TASK FORCE FINDINGS, FINAL REPORT: ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Spring 2010 HILLSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA

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1 TASK FORCE FINDINGS, FINAL REPORT: ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY Spring 2010 HILLSBOROUGH COMMUNITY COLLEGE, HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY, FLORIDA TASK FORCE MEMBERS Alessandro Anzalone, Ph.D., Chair, Program Manager, HCC Brandon Joanne Albarelli, Hillsborough County Public Schools Newton Beardsley, Institutional Research & Grants, HCC Andrea DuFault, Learning Resources Coordinator, HCC Brandon Eugene Kilpatrick, Engineering Technology Student Bruce Register, Hillsborough County Economic Development Department Desi Saludes, Science Faculty, HCC Brandon Dr. Robert Wynegar, Dean Math and Sciences, HCC Dale Mabry

2 CONTENTS I. Introduction 1 II. Description of Unit 2 III. Unit Planning Objectives 3 IV. Task Force Findings A. Strengths of Unit 3 B. Weaknesses of Unit 4 C. Recommendations for Improvement 4 V. Distribution List 6 VI. List of Appendices 7 Appendix A: Unit Plan 8 Appendix B: College Goals & Strategic Initiatives 13 Appendix C: 2009 HCC Factbook: Section Vl Appendix D: Annual Unduplicated Headcount 20 Appendix E: 10 Year Projection: EMSI Labor Market Statistics 24

3 1 INTRODUCTION Hillsborough Community College engages in a review of academic, academic support, and administrative areas for the following purposes: 1. To complement the institution s strategic planning process requiring the internal development of unit plans with an external perspective in the review of those plans and the quality of programs and services. 2. To respond to intrinsic motivations for continuous improvement with a focus on the enhancement of institutional effectiveness and efficiency; student learning outcomes; and client satisfaction. 3. To respond to state mandates and accreditation requirements of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools calling for a systematic review of all programs and services. The review is conducted by a Task Force composed primarily of individuals outside the unit under review. The chair is a full time employee of the unit under review. The charge to the Task Force is to identify strengths and weaknesses of the unit as guided by empirical evidence. From the list of strengths and weaknesses, the Task Force is to develop recommendations for improvement to capitalize on strengths and redress weaknesses. The work of the Task Force is to be completed within a fall or spring semester culminating in a final report. For academic areas, a judgment should also be rendered regarding the continued viability of the program in context of service area demand, enrollment, and critical workforce needs. Subsequently, two brief follow-up reports are to be drafted. The first follow-up report is due in the following semester. The second is due one year later at the conclusion of the semester in which the original review was conducted. Each consists of a listing of the final recommendations with a few statements indicating the status of their achievement. Recommendations not achieved within a year may become unit planning objectives to ensure a continued focus on their attainment. Objectives that stem from review recommendations should be indicated as such in the Strategic Planning System of the College.

4 2 DESCRIPTION OF UNIT The mission of the Engineering Technology program is to provide quality academic and workforce preparation leading to industry certification, Associate of Science degrees, College Credit Certificates, and/or transfer to a 4-year degree program while enhancing knowledge and skills in engineering technology. The Engineering Technology unit, under the leadership of the Dean of Business & Technologies and the program manager, and in collaboration with its advisory committee, members of the manufacturing/engineering industries, 4-year transfer institutions, and feeder high schools, works to ensure relevance and practicality of curricula, lab activities, internships and capstone projects. The Engineering Technology program seeks to fulfill the goals of HCC by fostering partnerships with the local and global communities to position the College as a premier educational institution for college transfer, career workforce and economic development, lifelong learning, and community initiatives.

5 3 UNIT PLANNING OBJECTIVES objectives for the Engineering Technology program are as follows: 1. Increase enrollment by 3%/year (to exclude CASS student enrollment). This objective supports College Goal To develop curriculum and purchase equipment for the new Engineering Technology program/certificates. This objective supports College Goal 3. STRENGTHS OF THE UNIT 1. High quality facility with state of the art equipment. Source: Tour of facilities. 2. Program Courses fully transferable to all other Engineering Technology Programs in the State. Source: 3. Unit plan emphasizes collaboration with industry, the county, 4-yr institutions, high-schools, etc. Source: Appendix A. 4. Unit plan calls for a multi-faceted marketing plan. Source: Appendix A. 5. Unit plan calls for responsiveness to students and the community to ensure that the program is aligned with student and community needs. Source: Appendix A. 6. "Ladder step" certifications provide the student with the opportunity to receive four credentials on the way to their AS degree. Completion of the four certificates results in completion of approximately half of the required credit hours. Source: College Catalog. 7. Employers prefer candidates with a 2-yr degree. Source: 8. Community colleges provide a more well-rounded education than technical institutes. Source: 9. Job prospects are better for individuals with an AS degree or other training. Source: Field expected to grow from 1,685 growing to 1,859 with annual growth rates (37 per year, 2% annual growth). Source: Appendix E, and

6 4 11. The optional internship course provides a bridge between academic and practical experience, hands on opportunities, a placement strategy, and feedback from employers. Source: College Catalog. WEAKNESSES OF THE UNIT 1. B.S. in Engineering Technology only available in Florida at Daytona State College. Source:. 2. Inconsistency between academic advising guide and the college catalog Source: College Catalog and Academic Advising Guide. 3. Low enrollment. Source: Appendix C. 4. No completions. Source: Appendix C. 5. No accreditation when one is available. Source: 6. Imbalance between theory and practice in some courses in the program. Source: Program students Perception. 7. No sustainability or green fields specifically addressed. Source: College Catalog. 8. Math requirements for the program should be examined to ensure proper preparation. Source: Program students Perception. 9. Sound and lighting in the main classroom are inadequate. Source: Tour of facilities. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR IMPROVEMENT 1. Seek out BS degree programs and develop articulation agreements to provide HCC engineering technology students with opportunities to further their education. Explore the possibility of developing statewide articulation agreements for engineering technology. 2. Improve acoustics and lighting in the main classroom. 3. Review program requirements in relation to the catalog and advising guide and take appropriate actions to correct them.

7 5 4. Communicate the importance of the credentials available to students at HCC. Credentials help the students market themselves to employers, and help the college with state funding and state performance measures. 5. Plot a course to accreditation by ABET in anticipation of increased enrollment. 6. Based on external information conduct a curriculum review to change the balance of theory and practice, and the math requirements for the program. 7. Utilize all applicable elements of the marketing plan to generate interest and enrollment. This step could be implemented by receiving input from Industry and generating interest in the program by offering some courses in the corporate center and online courses. 8. Enhance recruitment efforts through existing HCC and community contact opportunities. 9. Work with other campuses and program staff to raise the visibility of the engineering technology program within the college. 10. Based in input from industry and government, conduct a curriculum review that could produce a curriculum reform that might include incorporating green aspects to courses already existing, create new ones, or a developing a green certificate. This reform could also review course objectives in relation to instruction provided and take appropriate actions to synchronize them, review program requirements and pre-requisites and make appropriate corrections, and suggest creating additional certificates to serve the needs of the region. 11. Work with the Program s Industry Advisory Committee and other groups to identify opportunities to advance the engineering technology program.

8 6 DISTRIBUTION LIST OF THE FINAL REPORT The final report and all follow-ups will be distributed by the chair to the President s Cabinet, appropriate deans and/or directors, unit head, unit members, task force members, and all campus libraries. It will be posted to Public Folders and disseminated electronically to the HCC community.

9 7 LIST OF APPENDICES Appendix A: Unit Plan Appendix B: College Goals & Strategic Initiatives Appendix C: 2009 HCC Factbook: Section Vl Appendix D: Annual Unduplicated Headcount Appendix E: 10 Year Projection: EMSI Labor Market Statistics

10 APPENDIX A 8

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15 APPENDIX B 13

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17 APPENDIX C 15

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22 APPENDIX D 20

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26 APPENDIX E 24

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