Iowa State is extending beyond campus with the opening of the Learning Connection. The center, located in Suite 200 at the Locust Center, 700 Locust St. in Des Moines, provides extended learning opportunities for Des Moines residents.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony will be at 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. today followed by an open house from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. The center is a collaboration between all ISU colleges, the ISU Continuing Education and Communication Services and WOI Radio.

Sherry Glenn, area director for the ISU Learning Connection, said the center will promote two-way communication between citizens of Des Moines and Iowa State. She also said she hopes the center will act as a retreat for ISU students in Des Moines.

“We have a lot of Iowa State students who intern in Des Moines,” Glenn said. “I hope they would come in and see us. They can talk with advisers here or check e-mail.”

Glenn said they encourage students from campus to stop by, but the focus will be non-credit education opportunities including services, courses, conferences, workshops and seminars for adult learners.

The center will also act as a recruitment spot for people in the Des Moines area. An informational meeting for the Master of Business Administration program was held at the center, attracting more than 100 people interested in the evening and weekend MBA program, said Ron Ackerman, director of the program.

He said he is very excited about the facilities in Des Moines.

“Programs like this show we are expanding outside campus and trying to take programs across the state including Des Moines,” he said.