Award Abstract #1800885
Skilled Technical Education & Experiential Learning

NSF Org:	DUE Division Of Undergraduate Education
Initial Amendment Date:	August 14, 2018
Latest Amendment Date:	December 18, 2018
Award Number:	1800885
Award Instrument:	Standard Grant
Program Manager:	Virginia Carter DUE Division Of Undergraduate Education EHR Direct For Education and Human Resources
Start Date:	October 1, 2018
End Date:	September 30, 2021 (Estimated)
Awarded Amount to Date:	$219,204.00
Investigator(s):	LaQuata Sumter lsumter@albanytech.edu (Principal Investigator) Chase Mumford (Former Principal Investigator) Joseph Ford (Co-Principal Investigator) Chakea Robinson-Shaw (Co-Principal Investigator) Jason Beaver (Former Co-Principal Investigator)
Sponsor:	Albany Technical College 1704 S. Slappey Blvd. albany, GA 31701-2648 (229)430-3693
NSF Program(s):	Advanced Tech Education Prog
Program Reference Code(s):	1032, 9178, SMET
Program Element Code(s):	7412

ABSTRACT

In January 2014, Georgia's governor announced the High Demand Career Initiative, which convened discussions between the private sector, Georgia's postsecondary stakeholders, and Georgia's Department of Economic Development to explore Georgia's future job needs. From these discussions across the state, a renewed appreciation emerged of the critical need for a well-trained and educated workforce for industry growth and expansion. Because Albany Technical College (ATC) is one of the institutions responsible for educating Georgia's workforce, it is obligated to help plan and deliver educational programs that meet industry needs. This project will support changes to increase the effectiveness of the ATC Civil, Electrical and Computer, and Electromechanical Engineering Technology programs in educating highly skilled technical workers for industry.

This project will address the growing demand for skilled technicians and a diversified labor force. As a Predominately Black Institution, ATC has the potential to increase the participation of individuals from a group that has been underrepresented in many technical workforce areas. Working with industry partners, ATC aims to educate students who can meet the demands of these partners for highly skilled employees. Industry will assist faculty in placing students in internships and in evaluating student projects. Project-Based Learning and paid internships will be integrated into three engineering technology programs: 1) Civil Engineering Technology; 2) Electrical and Computer Technology (Telecommunications); and 3) Electromechanical Engineering Technology. The internships will enable students to apply classroom knowledge to the hands-on experiences. In addition, students will work on real-world projects early in their program of study. This strategy is expected to foster a climate in which they can see and achieve the "end goal." The project will address the following goals: (1) Increase enrollment, retention, and placement rates for Civil, Telecommunications, and Electromechanical Engineering Technology programs and (2) Strengthen existing partnerships with local employers. The project will also be disseminated to the secondary school program, "Move On When Ready," and the ATC Engineering Prep Academy. Students in these programs will be supported to complete high school, continue their post-secondary education, and interact with local employers who will be looking to fill high demand technician positions.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

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