What are we doing?

The goal of this project is to produce results-oriented methodologies and tools for recruitment and retention that focus on alumni engagement as a response to an ever-increasing need for skilled biotechnicians. This will be done through piloting speed networking events, creating “Scientist Spotlights'' and publishing “Alumni Success Stories” across the 3 colleges with different demographic, socio-economic, and industrial landscapes.

To accomplish this, the project will

1. Establish an alumni network to document alumni career pathways for the purpose of educating current and future students

2. Develop employee and alumni outreach tools to increase alumni and industry engagement creating direct industry interactions between existing and potential community college students.

Feedback from faculty and staff from all three colleges will be utilized to develop and embed these methodologies and tools into curricula. Community college Biotechnology, Biology, and Chemistry students, as well as high school students, will be recruited to participate in the speed networking events to directly interact with alumni industry professionals. These events will provide current and future students with relevant and relatable information that will encourage them to join and/or complete biotechnology programs. This will simultaneously provide alumni opportunities to re-engage with their program and give back to their community, creating a sustainable feedback loop for industry engagement with community college biotechnology programs.