Veenstra and Associates has a new publication on STEM retention, The Diversity of STEM Majors and a Strategy for Improved STEM Retention.
I was interested in how the interest in engineering among entering college freshmen compared to interest in STEM in general. This report discusses this topic and suggests a strategy for STEM retention based on my research.
http://veenstraconsulting.com/docs/Diversity-of-STEM-Majors.pdf
Best
Cindy
The ASQ Education Division has just published its augural issue of Quality Approaches in Higher Education (QAHE), an online supplement to the ASQ Journal for Quality and Participation. The new journal is peer-reviewed and the first ASQ peer-reviewed publication on issues related to quality in higher education. The inaugural issue is available at http://tinyurl.com/ylfo62g
Update 8/13/10: The journal’s website is http://www.asq.org/edu/quality-information/journals/
Quality Approaches in Higher Education is designed to engage the higher education community and the ASQ Education Division membership in a discussion on topics related to improving quality in higher education and identifying best practices in higher education and to expand the literature specific to quality in higher education topics. The Call for articles and Author Guidelines are available in this issue.
As an associate editor, I am excited about this effort, that has been about 6 months in the making. I hope it generates discussions on the blending of the quality tools, disciplines and quality management ideas with the issues of improving higher education.
Higher Education is at a cross-road. Will it improve and will we be able to meet Lumina’s Big Goal (see issue) of 60% of 18 to 25 year-olds earning a high quality college degree? Or will fewer students complete college? I hope it is the first choice! Many jobs today require a college degree.
A college degree = a better job, and a higher standard of living
Yet for many students, it is difficult getting through college. We can make the processes easier using many of the quality tools. But we need to understand better how students learn (thus the importance of Centers of Teaching and Learning). We need to identify best practices for student success. We need to understand better how and which technology helps engage students with other students and the professor in the college classroom and how to teach better . We need to get to identifying student learning goals and metrics and being data-driven for continuous improvement. We need to recognize the role of six sigma and Baldrige type approaches in the cost-effective operation of our colleges and universities (and reduce tuition). We need to enable students to grow as a whole person, be academically successful, graduate on time and become satisfied alumni, who later contribute again to the university. We hope to have articles on these topics in future issues.
I hope you will read this issue and share in our excitement about the Education Division’s new journal! Let me know your suggestions.
Best
Cindy