Supporting 2-year colleges, ACS recognition, and professional development opportunities

Two-year colleges (2YCs) play a crucial role in providing accessible education for students seeking to either enter the chemistry-related workforce or transfer to bachelor’s degree programs. The former is the focus of an American Chemical Society strategic initiative on workforce development for chemical technical professionals. The latter pathway, transferring to bachelor’s degree programs, can be challenging for students and institutions due to varying transfer policies among different institutions. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, in 2021, 30% of all undergraduate students in the US were enrolled at 2-year institutions.

The mission of the ACS Committee on Professional Training (CPT) is to foster innovation and continuous improvement in education and training within postsecondary institutions. This mission is achieved, in part, through our development of guidelines for bachelor’s degree programs, the ACS Approval Program, and the ACS Global Recognition program for institutions outside the US. Currently, there is no comparable recognition or approval program for community college chemistry programs. Recognizing the unique challenges faced by students and institutions because of varying transfer policies, the CPT—in collaboration with the Education Division at ACS, the ACS Society Committee on Education (SOCED), and the Two-Year College Chemistry Consortium (2YC3) within the Division of Chemical Education—is interested in creating education programming and faculty development programming for 2YCs. Although this programming is currently available for faculty, an analogous recognition program is not available for chemistry departments at 2YCs.

In 2023, SOCED and community college faculty revised the 2YC guidelines to promote high-quality chemistry education for students in various 2-year programs. These guidelines mirror the structure of the bachelor’s degree guidelines and provide a comprehensive framework for reviewing chemistry programs, identifying areas of strength and opportunities for improvement, and leveraging support from institutions, partners, and external agencies. The guidelines include essential components for chemistry education at community colleges and suggested practices and aspirational goals to encourage an environment of continuous improvement.

Faculty professional development opportunities

ACS offers an annual facilitated workshop focused on pedagogy and active learning for both full-time and contingent 2-year college faculty. The workshop aims to foster a community of practitioners interested in incorporating active learning approaches into their courses. Each participant designs a mini lesson that includes active learning techniques, formative assessments, or both. Presentations and activities emphasize practice, exploration, and peer feedback. Financial support is available for interested participants.

Community of practice (CoP)

In 2024, the inaugural yearlong community of practice for 2-year faculty interested in developing, refining, and implementing active learning techniques into their courses was established. The 16-member cohort meets virtually every month, and each participant develops a lesson plan complete with active learning components and formative assessments. These modules will be made available to the broader chemistry community. Topics covered in 2024 included quick and easy formative assessments, group-based strategies, complex active learning modalities, flipped teaching, and formative versus summative assessments. Participants will be presenting their work at the 2YC3 Conference in May 2025. The program will continue in 2025 with two smaller cohorts; applications are currently being accepted.

Recognition of 2YC chemistry programs

Recent listening sessions with faculty at 2YCs have revealed renewed interest in developing a 2YC recognition program. Such a program could serve the community by providing a benchmark for excellence, facilitating student success in completing a certificate or associate’s degree or transferring to a 4-year program, and increasing the diversity of students earning degrees in chemistry. A blue ribbon panel will be held in February 2025 to explore the feasibility and potential structure of a 2YC recognition program. The panel will consist of 25 faculty members from 2YCs across the country and will focus on what recognition and approval could look like for 2YCs. Individuals can express their interest in participating in this panel and share their thoughts on the potential 2YC recognition program by completing a short survey.

ACS recognizes the growing significance of 2YCs in providing accessible chemistry education and is committed to supporting faculty and students in this sector. By developing guidelines, professional development opportunities, communities of practice, and potential recognition programs, ACS aims to enhance the quality of chemistry education at 2YCs and facilitate student success in their academic and professional pursuits.

Views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily those of C&EN or ACS.