american chemical society how pursuit of a goal became a digression: lessons from the acs chemical...
TRANSCRIPT
American Chemical Society
How Pursuit of a Goal Became a Digression: Lessons from the ACS Chemical Technology Program Approval Service
Jodi WesemannAssistant Director for Higher EducationAmerican Chemical Society
BIO Community College Program DayMay 2, 2010
American Chemical Society
Lessons
• Leverage the investments to establish the approval program with resources to maintain and grow it.
• Focus continuously on increasing participation.• Articulate and demonstrate the benefits, to both the participating
programs and the beneficiaries.• Consider the landscape carefully.
American Chemical Society
Landscape
• Existing approval program for bachelor’s degree programs– Fosters high-quality education
– Prepares students for the workforce and graduate school
– Benefits all students taking chemistry
• Increasing interest in supporting two-year colleges– Improve student transfer
– Attract diverse range of students
• Increasing awareness of chemistry-based technology programs– Offer degrees
– Have fairly uniform curriculum
– Use skill standards
American Chemical Society
Timeline
1991 – Chemical Technology Program Approval Service established
1993 – Voluntary Industry Standards developed
2000 – NSF-ATE grant received
2000 – Skill standards updated and put on-line with gap analysis tool
2004 – NSF-ATE supplement received
2004 – Critical Issues and Effective Practices Conference held and survey conducted
2006 – Skill standards expanded
2007 – Chemical Technology Program Approval Service reviewed
2009 – Program review process updated
2009 – Chemical Technology Program Approval Service ended
American Chemical Society
Criteria for Approval
• Partnership with local/regional industry, academia, workforce organizations, and community
• Clear mission and goals• Adequate equipment, students, and support• Work opportunities for students and graduates• Growth opportunities for faculty• Strong assessment tools
American Chemical Society
Benefits of ACS Approval
Approved chemistry-based technology programs:
• Improved industrial workforce development
• Developed process of continuous improvement
• Enhanced their credibility with financial sources, academic community, and students
• Obtained national promotion
• Became part of an instant network of chemistry-based technology programs
• Coordinated efforts on specific topics
In a 2008 survey, 100% of approved program coordinators– Planned on maintaining approval– Recommended ACS approval for qualified programs
American Chemical Society
Benefits of ACS Approval
ACS:• Was considered responsive to two-year college and
industry needs• Increased involvement of volunteers• Developed relationships with coordinators of programs
In a 2007 program review, concerns were raised – Low number of approved programs
In 2009, the ACS Board of Directors reallocated funds– Terminated support for chemical technician education– Increased support for two-year college chemistry education
American Chemical Society
AssessmentAspects that worked:• Self-evaluation process combined with 3rd party evaluation• Criteria that accommodated differences across industry• Simultaneous development of skill standards and customizable
platform• Publication of directory of chemistry-based technology programs• Compilation and dissemination of effective practices
Areas for improvement:• Time commitment required to apply for approval and renewal• Promotion of ACS approval• Interest of industry• Level of sustained commitment
American Chemical Society
Lessons
• Leverage the investments to establish the approval program with resources to maintain and grow it.
• Focus continuously on increasing participation.• Articulate and demonstrate the benefits, to both the participating
programs and the beneficiaries.• Consider the landscape carefully.
American Chemical Society
Acknowledgements
• Jack T. Ballinger• Roger Bartholomew• Nathan Beach• Jan Berntson• John Clevenger • Richard Cobb • Edward Fisher• Donna Friedman• Onofrio Gaglione• Harry G. Hajian• Gary Hicks• Kirk Hunter• Glenn Johnson
• Donald Jones• Bill Killian• Fritz Kryman• Robert J. Maleski • Craig Michael• Connie Murphy• Terri Quenzer• Scott Reed• Joan Sabourin• Jack Spille• Tamar Y. Susskind • Thomas Whitfield
• Blake J. Aronson, ACS Senior Education Associate• NSF-Advanced Technological Education Program• Chemical Technology Program Approval Service Members
American Chemical Society
Acknowledgements
• Brazosport College (Lake Jackson, TX)
• Community College of Rhode Island (Warwick, RI)
• County College of Morris (Randolph, NJ)
• Delaware Technical and Community College (Newark, DE)
• Delta College (University Center, MI)• Ferris State University (Big Rapids,
MI)• Ivy Tech Community College
(Lafayette, IN)• Lansing Community College
(Lansing, MI)
• Mesa College (San Diego, CA)• Miami University, Middletown
(Middletown, OH)• National Technical Institute for the
Deaf (Rochester, NY)• New York City College of
Technology (Brooklyn, NY)• St. Louis Community College at
Florissant Valley (St. Louis, MO)• Southeast Community College
(Lincoln, NE)• Texas State Technical College,
Waco (Waco, TX)• University of Cincinnati, College of
Applied Sciences (Cincinnati, OH)
ACS-Approved Chemistry-Based Technology Programs