KU Edwards Campus Offers Facilities Management Certificate

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. (Aug. 11, 2008) – Facilities management professionals will have the opportunity to stay abreast of the most innovative developments in this increasingly complex field with a new graduate certificate program offered by the University of Kansas Edwards Campus.

Only six recognized first-professional degree programs in Facilities Management are offered in the United States, according to the International Facility Management Association. No others are offered in the region.

During the past 10 years, the KU School of Architecture and Urban Planning has researched the growing need for Facility Management course work. “Facility managers are found in all sectors of the economy and are leaders in critical issues such as security management and environmental stewardship,” said Mike Swann, PhD. and associate dean/professor of KU’s School of Architecture and Urban Design. “It is an increasingly complex, demanding and rewarding field.”

“The more architects, engineers and business managers understand the latest Facility Management challenges, the better the buildings will be built and maintained, and the longer they’ll last.” said Teena Shouse, international  chair of the International Facility Management Association. “The real winners are the people who work in the buildings.”

The program is designed for facility managers, architects, engineers, interior designers, space planners and others engaged in managing and designing buildings and building complexes. Enrollment is underway, and classes begin Aug. 21.

About the University of Kansas Edwards Campus
KU Edwards Campus is dedicated to providing growth and education to the greater Kansas City community by offering a variety of graduate and undergraduate degree completion programs. The Edwards Campus has been providing adult learners in greater Kansas City with the necessary tools to further their careers since 1993. For more information, visit EdwardsCampus.ku.edu.

For further information, go to www.saup.ku.edu/Architecture/Grad.shtml

Contact: Mike Swann
               Associate Dean and Director of the Facility Management Program
               The University of Kansas – School of Architecture and Urban Planning
               (913) 897-8600, ext. 3180 or mmswann@ku.edu.

Industry Expert: Neal J. Angrisano, AIA
   Deputy Director of Facilities
   Johnson County Facilities Management
                           (913) 715-1146 or Neal.Angrisano@jocogov.org