Jackson College Awarded National Science Foundation Grant For Interdisciplinary Manufacturing Program

(August 14, 2024 5:09 PM ET) Jackson College today announced that it has received an Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant from the National Science Foundation for $503,646.

The three-year grant will fund a new and updated interdisciplinary program in manufacturing, one that brings together fabrication technology with automation technology to support a skilled workforce for the tri-county region. The College will create a new certificate program leading to an Associate of Applied Science in Advanced Manufacturing degree.

“We at Jackson College are honored and grateful to receive this NSF grant, which is also the second in the history of our college, and which will be used to significantly enhance our instructional efforts in Manufacturing 4.0. This funding strengthens our ongoing commitment to providing cutting-edge education in advanced manufacturing, equipping learners with the skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry,” said Jackson College President & CEO, Daniel J. Phelan.

Providing skilled workers who understand how parts are fabricated, welded, and machined as well as how systems can be automated using robotics, computers, and artificial intelligence is the primary objective. This new program will bring emerging technology that bridges the gap between these two disciplines, including Autonomous Mobile Robots and collaborative welding robots. It will also build a curriculum that combines the systematic thinking utilized in the field of automation with issues of quality control, design, process, and material handling that are considered in the field of fabrication. This project will engage with underserved populations, including minority, rural, low-income, and adult students, to promote opportunity within the mid-Michigan regional community.

“Our interdisciplinary approach, combining automation, robotics, and fabrication, strengthens our standing as a leader in Science, Technology, Engineering & Math (STEM) education, as well as workforce development and employee retraining. We are excited to continue expanding opportunities for our learners and fostering strong community partnerships, ensuring that our graduates are prepared to lead in the future of manufacturing,” Phelan said.

Coordinating this project are Instructor Eddie Burkhead, department chair for the Professional Trades Pathway, Instructor Albert Rossner, manufacturing faculty member, and Jamie Vandenburgh, Dean of Workforce, Technical and Professional Education. Burkhead and Rossner bring years of industry experience and a passion for education to this initiative. Their efforts in curriculum development, industry outreach, and student engagement will be instrumental in shaping this program.

“This program’s success is a direct result of the leadership and expertise of our faculty in the Professional Trades Pathway,” Vandenburgh said. “Their commitment to designing innovative curriculum and engaging with local industry partners ensures that our graduates are not only job-ready but also prepared to lead in the rapidly evolving field of manufacturing.”

Manufacturing Background

   JC’s Professional Trades Pathway, under the leadership of College President Dr. Daniel Phelan, has developed innovative programs in Advanced Manufacturing, Mechatronics, and Industry 4.0. As a member of the League for Innovation in the Community College, the institution takes a proactive approach, shaping its curriculum to anticipate emerging technologies and meeting industry demands. This has led to significant enrollment growth, with 1,165 students in trades-related programs since January 2021.

The need for an interdisciplinary manufacturing program at Jackson College is critical, as shown by 2023 data from Lightcast, which reported thousands of job openings in Mid-Michigan for maintenance, material handling, engineering technologists, and machine operators. Industry 4.0 technologies, while addressing some labor shortages, demand a workforce equipped with advanced skills to operate and maintain these systems.

About the Grant

The ATE program focuses on the education of technicians who work in high-tech fields that drive the nation’s economy. Because two-year community and technical colleges are the leading sources of technician education in the United States, faculty from these higher education institutions have had leadership roles in most ATE projects since the program began in 1993.