Pepperdine University Pepperdine Digital Commons Theses and Dissertations 2008 Developing a regional learning center for engineering Kenneth W. Santarelli Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd Recommended Citation Santarelli, Kenneth W., "Developing a regional learning center for engineering" (2008). Theses and Dissertations. 6. https://digitalcommons.pepperdine.edu/etd/6 This Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by Pepperdine Digital Commons. It has been accepted for inclusion in Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of Pepperdine Digital Commons. For more information, please contact [email protected] , [email protected]. Pepperdine University Graduate School of Education and Psychology DEVELOPING A REGIONAL LEARNING CENTER FOR ENGINEERING A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Education in Organizational Leadership by Kenneth W. Santarelli September 2008 Diana Hiatt-Michael, Ed.D. – Dissertation Chairperson This dissertation, written by Kenneth W. Santarelli under the guidance of a Faculty Committee and approved by its members, has been submitted to and accepted by the Graduate Faculty in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF EDUCATION June 9, 2008 Faculty Committee: ____________________________________ Diana B. Hiatt-Michael, Ed.D., Chairperson ______________________________________ John F. McManus, Ph.D., Committee Member ______________________________________ Jeigh S. Shelley, Ph.D., Committee Member ____________________________ Eric R. Hamilton, Ph.D. Associate Dean ____________________________ Margaret J. Weber, Ph.D. Dean © Copyright by Kenneth W. Santarelli (2008) All Rights Reserved TABLE OF CONTENTS LIST OF TABLES ............................................................................................................ xii LIST OF FIGURES ......................................................................................................... xiii DEDICATION ................................................................................................................. xiv ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................................................................. xv CURRICULUM VITA ................................................................................................... xvii ABSTRACT ..................................................................................................................... xix Chapter 1: Problem and Purpose......................................................................................... 1 Background ............................................................................................................. 1 The Antelope Valley of California ......................................................................... 2 The Problem and the Purpose of the Study ............................................................. 5 Research Questions ................................................................................................. 5 Theoretical Basis ..................................................................................................... 6 Significance of the Study ........................................................................................ 7 Definition of Terms................................................................................................. 7 Assumptions ............................................................................................................ 9 Delimitations ......................................................................................................... 10 Chapter 2: Review of Related Literature and Research .................................................... 11 Background ........................................................................................................... 11 The Aerospace Industry in the Greater Antelope Valley .......................... 11 A “Perfect Storm” Developing ................................................................. 13 Engineering Student Retention in Universities ......................................... 15 Impact in the Antelope Valley .................................................................. 16 v Underserved by Higher Education for Engineering Education ................ 17 An Interim Measure and a Long Range Plan ............................................ 19 The Lancaster University Center .............................................................. 23 The Impact of a University in the Antelope Valley .............................................. 24 A University Exists But is Not Yet Recognized ....................................... 25 Potential Benefits to the Regional Community ........................................ 27 Potential Benefits to Business ................................................................... 32 The Challenge of Achieving a Sustainable Enterprise ......................................... 34 Establishing a Distance Learning Center .............................................................. 36 Online and Distance Learning Potential ............................................................... 39 Alternate Program Delivery Modes ...................................................................... 40 The Customer and the Product .............................................................................. 43 Customers ................................................................................................. 43 Products..................................................................................................... 45 Support from Industry ........................................................................................... 46 Marketing .............................................................................................................. 48 Needs Assessment ................................................................................................. 49 Research Methods ................................................................................................. 53 Summary ............................................................................................................... 57 Chapter 3: Methodology ................................................................................................... 62 Overview of the Study’s Design ........................................................................... 62 Research Philosophy and Framework ................................................................... 63 Description of Population ..................................................................................... 65 vi Baseline Engineering Education Program ............................................................ 66 Study Design ......................................................................................................... 67 Phase I Study............................................................................................. 67 Phase I Procedure for Data Collection ...................................................... 69 Phase I Analysis ........................................................................................ 70 Phase II Study ........................................................................................... 72 Phase II Procedure for Data Collection .................................................... 74 Phase II Analysis....................................................................................... 75 Phase III Study .......................................................................................... 77 Limitations ............................................................................................................ 78 Protection of Human Subjects .............................................................................. 79 Chapter 4: Analysis of Results and Findings .................................................................... 81 Introduction ........................................................................................................... 81 Phase I Quantitative Data Analysis ....................................................................... 81 Findings................................................................................................................. 82 Research Question 1: What is the demographic information from regional organizations that would support an engineering program at a State University remote location? ...................................................................... 82 Research Question 2: What are the available resources to support development of a regional learning center for engineering? .................... 92 vii Research Question 3: What curricular offerings in engineering should be delivered? .................................................................................................. 97 Research Question 4: What are the marketing strategies and tools that may be effective in student recruitment? .......................................................... 99 Preparation for Phase II ...................................................................................... 100 Phase II Interview Data Analysis ........................................................................ 101 Findings............................................................................................................... 101 Research