Division Goal 2: Meet training needs for expanded employment opportunities of the service area as a result of changing workforce demographics

Program Goal:  Forestry students will be informed of various Forestry Career opportunities in the Public and Private sector.

Objectives:

1. Invite speakers from the N.C Forest Service to speak with students about careers with their agency.
2. Invite speakers from the Timber Harvesting Industry to speak with students about a career in Timber Harvesting.

Action Plan:

1. Contact N.C Forest Service Outreach Coordinator to assist in scheduling qualified speaker from the different divisions in the agency.
2. Contact members of the Forest Management Technology Advisory Committee to assemble of list of Timber Harvesting company owners who will be able to address different aspects of that type of employment.

Assessment Strategy:

1. Students will take notes on the pros and cons of potential careers learned about from guest speakers.
2. Forestry Instructor will have class discussion about common Pros and Cons noted by all students present during visitation.

Assessment Outcomes: Speakers from both N.C. Forest Service and Timber Harvesting companies spoke to students about careers in both areas.

Use of Results: Will continue to invite a variety of speakers from all aspects of the Forest Products Industry with emphasis on N.C. Forest Service and Timber Harvesting Contractors.

Division Goal 2: Meet training needs for expanded employment opportunities of the service area as a result of changing workforce demographics.

Program Goal: Purchase additional Global Positioning Units to ensure students are proficient in the use of current GPS/GIS Technology.

Objectives:

1. All students enrolled in Introduction to GPS/GIS will have an individual GPS unit to use in completing mapping, timber cruising, and navigation requirements for course.
2. Each student will be able to electronically reproduce timber cruising techniques learned previously in other courses using the pencil and paper method.
3. Each student will be able to map timber cruise areas while performing the actual timber cruise.

Action Plan:

1. Secure a quote from Landmark systems and complete the Equipment Justification Form with proper approval process and track the progress through the planning council and cabinet level.
2. When equipment purchase is approved, contact Landmark Systems to get equipment ordered.
3. When equipment arrives, complete help desk request for the IT department to help install and set up new units and ensure working properly.

Assessment Strategy:

1. Each student will produce an electronic GPS/GIS map and timber cruise of the same area and turn in to the instructor to be graded.
2. Map and cruise data must be accurate to industry and government standards.

Assessment Outcomes: Additional Global Positioning units were purchased and where implemented into Spring 2008 GPS/GIS course. Students were able to complete a mapping, cruising and navigation exercise all at the same time with one GPS unit.

Use of Results: Instructor will develop advanced exercises using combined technologies of the GPS unit to map, cruise and navigate using the single unit.

Division Goal 1: Maintain a high level of instruction and/or job performance by providing access to continuing professional development activities.

Program Goal: Forestry Instructors will participate in professional development appropriate to their subject area to improve instruction and maintain professional qualifications.

Objectives:

1. Forestry Instructors should attend courses to meet the minimum 10 hour requirement to maintain Forester Registration status in North Carolina.
2. Forestry Instructors should choose courses that increase their knowledge base on subjects they teach.
3. Forestry Instructors should choose courses in which new technology can be learned and implemented into courses that they teach where appropriate.

Action Plan:

1. Look at telecourses offered through N.C. State University and plan to take courses that meet objectives described above.
2. Look for opportunities through state and national meetings of the N.C Forestry Association and the Society of American Foresters to attend courses at these meeting that will meet the objectives described above.

Assessment Strategy:

1. Proof of renewal of Forester Registration through issue of registration card and inclusion in the Roster of Registered Foresters.
2. Inclusion of at least one new or updated technology into a course in the Forestry program.

Assessment Outcomes: Both Forestry instructors completed the required 10 hours. The Program Head attended the Pro-Logger program and became a certified Pro-Logger and earned 16 hours for that program. Many teleconferences, seminars and professional organization meetings were attended by both Instructors.

Use of Results: Forestry instructors will continue to seek opportunities to attend training courses, workshops or any outreach opportunities that will keep them prepared for the ever changing world of technology. Instructor will share learned technology with students in appropriate courses.

College Goal: Utilize technology to provide information services that support quality, personalized instruction.

Division Goal: Provide facilities, staffing, and services that support educational program delivery.

Program Goal: Purchase replacement Global Positioning Units to ensure students have access to the latest models of Data-Loggers being used in the field of forestry.

Objectives:

• All students enrolled in the Introduction to GPS/GIS will have the most recent model of Data-Logger available to assure the units will work with newer versions of software and firmware.
• Each student will have an individual Data-Logger capable of handling the increase in the number of data files as the technology requirements increase for the student.

Action Plan:

• Secure a quote from Duncan Parnell and complete the Equipment Justification Form with proper approval process and tract the progress through the planning council and cabinet level.
• Check with company representative about the possibility of trading in 4 Pro XR’s and 8 Geo XT’s units and replacing them with the newest GEO XT model available. This would be a savings of $12,000 for the college on equipment dollars.

Person(s) Responsible: Program Head

Anticipated Date for Achieving Objective: January 2009

Assessment Strategy:

• Each student will have the most recent model Data-Logger to complete all assigned projects for Introduction to GPS/GIS.
• Did the college save money on equipment cost by negotiating a trade in for older models.

Budget Needs: $38,409.00

Assessment Outcomes: Will be completed in May 2009

Use of Results: Will be completed in May 2009

College Goal: Provide an environment that supports employing and retaining a quality faculty and staff and promotes enhanced student learning, achievement, and development in a global society.

Division Goal: Provide access to and guidance in professional development opportunities to strengthen instructional delivery and to prepare for accreditation.

Program Goal:  Forestry instructors will participate in professional development appropriate to their subject area to keep current with technology and maintain professional qualifications.

Objectives:

• Forestry instructors should attend training courses that update their knowledge in areas of their expertise.
• Forestry instructors should choose courses that meet the 10 hour requirements to maintain their Forester Registration status in North Carolina.

Action Plan:

• Look for workshops at the state and national level that will help meet the objectives listed above.
• Look for Tele-Courses offered at MCC through N.C State FEOP that will help meet the objectives listed above.

Person(s) Responsible: Forestry Instructors

Anticipated Date for Achieving Objective: May 2009

Assessment Strategy:

• The adding of new information on certain subjects areas that have had significant changes in technology.
• Forestry instructors successful renewal of Forester Registration status.

Budget Needs: $2,850.00

Assessment Outcomes: Will be completed in May 2009

Use of Results: Will be completed in May 2009

College Goal:

• Utilize technology to provide information services that support quality, personalized instruction.
• Provide facilities for student learning that capitalize on state-of-the-art instructional applications.

Division Goal: Provide facilities, staffing, and services that support educational program delivery.

Program Goal:  Work with the ET department to assure a smooth transition of the Forestry Computer Lab and all of the GPS/GIS Technology to new Forestry Building.

Objectives:

• Program Head will meet with the Dean of the ET Department to formulate a plan that assures all equipment will be moved and set up properly for courses that begin January 2009.
• Program Head will maintain communication with architects on progress of building construction with emphasis on the computer lab being properly equipped for all computers and GPS equipment.

Action Plan:

• Program Head will contact Dean of ET to schedule meetings with appropriate personal that will be involved in the moving process
• Program Head will make routine visits to the building when the infrastructure of the computer lab is being built.

Person(s) Responsible: Program Head

Anticipated Date for Achieving Objective: January 2009

Assessment Strategy:

• Did computer lab portions of spring semester forestry courses continue on schedule without any delays due to relocation to new building.
• Was all necessary infrastructure in place in the new forestry building computer lab thus avoiding any delays in technology set-up.

Budget Needs: N/A

Assessment Outcomes: Will be completed in May 2009

Use of Results: Will be completed in May 2009