The Mission and History of Lifelong Learning at FDU
The Mission of Lifelong Learning at FDU
As individuals and as a university community, we dedicate ourselves to lifelong learning.
Our work is shaped by Fairleigh Dickinson University’s founding mission of service and its
strategic vision to meet the needs of students wherever they are in their learning journey.
We embrace the opportunities that learning offers individuals at every stage of life
to grow, advance and contribute meaningfully to our world.
Together, we learn to think with curiosity, to evolve as individuals,
and to live together with understanding and purpose.
Our Values
We are a student-centered community. We recognize that every student brings their own purpose and pathway, and we honor their unique journeys across their lifetimes.
We believe in the power of community and personal connection. We foster a culture of support and encouragement, removing barriers and helping our learners to navigate change, embrace challenges, and discover new possibilities.
We are responsive, accessible and flexible. We listen to and learn from our students. We use that knowledge to create and deliver programs that challenge, engage and fulfill their learning goals — where and when they are most needed.
We embrace collaboration. We seek intentional and creative partnerships with individuals, communities and organizations to deliver transformative educational experiences for learners at every stage of life.
The History of Lifelong Learning at FDU
In 1964, Edward Williams College, a 2-year college offering associate degrees, opened its doors. For the next 30+ years, it would continue to offer highly personalized instruction and guidance to students on what is now known as the Metro Campus.
Fast forward to 1998, the year in which a new College of General and Continuing Studies was formed to address the special educational needs of nontraditional students, including Adult Learners. The College of General and Continuing Studies would subsume Edward Williams College and add many additional programs and specialized offerings in the ensuing years. In 2005, the College would be renamed the Anthony J. Petrocelli College of Continuing Studies in recognition of the generosity of Anthony J. Petrocelli and his wife, Antoinette. Petrocelli College remained in place for 15 years and introduced a wide array of programs to serve a highly varied population of adult and nontraditional learners.
Lifelong Learning at FDU was formally launched in February of 2024. The launch of Lifelong Learning has enabled the University to embrace and acknowledge the various learners served by this unit. The Petrocelli name lives on through the Petrocelli Center for Continuing Studies, a key component of Lifelong Learning at FDU.