Six individual case studies are presented that illustrate in greater depth how the Genesee Valley Regional Center of the Empire State College (New York) met students' educational goals as well as how these particular individuals challenged the academic program. The case studies provide a means to examine student learning and the center's search for quality education. The general observations offered are of two types: those that illuminate how the center served diverse students and those that illustrate challenges to the quality of the academic program. Areas and issues of interest (both student and institution) which are examined through the case studies include: the quality of education of full-time study; being able to achieve educational, vocational, and personal outcomes; dealing with high-risk as well as outstanding students; providing sufficient resources; developing quality assessment and vocationally defined programs; and the maintaining of creative tension between student centeredness and academic quality. (GLR)