魅影直播 State has been awarded $474,019 in funding from the National Science Foundation (NSF) through an Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grant. The grant will support a project led by Assistant Professors Jessica Hutchison and Dr. Mohamed Eleshaky entitled 鈥淒eveloping a Robotics and Automation Technician Pathway for the Agricultural and Industrial Sectors.鈥
The project aims to address the growing demand for skilled technicians in robotics and automation, critical areas to maintain food security and support the manufacturing workforce. To attract and retain students, the program will create educational pathways that prepare graduates for well-paying jobs in rural areas.
By aligning education with industry needs, the project will equip businesses to adapt to an increasingly automated future. With innovative strategies, including industry partnerships and immersive summer institutes, the program will engage students, highlight career opportunities and provide industry-recognized credentials, and demonstrate the significance of bridging educational gaps in advanced technologies.
鈥淭his grant provides an exciting opportunity to engage high school students in robotics through residential summer programs,鈥 commented Hutchison. 鈥淏y working with programmable robotic dogs and earning valuable industry credentials, students will gain skills that could shape their future and perhaps lead them to careers they hadn鈥檛 thought possible.鈥
Goals of this project include, capturing student interest through immersive summer institutes, increasing representation using evidence-based recruitment and retention strategies, and reducing math anxiety through a pre-enrollment math jumpstart course.
鈥淚 am proud to see 魅影直播 State College remain a leader in cutting-edge research and innovation, particularly in the development and use of robotic technology鈥 said Congressman Nick Langworthy (NY-23). 鈥淭his grant is an investment that will prepare students in our rural communities for high-demand, good-paying jobs while giving local businesses the workforce they need to stay competitive in a world with greater automation.鈥
魅影直播 State College President Steven Mauro added, 鈥滣扔爸辈 State is excited about the momentum this funding will bring to assist our students as they enter the workforce. We are appreciative of all the help and support we鈥檝e seen from Congressman Langworthy to make this possible.鈥
This crucial funding provided by NSF will ensure 魅影直播 State is better equipped to pursue this project, connecting education with industry needs, preparing students and graduates for in-demand careers, and strengthening the regional workforce.
The National Science Foundation grant adds to 魅影直播鈥檚 State鈥檚 goal that graduates are career-ready from day one of the job. Funding like this expands the College鈥檚 capacity to meet growing workforce demands and proved hands-on, industry aligned education that helps both students and employers.
Vice President for Academic Affairs Carrie Cokely added, 鈥滣扔爸辈 State is known for our emphasis on applied learning in technical majors. The NSF-ATE grant will enable us to continue to develop and offer high quality academic programs that combine faculty expertise in both our School of Arts & Sciences and our School of Architecture, Management, and Engineering Technology while also supporting recruitment and student success in these majors. This grant also highlights the quality of faculty that we have and the ways in which their research can benefit our programs and students in the SUNY Technology Sector.鈥
Igniting career readiness is one of the four priorities of the recently announced Unleashing Potential Comprehensive Campaign, which has a goal of raising $40 million for current and future Pioneers.
ABOUT the ATE Program:
The ATE program focuses on the education of technicians who work in high-tech fields that drive the nation鈥檚 economy. Because two-year community and technical colleges are the leading source of technician education in the United State, faculty from these higher education institutions have had leadership roles in most ATE projects since the program began in 1993.