Partnership for Undergraduate Life Science Education (PULSE)

Transforming Undergraduate Life Science Education

Sharon B. Gusky, Northwestern Connecticut Community CollegeLoretta Brancaccio-Taras, Kingsborough Community CollegeNitya Jacob, Oxford College of Emory UniversityKaren Klyczek, University of Wisconsin- River Falls

Session Goals:• Introduce participants to PULSE• Update the life science education community

on the work of the PULSE Vision and Change Leadership Fellows

• Answer questions about the PULSE efforts

Partnership for Undergraduate Life Sciences Education

• Initiated as as result of a collaboration between NSF, NIH/NIGMS, and HHMI

• Charge: to initiate change in life science education at the departmental level using the recommendations in Vision and Change in Undergraduate Biology Education: A Call to Action

Vision and Change Leadership Fellows

• 40 Department Chairpersons/Deans

• Developing a framework for V&C implementation since 2012

• Developing resources/materials for departmental-level change.

www.pulsecommunity.org

Vision & Change Ambassadors

Progress:• 2nd Ambassadors training in August 35 trained Ambassadors

• 10 departmental visits during 2014-15

• Follow up, assessment, seek additional funding, Spring and Summer 2015

PULSE community members - interested in Ambassador visit? http://www.pulsecommunity.org/page/ambassador-program

Regional Networks

• Focus on departmental support for faculty development

• Online component• In-person workshops • Follow-up activities• VT, MA, CT • Workshop June 7

Western New England Great Plains and Midwest• Partner with ACUBE,

SENCER, and AIBS• Regional V&C workshops• Develop regional hubs in

IA, IL, IN, KA, MI, MN, MO, ND, OH, OK, SD, WI

• Engage community colleges

• Conference June 6-8

Pacific Northwest• Systems approach to

institutional change• Enhance existing

networks in the PNW • Build regional networks

in AK, WA, OR, ID, MT, WY

• Report at the annual NWBIO meeting May 2 Southeast Regional

• AL, FL, GA, KY, NC, SC, TN, VA, WV, VI

• Focus on diversity, departments, regional networks

• Institute June 18-21

Southwest• Newly formed• AZ, CA, CO, HI, NM, TX

Vision & Change Rubrics• Purpose:– Evaluate department progress in V&C implementation– Certification Program

• Six areas: curriculum development, faculty support, student engagement and inclusivity, assessment, infrastructure, and the campus climate for change

• All types of Institutions

• PULSE Vision & Change Rubrics v1.0

Vision & Change Rubrics• CBE-Life Sciences, Dec 2013 – Letter to the

Editor • Online Data Collection Portal http://www.pulsecommunity.org/page/v-c-certification • Certification Program Self-Study: Eight pilot

institutions (2 of each type)• Link with Ambassador Program• Department Evaluation Rubric – short version