College technology programs often struggle to stay abreast of the latest trends in industry. Participants discuss the benefits associated with business ownership of the program, including preparing students to meet workforce demands. Ann Beheler, Principal Investigator, Convergence Technology Center, Collin College, TX

Students new to STEM subjects often find the introductory courses intimidating and frustrating. Learn how the mind and perception of novices differ from those of their expert teachers and what novices are desperately looking for to help them succeed. Douglas Kranch, Professor, Computer Information Systems, North Central State College, OH

The Business-Higher Education Forum has released a new system dynamics model designed to explore the effect of employer and postsecondary education partnerships, also known as Learn and Earn programs, on workforce outcomes, along with a case study describing the project. This innovative model enables users to explore how current workload, desired workforce expansion, and participation in Learn and Earn programs affect workforce composition, employee productivity, and employer benefits, employing a tool rarely used in analyzing education and workforce issues. Jeanne Contardo, Director, Programs and Policy Analysis, The Business-Higher Education Forum, DC

In 2007, the Florida Advanced Technological Education Center began implementing its Engineering Technology Degree program, which has a technical core aligned to an external industry standard and closes the loop between statewide frameworks, external standards, and classroom learning outcomes. Marilyn Barger, Executive Director, Florida Advanced Technological Education Center, Hillsborough Community College, FL

Learn how our nanotechnology hub model that links K-12, industry, community college, and university partners applies to various STEM disciplines to recruit, retain, train, and place students in STEM career pathways. Maureen Devery, Outreach Coordinator, Mathematics and Science, North Seattle Community College, WA

Participants discuss the background and application of the pedagogy of service learning involving STEM initiatives such as solar energy for economic development, watershed stewardship, and undergraduate research for degree completion. Lyvier Conss, Executive Director, Community College National Center for Community Engagement, Mesa Community College, AZ

Switch gears on technology change. Fear and panic can easily transition to excitement and ownership. Crosscampus collaboration and communication proved significant when migrating to a new portal for students, faculty, and staff. Paige Francis, Associate Vice President, Information Technology, NorthWest Arkansas Community College, AR

A representative from Corporate Voices shares strategies that engage businesses in creating Learn and Earn partnerships based on promising practices and policies demonstrated by employers that support talent development through postsecondary credential completion. Peggy Walton, Senior Director, Workforce Readiness, Corporate Voices for Working Families, DC

See a live demonstration of Lansing Community College's online Achieving the Dream data dashboard. Learn how our faculty members find trends in student success data to improve program quality. James Luke, Professor, Social Science, Lansing Community College, MI

Participants examine how personalized learning paths can be created in developmental mathematics courses. The presenters share an unexpected outcome to exemplify the richness in student-faculty relationships. Carol Luckhardt Redfield, Professor, Computer Science, St. Mary’s University, TX; Michael Wolf, Professor, Mathematics, Harcum College, PA

Complex issues cannot be solved with a single approach. Explore the connection of formal and informal educational programs to recruit, retain, and support women and girls in STEM programs. Karen Peterson, Chief Executive Officer, EdLab Group, WA

Learn about an NSF-funded program, disseminated through community college partners, to engage middle and high school students in a series of design challenges using fully submersible LEGO robots. Jason Sayres, Specialist, Center for Innovation in Engineering and Science Education, Stevens Institute of Technology, NJ