Department of Aviation
Academic Review Process
CEPS Dean’s Review
February 4, 2008
The Academic Program Review Process.
The Academic Program Review is one of the most viable and cogent activities, in which the
faculty of a department engages to assess its programs. The assessment includes curricula,
instruction, advising, scholarship, and service. As stated in the preamble to the APR guidelines
document, the program review process “… provides basic information on the nature of the
department’s programs and gives the faculty’s assessment of the program’s strengths and
weaknesses. A program of self-study is the faculty’s opportunity to scrutinize itself, to publicize
its accomplishments and examine its shortcomings.” Within the context of the Central
Washington University Plan, the Academic Program Review process is an opportunity for the
faculty and staff in the department, as well as the college dean and the Associate Vice president
for Undergraduate Studies, to determine the degree to which a department meets the mission,
vision, core values, and strategic goals of the university,. Moreover, the Academic Program
Review provides a formal process by which the department’s faculty and staff can examine their
academic activities in the contest of their own mission and strategic goals.
Strengths of the Department of Aviation.
The mission of the Department of Aviation is to provide comprehensive quality aviation
education programs that prepare competent professionals for entry-level and leadership
positions in the aviation industry (Department of Aviation Program Review document, 2006,
Section I.C.). The department’s mission is central within the Central Washington University
mission. Both the university and departmental missions acknowledge a responsibility to prepare
students for responsible citizenship and enlightened and productive lives.
The viability and commitment to the university, college and departmental visions are strengths
and guiding principles, which are manifested throughout the department and include the
following strengths:
Faculty. Each of the tenured/tenure track and non-tenure track faculty has a high level of
expertise, credentials and experience in his/her fields. Currently there are three
tenured/tenure-track faculty and two non-tenure-track faculty in the program. Each is
committed to providing quality curriculum, instruction, and advising to every students.
Students. The faculty and students have a close professional relationship, which enhances
faculty mentoring of students. Examples include, students’ (a) appreciation and respect for
faculty, (b) belief that Mid-State Aviation does a good job with the flight training, (c) realize
the value of the program, and (d) are strong advocates for the department. Moreover, each
student is assigned a faculty advisor and required to meet with his/her advisor each quarter.
During the advising session, students are given permission numbers to register for aviation
courses and advised regarding degree requirements and educational/career plans.
Program Quality. The Department of Aviation is an academically high quality program that
offers high quality comprehensive programming. It maintains current curriculum through
FAA monitoring and offering FAA approved ground school courses, faculty scholarship,
Department of Aviation, Dean’s Response, 7/24/16, p. 1
faculty retraining, aviation conferences, and collaboration with community colleges in
Washington state that offer two year aviation degrees. There are four degree programs
offered at the undergraduate level: flight officer, commercial pilot, aviation management, and
aviation maintenance management specializations.
Instruction. Instruction in the Department of Aviation is exemplary with averages on the
Student Evaluation of Instruction in the mid to high 4’s on a scale of 1-5. Faculty dedication
to the students and their areas of expertise is evident in faculty excitement about their
teaching and their continual endeavors to enhance their teaching with the most appropriate
instructional strategies, technology, cooperative learning, and engagement of students.
Approximately one quarter of the class work for the specializations are FAA-approved
ground school courses (specific to pilot certification) and are taught under the more stringent
standards of Part 141 of the FAA regulations.
Scholarship and External Funding. In the past four years, scholarly activities have
increased. In 2003, one to three of the faculty published articles or conference proceedings
or gave conference presentations. As of 2004, two to three participated in those activities on
an annual basis. Additionally, in 2004 faculty initiated faculty mentored research projects.
External grants totaling $31,000 have been funded
Service and Professional Activities. In addition to scholarly activities, faculty lend their
expertise to university committees, leadership and service to professional services, and
community service.
Challenges and Recommendations for the Department of Aviation.
Faculty Issues. The need for additional faculty in the DOA is critical. The high quality
faculty are working hard to maintain program integrity, but the number of faculty is
inadequate to serve the current students, support growth, and continue with university faculty
responsibilities (e.g., administrative duties, scholarship, service, and retraining). Faculty do
realize that the work expected (e.g., administrative, scholarship, teaching, service, and
maintaining industry credentials) places a heavy workload on them. In the past five years, the
department has experienced a high turnover in flight technology faculty and small pools from
which to draw from when recruiting. The turnover results in remaining faculty having to
teach overloads and assume additional advising duties, conduct faculty searches, mentor new
faculty, train and monitor adjunct faculty, and increased administrative responsibilities. The
faculty are superb, dedicated professionals who will create in a significant loss for the
university if any one of them decides to seek employment elsewhere.
Recommendations:
1. Develop a three to five year plan, which includes the following:
a. Priority staffing need of the department based on student enrollment and FTE
trends;
b. Future directions for the programs:
2. Conduct faculty searches to hire at least one, possibly two, tenure track faculty to support
program expansion.
3. Increase salaries with the goal of prolonged employment for new faculty.
Department of Aviation, Dean’s Response, 7/24/16, p. 2
4. Include FAA requirements and retraining opportunities as part of faculty workloads.
Programs. As stated previously, the instruction is exemplary. Assessment of program
graduates needs to be strengthened. Additionally, alumni and employer surveys will provide
useful data for program improvement.
Recommendations:
1. Develop an assessment plan for both programs and students.
2. Investigate the potential of a capstone course.
3. Develop effective department feedback surveys for alumni and students.
4. Track alumni and solicit employer feedback.
5. Develop an advisory council formed of aviation industry practitioners and experts.
Scholarship. Of the faculty in the Department of Aviation, one has a PhD and the others
have MS or MIT degrees, which are terminal degree requirements for the program. All
faculty publish in peer reviewed professional journals and magazines. Additionally, faculty
have presented a numerous conferences at state, regional, national and international levels.
They have also been awarded internal and external grant funds.
Recommendations:
1. Increase professional development opportunities for faculty to stay current in their
scholarship activities.
2. Continue with the high level of scholarly activity.
Technology. According to the external reviewer, students have resources available, but the
resources are not state of the art and not readily available for student use. Further, replacing
and/or upgrading existing flight simulators and flight training devices is recommended.
Recommendations:
1. Provide a computer lab that increases the number of computers available for student use
with software that is specific to course and program needs.
2. Replace or upgrade flight simulators to reflect state-of-the-art systems with current
databases.
Facilities. The Department of Aviation is located in a temporary portable facility at Bowers
Field that has two classrooms, a room for flight training devices, faculty offices, a conference
room, and small planning room with two student computers. According to the external
reviewer, the facility is inadequate to support the number of students and faculty with no
room for expansion of the program. In the Department of Aviation program review
document, the general condition of the facilities is detailed (e.g., roof leaks, mold, wasps in
the building, etc.). Moreover, during interviews with the external reviewer, students
expressed a preference to be located on campus with more connection to the campus
community.
The condition of the facilities at Bowers Field is an embarrassment to the faculty and has
resulted in a loss of potential students. Prospective students and parents have stated the
facility as one reason they chose another university for the collegiate aviation experience.
Department of Aviation, Dean’s Response, 7/24/16, p. 3
The CWU program the Northwest’s only WA-state-supported institution offering
baccalaureate aviation programs. With new facilities, the program can expand.
Recommendations:
1. Construct new facilities at Bowers Field to provide for program expansion and for flight
specific courses that require using flight training devices. Schedule other courses in on
campus classrooms.
2. Provide the department with space on campus for faculty and staff offices and
conference/planning rooms.
Communication and Faculty Morale. Faculty morale seems to be quite good, even as the
department faces significant challenges. Communication is good within the department.
Faculty in the Department of Aviation are dedicated professionals who do what is needed to
provide students with a high quality education without complaint.
Recommendations:
1. Continue with regularly scheduled faculty meetings.
2. Continue collaboration among faculty pertaining to teaching, scholarship, and service
activities.
Moving Forward.
The department of Aviation is one of exemplary quality, strengths, and promise. The faculty are
committed to the students, their fields of expertise, and to the university. The department has an
excellent reputation both on campus and externally. The challenges and recommendations are,
therefore, to be used to enhance the department and guide faculty in developing higher quality
programs, scholarship, work-place environment, and support.
I look forward to working and collaborating with DPA faculty, staff, students, and department
chair to meet the challenges and to enhance an excellent department.
Recommendations Implemented
Since the external review was completed in April 2007, the following recommendations have
been implemented:
1. Due to the condition of the buildings at Bowers Field, the Department of Aviation was
evacuated and relocated to Michaelson Hall on main campus. They were provided with
faculty and staff offices on a temporary basis for the current academic year. A portable
building is scheduled to be in place by fall 2008 for space for equipment, a few offices, and
two classrooms. I am in the process of seeking permanent faculty and staff space on campus.
2. A search is in progress for a full time tenure track or non-tenure track faculty member.
3. Faculty in the department have finalized a vision, goals and objectives, and assessment plan.
4. FAA responsibilities were added to workload plans
5. Curriculum change to take place in fall 2008 includes a capstone course
6. An alumni website has been established and the department is working to register as many
alumni as possible on that site to maintain an informational database and feedback forum
Department of Aviation, Dean’s Response, 7/24/16, p. 4
7. The department simulator committee is making recommendations for acquisition of new
flight training devices, and facilities has slated monies from capitol funding to purchase new
simulator equipment. Those funds are not adequate to replace the current level of devices;
faculty will seek grant opportunities for additional funding.
Department of Aviation, Dean’s Response, 7/24/16, p. 5