Date of Award

2024

Degree Name

Biological Sciences

College

College of Science

Type of Degree

M.S.

Document Type

Thesis

First Advisor

Dr. Autumn Starcher-Patton, Committee Chairperson

Second Advisor

Dr. Brian Antonsen

Third Advisor

Dr. Mindy Armstead

Fourth Advisor

Dr. Kyle Palmquist

Abstract

The areas surrounding Marshall University (MU) in Huntington, West Virginia (WV) are underemployed and economically distressed. MU has an opportunity to support workforce development in the region, aligning with leading geographical regions in agriculture and natural resources (ANR) by offering microcredentials designed to meet the relevant needs of the current workforce. The long-term goal of this study is to inform higher education decisions that can improve ANR career workforce development, increase future growth and opportunities in ANR, and ultimately improve the quality of life in southwestern WV. To address the needs of the current workforce, a Qualtrics needs assessment consisting of 44 close-ended and 9 open-ended questions was emailed to 10,462 individuals in 549 unique organizations in ANR fields of academia, consulting, private business, federal government, state government, local government, and nongovernmental organizations. A total of 365 employees in ANR related industries completed the survey (3.3% response rate). The goal of the needs assessment was to identify potential changes needed to MU's current curriculum to both strengthen existing course offerings and ensure alignment with the skills and competencies required upon entering the region's workforce and throughout career development. The project answers the following questions: 1) what skills and competencies are required for each ANR industry? 2) what are skills and competencies needed for entry-, mid-, and senior-level positions? and 3) what microcredentials are needed in close proximity (within 100 miles) to MU? More general skills and competencies were identified as important across all ANR industries rather than more specialized skills and competencies. Personal skills, leadership skills, and communication skills had the highest percentage of skills indicated important by respondents across all ANR industries, suggesting educators should adopt pedagogy that includes opportunities to develop these soft skills. Among skills needed for entry-level positions, general skills and competencies were consistently more important than more specialized skills and competencies. Across industries, professional license requirements generally increased as position level increased; however, specific training requirements decreased as position level increased. Respondents also indicated their employment distance from MU: 0-50 miles, 51-100 miles, 101-500 miles, and >500 miles. While most respondents reported being employed 101-500 miles from MU, it is noteworthy that the population density within a 0-100 mile radius is much higher. Data from respondents within 0- 100 miles of MU suggest that MU could benefit from offering courses and microcredentials in forestry, given that the highest importance of forestry-related skills and competencies is within 0- 50 miles of MU’s campus. Nearby businesses in commercial composting and aquaculture allow for educational opportunities for students, including coursework, field trips, and microcredentials. These businesses are the first of their kind in WV, and although their importance ranks low amongst skills and competencies near MU and in WV, they present a unique chance for MU to provide education and workforce development in these up-and-coming fields where little prospects for such education currently exist in the region. Through strategic partnerships, enhancement of current curricula, and the introduction of new courses, MU can play a vital role in fostering long-term economic growth and cultivating a skilled ANR workforce.

Subject(s)

West Virginia.

Appalachian Region.

Marshall University.

Labor Supply -- West Virginia.

Agriculture.

Microcredentials.

Natural resources.

Needs assessment.

Science -- Study and teaching.

Economic development.

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