Seeing the Forest for the Trees – An Industry and Academic Partnership

1. Seeing the Forest for the Trees – An Industry and Academic Partnership Michael Bowman, CPC, PE, LEED Green Associate Glendali Rodriguez, AIA, NCARB

2. Outline • Background- Partners & filling a need • Goals of the program • Implementation • Findings • Future plans • Best Practices

3. Background – Partners • North American Wholesale Lumber Association (NAWLA) • Trade Association – over 650 businesses in North America • NAWLA Education Foundation (NEF) • “…solely dedicated to educating, inspiring, and planting a new generation of leaders throughout our industry.”

4. Background – Partners • Dovetail Partners, INC. • Nonprofit organization hired as a consultant by NEF to develop the program. • University of Wisconsin - Stout • A comprehensive, career focused polytechnic University.

5. Background – The Need • Traditional lumber association management • Degree in Forestry • Work up through lumber trade • Business background outside of lumber • Future shortfall due to retirements • “A need for young educated individuals, with an interest in lumber, who will spark new ideas for better sales, marketing, product design and distribution.”

6. Background – Development • NEF hired Dovetail in 2010 to develop the plan • 3-year pilot program • Four locations across the United States • Mississippi, New Jersey, Oregon, Wisconsin • First running in Spring 2011 failed • UW-Stout held the first true offering

7. Background – Development • UW-Stout • Comprehensive, career focused polytechnic • Close proximity to major lumber industry in US • Close proximity to Dovetail Partners (Minneapolis, MN.) and NAWLA headquarters (Chicago, IL.) • First contact in Spring 2011

8. Goals of the Program • Overall goal: Get 15-20 students from variety of disciplines interested in career opportunities with NAWLA associated companies. • Other goals • Test viability of the program & adjust as necessary • Place students in internships • Seeking long-term results to fill management level positions

9. Implementation - Audience • Majors at Stout that NEF was interested in • Applied Science (STEM) • Biology (STEM) • Business • Construction (STEM) • Engineering Technology (STEM) • Manufacturing Engineering (STEM) • Packaging (STEM) • Supply Chain Management

10. Implementation - Timeline • Initial Contact – Spring 2011 • Develop contacts in different majors at UW-Stout – Summer 2011 • Develop curriculum and run through approval processes– Summer / Fall 2011 • Advertise to students – Fall 2011 • Solicit guest speakers – Fall 2011 • Course runs 1-week during Winterm 2012 (January) • Postings for internships – Spring 2012 • Students working internships – Summer 2012

11. Implementation - Curriculum • Five Units of Material • Introduction to Forestry • The Business of Lumber • Responsible Materials • Green Building • Ecosystem Markets • Field Trips • Bjornson Education – Recreation Center • Anderson Windows • Weekes Forest Products • Viking Forest Products • Silverwood Park Visitor’s Center & Bethel University • Career Panel

12. Implementation - Presenters • Need for expertise in areas listed, with a lumber spin on it! • UW-Stout instructor expertise • 8 faculty from 5 disciplines • NAWLA member company representatives • Topical content expertise from local representatives • Career Panel

13. Implementation- Presenters • With overall curriculum themes set, goal was to plug in expertise from Stout and NAWLA fill in the rest • Long term goal: Stout faculty fully instruct the course • Construction Department Chair & Program Director marketed the course across programs & departments • Provided NAWLA with list of expertise and topics

14. Implementation- Presenters • NAWLA finalized the schedule; determining presenter dates/times • At Stout, Winterm instructor funding is provided through Provost office; rates per credit and rank of instructor • Construction Department Chair, worked with College Budget Officer. Available funds divided amongst the faculty recruited and number of sessions instructed

15. Implementation- Presenters • Presenter expectations: • Half day instruction per session • Lecture/activity materials provided in advance and posted on course management system • Winterm Contracts secured/completed through “home” department- Department of Construction

16. Findings • Success! • Students enjoyed the course – 23 students in total • Presenters enjoyed the course • NEF and Dovetail were pleased • Career Panel was pleased • One Stout student succeeded in securing an internship • Interesting article written by one student in Stoutonia • Program will continue to run

17. Future Plans • Different time frame • Spring / early summer • Attract a more diverse student population • Advertising earlier and better • NAWLA to attend Stout career fair in October • Continue running in other three locations as well • Secure more internships from NAWLA companies

18. Best Practices • Constant Dialogue with planning team throughout • Collection of presenter materials- deadline • Pre-course meeting(s) of all presenters • Assure course content flows/presented in cohesive manner • Instructor dialogue/awareness of other presentations • Grading system • Ideal would be pass/fail based on attendance and completion; but was not an option • Instructors to provide activity and assure grading is complete and posted in timely manner • Evaluation instrument for all participants

19. Acknowledgments • NAWLA • Gary Vitale • Dovetail Partners • Sarah Stai, PhD, CE, LEED AP • Jim Bowyer • UW-Stout • STEM College • Numerous Presenters • Career Services office

20. Question and Answer • THANK YOU!