Beginning in the 1970s, the Office of Continuing Education at the University of North Carolina Wimington oversaw programs, services, and educational outreach for business, schools, and the general public. It next became the Office of Special Programs, adding conference services, extension courses, and youth programs. In 1992, the office became the Division for Public Service and Extended Education, directing community programs in leadership, the arts, technological development, and economic development, along with off-campus and online learning. In 1995 the division established the Onslow Extension site in collaboration with Coastal Carolina Community College, Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, and the Onslow County Public Schools. The division partnered with Japanese universities on Global Virtual University (1997-2002), a distance education initiative. The 1990s also saw the creation of a public access television station at UNC Wilmington. In 2002, due to an administrative reorganization, responsibilities for extension, distance, and online learning shifted to Academic Affairs, while the Division for Public Service and Continuing Studies retained public service programming and lifelong learning. In 2012, the division was eliminated with its operations distributed to various campus units, including the Office of Community Engagement.