The International Association for Continuing Education and Training Gears Up for New Leadership and Appoints New CEO
The International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET), an educational standards organization, is pleased to announce the appointment of Casandra D. Blassingame, MEd as Chief Executive Officer. She will assume responsibilities on January 21, 2020.
With over 20 years of experience in higher education, particularly continuing and professional studies, Blassingame comes to IACET from the American Gear Manufacturers Association (AGMA), where she served as Vice President, Education Services. AGMA is a standards developing and global membership trade association with a presence in 30 countries. During her tenure, AGMAs program was established as an IACET accredited program. The professional development offerings increased and workforce development initiatives and other relevant business offerings were launched as well. She was also instrumental in negotiating a contract and establishing the AGMA National Training Center in collaboration with Richard J. Daley College in Chicago, IL. In addition, she established another viable partnership with Ranken Technical College in St. Louis, MO. Blassingame also served as an IACET Commissioner and as a Member of the Board of Directors.
In addition to experiences as an adjunct associate professor, Blassingame has also served in other senior leadership capacities such as Founding Director of Continuing Education, Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Director of Education, and Chief Academic Officer. She earned a Master of Education degree in (Adult) Education and Higher Education from the University of Missouri-St. Louis and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Computer Science from Talladega College.
IACET Board Chairman, Andrew Kauser said, “The IACET Board has worked diligently to restructure the association to capitalize on the evolving trends in adult education and training. During the summer of 2019, we began a robust search to find, recruit and hire a distinguished leader for IACET. Today we are happy to announce that Casandra Blassingame has accepted the position of CEO. Casandra’s experience in adult education, continuing education and training standards development and detailed knowledge of IACET, make her the perfect leader. We are excited to work with Casandra to advance IACET’s mission around the world.”
Blassingame commented that, “IACET, without question, continues to be the gold standard for continuing education and training on a global scale. With Accredited Providers in approximately 15 countries, it is critical that we continue to provide a framework for these learning institutions to deliver quality learning opportunities for their respective industries. As the CEU turns 50 years old in 2020, we are reminded of our foundational ties to the U.S. Department of Education as a commitment to be driving force for the quality and measurability of continuing education activity.”
IACET’s mission is to advance the global workforce by providing the standard framework for quality learning and development through accreditation. IACET’s history includes development of the original Continuing Education Unit (CEU) and creation and maintenance of the ANSI/IACET Standard for Continuing Education and Training. More about IACET can be found at www.IACET.org.