• Attend the meetings (since these meetings are mandated by both state and federal law) and serve out your term (if terms are utilized in your committee)
• Represent not only your area of expertise on the committee but also see yourself as a representative of your company and our community.
• Contribute subject matter expertise by actively providing perspectives, strategic guidance, and knowledge about current and anticipated trends in the field
• Help the College maintain a modern curriculum with up-to-date training methods
• Respond to email, text, or other communications sent to you by the College
• Help the College identify other strong industry partners that may be willing to participate in the EAC, provide student learning opportunities, or actively support the College
• Be a champion of the College and our students
• Help the College critical student employment data: where are students employed, and were they workforce ready?

Chairperson of the Advisory Committee

Zane State College is encouraging all faculty program directors to consider appointing an EAC member, if amenable, to chair the committee. The functional appointment of an employer to lead the meetings would create stronger engagement and better partnerships in the long term. If you, as an employer, step into this role, you would work directly with the program faculty to plan the meeting, develop the agenda, facilitate the meeting and ensure that minutes, noting the outcomes of the meeting, are captured.

 

Frequency of Meetings

Generally, Zane State College Employer Advisory Committees will meet in person twice a year (some programs may meet more frequently).

 

What to Expect In Between Committee Meetings

Program Information: The faculty member managing your committee will likely send email updates and will keep in contact with you in between meetings with key program information, updates on student activities, program or College-related awards, new grant opportunities or initiatives, etc. You may also receive surveys or polls asking you for guidance on critical issues.

 

Knowledge Sharing: As an employer, you are part of a vibrant learning community; please share/email key reports, articles, briefs, or things happening in your profession to the program director or EAC faculty lead to keep the College up to date on promising workforce practices and trends.

 

Labor Market Data Sharing: If possible, provide the College with updated labor market information or hiring trends in your industry.

 

Invite potential employers who are not currently on the committee to key College events (judge robotics competition, participate in mock interviews, become a guest lecturer, or involve them on other activities to become engaged and interested in the program.

 

What Happens at Meetings

• Meeting agendas will be sent a minimum of two weeks prior to meetings, and minutes with meeting outcomes will be sent to you within a few weeks following the meeting
• Topics at meetings will foster good interaction and faculty will ask you for guidance on key strategic directions
• The agenda should include equal parts strategy, planning, and updates
• Occasionally, a student may attend the meeting to talk about the program
• Introductions of EAC members will happen at every meeting and provides you with the opportunity to meet and network with each other
• Key College staff will be introduced – all faculty that are part of the program, both full-time, part-time and adjunct faculty, are encouraged to participate in EAC meetings
• Employers can expect a brief overview of the College and specific programs (mission, vision, and history, etc.)
• Discussion of the number of times an estimated meeting dates for the EAC will occur
• Outcomes and expectations for committee members will be set, including a brief orientation/training that is typically delivered for new employer members before their first meeting
• College faculty will ensure responsibilities across all members are evenly distributed
• Follow-up action steps are provided by the Program Director/EAC Chair when needed
• Meeting notes and minutes distributed, including action plans, anticipated results, meeting outcomes, and timelines, within a minimum of two weeks
• If you cannot attend in person, the EAC Chair may offer a remote option for participation