Waubonsee water ways: building pathways to careers in the water sector

Waubonsee Community College received a $350,000 Project Grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) under the STEM Education (CFDA 47.076) program. The grant aims to address current and emergent workforce needs in the water and wastewater sectors by preparing students for water and wastewater technician careers. Key products and services include:

• Development and delivery of a certificate program for two student cohorts, incorporating innovative experiential learning, extensive student support, and industry-based skills assessment
• Comprehensive recruitment activities to attract underrepresented students, including collaboration with local workforce agencies and high school outreach
• Robust retention efforts such as cohort-specific academic advisors and tutors
• Regular program assessments by external evaluators

This project seeks to better position the community, targeted student populations, and the northern Illinois water sector to meet future water and wastewater demands. The grant period runs from July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2027.

Abstract

This project aims to serve the national interest by addressing the current and emergent water and wastewater workforce needs nationally and in northern illinois. A wave of retirements in the water sector is imminent. Existing and emerging positions will require new and updated fundamental skill sets as identified by the project?s foundational business and industry leadership team (bilt). The project will prepare students with the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success as water and wastewater technicians. IT will incorporate innovative experiential learning, extensive student support, and industry-based skills assessment to assist students in preparing for water and wastewater technician careers. The goals of the project include the development and delivery of a certificate program for two cohorts, comprehensive recruitment, robust retention activities, and program assessment. Significant activities include a focus on recruiting and enrolling underrepresented students within the region. Recruitment activities include cooperation with local workforce development agencies to target adult populations, college recruitment events at local high schools, campus visits, and prospective student visits to local water and wastewater treatment facilities. To support retention, the project will have cohort-specific academic advisors and tutors with required student-tutor interactions. Outside evaluators will conduct regular assessments of the program. Using these methodologies, the community, the targeted student populations, and the water sector of northern illinois will be better poised to meet future water and wastewater demands. This project is funded by the advanced technological education program that focuses on the education of technicians for the advanced technology fields that drive the nation's economy. This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.- subawards are not planned for this award.