Retired Action Project - Developing the Workforce Baccalaureate Degree

1. Description

Designing and implementing an applied Arts and Sciences degree program (Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences) in order to improve accessibility and transfer.

2. Related AQIP Categories

Primary 1-Helping Students Learn
Related 2-Accomplishing Other Distinctive Objectives
Related 3-Understanding Students' and Other Stakeholders' Needs
Related 9-Building Collaborative Relationships
Related None

3. Rationale for Action

New market penetration and the nature of this goal is in harmony with the University mission and strategic plans in both short- and long-term time frames. In addition, it addresses the mission-centered responsibilities of FHSU by serving students and community colleges in western Kansas.

4. Areas Affected

College of Education, Department of Technology Studies, Academic Advising, Registrar's Office, Provost's Office, Institutional Assessment

5. Processes Affected

Regents' approval - the normal process of application, defense and approval from the State Board of Regents; institutional approval- administrative processes, including Faculty Senate approval; curricular design - to be conducted under the direction of the Chair of the Department of Technology Studies; dual advising process - joint Fort Hays State University/community college advising efforts leading to ease of transfer; product positioning - under the direction of the Academic Marketing Specialist and the Provost's Office

6. Process Measures

Program inquiries/Academic Advising, internships, competency development milestones (participation in established educational practices)

7. Outcome Measures

Student credit hour production (General Education count), student credit hour production (overall count), major headcount, employer satisfaction, career placement, degrees granted, student satisfaction

8. Keeping Focus

Progress carefully monitored by institutional administration (use of performance scorecard), priority agenda item for Integrated Marketing Committee, faculty focus on development of employer connections to program (Advisory Board)

2003 Annual Update Information

Project was accomplished and deemed completely implemented. Measurement and tracking is still maintained.

2002 Annual Update Information

1. Describe the past year's accomplishments and the current status of this Action Project.

This past year, the work of the Department of Technology Studies, various focus groups, the College of Education, and the institution as a whole was rewarded with the May 2002 approval by the Board of Regents of the Bachelor of Science degree program in the field of Technology Leadership. This degree program will allow the student who possesses an associate of applied science (or like degree), the opportunity to seamlessly transfer into a four-year program. The first students will be admitted to the program in the Fall 2002 semester. The program is the first like it in the Kansas Regents system. In an effort to bring immediate success to the program, marketing efforts began immediately to recruit an initial class. This effort involved use of the print, radio and electronic media, and a significant effort at face to face recruitment of community and technical college students in the service district and beyond. Initial feedback from students and community college representatives is overwhelmingly positive, as is feedback from employers such as Boeing, who will presumably be hiring these graduates. The Assistant Provost for Quality Management, AQIP college coordinators, the Council for Institutional Effectiveness, and the University Assessment Committee have aided Dr. Fred Ruda and the Department of Technology Studies in the development of both process and outcome measures for assessment purposes. Tracking and data collection begins in the Fall 2002 semester.

2. Describe how the institution involved people in work on this Action Project.

As stated in section A, this action plan has involved many constituents, and is now in a transitional phase. Early work by university and extra-university constituents revolved around planning and preparation. With the awarding of the program rights to FHSU, these same constituents will now be involved in deployment activities.

3. Describe your planned next steps for this Action Project.

Moving into the third year of life for this action plan, the institution is concerned with matters of deployment. Recruitment and marketing efforts began in earnest in May. Process and outcome measures of assessment have been identified, and the mechanisms for data collection have been put in place. An advisory committee for programmatic matters is in the process of being configured by the Department of Technology Studies. Lastly, it is the hope and intention of the institution to make this program a quality framework for other similarly placed institutions to do the same, in service of a qualified, yet underserved group of students and a workplace ripe with opportunity for qualified applicants.

4. Describe any "effective practice(s)" that resulted from your work on this Action Project.

The Bachelor of Science in Technology Leadership is the first, but certainly not the last, new program at Fort Hays State University which will come into existence essentially making use of the balanced scorecard method of assessment. Several programs and departments have, since FHSU committed to AQIP, began the process of making use of the balanced scorecard. Although the administration does not mandate the formal use of these scorecards (programs and departments are allowed to fashion their own assessment plan), it is generally viewed as a good practice with much potential by parties at FHSU.

5. What challenges, if any, are you still facing in regards to this Action Project?

Since this type of degree is a new phenomena in the Kansas Regents system, and since associate of applied science majors have been neglected for so long, the great challenge of simply spreading the word, to both students and employers, that this program now exists is of paramount concern. Proving to students and employers that the program has value will be the next step--an effort which will involve all levels of the University community.