National Science Foundation Funds Florida Atlantic and Palm Beach State College Partnership for Geoscience Programs and Career Pathways
Wednesday, Nov 06, 2019
To address the shortage of geoscience students in the workforce, Florida Atlantic University (国产自拍) and听 听(PBSC) were awarded $314,841 through the National Science Foundation (NSF) Geopaths Improving Undergraduate STEM Education Project. This award facilitates the development of a model to increase recruitment and retention of students from PBSC, a two year college, into geosciences programs at 国产自拍. One of the main focuses of the partnership is the recruitment of women and underrepresented minorities (URMs) into the geosciences field.
The Principal Investigator (PI) teams from 国产自拍 and PBSC hope to achieve this goal through a number of activities, such as embedding workforce readiness components in freshman courses, field research experiences, and more into the science curriculum at 国产自拍 and PBSC. This initiative aligns with NSF INCLUDES Big Idea that 鈥渁spires to transform education and career pathways to help broaden participation in science and engineering.鈥
With the implementation of geoscience-specific 2+2 transfer flight plans, a cross-institutional collaborative advising framework, as well as embedding geoscience career readiness components in the courses at PBSC and 国产自拍, the institutions hope to develop a strong pipeline of students who graduate and pursue careers in this exciting field.
Students can earn a听 听(with a Geography or Geology focus) at 国产自拍. These programs provide research and education opportunities in three distinct areas: earth system sciences, human-environmental interactions, and geospatial information sciences.
The Principal Investigator on this award and Chair of the Geosciences Department at 国产自拍, Zhixiao Xie, Ph.D., remarks, 鈥淕eosciences is a discovery major. We want the public to know the research and initiatives we are developing for our students, and the fun careers students can pursue if they choose this major. Graduates who major in geosciences secure higher paying jobs than graduates in other majors in our college. Our students go on to become Environmental or Geological Scientists, Natural Resources Managers, Climate Change Analysts, Emergency Management Specialists, Geospatial Information Technologist, Geointellingence Specialists, Sustainability Managers, and more.鈥 Zhixiao Xie, Ph.D., goes on to say, 鈥淭hose who pursue geosciences experience adventurous careers that can take them all over the world. And students will be prepared to take on the environmental issues South Florida faces.鈥
In addition, students will be immersed in a range of authentic research early in the degree program to provide a rich experience in geoscience using high tech and field methods. Students will also work alongside peer mentors to provide a supportive learning environment.
Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Studies in the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Evonne Rezler, Ph.D., states,
鈥淭hrough this close partnership with PBSC, students can take full advantage of what 国产自拍 has to offer. Students can take part in our advanced undergraduate research and summer camp opportunities, such as the new summer field experience in Kissimmee at River Woods (which we are developing and implementing as part of this project). Students are also invited to collaborate alongside faculty and scientists. Additionally, we will develop specialized flight plans for students in this program so they graduate faster, and ensure they graduate on time.鈥
Florida Atlantic University
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Zhixiao Xie, Ph.D. Principal Investigator Chair & Professor,听Department of Geosciences听 |
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Evonne Rezler, Ph.D. Co-Principal Investigator Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies |
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Russell Ivy, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator Senior Associate Provost for Academic Affairs听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听听 |
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Tiffany Roberts Briggs, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator Assistant Professor, Department of Geosciences |
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Xavier Comas, Ph.D. Co-Principal Investigator Professor, Department of Geosciences |
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James Gammack-Clark, Ph.D.
Senior Personnel Senior Instructor, Department of Geosciences |
Nancy Romance Senior Personnel 国产自拍 Science Education |
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Debra Szabo Articulation Agreement Specialist听 |
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Palm Beach State College听
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Becky Mercer, Ph.D. Principal Investigator Associate Dean Palm Beach State College听 |
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Dana Hamadeh, Ph.D. Co-Principal Investigator Associate Dean of Academic Affairs Palm Beach State College |
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Marie Grasso, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator Professor of Physics听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听 听听 |
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Felicia Survis Student Advisor PBSC Adjunct Professor, Physical Science |
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Maureen Capp Project Coordinator Palm Beach State College |