1 The Importance of Stakeholders’ Engagement in Program Quality Presented at the Short-Cycle Higher Education (SCHE) in Europe and the United States Varna, Bulgaria; June 2009 Presented By: David E. Beaumont

2 Challenges Gap between existing workforce skills and workplace demands National versus state requirements Defining the competencies & standards of the workplace Alignment of training programs with the workplace Insuring quality programs and services are delivered

3 Goals Develop an understanding regarding the different stakeholder groups involved with the local community colleges in developing programs and services The frequency of use of different stakeholders in various economic development activities

4 Conceptual Framework Community College Involvement Framework Examines how interacting with stakeholders may influence positive outcomes for programs and services

5 Conceptual Framework continued “... quantity and quality of the physical and psychological energy that [is] invested” in achieving a desired outcome (Astin, 1999, pg. 528) Usefulness of policies and practices could be measured by the degree of involvement each elicits Institution’s service area can improve its economic fortunes by encouraging stakeholder involvement A strong association between positive performance and goal attainment with higher levels of involvement

6 Methods The study used a data collection strategy Pilot-tested survey data collection method to describe the type of stakeholders involved and the frequency of their involvement Variables examined are expanded upon from the following Self-audit survey developed by Johnson (2000) Workforce Investment Act (WIA) requirements

7 Sample 482 public community colleges that have a defined service area An accredited institution of higher education characterized by a two-year curriculum that leads to either the associate degree or transfer to a four-year college. (Gleazer, 1968; Baker, 1999)two-year A service area is defined as a “formally designated area or region that a community college has been committed to serve the needs” of the local constituents (Vaughan, 2006, p. 6).

8 Sample Community college Chief Economic Development Officer (CEDO) as designated by the Chief Executive Officers (CEO) at the institution. CEO CAO (Chief Academic Officer) CEDO

9 Colleges in the RUPRI System

10 22 States in the RUPRI System with Defined Service Areas Alabama ArkansasColoradoConnecticut Florida IdahoIllinoisMichigan Mississippi MissouriNebraskaNevada New Jersey New YorkN. CarolinaR. Island Texas VirginiaWashingtonW. Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

11 Stakeholder Groups Education Providers Governmental Bodies Private Sector Internal Groups

12 Type of External Stakeholders Education Providers K-12 Public. 4-yr Universities and Colleges Vocational Technical Schools Private. 4-yr Universities and Colleges

13 Results: Educational Stakeholders K-12

14 Results: Educational Stakeholders Vocational and Technical Schools

15 Results: Educational Stakeholders Other Community Colleges

16 Results: Educational Stakeholders Public 4-year Universities and Colleges

17 Results: Educational Stakeholders Private 4-year Colleges and Universities

18 Type of External Stakeholders Governmental Local Government Workforce Development Board State Economic Development Authority Local Economic Development Authority

19 Results: Government Stakeholders Local Cities and Counties Governments

20 Results: Government Stakeholders Local Economic Development Authority

21 Results: Government Stakeholders Local Workforce Development Boards

22 Results: Government Stakeholders State Economic Development Authority

23 Type of External Stakeholders Private Sector Local Chamber Local Civic Organizations Local Business Philanthropic Organizations

24 Results: Private Sector Stakeholders Local Chamber of Commerce

25 Results: Private Sector Stakeholders Local Civic Organizations

26 Results: Private Sector Stakeholders Local Businesses

27 Results: Private Sector Stakeholders Foundations or other Philanthropic Organizations

28 Type of Internal Stakeholders Staff Faculty Students

29 Results: Internal Stakeholders Staff

30 Results: Internal Stakeholders Faculty

31 Results: Internal Stakeholders Students

32 Stakeholders’ Areas of Involvement in Support of Quality Curriculum and Instruction Program Review Staff Development

33 Stakeholders’ Areas of Involvement Curriculum and Instruction Uses advisory committees to maintain the linkage between business and community college Provides cooperative education opportunities for students in conjunction with business and industry Program Review Uses advisory committees to maintain the linkage between business and community college

34 Results Uses Advisory Committees to Maintain Linkage Between Business and the Committee College

35 Curriculum and Instruction Identify and expand the use of new technologies Compare program content with occupational competencies and tasks Advise on labor market trends Recommend instructional materials and assist in obtaining them Promote and assist in maintaining quality programs Assist with incorporating soft skills in the curriculum Endorse new program applications as appropriate

36 Program Review Assist in program evaluation efforts Recommend program goals and objectives Assess student performance standards to ensure they are in line with business and industry standards Assess, recommend, and/or provide equipment and facilities Review student follow-up reports Identify new programs or elimination of obsolete programs Assist in short and long-term planning for program improvement

37 Stakeholders’ Areas of Involvement Staff Development Provides faculty with the opportunity to upgrade their occupational skills through a back-to-industry program

38 Staff Development Invite faculty and staff to participate in industry professional development activities Provide instructors with retraining/back-to- industry and summer opportunities for technical upgrading Conduct workplace tours

39 Results Forms Partnerships with Local Business and Government Agencies

40 Results Uses Partnerships to Actively Recruit Business to Service Area

41 Questions & Answers