Recipient Organization
FOX VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE
(N/A)
MADISON,WI 53706
Performing Department
AGRICULTURE
Non Technical Summary
The WTCS and the UWS have nearly 400 individual articulation agreements between them, matching coursework in a specific WTCS program at a specific technical college to coursework in a related major at a specific UWS institution. The burden is on the student to navigate the on-line transfer information system to see which credits will transfer and which programs offer the best deal, that is, accept the most credits. In the worst case scenario, the number of credits accepted depends on how well the student negotiates with the person who makes the determination. Rather than encouraging student recruitment and retention in our educational system, this approach discourages both. In 2003, the WTCS and UWS began to formally address this problem and are now actively seeking and promoting models that offer more seamless options for credit transfer. Several factors compelled them to act: The state of Wisconsin is just above the national average in the proportion of adults with
an associate degree - 8.3 vs. 7.0%, but lags behind the national average at the baccalaureate degree level - 25.6% vs. 27.7%. To put this into perspective, just to match the national average, Wisconsin needs to increase the number of baccalaureate degree holders by 20% each year for 10 years. The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development recently issued a report on the outlook for science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) occupations. Between 2004 and 2014, employment in STEM occupations is expected to grow by 18%, faster than Wisconsin as a whole. It went on to note that 14% of all STEM occupations will require an associate degree; 53% will require a baccalaureate degree. As educators in the state of Wisconsin, the factors above concern and trouble us. As agricultural educators we have an additional concern. Wisconsin demographers suggest that severe shortages of personnel to meet workforce needs in the agricultural sector are on the horizon. Twenty-eight of our 72
counties project at least a 15% decrease in student population by 2015; these are rural counties whose students have traditionally populated agriculture programs in the state.
Animal Health Component
100%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
100%
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
1. Increase the number of students completing an associate degree in the area of agriculture power and machinery and a baccalaureate degree in agriculture engineering technology (AET). Expected outcome: A 50% increase in enrollment in the FVTC AAS program in power and machinery, up from 20 to 30 students. A 20% increase in enrollment in the UWRF AET program; equivalent to 12 FVTC students transferring into the program each year. This will double the average number of baccalaureate degrees in AET awarded each year. 2. Develop a 2+2 transfer agreement between the FVTC AAS program and the UWRF BS program in agricultural engineering technology. Expected outcome:A 2+2 transfer agreement approved by administrators at both the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) and University of Wisconsin System (UWS). 3. Improve and enhance the curriculum in both the FVTC and UWRF programs. Expected outcome: Improvement in the curricula will be documented in the syllabi of the courses
and verified by the established program review processes at each institution.
Project Methods
At the conclusion of the grant we will count the number of students enrolled in the FVTC AAS program in power and machinery to determine whether we have achieved a 50% increase in enrollment. We will also count the number of students taking advantage of the new 2+2 program and transferring from FVTC to UWRF to verify the 20% increase in enrollment anticipated in the agricultural engineering program. These objectives are in line with the first goal of the Challenge grant program: to increase the number of students encouraged to pursue and complete a 2- or 4-year postsecondary degree in the food and agricultural sciences. We will document the curricular improvements on both campuses (additional material/activities added, new courses, shared courses, etc.) that are a result of this project. At UWRF these improvements will be verified and assessed with the next AET program review scheduled for 2011-12. At FVTC, academic program evaluation occurs on a formal five year cycle
within the Quality Review Process which produces a Program Improvement Plan and annual progress reports. Annual scorecards monitor state and college level indicators of effectiveness including actual curriculum documentation and curriculum updating for each program measured according to established targets and thresholds. FVTC Agriculture Programs are completing the initial QRP process in January of 2008 with the next full evaluation beginning with a self-study in 2011. A focus group will be conducted with the students enrolled in the 2+2 program to assess their satisfaction with the new program. Students at FVTC not in the program will be surveyed to ensure they are aware of the program, the options/benefits it offers, and to learn what if anything is preventing them from enrolling and/or other 2+2 programs they may be interested in for future development. The assessment of curricular improvements and student satisfaction with the new program will verify that we have successfully met
the second goal of the Challenge grant program: to help students achieve their career goals and to help meet workforce needs by increasing the quality of secondary and postsecondary instruction.