Charter & Guidelines
Mission
The Industry Advisory Board (IAB) promotes engineering and manufacturing education programs and student pathways, with a focus to respond to current and future technological trends by strengthening relationships between the Center and Minnesota’s industrial community. The members represent the best that the industrial community has to offer, bringing together points of view that provide valuable direction to the growth and maturation of the Center.
Purpose
The Industry Advisory Board provides recommendations to MNCEME and its partner schools on curriculum, methods of education delivery and direct interaction with schools and programs to provide information how programs can best meet industry’s needs. The Industry Advisory Board works in cooperation with the Executive Director and Council of Deans to ensure the Center meets the needs of Minnesota industry by keeping partners informed of ever changing employee skill needs, keep the Center advised of new and emerging technologies, techniques and processes, and to be an ongoing resource for the Center.
Membership
Members
Membership is representative of Minnesota engineering, manufacturing and related organizations. Prospective members are nominated by the advisory board with deliberate attention on creating balanced membership. The board will be comprised of approximately fifteen to twenty individuals. Individuals who have an interest in the work of the Center, knowledge in appropriate subject areas and want to contribute to the Vision and Mission of the Center are encouraged to apply.
On-call Experts
For those that want to support the Center but not have active membership, individuals may participate as “on-call” experts to be available for specific assignments or serve on ad hoc committees. As with members, experts will be kept informed of Center activities, needs and accomplishments.
Executive Committee of the IAB
The Executive Committee provides strategic direction to the IAB. It is composed of the Executive Director of MNCEME, the Chair of the IAB, President of MSUM, one President of a 2-year college, and one CEO each of a small, medium and large manufacturing/engineering company and two at large members.
Duties of Chair
The Chairperson will facilitate advisory board meetings and determine the agenda in cooperation with the Executive Director.
Expectations of Members
Members will be expected to attend meetings consistently and actively engage by:
- Remaining current on Center activities
- Serving on a Standing Committee
- Offering individual consultation and assistance
Standing Committees
Committees of the IAB are standing committees that deal with specific matters of high ongoing importance.
- Talent Development Committee. Expand role to include current focus on K12 pipeline plus current employees, re-entering workforce people and retirees.
- Recruiting K12 students to STEM education and careers
- Incumbent workforce continuing education
- Engage retirees in mentoring and coaching
- Business and Industry Outreach Committee. Networking with other advisory boards and related organizations.
- Emerging Technology Committee. Identify, evaluate and communicate emerging technologies and disruptive technologies to manufacturers. Segment by industry and/or other appropriate criteria. Include supply chain requirements that larger firms will expect in the future of their suppliers, and potential patent mining of larger firms for under-used knowledge.
- Opportunity Identification Committee. Help schools identify industry opportunities (e.g. welding)
Ad-hoc Task Groups
Task groups are ad hoc committees of the IAB and others formed to address a high-priority immediate need that is expected to be resolved in a relatively short time.
- As specific issues arise that need short-term discussion and action but do not fall within the purview of a Standing Committee, small groups of interested members will have the opportunity to participate.
- IAB representation Task Group. Evaluate and recommend modifications to membership by region, industry, technology and other relevant criteria. Populate the industry advisory board to be representative of Minnesota industry and instrumental in informing and advising on industry needs. (* See note)
Meetings
The Advisory Board will meet quarterly or more frequently at the discretion of the board chair. Members are encouraged to participate on a standing committee which can meet separately from the advisory board.
Function
- Gives input about future engineering and manufacturing trends
- Suggests depth and direction of Center goals to build relevant curricula and strengthen engineering and manufacturing careers for future economic growth
- Provides support in recruiting and retaining students, with special emphasis on women and minorities
- Assists in identifying and establishing applied industry research and customized training projects
- Seeks resources from public and private sectors to promote robust engineering and manufacturing programs
- Identifies notable engineers and scientists to advise faculty of industry trends and to teach within various educational partner institutions
- Offers professional influence to achieve national recognition and visibility for the Center
- Contributes time to review Center proposals to advance curriculum quality and programming at partner institutions
- Participates in annual evaluation of the Center
*Issues to be considered in revising the IAB structure should include:
- Writing charters for each group
- Assessing the membership and determining what other manufacturing segments need to be represented
- Determining the key issues emerging from the Strategic Management Planning process and identifying subcommittees or task groups needed to address these issues.
- Setting objectives for each IAB member and getting engagement.
- How best to integrate IAB members and faculty from partner schools in meaningful engagement.
- Educate the advisory boards to be effective and clarify the role of each member. Connect to all MNCEME partner advisory boards (e.g. Mech Eng at MSU, etc). Discuss what companies, industries and people should be represented on the IAB, recommend terms, duties, job descriptions, etc.
