis Telethons; the Upward Bound Program to provide tutoring for underprivileged high school students; volunteers for Big Brothers, Big Sisters; and mentoring student teams for “Team America Rocket Challenge”. Faculty also serve on the Advancing Productivity, Innovation, and Competitive Success (APICS) Board of Directors for the Tennessee Valley; serve as an arbitrator for labor relation cases in the area; serve as mentors for middle and high school students regarding success strategies; conduct feasibility studies; and participate as an ambassador with the Limestone Chamber of Commerce as a business liaison. The College of Business students and professors participate in seminars and training to the community.

The College of Arts and Sciences contains the Center for Religious Studies and Ethics. The Center provides a variety of activities for faculty, staff, and students at Athens State University and to the community and region. Among these activities are occasional lectures and a monthly Table Talk, which is a brown bag event where a speaker gives a talk that includes a question and answer session. The Center also provides continuing education events every fall and spring.

Athens State University began a Livingston Concert Lecture Series in order to provide opportunities for students and the surrounding communities to expand their intellectual, social and cultural horizons. Many outstanding people have spoken or performed through this series. Mr. Jonathan Kozol spoke in the spring term of 2009 about diversity and the need for more understanding between cultures. Mr. Jeremy Black, a British Historian, gave a lecture on historical events in the fall term of 2008. Mr. Black’s presentation was entitled, “Could the British Have Won the War of Independence?”