Advisory Role
This year, the IAC continued to provide ABET with the industry and government perspective on accreditation matters, activities, and proposed policy changes. For example, the council has been a valuable resource for ABET leadership as the organization prepares to review and update its overall strategic plan, which began last spring.
Industry Perspectives
While overall hiring is beginning to increase following the recent "Great Recession," the uncertain economy means firms are employing innovative new technologies to remain productive and hiring for today's limited number of jobs remains highly selective. Graduates in technical fields must have knowledge about emerging technologies as well as the ability to learn and adapt in a rapidly changing workplace and marketplace.
Many firms are hiring more specialized technical and technology graduates as new technologies, increased competition, and international reach call for changes in job skills. That is a primary reason the IAC is continuing to stress the importance of accrediting technical programs, especially engineering technology programs at the two-year level for technicians and at the four-year level for technologists. The IAC hopes that ABET accreditation will continue to contribute to the fulfillment of industry needs.
The IAC continues to have concerns about the STEM pipeline, in both the quantity and quality of students who are entering the applied science, computing, engineering, and technology fields. More must be done to attract diverse populations to the technical disciplines and to support students who do pursue these fields of study.
Industry and Government Involvement in ABET
The IAC has been proactively seeking program evaluators who work in industry or government sectors. These potential volunteers bring a unique perspective to the programs they review and to accreditation activities in general. The IAC encourages the ABET Member Societies and the commissions to reach out to industry partners at all levels to reinforce the IAC's efforts.
The IAC is striving to make its membership more reflective of the disciplines that ABET accredits and has recently added individuals to represent the computing and surveying fields. Also, the council has identified several significant employment sectors, including medical and health care-related fields, chemical engineering, environmental engineering, applied sciences, and consulting, that are not represented on the current council. Involving individuals who represent these sectors would enrich the council's diversity and perspectives on a wide variety of issues.
Distance Education
In general, the IAC is concerned about potential quality issues associated with education gained through online degree programs. With the rising popularity of online programs, the IAC is encouraged that ABET has been engaged in accrediting distance learning programs, including seven programs that are offered in a 100-percent online format. The IAC would like to provide current industry perspectives on distance learning and learn more about these specific programs.
International Activities
The IAC continues to support the ABET Global Council (GC) as it formulates and implements a new global strategy for ABET, as well as setting accreditation policies and priorities for programs outside of the United States. For example, at the GC's request, the IAC reviewed the new Global Strategic and Operational Plans. Also, the IAC has provided input regarding ABET's participation in the Sydney and Dublin Accords.
Joint Meeting with Academic Advisory Council
The IAC held a joint meeting with ABET's newly formed Academic Advisory Council (AAC) on October 26, 2011. While the two councils have different perspectives on some issues, they share many common goals in their efforts to help ABET improve its processes and the quality of services it provides for its customers.
A joint AAC-IAC working group is examining a proposal from NSPE to include additional professional skills in the criteria. In addition, the AAC is identifying program-level industry advisory boards that can engage with ABET's IAC for future discussions and collaboration.
The Road Ahead
Over the next year, the IAC will focus on several major objectives, all of which are tied to ABET's charge. The IAC intends to concentrate on the following activities:
- Actively support ABET's Board of Directors, Academic Advisory Council, and Global Council.
- Improve the IAC's internal communications with quarterly conference calls and interactions via a Microsoft SharePoint site.
- Establish a formal network with program-level IACs.
- Populate vacancies in IAC's current membership.
2012 - 2013 Industry Advisory Council Membership
Dwight A. Beranek, Chair
Senior VP
Michael Baker, Jr. Inc.
Ray Almgren
Vice President, Product Marketing and Academic Relations
National Instruments
Craig J. Berry
Senior Vice President & Chief Information Officer
Siemens PLM Software
Phillip E. Borrowman
Senior Vice President
Hanson Professional Services, Inc.
James Dalton
Chief of Engineering and Construction
HQ U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
Michael Gwyn
President
Benham Constructions, LLC
Gina L. Hutchins
Corporate Industrial Engineering Training and Development Manager
United Parcel Service
Paul B. Kalafos, Jr.
Vice President, Surveillance Systems
Northrop Grumman Corporation
Larry A. Kaye
ExxonMobil (retired)
Stanley H. Levinson
Technical Consultant, PRA & Risk Analysis
Engineering & Projects (E&P)
AREVA Inc.
Ramon Lugo
Deputy Director
NASA Glenn Research Center
John D. Matonich
CEO
Rowe Professional Services Company
Charles Menke
Machine Development Manager
Caterpillar
Scott C. Petrak
Vice President, IT Science & Technology
Bayer Corporate & Business Services LLC
Brian Ruestow
Operations Manager
F.W. Roberts Manufacturing Co., Inc.
Ray Steen
Director, Human Resources
General Dynamics Armament and Technical Products