Call for Feedback on Clean Energy Technology Program

The Office of Instruction is evaluating the future of the Clean Energy Technology program and would appreciate your feedback. Based on the status report that was emailed to all college staff on Jan. 15, the Office of Instruction may recommend that Shoreline Community College close the Clean Energy Technology program. This recommendation is based on two primary factors: declining enrollment and a lack of employment opportunities that specifically require the degrees offered.

Declining Enrollment

The report indicates a significant decline in enrollment since 2016. Pre-pandemic enrollment was approximately three times higher than current rates, and the downward trend has been steady. As of Fall 2024,

  • Clean Energy Technology & Entrepreneurship AAAS: 7 current students
  • Clean Energy Technology & Entrepreneurship Certificate of Proficiency: 4 current students
  • Amazon Career Choice Clean Energy Technology Certificate of Completion: No current students (pending approval)

Concern of program sustainability: With such few students, it becomes challenging to justify the allocation of resources, including faculty time and budget.

Employment Opportunities

The report highlights two primary job types for graduates: Solar Associate/Solar Sales Representative and Energy Auditor. However, these roles do not necessarily require the specific degrees offered by the programs.

Implications:

  • Degree Relevance: Students may not see the value in pursuing these programs, which further contributes to declining enrollment.
  • Career Pathways: Students may benefit more from the College’s other programs that align more closely with market demands and provide clear career pathways.

Conclusion

Based on the data and the trend, the Office of Instruction is in favor of recommending the closure of the Clean Energy Technology programs. This decision would allow the College to reallocate resources to more viable programs, ultimately benefiting the institution and its students.

Next Steps

  • Stakeholder Consultation: In January 2025, the Office of Instruction will:
    1. present at the 1/22 Faculty Senate Council,
    2. hold a virtual town hall on Tuesday 1/21, 11:30a-12:30p (Zoom ID: 88570458474),
    3. gather feedback with a form at https://forms.office.com/r/7aE6n9gaJw, and
    4. discuss with the advisory board of the program.
  • Transition: If the closure is recommended, the Office of Instruction will develop a plan to support current students in completing their programs or transitioning to other relevant programs. The transition plan and the closure proposal will move to the College Council, the Executive Team and the Board of Trustees for approval.
  • Implementation: If the Board of Trustees approves the closure, the College will complete the external processes with SBCTC and NWCCU.

Program Review Drop-In

Need help? Inspiration? Collaboration?

Join a Program Review Drop-In session from the comfort of your own office!

  • Thursday, January 23rd, 3-4 pm (Zoom link)  
  • Wednesday, January 29th, 12:30-1:30 pm (Zoom link)   

Invitation to Apply for NCORE 2025 Attendance

Yek Tunal, Everyone!

We are pleased to announce an exciting opportunity for members of Shoreline Community College to represent our institution at the upcoming NCORE (National Conference on Race & Ethnicity). The conference is being held in NYC, NY from May 27-31, 2025. This year, we will be sending a select number of Staff, Faculty, & Admin to attend the conference. Selected participants will include a mix of individuals from the DEIA division and campus employees. This conference is open to ALL (faculty, admin/exempt and classified employees), we encourage anybody who is interested to apply. Deadline for submissions is January 31st at 5:00pm. Selected participants will be notified by February 10th. Any applications received after the deadline will not be taken into consideration. 

If you are interested in attending, please complete the following application form.

The DEIA office will review all submissions and select participants based on responses and availability. We want to ensure we have a good variety of participants from all employee classifications representing our College. 

Please note the following details:

  • Responsibility for Travel: Selected participants will be responsible for managing their own travel documents and arrangements. The DEIA Office is paying for the selected participants and will provide you with the necessary budget information. Participants are expected to submit their travel authorizations and obtain approval as soon as possible. You may seek additional support from your respective departments if needed. Shoreline Community College’s knowledge base articles are also a great resource
  • Orientation and Additional Sessions: If selected, you will be expected to attend a pre-conference orientation and debrief. Participants will also be participating in a community event once at NCORE. Details will be shared with selected participants once arrangements have been made. These components are designed to enhance your conference experience and professional growth. 
  • Time Away from Office: Selected participants are responsible for notifying their supervisors of their absence and obtaining prior approval. Conference dates: May 27-31. 

Should you have any questions or need further information, please do not hesitate to reach out to Alejandra Salgado (asalgado@shoreline.edu).

We encourage you all to apply and take advantage of this opportunity to contribute to and learn from this important conference.

Academic Appreciation & Faculty Celebration

The Office of Instruction is honored to invite you to an Academic Appreciation & Faculty Celebration Event on January 23rd, 2025, from 5:30pm-7pm in the 9000 building Main Dining Room.

This event will include a reception with catered appetizers, a variety of beverages, and a program to showcase and celebrate this year’s faculty award winners! We will also have an opportunity to hear from a few guest speakers regarding recent academic achievements.

Please RSVP for this event by Monday, January 20th at 6pm by filling out this form.

We look forward to celebrating our amazing faculty and staff here at Shoreline Community College – we hope to see you there! 

Korean America Day: Framing & Commemorating the History of Koreans in the PNW 1/14/25

Join us in celebration of Korean American Day with Dr. Moon-Ho Jung’s lecture on Framing and Commemorating the History of Koreans in the Pacific Northwest. The talk will be held on Tuesday, January 14th from 12-2 pm at Shoreline Community College in the Main Dining Room (MDR) in Room 9215. We will be serving Korean Street Food from a local business.   

Moon-Ho Jung is Professor of History and the Harry Bridges Endowed Chair in Labor Studies at the University of Washington. He is the author of Menace to Empire: Anticolonial Solidarities and the Transpacific Origins of the US Security State (2022), winner of the David Montgomery Award from the Organization of American Historians and the Labor and Working-Class History Association, and the Theodore Saloutos Book Award from the Immigration and Ethnic History Society, and Coolies and Cane: Race, Labor, and Sugar in the Age of Emancipation (2006). He served as the President of the Korean American Historical Society in 2007-2016.  

In 2007, Washington State Governor Chris Gregoire signed a bill designating January 13th as “Korean American Day.” This date marks the first arrival of Korean immigrants to Honolulu, Hawaii in 1903. What is the history of this migration? How and why did Koreans move to the United States, and to the Puget Sound region in particular? This talk will suggest a framework for interpreting local history–a critical step in defining our identities and communities.  

  • Date: Tuesday 1/14/25
  • Time: 12:00-2:00pm
  • Location: 9000 Building, Main Dining Room
    • Korean Street Food will be served
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