<<go back

Grants Administration

Computer Science, Mathematics & Technology (CMT)
Academic Rewards Program

Project Management Plan

Experience and Responsibility of Principal Investigator and Co-Principal Investigators. The PI on this project, Dr. Lynn Hogan, has an earned doctorate, serves as Chair for the Computer Information Systems Department and teaches three CIS classes each semester. She has just completed a computer concepts textbook, published by Prentice-Hall in January, 2004. She will be responsible for overall project management. This will include calling PAT meetings, working with the PR department to develop promotional materials, assuring that information about the project is disseminated to faculty, staff, schools and the community as well as students, structuring the application and award process, assigning mentors for CIS scholars, monitoring scholars who are receiving tutoring, scheduling Real-World seminars, and overseeing data collection and evaluation. She will be assisted by the part-time Clerk and the Co-PI's in monitoring scholars as described below.

Co-PI Elliott Tyler serves as Chair of the Mathematics Division at Calhoun, and a full-time faculty member. Co-PI Jim Swindell serves as Assistant Dean for Technologies and spent many years working in industry. He has a long-standing commitment to promoting opportunities for students in the advanced technology programs. Each will oversee scholars in their respective areas, assigning mentors, advising, and facilitating the success of scholars through referrals and interventions as needed. They will meet with the PAT and assist in scholar selection, development of policies and evaluation.

Co-PI Deborah Byrd is the Director of Student Financial Services and has twenty plus years of experience in financial aid. She manages all Title IV programs with a budget over $11 million and oversees all college scholarship award programs. She and her staff will provide financial aid information, assist potential applicants in completing their applications and proposed scholarship budgets. She will compute recommended awards, manage disbursements and monitor scholarship usage once awarded, reporting to the PI regarding the status of each.

The PI and Co-PI's are academically qualified and very willing to devote the time and energy necessary to make the CMT Academic Rewards Program a success. Each will serve on the CMT Academic Rewards Project Advisory Team (PAT), which will be chaired by Dr. Hogan. All time of the PI, Co-PI's, and PAT members is match.

Responsibilities of Other Senior Personnel -Faculty. Without faculty involvement, the Project would have little chance of success. Faculty mentors will provide frequent interaction with and advising of Scholars. One or more faculty from each area will serve as faculty mentors/advisors to the scholars in their program areas. Each will meet with their assigned new Scholars bi-weekly and with Scholars in later terms at least twice per term. They will guide or intervene as necessary to see that Scholars receive services needed including tutoring. They will also aide the Scholars in career exploration, working with industry representatives to assure career exploration opportunities. The senior faculty personnel are: Dr. Sue Mitchell, Computer Information Systems faculty, Ms. Latrica Birgan, Mathematics faculty, Jim Hughes, Division Chair of Technologies and Design Drafting faculty, Mike Bridges, Aerospace Technology faculty, Sherman Banks, faculty in Advanced Electronics Manufacturing and Process Technology. Biographical sketches are included for each. All are full-time faculty, experienced in their fields. All will serve on the Project Advisory Team described below. All have signed letters of commitment that are included in the Supplementary Documentation.

Role of Other College Personnel. The Director of Admissions, Director of Grants Administration, and the Dean of Business Operations will all work closely with the PI and the PAT on the overall operation of the project. The Assistant Dean of Student Affairs and a representative from Calhoun's Public Relations Department will occupy permanent positions on the PAT, along with faculty from the CIS, Math, and Technologies areas. The Student Affairs Division, including the Offices of Advising, Financial Aid, and Admissions, will assist in recruiting, identifying eligible students, managing scholarships, and providing advising. The Grants Administration Office will ensure that the program is in compliance with all federal guidelines and is maintaining needed program data and records. Finally, the Business Office will ensure the fiscal integrity of the program and compliance with all federal guidelines.

Involvement of Business and Industry. To effectively define high technology curricula, the College partners with business and industry. Each AAS program has been designed with the help of, and is operated with the guidance of, an Industry Excellence Team comprised of industry representatives in the applicable area of technology. The Teams meet with faculty and college representatives periodically to help define course competencies, design curriculum, and to identify required workforce knowledge, skills, and abilities. The CMT Academic Rewards Program will work in conjunction with business and industry in several ways. First, Industry Excellence Teams which are already in place will be asked to assist by designating members to serve on the PAT annually and by providing workplace activities for Scholars. Also, Industry Excellence Teams will meet annually with the PAT to remain aware of the Program's activities and to identify opportunities for Scholars to participate in professional associations. Scholars will be involved with industry representatives through tours, guest speakers, job shadowing, and development of work-based learning experiences.

Role of Project Advisory Team (PAT). The CMT Academic Rewards Project Advisory Team (PAT) will provide oversight to the management of the CMT Academic Rewards Program and will have the primary responsibility for reviewing student applications, and selecting new applicants and continuing support for eligible Scholars. Members of the PAT will work collaboratively to ensure the overall success of the Program. The PAT will initially meet several times to establish processes and procedures. Then the PAT will meet at least once per term for selection of applicants, updating of processes, discussion of any problems or concerns arising with the CMT Academic Rewards Scholars. The group will review the evaluation of the Project annually and will make suggestions for improvements. Appointments will be for one year, renewable, at the PI's discretion. PAT members and their roles are listed below:

back to main page