The 2019 Innovator’s Award winners are two teams that proposed ideas that will encourage student success and retention. This year’s winners are “Engaging Dual-Credit Faculty” and “Science AR Advancement.”

The “Engaging Dual-Credit Faculty” team members are Dr. Debra Atkinson, Susan Bosarge, Andrea Clark, Dr. Jeremy Daughtry, Monica Donohue, Jennifer Leimer, Adrienne McPhaul and Steve Roberts. The project is a coordinated effort to include dual-credit faculty at area high schools in the normal flow of information/training that occurs with full-time on-site faculty. Dual-credit faculty are at a marked disadvantage because they do not have the guidance or support of fellow college-level instructors and campus resources. Students enrolled in dual-credit courses are also at a disadvantage due to the reduced awareness of college learning resources and support. The first workshop for dual-credit faculty was held in August.

The “Science AR Advancement” team members are Dr. Kelly Rouse, Dr. Angela Bruni, Jeff Siegel, Dr. Kathryn Morris, and Robert Baughman. The project aims to utilize iPads in the science classrooms to enhance student engagement and motivation. A site license will be purchased that allows access to Visible Body Human Anatomy Atlas which includes fully interactive 3-D anatomical models of every human body system, a variety of animations, cadaver interactions, pathology applications, and Augmented Reality. Augmented Reality is a highly engaging platform that allows students to see the real-life environment right in front of them with a digital augmentation overlaid on it. It will allow the instructor to place a medically accurate augmented cadaver on the lab table and dissect it in front of students and a variety of other laboratory-type scenarios. The Atlas Site License will be integrated into the MGCCC website for open access to all students and teachers to allow students to have access to this amazing technology at all times. This program will be implemented on all campuses this semester.