Issue link: http://howardcc.uberflip.com/i/238538
SOLVING THE EQUATION: Today's Students = Tomorrow's Problem Solvers We hope you will enjoy the inaugural issue of Pathways, a new HCC magazine designed to tell you more about the college's cutting-edge programming, inspiring work of faculty and staff, and the dedication of our students and alumni to excellence in the classroom, as well as in the community. It seems only fitting to focus the first issue on topics that affect the future economy and quality of life for us all. Alternative fuel sources…electronic espionage…disaster-resistant construction…these are daily topics in the news that are rooted in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) education. For today's students to succeed in tomorrow's STEM workforce, they require a solid educational foundation in science and technology, as well as business and liberal arts courses essential for implementing and communicating the solutions. Despite current economic challenges, career growth in these fields remains above average and competitive, especially in Maryland with our proximity to key national agencies and high concentration of professional and technical positions. Tomorrow's STEM workforce demands will certainly increase in proportion to the complexity of our environmental and societal issues. Three major challenges exist when it comes to STEM education. The first is to encourage students from a variety of backgrounds to choose STEM majors and to support them in those choices. The second is to help those in the local workforce learn new technical skills. Finally, it is critical to help all students understand the relevance of STEM education to their careers and lives. In this issue, you will read about the partnerships the college has forged with local and national businesses, county schools, and local, state, and federal governments to address the STEM education challenge. You will also read about HCC's innovative degree and certification programs developed to prepare today's students for tomorrow's world. Preparing students for this challenge is an important part of the college's mission, "Providing pathways to success." I hope the first issue of our new magazine, with a name inspired by the mission, has shed some light on the pathways leading to STEM success. Kathleen Hetherington, Ed.D. President Pathways | Howard Community College Spring 2011 Pathways THE MAGAZINE OF HOWARD COMMUNITY COLLEGE SPRING 2011 MANAGING EDITOR Jane Sharp WRITER Harriet Meyers DESIGNERS Jessica Fisher Mike Scrivener Margie Dunklee Sarah English PHOTOGRAPHER Mike Scrivener EDITORIAL BOARD Missy Mattey Sharon Pierce, Ed.D. Erin Yun PRESIDENT Kathleen Hetherington, Ed.D. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC RELATIONS & MARKETING Nancy Santos-Gainer DIRECTOR OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS Randy Bengfort BOARD OF TRUSTEES Katherine K. Rensin, Chair Roberta E. Dillow, Vice Chair Edmund S. Coale, III Kevin J. Doyle Patrick L. Huddie, Ph.D. Mary S. Esmond Kathleen Hetherington, Ed.D., Secretary-Treasurer Pathways is published twice a year in spring and fall by the Office of Public Relations & Marketing. © 2011, Howard Community College. 10901 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD 21044, 443-518-1000. ECO-AUDIT/ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFITS STATEMENT Pathways, The Magazine of Howard Community College, Spring 2011 was printed on paper derived from well-managed forests and X% recycled post-consumer waste. The use of this environmentally-friendly paper saves the following: Trees – X Energy Saved – X million BTUs Greenhouse Gas Reduction – X lbs of CO2 Waste Water Reduction – X gallons Solid Waste Reduction – X lbs. Environmental impact estimates were produced using the Environmental Defense Paper Calculator