Post on 25-Feb-2016
description
NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.
Academia: Proof Alterative Realities ExistA guide to working with community colleges
Richard ‘Doc’ KnaubProject Leader
Deployment and Market Transformation Center
303-275-3261 Richard.Knaub@nrel.gov
Get Into Energy Career Pathways –Opening Doors to New Opportunities
CEWD 2011 Summit
Alexandria, VANovember 7-9, 2011
Innovation for Our Energy Future
Have – an education mandate
• Note “education” is defined vaguely and has something to do with self improvement and is not generally connected to job readiness
Four Year Colleges and Universities
Innovation for Our Energy Future
Have – An economic development mandate– A workforce development mandate– A placement mandate– A system that allows for more rapid development and
deployment of programs
Community and Technical Colleges
Innovation for Our Energy Future
Community Colleges
Profit
No reference pointSuccess is measured in:
– Graduation rates– Placement rates
Loss
UnderstoodMeasured in student enrollment
– Number of sections– Number of students/section
Results in– Loss of budget– Loss of faculty– Loss in space– Elimination of program
Innovation for Our Energy Future
Disconnect #1
Profit
No reference pointSuccess is measured in:
– Graduation rates– Placement rates
Loss
UnderstoodMeasured in student enrollment
– Number of sections– Number of students/section
Results in– Loss of budget– Loss of faculty– Loss in space– Elimination of program
Metrics for success and failure are not in the same units. A program can have low placement rates but if enrollment stays high the program is not considered a loss.Maybe not a success, but not a failure
Innovation for Our Energy Future
1. Don’t expect community colleges to operate like a business
a. Decisions are not made according to traditional business models
Lesson
Innovation for Our Energy Future
Structure
Business
CEO
VP
Staff Staff
VP
Staff
Community Colleges
President
VP Academics
VP Operations
Staff
VP of Academics
Innovation for Our Energy Future
Faculty are Independent
A Successful Dean or Vice President
An Unsuccessful Dean or Vice President
Innovation for Our Energy Future
1. Faculty member writes an academic proposal, including:a. Present demandb. Job outlookc. Salariesd. Similar programs from other schoolse. Existing courses used in programf. New courses for programg. Resources needed for the new program
2. Proposal goes to academic counsel for review a. Voted on by senior faculty
3. Processed by the VP of Academics’ Office4. Sent to State for approval
How an Academic Program is Initiated:
Innovation for Our Energy Future
Bottom Up Process
Right Way to Initiate a Program
1. Talk to the faculty member who will run the program
2. Outline the industry needs3. Outline the support available
a. Fundingb. Equipmentc. Adjunct Instructorsd. Internshipse. Placements
Wrong way to Initiate a Program
1. Talk to the leadership 2. Outline the industry needs3. Expect the leadership to drive
program creation
Innovation for Our Energy Future
Disconnect #2
Right Way to Initiate a Program
1. Talk to the faculty member who will run the program
2. Outline the industry needs3. Outline the support available
a. Fundingb. Equipmentc. Adjunct Instructorsd. Internshipse. Placements
Wrong way to Initiate a Program
1. Talk to the leadership 2. Outline the industry needs3. Expect the leadership to drive
program creation
Contrary to what they might say, academic administrators typically have little control over what is taught for credit on a their own campus.
Innovation for Our Energy Future
1. Decisions are not made according to traditional business models because the organization and the metrics are different.
2. Academic change is driven from the bottom up not from the top down, if you want a program created or changed, talk with the faculty.
Lessons
Innovation for Our Energy Future
It’s a custom build requestExpect to purchase the product when it is delivered
• Or don’t be surprised if they won’t work with you in the futureTalk to the designer or the engineer
• Not the CEO or the VP of SalesGet involved in the design
• Define the specificationsGet involved in the process
Sample the product through out production Identify the factory seconds before they ship
How to Think About a Training Program
Innovation for Our Energy Future
Decide the scope of the need There is a minimum and maximum program size
• Placement is important to the college so balance placement with program size
Decide what resources are available to support the college These resources support your training program
• If the college doesn’t have the resources the training will sufferPropose a working relationship to a FACULTY member
Agree to recruit from the program• Placement is a measure of program success
Agree to recruit for the program• Enrollment is another measure of success
Offer a Memorandum of Understanding• It formalized the custom built agreement
A suggested process
Innovation for Our Energy Future
Conclusions