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VIDBE-Q Volume 63 Issue 4
In a culturally diverse region that includes 28% of the U.S.'s geography,
covering more than 1,061,000 square miles, the states of Oregon, Washington, Idaho,
Montana, Alaska and Hawaii are the priority service states for PSU's O&M and VIL
programs. When one considers the challenges that family members and
administrators experience when trying to identify qualified personnel in such a
widespread region, it is humbling to recognize that our preparation program is tasked
with addressing a critical need. As a new Coordinator of a new O&M program, it has
been essential for me to seek the counsel of trusted professional partners, local
practitioners, and to tap into the assets of the region to ensure that the O&M program
is developing well. Like a newly appointed gardener, I have felt a strong call to learn
about the soil around me, to hear from those more experienced at the practitioner and
university levels, and to adopt a participatory approach to ensure that our O&M
students have the experiences they need.
One of the benefits of Holly's and Kathryn's planning was that Robert Wall
Emerson was written into the COMET grant as an external evaluator. Not only has he
been important in reviewing course syllabuses and aligning standards, Dr. Emerson
has been working with me as a coach, thinking through the layers of developing and
sustaining a network of professionals who will partner with our students as mentors,
supervisors, and senior colleagues.
Project COMET was funded to address the critical shortage of O&M personnel.
Currently the PNW region has a limited numbers of practicing O&M Specialists who
may mentor and supervise university students as they progress through their training
experiences. To address this gap, Project COMET personnel crafted grant activities to
