Program

Monday, 7 October, 2024

Forward Together: Steering Higher Education in the Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Through a Period of Rapid Evolution

All times are Mountain Daylight Time Zone

Downloadable PDF 2024 Agenda

SESSION 1 Theme: Current Status of Higher Education: Challenges, Strategies for Success, and Future Directions

8:00-8:45:  Continental breakfast, badge pickup

8:45-9:00:  Welcoming Remarks: UCAR President Dr. Antonio J. Busalacchi, AMS Past President
Rich Clark, AGU President Dr. Lisa Graumlich, AGU Assistant Director for
Grants & Education Programs Dr. Pranoti Asher, and AMS BHE Chair & Planning
Committee Chair Dr. Wendilyn Flynn with Planning Committee Members

9:00-10:00:  Keynote Talk: Dr. Lourdes Aviles, Associate Provost & Professor of Meteorology, Plymouth State  Positioning our disciplines for success in an era of challenges, OR how to work with your
University Administrators
This short keynote will cover a big picture overview of the challenges affecting higher
education, and more specifically, the pressures currently experienced by atmospheric
and earth science programs. We will also explore how departments and programs can
navigate these challenges with the greatest chance of success and explore ways in
which to productively advocate with institutional administrators. The talk will be
followed by a brainstorming discussion and Q&A. Presentation

10:00-10:30:  Coffee Break 

10:30 - 11:45:  Mini-Sessions

  • 10:30-10:45 - Dr. Kathy Licht: Implementation of a strategy for program culture change regarding DEI
  • 10:45-11:00 – Dr. Zachary Handlos: Reflections on using an "ungrading" pedagogy in atmospheric dynamics
  • 11:00-11:15 – Dr. John Knox: Demographic trends in atmospheric sciences graduates
  • 11:15-11:30 – AMS Board on Broadcast Meteorology: The broadening communications skillsets required of meteorologists
  • 11:30-11:45 – Open Forum

11:45-12:45:  Working Lunch

12:45-1:00 - Informal presentation as lunch concludes: Dr. Wendilyn Flynn: Updates from the AMS Board on Higher Education

 

SESSION 2 Theme: Preparing Students for Life Post-graduation and a Diverse Variety of Career Opportunities

1:00-2:00:  Keynote Talk:  Dr. Maureen Long, Professor and Chair of Earth & Planetary Sciences, Yale University Student and Faculty Mental Health Presentation 

2:00-2:15:  Break

2:15 - 3:30:  Mini-Sessions

  • 2:15-2:30 – Dr. Teresa Bals-Elholz:  Accommodations - how do we prepare our students for life/grad school/stress?
  • 2:30-2:45 – AMS Mind the Gap Committee: Identifying skills desired for private sector careers
  • 2:45-3:00 – Alicia Wasula: Forthcoming AMS Best Practices Statement: Preparing Students for the Private Sector
  • 3:00-3:15  – Adam Hirsch, COMET: Resources for introducing students to private sector skills and careers
  • 3:15-3:30 – Lt Col Jim Hughes, Director of Meteorology at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs: Preparing USAF cadets for weather and environmental science careers
  • 3:30-3:45:  Open Forum and Wrap-up; meeting adjourned

3:45-4:00:  Coffee Break

4:00 - 6:00:  Town Hall Discussion on potential revisions to GS-1340 with invited NOAA, NWS, USAF representatives