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Creating Pathways to Stackable Credentials in Robotics by Manufacturing a Community College and University Partnership – Year Two Progress

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Conference

2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition

Location

Columbus, Ohio

Publication Date

June 24, 2017

Start Date

June 24, 2017

End Date

June 28, 2017

Conference Session

Engineering Transfer Issues: Two-year College to Four-year College

Tagged Division

Two Year College Division

Page Count

11

DOI

10.18260/1-2--28086

Permanent URL

https://peer.asee.org/28086

Download Count

512

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Paper Authors

biography

Mark Bradley Kinney Bay de Noc Community College

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Mark Kinney became the Dean for Business and Technology in July of 2012, but first came to Bay College as the Executive Director of Institutional Research and Effectiveness in February 2009. Prior to that, Mark served as the Dean for Computer Information Systems and Technology at Baker College of Cadillac and as the Chief Operating Officer and network administrator at Forest Area Federal Credit Union. He has taught a wide range of courses in the computer information systems discipline and holds certifications in both Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Access. Mark has a Master’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Computer Information Systems from Baker College, as well as a Bachelor’s in Business Leadership and an Associate’s of Business from Baker College. Currently, Mark is completing his dissertation in fulfillment of the requirements of a Doctorate in Educational Leadership from Central Michigan University.

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biography

Mark Highum Bay de Noc Community College

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Mark Highum is currently the Division Chair for Technology at Bay College. He is the Lead Instructor for Mechatronics and Robotics Systems and also teaches courses in the Computer Network Systems and Security degree. Mark holds a Master's in Career and Technical Education (Highest Distinction) from Ferris State University, and a Bachelor's in Workforce Education and Development (Summa Cum Laude) from Southern Illinois University.
Mark is a retired Chief Electronics Technician (Submarines) and served and taught as part of the Navy's Nuclear Power Program.
Mark is active with SkillsUSA and has been on the National Education Team for Mechatronics since 2004.

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biography

Aleksandr Sergeyev Michigan Technological University

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Aleksandr Sergeyev is currently an Associate
Professor in the Electrical Engineering
Technology program in the
School of Technology at Michigan Technological
University. Dr. Aleksandr
Sergeyev earned his bachelor degree in
Electrical Engineering at Moscow University
of Electronics and Automation in
1995. He obtained the Master degree
in Physics from Michigan Technological
University in 2004 and the PhD degree in Electrical Engineering
from Michigan Technological University in 2007.
Dr. Aleksandr Sergeyev’s research interests include high
energy laser propagation through the turbulent atmosphere,
developing advanced control algorithms for wavefront sensing
and mitigating effects of the turbulent atmosphere, digital
inline holography, digital signal processing, and laser spectroscopy. Dr. Sergeyev is a member of ASEE, IEEE, SPIE and is actively involved in promoting engineering education.

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biography

Scott A Kuhl Michigan Technological University

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Scott Kuhl is an Associate Professor of Computer Science and an Adjunct Associate Professor of Cognitive & Learning Sciences at Michigan Technological University. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from the University of Utah in 2009. He has been the faculty advisor for Husky Game Development Enterprise since Spring 2010. His research interests include immersive virtual environments, head-mounted displays, and spatial perception. A link to his web page can be found at http://www.cs.mtu.edu/.

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Abstract

Creating Pathways to Stackable Credentials in Robotics by Manufacturing a Community College and University Partnership – Year Two Progress

In rural locales like Michigan's Upper Peninsula, students and employers alike can struggle in their search to find STEM-based educational opportunities or qualified graduates to fill open positions. Due to the diverse needs of the small employers found in such an area, Bay de Noc Community College quickly realized that creating a different degree for each industry need would be an unsustainable and unreasonable approach. Instead, a partnership was formed with Michigan Technological University to create highly customizable and stackable credentials in the fields of mechatronics, robotic systems, and electrical engineering technology. By co-developing this curriculum and partnering on a number of grant applications to procure equipment, these two institutions have created replicable student pathways that not only meet local employer demand, but also give students numerous options for the type and timing of their educational progression.

Last year, representatives from the community college presented on this partnership at the annual ASEE conference in New Orleans to introduce their work to others in the hope that similar partnerships would result elsewhere in the country. With a full year of progress having now been made on this partnership, and with several students having already completed the certificate portion of the credential ladder, more information is now available in regards to strategies that appear to be working, others that do not, and some initial data analysis that has been conducted. Furthermore, non-credit workshops have since been developed and offered to other faculty of higher education, K-12 students, and K-12 teachers. A new robotic simulation software has also been developed to aid in instruction, which will be demonstrated to conference session attendees. Lastly, a fully-functioning mechatronics and robotic systems lab at the community college has been created, largely through the purchase of grant-funded equipment. These initial lessons learned and the progress made into year two of the grant represents important information to share with other colleges and universities who might also benefit from forming such a partnership in their area.

Kinney, M. B., & Highum, M., & Sergeyev, A., & Kuhl, S. A. (2017, June), Creating Pathways to Stackable Credentials in Robotics by Manufacturing a Community College and University Partnership – Year Two Progress Paper presented at 2017 ASEE Annual Conference & Exposition, Columbus, Ohio. 10.18260/1-2--28086

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