workshop

One day was used to explore development of a new multi-institutional PSM program in renewable energy.  Nancy Hamilton, Senior Policy Advisor for Economic Development and Workforce in the Office of the Governor spoke at the opening dinner event and chaired a panel discussion on projected regional job opportunities in renewable energy.  Representatives from the Oregon Employment Department, academic partner institutions (OSU, PSU and OIT), as well as various renewable energy industries (like SolarWorld Industries America, Energy Trust of Oregon, Portland General Electric and Vestas America) came together to outline the program structure and curriculum.  The second day of the workshop focused on the general statewide PSM initiative, outlining goals and activities helpful to new program development efforts at individual campuses.  Carol Lynch with the Council of Graduate Schools described current policy initiatives underway, Sheila Tobias shared an update on national statewide PSM initiatives and lessons learned, Carol Stoel from the National Science Foundation provided information about their PSM grants program, and Stephen Lemire gave an overview of NPSMA best practices and national coordination initiatives (www.npsma.org).  We were fortunate to have so many national leaders participate in this event!  Helping lead discussions on industry partnerships, program sustainability, and marketing were Stephan Crothers from San Jose State University, John Nishio from CSU in Chico, and Faramarz Valafar from San Diego State University.  As is typical for many of our PSM gatherings, we ended our workshop by listening to the experiences of some of OSU’s PSM alumni, which was inspirational.

Activities for Oregon’s statewide PSM effort will next focus on developing an Oregon PSM Advisory Board, creating a website and brochure, drafting a proposal to designate the PSM as a separate degree recognized throughout the OUS, organizing additional workshops to facilitate cooperative program development efforts and sharing best practices, and establishing a small grants program to support growth of PSM programs throughout the state.