Annual Program Review Department: Trades & Technical Program: AAS in Metals Fabrication Department Head: Tony Patrick Year Under Review: Fall, 2014 – Spring, 2015 Submitted: January 15, 2016 Assessment Committee Review: Spring 2016 Highlands College Department: Trades & Technical Degree: AAS in Metals Fabrication Program Educational Objectives: Program educational objectives are broad statements that describe what graduates are expected to attain within a few years of graduation. Program educational objectives are based on the needs of the program’s constituencies. 1. Our primary goal is to continue to teach and develop curriculum that supports learning for students. Being a part of a rapidly changing profession that interfaces with the welding/manufacturing industry, teaches ever‐changing CAM software, keeps pace with evolving NCCER and NIMS standards, and is aware of emerging technologies, the primary goal is accomplished by: a. Delivering contemporary curriculum to meet degree outcomes of the program. b. Improving the quality of teaching and learning by refining methodologies, and enhancing the relationship between the instructor and student. c. Participating in continuing educational opportunities that enhance our relationship to both industry and the community. 2. Our secondary goal is to prepare and track our students as they enter into a competitive workforce. In collaboration with Tech Career Services, the program is the prime mover in preparing our Metals Fabrication students for entry into a highly‐competitive workforce. Issues surrounding this goal include: a. Utilizing the most highly‐advanced and sophisticated software, equipment and tools available, which provides the student with the Metals Fabrication knowledge base that employer’s desire. b. Working with current employers and potential firms that incorporate our graduates as full time and part time employees. 3. A third goal is to shape a curriculum that is sensitive to the sustainability issues that confront our world and local communities. Manufacturing and welding processes and products have changed significantly in the last 10 years. The Highlands Metals Fabrication Program needs to be critically aware and proactive regarding the changes currently taking place, which includes the following: a. Educate faculty regarding the latest technologies that drive our manufacturing economy into a portion of our Metals Fabrication curriculum. Student Outcomes: Student outcomes describe what students are expected to know and be able to do by the time of graduation. These relate to the skills, knowledge, and behaviors that students acquire as they progress through the program. 1. At graduation, students earning an AAS in Metals Fabrication will have the necessary knowledge and skills to obtain placement within the discipline. 2. Students within the Metals Fabrication Program will demonstrate competency in the use of manual tools, equipment, and software typically used in industry. 3. Demonstrate problem solving, informational literacy, technological and communication skills in team and individual learning exercises. 4. Provide students with the skills that will promote occupational growth and life‐long learning. Student Outcomes Outcome (1): At graduation, students earning an AAS in Metals Fabrication will have the necessary knowledge and skills to obtain placement within the discipline. 1. Performance Criteria: Achieve a 75% overall placement level for our graduates. (a) Strategies: Metals Fabrication curriculum, Career fairs, Metals Fabrication and other Trades & Technical faculty, research, creative & scholarly activity opportunities. (b) Assessment Instrument(s): Graduate Survey (c) Source of Assessment: Graduates (d) Time of data collection: The year corresponding to the most recent Graduate Survey available (e) Person responsible for ensuring collection of assessment data: Trades & Technical Department Head (f) Person/group responsible for evaluating results: Trades & Technical Department (g) Summary of how data collected as well as the information obtained from the data: (h) Based on the findings, actions taken: Continue the strategies listed, they have been successful. (i) Second‐Cycle Results: NA Outcome (2): Students within the Metals Fabrication Program will demonstrate competency in the use of manual tools, equipment, and software typically used in industry. 1. Performance Criteria: The Metals Fabrication Program curriculum will be integrated with a well‐balanced combination of theory and application. (a) Strategies: 100 & 200 Level Metals Fabrication courses (b) Assessment Instrument(s): Departmental meetings (c) Source of Assessment: Departmental faculty (d) Time of data collection: Fall and Spring semesters (e) Person/group responsible for ensuring collection of assessment data: Trades & Technical Department Head (f) Person/group responsible for evaluating results: Trades & Technical Faculty (g) Summary of how data collected as well as the information obtained from the data: Data consists of concerns expressed by faculty, the industry advisory board and/or industry partners about course/program content. (h) Based on the findings, actions taken: The faculty and the Trades & Technical Department will continue to monitor the curriculum. (i) Second‐Cycle Results: NA Outcome (3): Demonstrate problem solving, informational literacy, technological and communication skills in team and individual learning exercises. 1. Performance Criteria: The Metals Fabrication Program students will participate in research, creative and scholarly activity opportunities. (a) Strategies: 100 & 200 Level Metals Fabrication courses (b) Assessment Instrument(s): Semester research presentations, the annual state‐wide two‐year research day event, the Techxpo event. (c) Source of Assessment: Departmental faculty (d) Time of data collection: Fall and Spring semesters (e) Person/group responsible for ensuring collection of assessment data: Trades & Technical Department Head (f) Person/group responsible for evaluating results: Trades & Technical Faculty (g) Summary of how data collected as well as the information obtained from the data: Data consists of numbers of students and student projects in the Semester research presentations, the annual state‐wide two‐year research day event, the Techxpo event. (h) Based on the findings, actions taken: Continue to encourage students to participate in research, creative and scholarly activity opportunities. (i) Second‐Cycle Results: NA Outcome (4): Provide students with the skills that will promote occupational growth and life‐ long learning. 1. Performance Criteria: The Metals Fabrication Program students will participate in field trips to industry partners and guest lectures from industry participants. (a) Strategies: 100 & 200 Level Metals Fabrication courses (b) Assessment Instrument(s): Attendance at field trips to industry partners and guest lectures from industry participants. (c) Source of Assessment: Departmental faculty (d) Time of data collection: Fall and Spring semesters (e) Person/group responsible for ensuring collection of assessment data: Trades & Technical Department Head (f) Person/group responsible for evaluating results: Trades & Technical Faculty (g) Summary of how data collected as well as the information obtained from the data: Data consists of numbers of students who participate in field trips to industry partners and guest lectures from industry participants. (h) Based on the findings, actions taken: Continue to encourage students to participate in at field trips to industry partners and guest lectures from industry participants. (i) Second‐Cycle Results: NA Information Required by our NWCCU Year One Report (YOR) CORE THEME 1: Education and Knowledge As found under Objective 1, Indicator of Achievement E in YOR: Describe direct measures of student knowledge (e.g., Licensing Exams, Capstone Course, Senior Projects) 1. All Metals Fabrication Program students are required to take WLD 291 – Special Projects course. As found under Objective 2, Indicator of Achievement A in YOR: What extracurricular educational opportunities (and participation rate) are available to students in your program? (e.g., Undergraduate Research Program (URP), Seminar Activities, Conference Attendance, Guest Lectures, and Field Trips) 1. All Metals Fabrication Program students are required to take MT 0220 ‐ Employment Strategies in which students learn the skills necessary to find and obtain employment. Topics will include writing resumes, letters of application, and follow‐up letters; a discussion of possible job sources; and interviewing techniques. 2. All Metals Fabrication Program students are permitted eto participat in each semester’s research presentations, the annual state‐wide two‐year research day event and the Techxpo event. As found under Objective 3, Indicator of Achievement A in YOR: In what ways does your program prepare graduates for a successful career in addition to curricular preparation? (e.g., Internships, professional exam preparation, specialized training in software, and IAB feedback) 1. Training in software packages such MasterCAM. 2. All Metals Fabrication Program students are encouraged to participate in the annual Tech Career Fair and the Highlands College Career Fair. CORE THEME 2: Student Achievement As found under Objective 3, Indicator of Achievement A in YOR: What academic distinction opportunities are available to your students and what distinctions have been achieved over the last year? (e.g., Merit Scholarships,