Partnerships

The Institute for Extended Learning (IXL) collaborates with organizations across education, industry, government, healthcare, and the community to expand access to learning, strengthen workforce pathways, and support learners at every stage of life. These partnerships are central to our mission and reflect our role as a bridge between UMBC, employers, public agencies, and the communities we serve.

Strategic Partners

Strategic partners are organizations with whom IXL collaborates across multiple programs, audiences, or initiatives. These relationships are sustained, mutually beneficial, and foundational to our work.

Examples of strategic partners include:

  • iCode – supporting youth programming, instruction, and employment pathways
  • CIRTL (Center for the Integration of Research,Teaching, and Learning) – collaborating on professional development and teaching and learning initiatives
  • UMBC’s Community Leadership program – expand access to leadership education through non-credit courses and customized programming

Instructional Partners

Instructional partners collaborate with IXL on specific courses, programs, or learning experiences. These partnerships often involve subject-matter experts or external instructors. These partners ensure that our offerings remain current, applied, and responsive to evolving professional fields.

Examples include:

  • Bullock & Brown – contributing instructional expertise in leadership and professional skills
  • Immunitarium / Biotech Game – supporting applied learning experiences in biotechnology

Cohort Training Partners

Organizations that collaborate with IXL to co-design and deliver a specific program, usually cohort-based, contract-based, or customized to their needs.

Examples include:

  • Prince George’s Community College – partnering on customized programs in College Teaching
  • National Security Agency (NSA) – specialized training and education initiatives in Computer Science

Clinical and Externship Partners

Some IXL programs rely on experiential learning opportunities that cannot exist without strong external partners. These organizations host learners, support applied training, and provide essential pathways into professional fields.

Examples include:

  • University of Maryland Medical Center and affiliated clinical sites supporting diagnostic medical sonography
  • Regional healthcare systems and specialty practices hosting clinical and externship placements

Community Engagement and Access Partners

IXL is committed to increasing access to educational opportunities and maintaining a visible presence in the community. We work with community-based organizations, nonprofits, schools, and local groups to provide scholarships, outreach, and learning opportunities for youth and adult learners.

Examples include:

Internal UMBC Partners

IXL collaborates extensively across UMBC to extend the university’s reach and align academic expertise with community and workforce needs.

Examples include:

  • Academic departments supporting noncredit programming
  • Research centers and institutes contributing subject-matter expertise
  • Campus units partnering on youth programs, professional education, and outreach initiatives

If you are interested in partnering with IXL, we welcome conversations focused on shared goals and meaningful collaboration. Please contact us at ixl@umbc.edu.