NEW PROGRAM PROPOSAL: AAS IN ENGINEERING AND ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY Agenda Item I-3b BIG SANDY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE September 18, 2015

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1 NEW PROGRAM PROPOSAL: ACTION AAS IN ENGINEERING AND ELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY Agenda Item I-3b BIG SANDY COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE September 18, 2015 Recommendation That the Board of Regents approve an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Engineering and Electronics Technology with tracks in Electronics, Industrial, Robotics and Automation, and Instrumentation for Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) to be implemented in spring Rationale The proposed AAS degree and tracks are consistent with the missions of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS) and Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) and supports the statewide postsecondary education strategic agenda and the statewide strategic implementation plan. Big Sandy Community and Technical College is currently approved to offer diplomas and certificates in Engineering and Electronics Technology and existing facilities and equipment will be utilized. An additional faculty member to serve both the Industrial Maintenance Technology program and the Engineering and Electronics Technology program will be a new expense incurred with the implementation of this credential. Also, new equipment will be added for the Robotics and Automation Track. Kentucky Occupational Outlook to 2022 lists the occupational title Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians among the 20 fastest growing Kentucky occupations generally requiring an associate s degree. The publication also lists this job category as one of 20 Kentucky occupations with the most annual job openings generally requiring an associate s degree. This credential provides a pathway to employment in a field designated as high wage/high demand and provides a foundation for continued learning and career advancement. The addition of the degree will strengthen an existing program, increase degree attainment, and support economic growth in the region. Background According to the Kentucky Public Postsecondary Education Diversity Policy and Framework for Institution Diversity Plan Development, Big Sandy Community and Technical College has automatic eligibility. An executive summary of the proposal is attached. A copy of the full proposal has been forwarded to each member of the Board s Academic Affairs and Curriculum Committee. 93

2 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Associate in Applied Science in Engineering and Electronics Technology Big Sandy Community and Technical College A Proposal for Initiation of a New Degree Program Centrality to the Institution s Mission and Consistency with State s Goals As a member of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System (KCTCS), the goals of Big Sandy Community and Technical College (BSCTC) mirror those of KCTCS and are linked to strategic outcomes. The goals and strategic outcomes reflect the college s commitment to a strong curriculum designed to fulfill its mission statement. The addition of the Engineering and Electronics Technology Associate in Applied Science (AAS) to the program inventory of BSCTC is central to this mission. Specifically regarding the application for this degree, BSCTC is in alignment with KCTCS in its support for the goal to Enhance the Economic and Workforce Development of the Commonwealth, and more specifically in terms of BSCTC to Enhance the Economic and Workforce Development of the Communities in the Big Sandy Region. The new credential will also address the KCTCS and BSCTC goal to Increase student access, transfer, and success. The AAS in Engineering and Electronics Technology will provide students with a ready-to-work education as well as a transfer opportunity. Further, the addition of this program supports CPE Policy Objective 4 and more specifically 4.1 to Maximize KCTCS s role as a high quality, low-cost provider of postsecondary education and transfer opportunities encouraging college access and success. Also the addition of the AAS will addresses CPE Policy Objective 4.4 to Support new pathways for adult learners to enroll and complete postsecondary degrees and credentials. Working with area companies will facilitate Policy Objective 4.2 to Provide institution and student incentives to increase high-quality degree production and completion rates, and Policy Objective 4.6 to Promote student engagement, undergraduate research, internships, and other educational opportunities that improve the quality of the student experience, develop leaders, and lead to success after graduation. Local industry provides internships and cooperative education opportunities that may result in scholarships being awarded to students or prospective students. For example, the Kellogg s Corporation and American Electric Power have been instrumental in offering internships and scholarships for students. Local industry support and transfer opportunities also address CPE Policy Objective 7.1 to Strengthen and expand partnerships with business, industry, government, non-profit, and other 94

3 educational entities to meet Kentucky s workforce and community needs, and CPE Policy Objective 7.2 to Support collaborations among postsecondary education providers to serve regional needs and planning efforts to raise the educational attainment level of the Commonwealth. Collaboration with industry, with communities, and with other educational institutions is essential to the advancement of the program and the success of its students. Many strong collaborations are in place that support this premise. The Engineering and Electronics Technology AAS will improve the quality of life and employability of our students by not only preparing them to enter the workforce in key roles in the engineering and electronics field but also by preparing them for transfer to four-year institutions, such as Morehead State University and Western Kentucky University. Program Quality and Student Success The AAS in Engineering and Electronics Technology will prepare students for an occupation that is identified as high wage/high demand. The program hosts a well-developed curriculum that is sustained by the KCTCS curriculum process. All courses within the curriculum offered through BSCTC will have a web-enhanced component allowing for supplemental online instruction. The AAS will be supported by an already established diploma program in the Technical Division at BSCTC and by the existing administrative and financial structure of the College. Program Demand/Unnecessary Duplication Kentucky Occupational Outlook to 2022 lists the occupational title Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technicians among the 20 fastest growing Kentucky occupations generally requiring an Associate s Degree. The publication also lists this job category as one of 20 Kentucky occupations with the most annual job openings generally requiring an Associate s Degree. The Engineering and Electronics Technology AAS prepares students for careers in two job categories identified as high wage/high demand. This application for an AAS in Engineering and Electronics Technology comes from BSCTC at a time when Eastern Kentucky is a state focus in terms of economic growth and development. The coal industry has long been the dominant employer in the area. However, the industry has suffered a sharp decline over the past years. An article from Kentucky.com, Lexington Herald Leader reported data from a recent report released by the Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet. The data indicated the state s eastern coal related employment dropped from 14,412 in 2008 to 7,287 in Governor Steve Beshear and United States Representative Hal Rogers are supporting improvements to the Eastern Kentucky economy through the SOAR initiative, Shaping Our Appalachian Region. One particular SOAR initiative is estimated to provide all parts of Kentucky with access to high-speed internet service by Currently, Kentucky ranks 46 th in broadband accessibility. State leaders anticipate this access will quickly move the state forward in education, economic development, health care and public safety. The AAS in Engineering and Electronics Technology will provide the highly skilled workforce required to accomplish this task. 95

4 BSCTC Engineering and Electronics Technology program advisory committee members indicate an expressed need for the AAS degree. Members indicated that many job postings require a minimum of an AAS degree to qualify for consideration for the positions. Cost and Funding of the Proposed Program Big Sandy Community and Technical College currently has the physical resources, library resources, and technology resources to sustain this credential. One full-time faculty will be hired to serve both the Industrial Maintenance Technology program and the Engineering and Electronics Technology program. With the addition of this faculty member, a sufficient number of qualified faculty will be on staff to provide instruction and support the program. New equipment will be purchased to accommodate the addition of the Robotics and Automation Track. Program Review and Assessment KCTCS Board of Regents Policy 4.3 stipulates that each program must complete an annual program review. At BSCTC, the review has been incorporated into the Institutional Unit Review. This comprehensive review process integrates the educational program s annual planning with student learning, program outcomes assessment, and improvement actions while including annual program data, program accomplishments, future program trends, and budget requests. Direct measures used to review student learning outcomes include enrollment information, retention/persistence, completer/graduation rates, placement/transfer rates, etc. Indirect measures include student surveys/course feedback, questionnaires, employer followups, exit interviews and focus groups. Conclusion There is a clear indication that technical students enrolled in diploma programs at BSCTC are interested in completing an AAS in their fields of study. During the academic year, BSCTC awarded 36 Associate of Applied Science in General Occupational/Technical Studies (GOTS) degrees. The GOTS degree provides a structure by which KCTCS students who are enrolled in diploma programs can earn an AAS degrees with the completion of additional general education courses. Implementation of a degree credential in all technical programs will enable students to earn a degree in their specific field of study as opposed to the more general GOTS degree. The AAS in Engineering and Electronics Technology will supplement the diploma program already in place at BSCTC. Existing facilities and equipment will be utilized. An additional faculty member to serve both the Industrial Maintenance Technology program and the Engineering and Electronics Technology program will be a new expense incurred with the implementation of this credential. Also, new equipment will be added for the Robotics and Automation Track. 96

5 This credential provides a pathway to employment in a field designated as high wage/high demand and provides a foundation for continued learning and career advancement. The addition of the degree will strengthen an existing program, increase degree attainment, and support economic growth in the region. 97

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