Academic Program Review 2006-2007
Executive Summary
Department of Aviation
The Department of Aviation was included in the fifth cycle of academic program review for the
2006-2007 school year. Based upon feedback from the previous cycles, the contents of the selfstudy were modified as were some of the implementation details. Included in the process was
the composition of a self-study document based upon faculty’s analysis, a departmental retreat
where the data were reviewed and the final two sections discussed. The visitation by an external
reviewer, Dr. Joe Dunlap, professor and Vice President of Instruction at Spokane Community
College, who read the self-study, interviewed faculty, staff, administration, and students, and
submitted his analysis.
The departmental self-study completed by the faculty and staff is the major document for this
program review. This complex document reveals the strengths and challenges through the
departmental perspective and reflects the commitment and outward sign of the department for
self-analysis, reflection, and evaluation. The institutional expectation is that the department and
college administration will use the self-study document, the dean’s report, and the executive
summary as guides to the faculty, staff, and administration for the next several academic years as
the department addresses the recommendations and continues its record of excellence.
Since this process requires an enormous amount of time and effort from all participants, it is
necessary to ensure that the results are used to inform decisions and future course of actions.
Therefore, the department faculty and college administration would normally be expected to
provide a summary of activities undertaken during the 2007-2008 academic year as a
consequence of the program review. It should be noted that since the process was somewhat
delayed because of administrative personnel changes, this report will be due to the provost in
May, 2009 and will cover between 2007-2009.
It should be noted that Dr. Dunlap’s analysis is very thoughtful and specific and, along with the
dean’s report, provide the depth and context for the faculty and administration to move ahead in
addressing the recommendations and celebrating the commendations.
Commendations
The self-study document as submitted by the Department of Aviation was understandable and
informative. It can be determined from reading the self-study report, the observations of the
reviewer, and the summary comments of the college dean that the department has several
strengths and challenges. It should also be concluded that the department is integral to the
mission of the college and university and should be commended in the following areas:
Faculty:
Faculty of the Department of Aviation are vital members of the College of the Education and
Professional Studies and the Central Washington University campus community. Aviation
faculty are extremely qualified and maintain a high standard in relation to degrees, credentials,
and certificates (FAA). Faculty consistently demonstrated productivity in teaching, service, and
scholarship over the period of review. Student ratings of instructional effectiveness are high as
are the relative number of publications, presentations, and even external funding. Faculty also
take an active role on several important college and university committees. The department and
college should continue to make a concerted effort to retain current faculty as the issue of
turnover was mentioned. It is equally important to recruit faculty in the future that display such
positive attributes as the current faculty.
Curriculum and Approach:
The curriculum is current, relevant, and applied. Obviously, based on the type of profession that
is aviation, there are many practical opportunities to develop skills and knowledge areas.
Students are regularly assessed and changes are made to the curriculum based on the data
collected and analyzed. This is a model for other departments in the college and university and
should be continued in the future.
Student Orientation:
Department faculty are highly engaged with students through courses, mentoring and career
development support, extra-curricular, and through support services. It is clear that a major
departmental focus is to develop student learning in a variety of connected and planful ways.
Recommendations
Although the department should be commended in numerous areas, there are also areas for
continuous improvement. Following are areas that should be addressed to improve the
functioning and quality of the department and its associated programs:
Facilities:
One of the major obstacles to the successful development and achievement of this department is
inadequate facilities. It is clear that for program growth and sustainability, an adequate teaching
facility must be provided. Attempts by the college to mitigate this problem by relocating faculty
to campus as well as providing a portable building should be commended. It is important that
the university increase its commitment to providing the highest quality facilities possible for all
programs but particularly those in desperate need such as Aviation.
Equipment:
The costs associated with obtaining and maintaining state-of-the-art is high in relation to this
program. Thus, a budgetary plan for equipment replacement needs should be developed by the
department, in consultation with the college and division of academic affairs to assure that
student equipment needs are met in a proactive manner and not simply when things break-down.
This may include raising student fees and/or cumulative funding, and one-time funding
strategies.
Staffing:
The department offers multiple undergraduate degree options. There needs to be departmental
discussion as based on number of student majors and graduates within each option as to the
viability of each program from a resource standpoint. In other words, can and should the
department continue to adequately support all degree options offered in their current
configuration? Based on the reviewer’s comments and data presented in the review, the answer
seems no. Aircraft systems management and aviation and airport management graduate numbers
have declined over the years. Program consolidation should be considered and analyzed for
viability and for future college and department action. Clearly, staffing must be stabilized and
increased if further discussion is to take place regarding potential curriculum additions (Masters).
The external reviewer provided suggestions to improve staffing and the Dean has authorized
funding for new searches. All of these efforts could help in defining and improving resource
constraint and faculty load issues.
Internal and External Feedback:
Although the Aviation program has industry support as evidenced by its relationship with
Horizon airline, it is important that the department establish and regularly meet with an advisory
committee/group to receive feedback regarding industry/employer need and provide suggestions
and guidance for curriculum improvements. This group should try to be broad-based and include
government, industry, and higher education representation. Student input should also be sought
through some sort of mechanism (student advisory group or Club) that assures that systematic
and regular feedback for faculty is provided.
Summary
Overall, the Department of Aviation is an important part of Central Washington University.
Faculty are leaders on campus, student focused, and productive in terms of teaching, service, and
scholarship. The department, college, and university needs to continue its efforts in securing
adequate facilities for this program. The department and college need to engage in short- and
long-range planning for staffing and equipment needs to minimize faculty overload and improve
its ability to make replacement purchases. By examining its curriculum, improving its planning
processes, and seeking internal and external feedback, the department will certainly achieve its
goals and those of the college, and university.