Research Thrusts
Numerous grants and publications are indicative of the diverse strengths and interests of the faculty. In
addition to the specialties in their respective occupational fields,
faculty are conducting systematic inquiry into areas such as program
management, career development theory, instructional systems design,
publicly supported workforce development programs, and evaluation.
International Development
Program flexibility, a creative faculty, and
the capability to produce quality graduates have developed from a history
of cooperative linkages with a wide variety of education and non-education
agencies, internal and external to the universities. Among others,
faculty have worked with international projects in Nepal, Pakistan,
Turkey, Zambia, Nigeria, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, and Jamaica.
Test Development and Administration
The Department has been actively involved in
the development of specialized tests in areas associated with fluid power
technology and the nurse assistant fields. Faculty expertise in assessing
curriculum needs and developing cognitive and performance tests has made
this specialized service appropriate for a number of agencies. For
example, in 1992, the Department was responsible for administering tests
to more than 120,000 applicants for competency evaluation of Illinois
nurse aides.
Local School/Private Sector Collaboration
Faculty are closely involved with many of the new
educational reform initiatives affecting the preparation of workers for
the 21st century. Work with high schools involved with implementation of
reforms (such as the Coalition for Essential Schools, Tech Prep, model
curricula which integrate academic and vocational instruction) are unique
efforts involving partnerships with local education agencies. All of these
efforts, and others like them, are indicative of faculty leadership being
applied to address new educational reforms.
Faculty have developed working relationships with public
education and a full array of other human resource development
organizations in Illinois, including areas near the 15 military bases on
which the Department conducts baccalaureate programs. Linkages with more
than 600 individuals/organizations in education, business and industry,
and government facilitate internships and other professional experiences.
Short-Term/High Impact Training
The Department of Workforce Education and Development offers an extensive summer program presenting short-term
workshops and courses each summer. These workshops and courses allow
individuals from the public and private sector to improve their technical
or instructional skills.