Massachusetts PKAL Regional Network

Mission

The Massachusetts chapter of PKAL is a community of higher education partners who create, implement, assess, and share innovations in the practice of teaching and learning to improve student achievement and preparation for the STEM workforce or graduate studies.

CLICK HERE TO REVIEW THE MASS PKAL CONSTITUTION & BYLAWS updated as of 9/28/22

Vision

The Massachusetts Regional PKAL Network is a collaboration of higher education institutions and partners that will be nationally known for excellence in STEM teaching and learning, focusing on student success and retention resulting in higher post-secondary graduation rates in STEM Fields.

Goals

I) Increase STEM Student Success, Persistence, and Retention

Action Steps

1. Support [for] 1^st generation, low-income, underrepresented minorities in pursuing STEM degrees
2. Recruitment strategies through general education curriculum and partnership communication with MA high schools

II)Provide Professional Development & Leadership Development opportunities

Action Steps

1. Best practices (active learning), new pedagogy
2. How to best teach/teaching strategies at the college level
3. Leadership development for faculty, staff, and administrators
4. Establishing a PKAL representative from each of a selection of Massachusetts institutions of higher education
5. Establishing an annual workshop/seminar/meeting that rotates through the institutions having a representative on the Massachusetts PKAL network leadership team

III) Workforce Readiness

Action Steps

1. Working with business and industry partners to ensure students have experience in 21^st century skills and practices
2. Providing clear expectations of workforce requirements including use of career offices at each participating institution to provide accurate and timely information to students

IV) Dissemination

1. Portal for sharing resources
2. Centralized job postings/ resources for all PKAL institutions

Events

• (Re)Engaging in Passionate STEM Teaching and Learning, a virtual event, hosted by Salem State University on January 10, 2024
• Empowering STEM Faculty and Administrators to Implement an Equity Agenda at Worecester University on June 13, 2023
• Inspiring Joy for Teaching and Learning in a World of Disruption a virtual event, hosted by University of Massachusetts Amherst on January 11, 2023
• Developing Equity and Inclusion at the Department Level, a virtual event, hosted by Bridgewater State University on February 1, 2022
• Back to Normal? STEM Education and High-Impact Practices Moving Forward, a virtual event, hosted by Westfield State University on June 2, 2021
• STEM Ed in the Time of COVID19, a virtual event, hosted by Worcester Polytechnic Institute on January 7, 2021
• Building an Equitable and Inclusive STEM Community: Best Practices for Faculty at Framingham State University on January 15, 2020
• Reading, Writing and Arithmetic: Expanding the Capabilities of All STEM Students at Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts on June 21, 2019
• Faculty Development of Inclusive Excellence in STEM at Wheaton College on January 9, 2019
• Off to a Good Start: Excellence in Teaching Introductory STEM Courses at Salem State University on June 15, 2018
• Supporting All STEM Students at Bridgewater State University on January 10, 2018
• STEM Students in the Community and Other High-Impact Practices at Fitchburg State University on June 7,2017
• Best Practices in STEM and Integrating Undergraduates into Research at Worcester State University on January 11, 2017
• Best Practices in STEM Education at Westfield State University on June 10, 2016
• Best Practices in Retaining Underrepresented Students in STEM at Framingham State University on October 16, 2015

Network Leadership

The Massachusetts Regional PKAL Network steering committee is composed of faculty, staff, and administrators from a selection of participating institutions of higher education in Massachusetts.

Bridgewater State University
Dr. Tom Kling – Past Chair of the Steering Committee

Fitchburg State University
Dr. Elizabeth “Liz” Gordon

Framingham State University
Dr. Catherine Dignam – Chair of the Steering Committee
Phone 508 626 4778; [email protected]

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Dr. Ann Billetz

Salem State University
Dr. Maura Murray

Westfield State University
Dr. Robin White

Wheaton College
Dr. Jennifer Lanni

Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Dr. Drew Brodeur

Worcester State University
Dr. Aleel Grennan – Chair Elect of the Steering Committee