Recipient Organization
NORTHERN MARIANAS COLLEGE
P O BOX 1250
SAIPAN,MP 96950
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
SummaryThe Northern Marianas College (NMC) provides academic programs which support the cultural, economic, and social needs of the local community. As a result, NMC plays a critical role in the development of the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) workforce. There is a direct relationship between the coursework offered at NMC and the current knowledge gaps in our workforce. "Building Student and Professional Capacity in Agricultural and Natural Resource Management Fields through GIS and Remote Sensing Coursework at the Northern Marianas College" aims to develop local capacity in the fields of agriculture and natural resource management (NRM), by offering Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Remote Sensing coursework at the Introductory, Applied, and certificate(non-degree seeking, professional) level. NMC's NRM and CREESprograms are vital for addressing the unique environmental and agricultural challenges faced by the CNMI. The incorporation of GIS and remote sensing technologies into these programs will equip students with the necessary technical skills and provide them with a deep understanding of the complex relationships between natural resources and island communities.The integration of GIS and Remote Sensing into the NRM and agriculture curriculum will enhance the competitiveness of NMC graduates in the local job market. Employers in these fields increasingly require expertise in geospatial technologies, and NMC graduates who possess these skills will have a distinct advantage. This, in turn, will contribute to the long-term economic growth and sustainability of the CNMI.
Animal Health Component
(N/A)
Research Effort Categories
Basic
(N/A)
Applied
(N/A)
Developmental
(N/A)
Goals / Objectives
Project Goals / ObjectivesIf awarded this funding opportunity, the development of GIS and Remote Sensing course curriculum will allow the college to achieve two key goals:Goal 1. To provide student and professional access to GIS and Remote Sensing coursework and laboratory facilities that are not available anywhere else on Saipan and to provide NMC students with educational equity - to offer the same quality and type of course curriculum that are offered at regional and international colleges and universities.Goal 2. To build technical capacity in GIS and Remote Sensing and prepare professionals to better support their respective fields of Agricultural Science and/or Natural Resources Management.To accomplish the goals outlined above, the project will follow the following procedures:Development of a GIS and Remote Sensing curriculum - The project team, led by the NRMP Coordinator McClellan, will work with faculty and regional collaborators and subject matter experts from NMC-CREES, PICASC and STEMWorks to develop a comprehensive GIS and Remote Sensing curriculum. The curriculum will be designed to offer the same quality and type of course curriculum offered at regional and international colleges and universities.Acquisition of software and hardware - The project will procure the necessary software and hardware required for the GIS and Remote Sensing coursework and laboratory facilities. This will involve identifying the appropriate software and hardware, obtaining cost estimates, and using the grant award to purchase the equipment.Course Delivery - The project team will deliver the specialized courses through a combination of online and in-person instruction. The courses will be tailored to the needs of the target audience and will include hands-on training in the use of GIS and Remote Sensing software and hardware.
Project Methods
Plan of Operation and MethodologyThe plan of operation and project methodology is relatively straightforward, as it is replicative of the faculty hiring and course development processes that occur regularly at NMC throughout all departments. This section will clarify the specific actions and standard operating procedures of the college that will facilitate the success of this proposed project. The first objective of this project is to provide student and professional access to GIS and Remote Sensing coursework and laboratory facilities that are not available anywhere else on Saipan and to provide NMC students with educational equity - to offer the same quality and type of course curriculum that are offered at regional and international colleges and universities. The second objective is to build technical capacity in GIS and Remote Sensing, and prepare professionals to better support their respective fields of Agricultural Science and/or Natural Resources Management.To accomplish the objectives outlined above, the project will follow the following procedures:Development of a GIS and Remote Sensing curriculum - The project team, led by the NRMP Coordinator McClellan, will work with faculty and regional collaborators and subject matter experts from NMC-CREES, PICASC and STEMWorks to develop a comprehensive GIS and Remote Sensing curriculum. The curriculum will be designed to offer the same quality and type of course curriculum offered at regional and international colleges and universities.Acquisition of software and hardware - The project will procure the necessary software and hardware required for the GIS and Remote Sensing coursework and laboratory facilities. This will involve identifying the appropriate software and hardware, obtaining cost estimates, and using the grant award to purchase the equipment.Course Delivery - The project team will deliver the specialized courses through a combination of online and in-person instruction. The courses will be tailored to the needs of the target audience and will include hands-on training in the use of GIS and Remote Sensing software and hardware.To ensure the proper and efficient administration of the project, NRMP Coordinator McClellan has developed a detailed project plan that includes timelines, milestones, and deliverables. The plan will be regularly reviewed and updated as needed. McClellan will manage the project resources, including funds, software, and hardware. She will work closely with the SMHA Administrative Assistant III to ensure that resources are allocated appropriately. McClellan will manage the project personnel, including faculty and staff. She will work with the project team to ensure that personnel are properly trained and that their roles and responsibilities are clearly defined.Funding from the USDA NIFA RIIA will be used to develop and support the following proposed courses: Introduction to GIS, Applied GIS, Remote Sensing, and Professional GIS Certification Courses. Once funding is awarded, all proposed course guides will be developed through the guidance and direction of the Natural Resource Management Program Coordinator, SMHA Department Chair and the Dean of Academic Programs and Services (APS). Course guides will adhere to NMC's course guide development procedure as outlined in NMC's Guide to Preparing Program Proposals and Course Guides, and once completed, will be forwarded to Academic Council (AC) for review and approval. The timeline for reviewing a new course, as stated by the Northern Marianas College Academic Council, is proposed to be 7 weeks from submission to council review.Upon approval of course guides, the SMHA Department Chair and NRM Program Coordinator will work with NMC Human Resources to identify and recruit a qualified, full-time faculty member to teach the new courses in GIS and remote sensing, with NRM and agriculture applications. The faculty position for the four proposed courses and one proposed certificate course will be funded for a period of two years (4 semesters) by the USDA NIFA RIIA grant, funding for the third year is currently being sought-out at an institutional level. GIS and Remote sensing are dynamic topics that often change with technological advances and novel methodologies, as a result it is the intent of Project Director McClellan to re-apply for USDA NIFA RIIA funding to expand these course offerings and update course materials and equipment to reflect any advances in the field.Upon completion of USDA NIFA RIIA funding activities, three course guides will be completed in GIS and Remote sensing. Courses will be available from Fall 2024 Semester through Fall 2026 Semester. The outputs to measure and evaluate the GIS and remote sensing courses will be derived from enrollment data from each semester. Course completion rates will also be monitored to measure the success of the program. Additional course assessments will be through Instructor course evaluations and through required institutional reports for each respective course. The completion of institutional reports will ensure that established student learning outcomes are being accomplished successfully. Upon implementation, NMC students will be exposed to GIS and Remote Sensing courses and will also be able to earn college credit. The proposed courses will undergo institutional evaluation through the Academic Program and Services board and the Academic Council.All data related to the project will be stored as outlined in the Data Management Plan. NMC is committed to sharing the GIS and Remote Sensing coursework outcomes. Details from the project will be included in project annual reports. Upon completion of the project, implementation and survey data will be readily available to assist with other projects undertaking similar goals and strategies to implement technical coursework into education.