Abstract
Higher education institutions are facing a complex challenge to better equip graduates with the necessary tools to compete in the global market. The authors of this paper facilitated a Structured Group Interview process in a Department of Agricultural and Industrial Sciences at Sam Houston State University to enhance their horticulture program by implementing a Landscape Installation and Maintenance Course. To maintain the level of competence that industry demands, two alumni landscaping managers were invited to participate in designing a course based on industry input. The purpose of this study was to use the Structured Group Interview process for university and landscape industry collaboration to create a college course in landscape maintenance and installation. During the Structured Group Interview process, the authors observed the psychosocial factors to better understand how to best develop collaborations with industry for the department which will benefit future graduates.