Linda Taylor

In rural eastern North Carolina, markets for renewable energy are rapidly developing in the bioenergy and woody biomass sector, solar and solar thermal energy, and wind energy generation. At North Carolina State University (NCSU), Elizabeth City State University (ECSU), a historically black university (HBU), and Cape Fear Community College (CFCC), a comprehensive curriculum to develop skills to assess lands and facilities for renewable energy technologies does not exist but is needed to prepare our undergraduates for emerging employment opportunities. This curriculum will provide a portal through which a diverse undergraduate population can advance their understanding of renewable energy technologies in agricultural landscapes. We will develop seven courses of which six will exist both as online, distance education courses (NCSU) and as face to face courses at ECSU and CFCC. Each institution will link their renewable energy curriculum websites to a central web portal site to highlight the collaborative project and what courses are available by what delivery platform at each institution. This website will show students from each institution how they can complete the curriculum to obtain an Undergraduate Certificate in Renewable Energy Assessment (NCSU) or a Minor in Renewable Energy Assessment (NCSU) or a Minor in Sustainable Energy (ECSU) by taking courses at their respective institution or the other two institutions. Through outreach and marketing, stakeholders will be aware of this curriculum and its ability to provide potential employees for their renewable energy workforce needs. Descriptions of those variables contributing to success and those that impeded progress toward achieving the project goals will be reported, and recommendations on how to sustain and improve programmatic and educational accomplishments will be determined and disseminated.