Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1 College of Agriculture California State Polytechnic University Pomona, CA 91768
2 California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
3 Environmental Resources Center University of Wisconsin-Extension Madison, WI 53706
Abstract
In order to make strategic decisions, the new leadership team at the College of Agriculture at the California State Polytechnic University, Pomona conducted a series of focus group interviews with its students, faculty, and staff members. The purpose of this qualitative study was to poll the opinions of these important stakeholders to improve the teaching-learning process in the college, to promote job satisfaction among the employees, to better fulfill the college’s mission of advancing learning and knowledge, and to prepare students for lifelong learning and leadership in agricultural careers. Six themes emerged from student groups and four from faculty/staff groups, with lack of resources emerging as a common theme from both groups. The leadership team deliberated on the findings, and the results of this study provided the leadership team with specific items to solve needs.
Keywords
Main Subjects
Allmang, N., & Ouimette, M. (2007). Case study: The NIST research library's experience using focus groups in strategic planning. Library Leadership and Management, 21(2), 77-82.
Calpoly Pomona Budget Services (2014). Base budget funding history. Retrieved fromhttp://www.cpp.edu/~fas /budget/ docs/2014-15/Funding%20History_0203%20to%201415.pdf
Carnevale, A. P., & Cheah, B. (2015). From hard to better times. College majors, unemployment, and earnings. Retrieved April 4, 2015, from https://cew.georgetown.edu/wp- ontent/uploads/HardTimes2015-Report.pdf
Castillo, J. X., & Cano, J. (2004). Factors explaining job satisfaction among faculty. Journal of gricultural Education, 45(3), 65-74.
Creswell, J.W. (1998). Qualitative inquiry and research design: Choosing among five traditions. housand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Douglas, J., Douglas, A., & Barnes, B. (2006).Measuring student satisfaction at a UK university. Quality Assurance in Education, 14(3), 251-167.
Foor, R. M., & Cano, J. (2011). Predictors of job satisfaction among selected agriculture faculty. Journal of Agricultural Education, 52(1), 30-39. doi: 10.5032/jae.2011.01030
Gamon, J., & Chestnut, D. (1995).A focus group assessment of college of agriculture seniors. NACTA Journal, 2, 25-27.
Garcia, S. (2011). Despite budget cuts, Calpoly Pomona farm produces profit. Retrieved April 4, 2015, from http://abc7.com/archive/8302769/
Gillespie,N., Walsh, M., Winefield, A., Dua, J., &Stough, C. (2001). Occupational stress in universities: Staff perceptions of causes, consequences, and moderators of stress. Work and Stress, 15(1), 53-72.
Glaser, B.G., & Strauss, A. L. (1967).The discovery of grounded theory: Strategies for qualitative research. New York: Aldine Publishing Co.
Goecker, A. D., Smith, P. G., Smith, E., & Goetz, R. (2014). Employment opportunities for college graduates in food, renewable energy, and the environment. United States, 2010-2015. Retrieved April 12, 2015, from http:// www3.ag.purdue.edu/USDA/employment/pages/default.aspx
Grudens-Schuck. N., Allen, B. L., & Larson. K. (2004).Focus group fundamentals. Methodology brief.Iowa State University Extension. Retrieved from http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1011&context=extension _ communities_pubs
Heary, C., & Hennesey, E. (2002). The use of focus groups interviews in pediatric health care research. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 27(1), 47-57.
Higa-Moore, M. L., Bunnett, B., Mayo, H. G., & Olney, C. A. (2002). Use of focus groups in abrary’s strategic planning process. Journal of Medical Library Association, 90(1), 86-92.
Holz-Clause, M. S., & Guntuku, D. (2010). Global Agricultural Knowledge Initiative: Strengthening the global competence of students, faculty and extension agents, Sixth Pan Commonwealth Forum on Open learning (PCF6), Le Meridien, Kochi, India, 24-28 November.
Holz-Clause, M. S., & Koundinya, V. (2012).Farmers’ Perceptions and Insights for Sustainable Global Agricultural Extension Systems. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 19(2), 103-104.
Iowa State University (2016). Fifth Year of Record Enrollment at Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Retrieved October18, 2016, from https://www.cals.iastate.edu/news/releases/fifth-year-record-enrollment-iowa-state- university-s-college-agriculture-and-life
Kessler, L. A., Burns-Whitmore, B., & Wallace, S. P. (2010). Focus groups reveal dietetic students’ opinions on the addition of cultural competency training to the dietetics curriculum. NACTA Journal, 54(4), 2-6.
Kitzinger, J. (1995). Qualitative research: Introducing focus groups. British Medical Journal, 311(7000), 299-302.
Krueger, R.A. (1994). Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Lippman, P. C. (2010). Can the physical environment have an impact on the learning environment? Retrieved March 2, 2016, from Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development Website, http://www.oecd.org/ about/ publishing/corrigenda.htm
Litosseliti, L. (2003). Using focus groups for research (1sted). Blossombury Academic.
Lynch, T. (2012). Real consequences. The budget crisis affects all aspects of life on campus. Panorama, 14(1). Retrieved April 4, 2015, from http://www.cpp.edu/~panorama/fallwinter2013/focus.html
McLaffetry, I. (2004). Focus group interviews as a data collecting strategy. Journal of Advanced Nursing, 48(2), 187-194.
Molebash, P. (1999). Technology and education: Current and future trends. Retrieved August 11, 2015, from http://www.itari.in/categories/futuretrendsineducation/futureofedu-ch.pdf
Neuendorf, K.A. (2002). The content analysis guidebook. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.
Nordstrom, P., Wilson, L., Kelsey, T., Maretzki, A., & Pitts, C. (2000). The use of focus groups to evaluate agricultural educational materials for students, teachers and consumers. Journal of Extension, 38(5), 2-5.
Novotorov, A. V. (2001). Perceived impact of internship and practical training programs on professional and personal growth: Implications to agricultural and extension education. Doctoral dissertation Retrieved from Dissertations and Theses database (AAI3016734)
Pfeiffer, L. L. (2008). Agricultural awareness and perceptions of freshmen at West Virginia University. Unpublished thesis, Retrieved from Department of Agricultural and Extension Education, West Virginia University.
PolyCentric. (2010). State budget crisis forces university to cut tennis programs. Retrieved April 27, 2015, from http:// polycentric.csupomona.edu/2010/03/state_budget_crisis_forces_university_to_cut_tennis_programs/#.VT7jDSFViko
Scanlon, D. C., Bruening, T. H., & Cordero, A. (1996). An industry perspective on changes needed in agricultural education curricula. Journal of Agricultural Education, 37(2), 17-23.
Seymour, A. (2004). Focus groups: An important tool for strategic planning. Strategic planning toolkit project, Office for Victims of Crime, U. S. Department of Justice.
Shrestha, K. M. (2009). Students’ perspectives on the undergraduate education in the college of agriculture and natural resources at Michigan State University. Doctoral Dissertation, Retrieved from Dissertations and Theses database. (UMI No. 3236287)
Umbach, P. D., & Wawrzynski, M. R. (2005).Faculty Do Matter: The role of college faculty in student learning and engagement. Research in Higher Education, 46(2), 153-184.
USA Today. (2012). Colleges see higher demand for degrees in agriculture. Retrieved April 12, 2015, from http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/money/industries/food/story/2012-08-01/agriculture-industry-studies-surge/ 56809406/
Zhai, L., & Scheer, S. D. (2002). Influence of international study abroad programs on agricultural college students. Journal of International Agricultural and Extension Education, 9(3), 23-29.
)