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American Chemical Society How Pursuit of a Goal Became a Digression: Lessons from the ACS Chemical Technology Program Approval Service Jodi Wesemann Assistant Director for Higher Education American Chemical Society BIO Community College Program Day May 2, 2010 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 Assessment Aspects 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 • Blake J. Aronson, ACS Senior Education Associate • NSF-Advanced Technological Education Program • Chemical Technology Program Approval Service Members • • • • • • • • • • • • • 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 American Chemical Society • • • • • • • • • • • • 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 Acknowledgements ACS-Approved Chemistry-Based Technology Programs • • • • • • • • 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) American Chemical Society • • • • • • • • 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)