Exploring Theoretical Perspectives on Change Agent Roles Enacted by Two-Year College Geoscience Faculty

• In Event: 34.052 - Community College Teaching and Learning

Abstract

Supporting and Advancing Geoscience Education in Two-year Colleges (SAGE 2YC) is a four-year NSF project to implement a professional development model that prepares 2YC geoscience faculty to be change agents on multiple levels, starting with their own practice and extending to their campuses and regions. Changes that faculty seek to improve in student success include broadening participation, increasing attainment, and ensuring pathways progression (transfer and employment). Three years of findings will be discussed, including how existing theories on organizational change, change leadership, and transformative leadership both inform and fall short of explaining 2YC faculty change agent roles. Lessons for 2YC professional development will also be discussed.

Authors

• Pamela L. Eddy, College of William and Mary

• Yi Hao, University of Virginia

• Debra D. Bragg, University of Washington - Seattle