Strategic Importance of Community College Membership to The Geological Society of America Wendi J. W. Williams NWACC and UALR South Central Section’s Representative to GSA’s Education Committee and the Geology and Public Policy Committee Presented on Behalf of Gary Lewis, GSA Education & Outreach

Demographics (December 2009) The Geological Society of America My Society since I was an upper division undergraduate student. www.geosociety.org Demographics (December 2009) http://www.geosociety.org/aboutus/09MbrDemographics.pdf

GSA Strategic Plan (2004) Goal 1: http://www.geosociety.org/aboutus/stratplan.htm Goal 1: To attract and sustain a dynamic, dedicated, diverse, and viable membership and to be responsive to this membership. C. Increase two-year college membership to 1,000 by 31 December 2011 by Expanding the Campus Representatives program at two-year colleges and by encouraging Campus Representatives at four-year colleges and universities to partner with appropriate faculty at two-year colleges; b. Providing attractive options for two-year college faculty. http://www.geosociety.org/aboutus/committees/

Become a Campus Representative http://www.geosociety.org/members/campus.asp

To increase the quality and vitality of meetings and conferences. Goal 2: To increase the quality and vitality of meetings and conferences. E. Increase Section Meeting attendance by 25%; Sections should implement recommendations of the Section Ad Hoc Committee Report Engage Divisions and Associated Societies in building the technical program Increase K-12 and 2-year Section Meeting attendance by 25%. Goal 4: To promote geoscience in the service of society – education and public awareness. A. d. Supporting K-12 and 2-year college educators in their earth-science teaching through providing resources, training, and field experiences to increase their knowledge, understanding and willingness to promote the geosciences;

Education and Outreach http://www.geosociety.org/educate/ Education Committee Goals and Strategy Recognized that community college faculty are very important partners for increasing the opportunities for pre/early college exposure to quality geosciences education Investigated how GSA might better serve 2-Year institution faculty members and their students Conducted survey Hosted welcoming reception (this will be repeated)

General Draft Comments about Survey…paper for GSA Today in preparation as of this 2YC workshop date… 2-year college faculty interested in attending professional meetings, but significantly limited by time and money – they are more likely to attend regional meetings Survey results indicate that 80% of respondents felt little connection with their local 4-yr institution! – so let’s discuss the nature of your interactions with the local 4-yr institution and how that might be improved. Survey question 9 addresses how GSA can better serve 2-yr college faculty.

First Annual Welcome Reception for Two-Year Geoscience Faculty Doubletree Hotel, Mount St. Helens Room Sat., 17 Oct., 4–5 p.m. The GSA Education Committee and GSA’s Education & Outreach staff invite all geoscience faculty teaching at community colleges or other two-year institutions granting associate degrees to this informal reception. This will be an opportunity for community college faculty to meet and discuss the issues, needs, and questions that are unique to teaching at two-year institutions. Results from a survey of two-year geoscience faculty by the GSA Education Committee in early 2009 suggest that this type of gathering at GSA annual meetings could be beneficial and might create avenues by which GSA can help this particular group of geoscience professionals. This reception will take place immediately before and adjacent to the Annual Geoscience Educators’ Social Reception (see below). Attendees are encouraged to join other geoscience community members interested in education. Both social receptions are free and open to interested participants, and no meeting registration fee is required.

Example of Wonderful Sessions Promoting Our Cohort…

Example of Wonderful Sessions Promoting Our Cohort…