MESSAGE FROM OUR CHAIR

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1 Another academic year just started and HETS wishes you success in all your endeavors during this year. This is the time for all our resolutions to take place in producing results for our learners. We have just approved a new strategic plan for HETS, which contemplates new strategies and activities to give our students more accessible opportunities to succeed. Our aim is to support your institutions, your faculty members, and support staff in achieving this goal. During the next three years, we strive to guide your institution to a new level of service and support through the effective integration of technology, faculty development and support, and student support strategies enhanced by technology. In this HETS Connection issue, we include a summary of the main strategic directions of our plan. We also include a review of this summer s Board of Directors Meeting, hosted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York. Feel free to give us your feedback, as well as to let us know your specific needs and support our efforts in serving those needs. Take advantage of our services and learn more about the ways your institution can benefit from them. Make sure to accompany us in this path toward success, and let s all look at Higher Education through a Higher Vision. Sincerely, José F. Chairman of the HETS Board of Directors President, Ana G. University System Session (En

2 HETS is an opportunity to envision a better future for education and for the success of college students. All efforts look forward to contributing to the future of education, and that s what HETS wants to achieve through the strategic use of technology. Meeting Your Needs Identify, develop, and implement the right technology approach Be part of strategic alliances to acquire services or technologies Receive consulting services in Grant Writing Get access to funding sources for the acquisition of technologies and development of technology projects Participate in networking and showcasing events Get advising and training on uses and advantages of technology and technology effectiveness Learn from experts and innovative projects Identify training needs of faculty members and staff Partner with other educational institutions and corporations Participate in peer learning experiences Access online resources Focus on the Hispanic learner Make sure you take advantage of all the opportunities you get for being a member of the Hispanic Educational Services! Session (En

3 This summer s Board of Directors meeting took place at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York, with a participation of more than 30 representatives, including 11 college Presidents and four Board Member representatives participating on behalf of their presidents. Through this section, we highlight the most important issues discussed, decisions, and action items of this meeting. Highlights Corporate representatives from Sallie Mae, Student Space, Ramona Munsell & Associates, Plattform Higher Education, and the Spanish Embassy s Trade Commission discussed the goal of their companies, the possibilities of collaboration with HETS, and the benefits for HETS members. It was agreed that HETS members will be sent information about each of these companies, their services, HETS member benefits, and agreements with HETS. HETS Accomplishments for were also discussed, highlighting the following: Development of the first Annual Report and Corporate Publication Development of the first Strategic Plan in the history of the organization Financial sustainability process, as the organization generated diversified unrestricted funds Actual revenue of 99% of the projected revenues for the year Excess of 10% in the accomplishment of the goals established for new members outreach Total net assets increased by 80% Due to the tremendous growth HETS has experienced lately, it was necessary to amend the Bylaws to reflect the diversified membership and to transform HETS Board in an efficient organization. Thus, recommendations for amendments to the HETS Bylaws were discussed and approved. Sections considered included office location, membership, composition of the Board, and election and term of Directors, among others. The HETS office will further notify in details the changes in the HETS Bylaws and publish the revised document. A thorough discussion took place regarding the Strategic Plan, which was approved for the Board as the guide to the next steps and focus of the organization for the following years. Chairman highlighted the relevance of some proposed vectors such as Faculty Development, which he stressed as essential in having an impactful presence among this audience. He also highlighted the importance of the marketing area, which includes strategies that will enable HETS to assure a self-sustainability plan. A motion to approve the Strategic Plan was presented by President Rivera and seconded by President Williams. Please see the special section that discusses the main vectors and strategies of the Strategic Plan for detailed information. Session (En

4 Next Board Meeting The next meeting of the Board of Directors will take place on January 17 and 18, 2008 in San Juan, PR.

5 During this month, the HETS Office has been visiting some of the institutions in Puerto Rico in order to promote the organization's services, including the latest series of training and development opportunities. Some of these visits also serve as a way to outreach for new members. Institutions visited and scheduled to be visited include: University of Puerto Rico Río Piedras Campus Bayamón Campus Carolina Campus Mayagüez Campus Aguadilla Campus Arecibo Campus Cayey Campus Humacao Campus Ponce Campus Inter American University of Puerto Rico Central Administration Office Metropolitan Campus Bayamón Campus Aguadilla Campus Arecibo Campus Fajardo Campus San Germán Campus Ponce Campus Guayama Campus Ana G. University System Universidad Metropolitana Universidad del Este Universidad del Turabo Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico Arecibo Campus Ponce Campus University of the Sacred Heart Session (En Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico Carlos Albizu University Universidad Central de Bayamón Universidad Adventista

6 Humacao Community College Huertas Junior College Department of Education of the Commonwealth of PR Instituto Cumbre John Dewey College ICPR Junior College, Caguas Caribbean University Stay tuned for more information on the results of these visits, including potential collaborations that might be of benefit to your institutions.

7 Introduction In 14 years of history, HETS has proven its strength to gather the efforts needed to achieve its mission, the ability to grow and adapt to changes, and its special interest in the Hispanic educational communities. The Consortium looks into a future of innovation, effective relations, knowledge building, and collaboration, while specializing in services, alliances, and opportunities for education through the savvy and strategic use and implementation of technologies. This strategic plan provides a clear focus to the direction of the organization for the next three years. It includes three main vectors as the focus of the organization: Resources and Infrastructure, Faculty Development, and Student Support. Overall, it has been delineated from the perspective of the Consortium s recently approved new roles, which define its basic functions in serving its members: facilitator, negotiator, expert, and investor. Vision In, HETS will become the leading Hispanic bilingual technologyoriented consortium to efficiently and effectively enhance Hispanic student success and opportunities in Higher Education. Our Mission To promote, support, and increase the capabilities of member institutions in order to enhance Hispanic/Latino student success and opportunities in Higher Education through: Facilitating, promoting, and nurturing strategic alliances among HETS members and the academic, government, and corporate sectors; Supporting the acquisition and integration of new educationoriented technologies; Identifying expert support for members; and Promoting collaborative funding opportunities. Main Vector 1 - Resources and Infrastructure Session (En Effectively integrate, develop, and implement innovative technologies in education Aimed at impacting the effectiveness of member institutions' in accomplishing the success of students and educational options through the

8 promotion of knowledge exchange and access to resources. Strategies Knowledge exchange on how to develop and implement innovative technologies in education. Strategic alliances and collaborative agreements to acquire services or new technologies and facilitate technology-driven initiatives. Strategic and topic relevant task-forces to explore technologies that can be leveraged as consortium. Consulting Services in Grant Writing for technology-related initiatives. Provide access to funding sources Main Vector 2 - Faculty Development Promoting the adoption of innovative options for teaching and learning success Aimed at impacting faculty performance in face-to-face and online environments through the integration, implementation, and use of technology. HETS will be distinguished as a facilitator of knowledge, networking agent, resource bank, and training and expertise provider among faculty. Strategies Periodically identify the training needs of faculty Increase knowledge and provide cost-efficient development opportunities Partner with related organizations and corporations Access to funding opportunities to develop and implement collaborative, faculty-initiated learning support projects, online teaching and learning initiatives, innovative curriculum development, and faculty development Main Vector 3 - Student Support Services Facilitating the use of technology to overcome learners barriers to college

9 success and completion Aimed at facilitating knowledge exchange on how to improve the student support services for the success of Hispanic learners through the use of innovative technologies in this area. Services enhanced through the contribution of software, programming, technology, distance learning, and student support experts gathered by the organization. Strategies Encourage the adoption and implementation of technology to enhance support services Strategic alliances and collaborative agreements to enhance student support Dialogues and negotiations between the industry and the academy on technology to improve student support strategies Negotiate the acquisition of cost-effective new technologies Access to collaborative funding opportunities Strategic task-force to explore student services that can collaboratively leveraged as a consortium Offer innovative online resources to enhance student skills and expand support services

10 Session (En

11 Para información, puede comunicarse al , extensión 8910

12 Online Workshop Experience online learning before becoming an online teacher. The Higher Education workshop is offered by the Center for Distance Learning at the University of Texas Pan American (UTPA), in association with HETS. This workshop will introduce best pedagogical practices in teaching online including hands-on exercises in designing effective online courses. Participants will be immersed in the online environment through the use of discussion boards, web-searches, , and chats. In addition, the use of innovative technology will enable live virtual classrooms as a meeting place for students, guest speakers, and instructors. When and Where September 17, 2007 October 26, 2007 Totally online at the Center for Distance Learning, UTPA Fees Faculty from HETS Member institutions - $275 Faculty from non-hets member institutions - $395 Don't miss the opportunity to take the Fall Session of the Teaching Online Learning workshop! For more information about this workshop do not hesitate to contact the HETS offices at , extension You can also contact UTPA directly through: CDL@utpa.edu (956) Main Desk (956) FAX Session (En

13 El Sistema invita a los miembros del Consorcio HETS a participar de su Educativo Educación a Distancia: De lo Presencial a lo Virtual Cuándo y dónde 30, 31 de agosto y 1ro de septiembre de 2007 Hotel Caribe Hilton, San Juan, PR Ejes Temáticos Las Tic's: Nueva generación de Tecnología Instruccional El Proceso de aprendizaje: Reto ante el cambio tecnológico Modelos de Educación a Distancia La transformación en las instituciones educativas y en las empresas ante la innovación tecnológica Desarrollo personal en un mundo tecnológico Costo Miembros del Consorcio HETS podrán asistir al Congreso a una tarifa especial de $ Para información adicional sobre el Congreso, pueden acceder a Session (En

14 Huertas Junior College has been serving the student community in Puerto Rico for more than 60 years. It offers educational opportunities to complete Associate Degrees, Certificates, and short term programs that support the entrance of its audience to the professional world, according to their needs. Academic offerings focus mainly on the areas of Business Administration, Health, and, as well as continuing education. We welcome Huertas Junior College to our familia. Session (En

15 Session (En Comienza Nueva Sesión del Programa de Certificación en Educación a Distancia Por Bessie Rivera Figueroa El próximo, lunes 10 se septiembre comenzará una nueva sesión del Programa de Certificación en Educación a Distancia (PCED). Gracias a un Acuerdo de Colaboración entre el Consorcio HETS y el Sistema (SUAGM), este programa esta disponible a otras instituciones educativas de Puerto Rico, para el beneficio de toda la comunidad universitaria. Este Programa consiste en preparar a personal docente de Puerto Rico y del extranjero en el diseño y ofrecimiento de cursos a través de Internet o televisión. Las dos especialidades con las que cuenta este programa, Televisión Educativa y Diseño de Cursos en Línea, dirigen al aprendiz no sólo al conocimiento del medio de comunicación de la especialidad seleccionada, sino también a la aplicación de los conocimientos teóricos y las destrezas de enseñanza a distancia. Además, el uso y manejo de la plataforma Blackboard es otro elemento que añade valor a ambas especialidades. El PCED se ofrece totalmente en línea, lo que representa una ventaja para el participante que no cuenta con mucho tiempo, pues no estará atado al compromiso de asistir a un salón de clase, ni a un horario fijo de estudio. Sólo será necesario visitar las facilidades del Canal 40 en el caso de aquellos que soliciten la Certificación en Televisión Educativa, que tiene como requisito tomar dos talleres presenciales. Si desea más información sobre este programa o desea matricularse puede comunicarse a la siguiente dirección electrónica: hromero@suagm.edu o al extensiones: 8910 ó Nota: Se ofrecerá descuento a los miembros del Consorcio HETS. Session (En