Purpose and Responsibilities

Funded by the STEP grant of the National Science Foundation, the Center for Promoting STEM (CP-STEM) seeks primarily to create and maintain a supportive and rewarding environment to encourage, improve, and commend student success in STEM.

Purpose of Institutional Advisory Committee

The purpose of the Institutional Advisory Committee for the Center for Promoting STEM is to help assess the needs, expectations, and satisfaction of the groups we seek to serve.

As an IAC member, you will be asked to listen to CP-STEM progress updates and challenges and to provide feedback. Marketing and recruiting efforts will be discussed.

• Individuals who are external to Oakton’s NSF STEP Grant and who have a mix of knowledge, skills and experience.
• Dr. Thomas Hamel, Vice President for Academic Affairs, will be chair of this committee, while one of the Co-Directors will serve as the co-chair.

• Attend one 1 ½ -hour meeting once every fall and spring semesters between 2007 and 2010. Summaries from these meetings will be made public.
• Define issues, consider various options and provide overall advice on ways to address issues raised during the course of the review.
• Consult on issues such as: process, collaboration across departments, marketing and advertising, recruiting, identifying SWOT, assisting in implementing CP-STEM mission, assisting in developing or improving activities and programs, suggesting funding opportunities, and providing sage advice and suggestions.
• Acting as a sounding board for ideas and proposals.
• Facilitate the dissemination of project throughout Oakton’s district.

Other aspects of CP-STEM mission

• Design and provide activities to increase students’ interests in STEM;
• Develop and offer programs to enhance students’ performance in STEM;
• Provide resources and engage faculty in activities for teaching excellence, scholarship, and leadership in academia;
• Collaborate with professional organizations, business and high schools in Oakton’s district for promoting and sustaining STEM activities;
• Expand and maintain a network or mechanism for Oakton STEM students to transfer to other institutions smoothly;
• Study, investigate and incorporate innovative teaching ideas, techniques and pedagogies in the STEM fields into classrooms at community colleges;
• Disseminate successful results of CP-STEM activities;
• Contribute to the literature on teaching and learning through scholarly activities and program assessment.