Industry leaders and community members also play an impactful role early in students’ academic careers through workforce advisory committees designed to lend industry insights into the curricula and programming needs of individual programs. The committees are a way for these leaders to share their knowledge of current industry practices and needs so that Collin can prepare students in a way that maximizes their skill sets, employability, and paths to succeed in their chosen professions.
“Advisory committees comprising industry professionals are essential because they provide critical insights into the workforce that we are preparing students to join,” said Damien Smith, program director for Cybersecurity at Collin College. “Having transitioned from industry to higher education myself, I recognize how rapidly technology evolves. Involving industry experts ensures that our programs and curricula stay relevant and aligned with current trends and demands.”
While many of Collin College’s professors, like Smith, have worked or continue working in the fields that they teach, advisory committee members are tied into current industry needs and may be in a position to offer resources to the programs they advise.
Dr. Catherine Pfent, the college’s Veterinary Technology program director, said that advisory committee members have helped find area farms for classroom use and provide feedback on the most useful equipment for students to train on.
Tripat Baweja, dean of Academic Affairs/Workforce at the Technical Campus, said Electronic Engineering Technology (EET) program advisory committee feedback led to the development of the college’s Robotics and Automation Technology program. And Smith’s program is now looking at ways to implement alternative credentialing pathways for information assurance, a growing field related to cybersecurity.
Many committee members also play active roles in student development. Shakera Subedar, a cybersecurity student, said she believes engagement with industry partners has impacted her career development, noting that student projects or capstones sometimes involve industry partners.
“Having these partners witness firsthand the level of rigor and innovation in our projects gives them confidence in the quality of the program and its graduates,” she said. “I believe this visibility and connection made my job search easier, as industry professionals were already familiar with the program’s standards and had insight into the work we could produce.”
For her part, Dr. Mary Roby, a fabrication manager with Texas Instruments and an EET advisory committee member, said she enjoys those interactions.
“I’m impressed with the students’ self-confidence and energy they put into their projects,” Dr. Roby said. “It is more than ‘school’ when someone is showing me their latest robot design, and I share their pride in what they accomplished.”
Dr. Roby said she accepted a role on her committee for two reasons.
“I wanted to gain a different perspective outside of my day job, bringing my experience to the table at a different venue,” she said. “And I get to invest in Collin and its students to pay back the investment others made in me when I was going through college. I’m a first-generation college graduate who is successful because of the investment of others. It was my turn to be part of the rising tide that raises all boats.”
Business, industry, and community leaders serve on advisory committees for the following Collin College programs:
- Animation and Game Art, AAS
- Automotive Technology, AAS
- Automotive Technology – Honda PACT, AAS
- Automotive Technology – T-Ten Toyota, AAS
- Banking and Financial Services, AAS
- Biomedical Equipment Technology, AAS
- Biotechnology, certificate
- Business Management, AAS
- Business Office Support Systems, AAS
- Clinical Operations Management, BAS
- Cloud Computing, AAS
- Collision Technology, AAS
- Communication Design, AAS
- Computer-Aided Drafting & Design, AAS
- Computer Networking, AAS
- Computer Systems, AAS
- Construction Management, AAS
- Construction Management, BAS
- Construction Technology – Electrical, AAS
- Construction Technology – Plumbing, AAS
- Construction Technology – Safety, AAS
- Culinary/Pastry Arts, AAS
- Cybersecurity – Information Systems, AAS
- Database Development, AAS
- Dental Hygiene, AAS
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography, AAS
- Early Childhood Education, AAS
- Electronic Engineering Technology, AAS
- Emergency Medical Services Professions, AAS
- Esthetician,* certificate
- Fire Science, AAS
- Geospatial Information Science, AAS
- Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, AAS
- Health Information Management, AAS
- Health Professions, AAS
- Hospitality and Food Service Management, AAS
- Human Resources and Organizational
- Development, AAS
- Insurance Management, AASInterior Design, AAS
- Interpreter Training Program, AAS
- Law Enforcement,* certificate
- Marketing, AAS
- Medical Assisting Advanced Practice, AAS
- Medical Massage Therapy,* certificate
- Music – Commercial, AAS
- Nursing, ADN
- Nursing, RN to BSN
- Nursing, Vocational, certificate
- Paralegal and Legal Assistant, AAS
- Pharmacy Technician, AAS
- Photography – Commercial, AAS
- Physical Therapist Assistant, AAS/Rehabilitation Aide, OSA
- Polysomnographic Technology, AAS
- Real Estate Management, AAS
- Respiratory Care, AAS
- Robotics and Automation Technology, AAS
- Software Development, AAS
- Sport and Recreation Management, AAS
- Supply Chain Management, AAS
- Surgical Assisting, certificate
- Surgical Technology, AAS
- Urban Sustainable Agriculture, AAS
- Video Production, AAS
- Veterinary Technology, AAS
- Welding Technology, AAS
* Continuing Education program