MAEA “Right Sizing” Exercise NMSU Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering Academy Spring Meeting February 25, 2011 Wencil McClenahan, PE

Introduction Background To explore what is the “right size” for the MEAE, a survey of the membership was done in Fall Additionally, the perceived roles and responsibilities of the members was explored. For example, if the purpose is all fund raising, the size would be much larger than if it were all service oriented. Several Key Stakeholders in the membership and from NMSU faculty and staff interviewed. The methods, analysis and conclusions of this activity are solely my own, and should not reflect negatively on any of the participants.

1.Provide ongoing Industry based feedback on current needs and expectations of potential employers of Department graduates (25.5%) 2.Support the Department as coordinated with and agreed upon by the Department Head and the MAEA in order to advance the excellence of the Department (25.5%) 3.Recognize by membership in the Academy those graduates of NMSU MAE, and others, that have brought honor to the Engineering profession through their careers, works and service (16.4%)

1.Support the Department by presenting lectures or seminars, mentoring for students or faculty, or other activity as requested by the Department Head (29.8%) 2.Pay annual dues and provide other financial support to advance the Department (25.5%) 3.Participate in person or by teleconference in annual MAEA meetings (21.3%)

Most responses (53%) indicate that the Academy is Not Effective. Second highest response (40%) indicates the Academy is Effective Very few responses (3%) indicate the Academy is Highly Effective

Conclusions Academy Purpose: 1.Provide external feedback on the needs and expectations of potential employers of Department grads 2.Act as a resource to support the department as requested and needed 3.Membership is an honor in recognition of excellence or achievement in their engineering career and would be an organization students would want to be a part of Member Roles and Responsibilities: 1.Be available as a resource for lectures and seminars 2.serve as mentors to students, faculty & staff 3.Support targeted activities as requested by the Department Head 4.Provide direct or indirect financial support for the Department 5.Participation in annual meetings

Conclusions Level of participation for recent activities Survey was sent to 46 members, received 22 responses – 48% About 20 members participate in Academy meetings – 33% Vote on revising the structure of the Academy was 34 out of 62 – 55% About 35% of members contributed financially in 2010 Long term initiatives seem to be languishing, such as the MEAE funded Endowed Chair Member led activities seem to be very healthy, scope is small Members do not participate for reasons May be lack of interest, lack of time or a sense that they don’t receive value in return for their involvement Members largely think that the Academy is not effective

Going Forward To determine the “Right Size” of the Academy, we need to determine how to energize the existing membership so all Key Stakeholders receive the maximum value from the Academy. Ideas include: Create a long term strategic direction for the Academy Start newsletter or some other regular communication to keep members informed about events and activities Identify regional focals to communicate and coordinate events with local members Poll existing members on proposed process improvements etc..... All new activities or initiatives would require that a Champion be identified (self selected) for development and implementation