Poster Sessions
Wednesday, July 23, 4:00–5:15 in the Exhibit Hall
Global Electric Vehicle Certification Through EVPRO+
The EVPRO+ Program is a blend of online preparation and live and practical testing that leads to a global certification authenticated by SAE-ITC for the electric vehicle industry. The poster will illustrate the various opportunities that are available for community colleges building their electric vehicle programs: Access OnDemand, Today’s Class Technician, four levels of the EVPRO+ Program, plus the Wheels in Motion Program. This is a very comprehensive program that will partner with each college to establish an effective EV program.
Ken Mays, PI, NEVTEX-Next, National Electric Vehicle Technology Exchange – Next, Central Oregon Community College, Bend, OR; Dr. Jim Siekkinen, Project Manager, NEVTEX-NextNational Electric Vehicle Technology Exchange – NextCentral Oregon Community College, Bend, OR
Transforming IT Support and Cybersecurity Credential Attainment in Western Wyoming
This poster highlights curriculum advancements in IT support and cybersecurity, integrating industry input to ensure relevance. A significant portion of our curriculum has been updated to align with workforce needs. Our HyFlex model—offering asynchronous, synchronous in-person, and synchronous online options—has received over 90 percent positive feedback, enhancing accessibility and engagement. The program has also seen an average growth rate of 25 percent across three programs, reflecting increased demand. By sharing our approach, we aim to provide insights into curriculum adaptation and flexible learning models to better support students and industry needs.
Kayla Hawley, Instructor of Business and Information Systems, Transforming IT Support and Cybersecurity Credential Attainment in Western Wyoming, Western Wyoming Community College, Rock Springs, WY; Jennifer Allen, Assistant Professor of Information Systems and Computer Science Transforming IT Support and Cybersecurity Credential Attainment in Western Wyoming, Western Wyoming Community College, Rock Springs, WY
CAMPP: Engaging High School, Incumbent Workers, and Apprentices to Meet Industry’s Workforce Needs
The Creating Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Program (CAMPP) at ASU-Newport is a multi-faceted workforce initiative designed to engage high school students, upskill incumbent workers, and provide a multitude of pathways like apprenticeships for careers in industrial maintenance and controls technology. Through summer outreach programs, CAMPP introduces area youth to technical careers while its customized incumbent worker engagement strengthens local workforce knowledge and supports professional advancement within the industry. Registered apprenticeships provide industry-aligned, hands-on training, leading to high-wage, high-demand jobs. This poster highlights CAMPP’s innovative approach, industry collaborations, and measurable impact in building a sustainable talent pipeline for the region.
John Judd, Advanced Manufacturing Instructor, CAMPP Creating Advanced Manufacturing Pathways Program, Arkansas State University – Newport, Jonesboro, AR
Increasing the Skilled Machine Tool Technician Workforce in Central Wisconsin
This poster will explain the approaches used to increase awareness of, access to, and enrollment in a machine tool program in Central Wisconsin. Emphasis will be placed on the recruitment of Southeast Asian/Hmong adults in the region. Lessons learned, challenges, and adaptations made to recruitment strategies utilizing a cultural lens will be discussed. The importance of community engagement and partnerships, as well at the use of mentors from local industry as role models and summer camps, will be emphasized.
Frank Fernandes, Physics Faculty, ReTool Project, Northcentral Technical College, Wausau, WI; Jeff Block, Machine Tool Faculty, ReTool Project, Northcentral Technical College, Wausau, WI
ACE and METAL
ACE (America’s Cutting Edge) is a national initiative to restore the prominence of the US machine tool sector through advances in training and technology. METAL aims to transform the US metal manufacturing workforce in the casting and forging industry by developing a set of stackable curricula from K to gray through a national training network. Information will be presented overviewing both programs and how to get your organization involved.
Amy Keesler, Education and Workforce Manager, IACMI – The Composites Institute, Knoxville, TN
Innovative Cybersecurity Curricula with Industry Certifications: Legal and Technical Perspectives
The objectives of the NSF H-TEC project are to create an online cybersecurity program with industry-aligned curriculum that leads to industry certifications, to provide a law enforcement perspective, and to develop a pipeline from high schools to college to employment. Our poster highlights these unique aims and demonstrates faculty and industry partnerships in the areas of curriculum and opportunities for internships and employment. In addition, the project highlights workshops provided for students co-run by cybersecurity technicians in the private and governmental arenas that develop students’ soft skills while educating them about real-life cybersecurity challenges.
Nieves Angulo, Professor/Chair, Hostos Technical Education In Cybersecurity (HTEC), Hostos Community College, CUNY, Bronx, NY; Amy Ramson, Professor, Hostos Technical Education In Cybersecurity (HTEC), Hostos Community College, CUNY, Bronx, NY; Moise Koffi, Professor, Hostos Technical Education In Cybersecurity (HTEC), Hostos Community College, CUNY, Bronx, NY; Dejolie Christelle, Assistant Professor, Hostos Technical Education In Cybersecurity (HTEC), Hostos Community College, CUNY, Bronx, NY
EV Curriculum Design, Development, and Implementation: Lessons Learned from Pilot Courses
Join the MWCC faculty to learn about the design, development, and implementation of a specialized electric vehicle (EV) curriculum within a community college setting. The curriculum is structured into a sequence of three progressive courses, emphasizing lab-led learning to provide hands-on experience. Now that the first course has completed the pilot semester, come hear about the major successes and the lessons learned. The MWCC faculty will take you on a holistic journey from conception to preliminary pilot, discussing curriculum design, syllabi, and hands-on lab activity development, equipment purchasing, student evaluations, and the curriculum and course catalog approval process.
Eric Almeida, Faculty Chair Automotive Technology Program and Professor, Training Electric Vehicle Technicians to Accelerate Massachusetts’ Automotive Future, Mount Wachusett Community College, Gardner, MA; John Pignataro, Assistant Professor, Training Electric Vehicle Technicians to Accelerate Massachusetts’ Automotive Future, Mount Wachusett Community College, Gardner, MA
Bridging the Skills Gap: The Collaborate Lab and Mobile STEM Outreach
Funded by an NSF grant, the Collaborate Lab is an innovative maker space designed to spark student interest in advanced manufacturing careers. Equipped with 3D printers, virtual welders, CNC mills, and more, the lab provides hands-on opportunities for students to design and prototype real-world projects. To expand access, we are taking key lab components on the road to local high schools, introducing students to high-demand manufacturing pathways. This session showcases our collaborative approach to workforce development, highlighting student-led innovations and best practices for engaging future technicians in STEM while addressing Missouri’s skills gap.
Misty Burnett, Associate Dean Technical Education, Developing New Academic Pathways for the Advanced Manufacturing Technician Workforce, State Fair Community College, Sedalia, MO
Mapping Cybersecurity Careers: Guiding Students Through the NICE Framework
Many students are unaware that cybersecurity encompasses a wide range of job roles beyond traditional computer science and IT careers. This poster equips educators with the National Initiative for Cybersecurity Careers and Studies (NICCS) Workforce Framework for Cybersecurity, based on the NICE Framework. The framework tool offers features such as work role exploration; competency identification; work role searches; and task, knowledge, and skill search capabilities. By leveraging this tool, educators can guide students to discover diverse cybersecurity roles and understand the skills and competencies required to excel in this dynamic, ever-evolving field.
Eric Renegar, Professor of IT, Sinclair Community College, Dayton, Ohio
Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technologies Program (MET2)
The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (NCNGM) supports student team research projects through the Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technologies Program (MET2). During a two-week workshop, MET2 participants learn professional skills, including teambuilding and strategic planning, and technical skills based on the needs of projects that are proposed by industry. Student teams then work on the projects during the spring semester and present findings and prototypes to faculty and industry partners. A national virtual summer teacher workshop is also offered for high school and community college educators to learn how to incorporate these skills into their curriculum.
Karen Wosczyna-Birch, Executive Director and PI, National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, Farmington, CT; Wendy Robicheau, Assistant Director, National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, Farmington CT; John Birch, Building Career Interest in Computer Science through Advanced Real-World Technology Projects, The Birch Group; Eric Flynn, Professor, Building Career Interest in Computer Science through Advanced Real-World Technology Projects, CT State Community College Gateway
Building Skills by Building QuadCopters
The students presenting this poster are members of the QuadCopter team. This poster will present an overview of the quadcopter program at CT State Community College: Northwestern. This program engages STEM and non-STEM students in building and competing with quadcopters. Students work in the college’s maker space and are mentored by two faculty members. For some students this is the first exposure to hands-on technical skills, and for others it is an opportunity to put the theoretical work they are learning in their technical programs into practice. This poster will highlight the student experiences and what they learned.
Devon Binette, Student, Engaging Students from Classrooms and Camps to College and Technical Careers, Connecticut State Community College Northwestern Campus, Winsted, CT; Trinity Binette, Student, Engaging Students from Classrooms and Camps to College and Technical Careers, Connecticut State Community College, Northwestern Campus, Winsted, CT
Growing Mechatronics and Agricultural Collaborations for Producing Skilled Agricultural Technicians
This project advances NSF ATE’s mission though cross-disciplinary programming in mechatronics and agricultural skillsets. Our project will combine skillsets and career studies certificates to produce skilled agricultural technicians in the first community-college offered Ag-Tech initiative in Virginia.
David Berry, Associate Professor, Cross-Pollination Skillsets: Growing Mechatronics and Agricultural Collaborations for Producing Skilled Agricultural Technicians, Virginia Western Community College, Roanoke, VA; Mallory White, Assistant Professor, Cross-Pollination Skillsets: Growing Mechatronics and Agricultural Collaborations for Producing Skilled Agricultural Technicians, Western Community College, Roanoke, VA
Entrepreneurial STEM
Students use their experiences from STEAM K-7 to launch a business. Students work on their business plan as laid out by the Michigan SBDC and a beginning budget. They take out a small no-interest loan to start, file their LLC, apply for an EIN, and launch their business. Currently there are several student businesses running. The students learn marketing, web design, graphics, and branding. Students learn about positions within a corporation and hold positions themselves such as CEO, CFO, COO, and quality control. Students keep detailed accounting, which includes accounts receivable, accounts payable, invoicing, and filing taxes.
Joseph Walsh, Teacher/Career Tech Coordinator, Manchester Community Schools, Manchester, MI; Rylee Feuerbacher, Student/CEO, Manchester Community Schools/Bullseye Bakery, Manchester, MI; Luke Walsh, Student/CFO, Manchester Community Schools/Bamboo Accessories and More, Manchester, MI; Gavin Horky, Student/COO, Manchester Community Schools/Subzero Sweets, Manchester, MI
Success = Student * (Support + Internships)
This poster will visualize the aggregation of student support services and internships resulting in higher student success. Data and student testimonials will demonstrate student success through the implementation of student support services including supplemental instruction, internships, career development, and STEM coaching.
Lara Sharp, Dean, Springfield Technical Community College, Springfield, MA; Brian Candido, Professor, Springfield Technical Community College, Springfield, MA
ESTEEM: Eastern Shore Technician Education in Electro-Mechanics
This poster illustrates multiple aspects of the ESTEEM project, including flexible lab scheduling to improve access and enrollment without requiring more than 3-4 lab stations per lab experience, SACA micro-credential alignment, and industry collaboration.
Joe Roche, Department Head/Associate Professor, ESTEEM: Eastern Shore Technician Education in Electro-Mechanics, Wor-Wic Community College, Salisbury, MD
Education and Workforce Development Outreach: Advanced Manufacturing
This poster focuses on how to secure and sustain American leadership in global manufacturing competitiveness by providing US companies, especially small and medium-sized businesses, with the tools, support, and training needed to secure their energy-efficient smart manufacturing processes and connected supply chains through IT/OT Cybersecurity.
Nate Acevedo, Chief Cybersecurity, Education and Workforce Development, Securing Advanced Manufacturing: Powered by CyManII, Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CyManII), San Antonio, TX; Vince Rendon, Operational Technology Instructor/Cybersecurity SME, Securing Advanced Manufacturing: Powered by CyManII, Cybersecurity Manufacturing Innovation Institute (CyManII), San Antonio, TX
Entry-Level Process Manufacturing Technician and Operator Training Program
The COVID-19 pandemic exposed critical vulnerabilities in the United States’ domestic capability to rapidly manufacture essential goods such as pharmaceuticals, personal protective equipment (PPE), hygiene products, medical devices, critical consumer goods, and food products. To prepare our workforce for future disruptions, the RAPID Manufacturing Institute® (RAPID) created the Virtual Technician & Operator Training Program for Advanced Processes in the Pharmaceutical, Biopharmaceutical and Specialty Chemical Industries. The program provides on-demand content that aims to upskill our existing workforce and also serves as an outreach mechanism for the future workforce.
Keith Joseph, Director of Education and Workforce Development, RAPID Manufacturing Institute, New York, NY
The Needed Math Project: Promoting Student Success in Manufacturing Workplaces
This poster session presents key outcomes from the Needed Math project, which explores the role of mathematics in manufacturing. Findings include research on how math is applied in diverse industrial settings, analysis of a large-scale survey involving technicians and educators, workplace scenarios illustrating real-world math applications, and an AI-driven process for developing these scenarios.
Lisa Seidman, Faculty Emeritus, Needed Math, Madison College, Madison, WI; Marilyn Barger, Senior Education Advisor, FLATE, Orlando, FL
The Manufacturing USA Occupation and Competency Framework 2025
The potential talent pool for advanced manufacturing jobs involves a broad range of experience levels and skill sets. Making it easier for potential workers who may not be aware that these jobs exist or think they may not be qualified to connect with these opportunities is critical to accessing existing talent and growing the workforce pipeline. To support this effort, the Manufacturing USA network has worked to compile data surrounding entry-level positions in various manufacturing fields, identify essential and common advanced manufacturing skills, and develop core competency sets around this data. Join us at this poster to learn more!
Amelia Stephens, Advanced Manufacturing Strategy Fellow, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD; Brad Conrad, Education and Workforce Development Manager, NIST, Gaithersburg, MD
The Manufacturing USA Competency Framework for Biomanufacturing Careers 2025
A growing bioeconomy will need an increase in the pool of skilled technical workers for biopharmaceutical, bioindustrial, and biofabrication roles. Making it easier for potential workers who may not be aware that these jobs exist or think they may not be qualified to connect with these opportunities is critical to accessing existing talent and growing the workforce pipeline. To support this effort, the Manufacturing USA network has worked to compile data surrounding entry-level positions in biomanufacturing fields, identify essential and common cross-cutting biomanufacturing skills, and develop core competency sets around this data. Join us at this poster to learn more.
Joseph Long, Advanced Manufacturing Strategy Fellow, National Institute for Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD; Brad Conrad, Education and Workforce Development Manager, National Institute for Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD
Electrified Transportation Pathways: Forging a Two-Year College Electrification Workforce Consortium
Technological advancements predict a coming shift toward electrified transportation. In response, new and up/re-skilled technicians, technologists, and technology workers will be needed to support construction and maintenance of powered infrastructure for ubiquitous charging and on-demand electrification. In this work, we showcase rapidly evolving needs to re/define occupational competencies and develop innovative technical education and credentialing programs across electrification industry sectors, including battery manufacturing/assembly, wired/wireless charging, powered roadways, electrical power generation/distribution, and grid management. We highlight NSF-funded ASPIRE Engineering Research Center efforts to construct a two-year college consortium for regional and national electrification workforce development with industry, government, and training partners.
Angela Minichiello, Associate Professor of Engineering Education, Co-Director of Electrification Workforce Development for Advancing Sustainability through Powered Infrastructure for Roadway Electrification (ASPIRE), Utah State University, Logan, UT; Zak Konakis, Interim Head, Department of Technology, Design & Technical Education and Regional Pathways Coordinator, Utah State University Eastern, Price, UT; Foeday Zinnah, YARD-Liberia NPO Founder and Engineering Education Graduate Research Assistant, ASPIRE, Utah State University, Logan UT
A Unique Industry Partnership to Digitize Directive Documents for Biomanufacturing Education
Biopharmaceuticals are manufactured using a tightly controlled process documented in a production batch record. In recent years most biomanufacturing companies have migrated to electronic batch records (EBR) that serve as both directive and data collection documents. Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) partnered with Cellport Software to create a student-friendly EBR that can be adopted by educational institutions providing a real-world experience during biomanufacturing training. Cellport developed a digitized step-by-step record of all activities performed in the upstream and downstream processing of a monoclonal antibody. The product was beta tested in MCCC’s biomanufacturing course. Outcomes will be discussed.
Maggie Bryans, Biotechnology Professor, InnovATEBIO, Montgomery County Community College, Blue Bell, PA
Longitudinal Tracking of Community College Interns
This study presents findings from the initial phase of longitudinal survey tracking community college students from the Micro Nano Technology Collaborative Undergraduate Research Network (MNT-CURN) Advanced Technology Technician Training program (AT3). Adapted from PathTech LIFE and LISTEN surveys, the AT3 Initial Survey captures the educational experiences, employment backgrounds, motivations, career aspirations, and personal backgrounds of over 400 interns from throughout the country. Subsequent surveys will track their long-term education and employment outcomes. This research aims to inform educational practices and policy by providing insights into the trajectories of community college students and alumni.
Will Tyson, Professor of Sociology, Micro Nano Technology Education Center, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL
First Student Cohort in New PLC and Robotic Automation Technician Training Certificate Program
Vaughn College of Aeronautics and Technology welcomed its first student cohort in spring 2025 for the new PLC and Robotic Automation Technician (PRA) Training Certificate Program, designed to meet the growing demand for skilled automation technicians. This one-year, 13-credit NYSED-approved program equips students with the skills to install, maintain, and troubleshoot PLCs and robotic systems. Developed with industry input from the BILT team, the curriculum aligns with workforce needs in the NYC area. This poster will highlight program development, industry collaboration, and insights from the first cohort’s backgrounds, experiences, and expectations as they progress.
Douglas Jahnke, Assistant Professor, Vaughn College, Flushing, NY
Building a Sustainable Transportation Service Technician Education Program
This session will discuss the tools used to address the challenges encountered in creating a relevant degree in a rapidly changing technical field. How the content of the degree was determined and how it is kept relevant for business and industry will be highlighted. The degree is supported by international certifications. Information that will benefit others considering creating offerings in this area will be available.
Patrick English, PhD, Professor/PI, Building a Sustainable Transportation Service Technician Education Program, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI; Jeremy Themm, Professor/Co-PI, Building a Sustainable Transportation Service Technician Education Program, Ferris State University, Big Rapids, MI
Improving Access, Recruitment, Retention, and Attainment in IT
Highlighting solutions for the burgeoning need for IT operations and cybersecurity professionals in rural markets, the Improving Access, Recruitment, Retention, and Attainment in IT ATE grant program works to mitigate challenges in personnel availability in rural markets. The grant focuses on innovative solutions to provide practical application and real-world experience to students regardless of instruction modality or locale.
Troy Amick, Program Director, Information Technology Pathway, Improving Access, Recruitment, Retention, and Attainment in IT, Laramie County Community College, Cheyenne, WY
MassBridge Curriculum Alignment Model: A Roadmap for Aligning Competencies to Industry Needs
Ensuring the curriculum is aligned with the industry’s rapidly changing technology demand is challenging for any community college let alone a statewide system. The MassBridge Curriculum Alignment Model (MCAM) provides a process on how to align independent programs to industry-identified needs based on shared competencies. Visit this session to review emerging industry skills and their alignment with MassBridge competency rubrics. Learn about the Common Embedded Performance Assessment (CEPA) developed for introductory manufacturing courses. Get access to all MassBridge materials and tools designed to create a flexible, standardized advanced manufacturing curriculum that can be used by state community colleges throughout the country.
Meghan Abella-Bowen, Sr. Program Manager of Manufacturing Workforce Partnerships, MassBridge (DoD ManTech funded project), Massachusetts Technology Collaborative, Westborough, MA; Marina Bograd, Associate Professor, MassBay Community College, Wellesley, MA
A Focus on Partnership Assessment: What We’ve Learned So Far
For the past year, a small group of ATE educators have explored the use of a partnership assessment process, developed collaboratively by Working Partners and The Rucks Group, that supports educator-industry communication, negotiation, and the assessment of industry partner involvement. Stop by for an overview of takeaways from this applied learning experiment.
Mary Slowinski, PI, Working Partners Project & Workshops, Bellevue College, Bellevue, WA; Mike FitzGerald, Senior Research and Evaluation Associate, The Rucks Group, Dayton, OH