Funding will support mechatronics, artificial intelligence, and high school pathways
Monaca, PA – Community College of Beaver County (CCBC) will receive $1.7 million over the next four years to uphold the Pillar 3 (Upskilling: Expanded Pathways to New Economy Careers) component of the Economic Development Administration’s Build Back Better Challenge.
Earlier this year, CCBC President Roger W. Davis was one of two community leaders providing guidance on the Build Back Better Challenge grant, a transformative $62.7 million investment in the Pittsburgh region focused on workforce development and technological innovation.
“It was an honor to provide guidance on a project initiating technological innovation and workforce development to transform the region in the coming years,” said Dr. Davis. “CCBC is excited to enhance the services provided to our community and empower future generations to lead fulfilling careers.”
These investments, focused on implementing a holistic workforce development and technological innovation strategy, will position the region to rebound from the rustbelt and reposition it as a global leader in artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, and advanced manufacturing.
“This is a transformative investment in the Pittsburgh region and the Community College of Beaver County! This project builds upon CCBC’s regional expertise in advanced manufacturing and helps position the college as a regional leader in mechatronics, robotics, and artificial intelligence,” stated Kolton Codner, Associate Vice President of Presidential Initiatives and Executive Director of the CCBC Foundation.
The funding will support three key workforce pathways at the college:
Mechatronics – CCBC will be awarded $405,050 to infuse robotics and AI programming into the regionally-distinctive Process Technology program and launch a new Mechatronics pathway. CCBC’s Process Technology program has garnered multiple National Science Foundation grants, $6 million in extramural funding, and provides workforce talent for the $7 billion Shell Polymers project. This project will also expand CCBC’s advanced manufacturing educational pathway providing stackable credentials to address critical workforce needs in the area. $80,000 will be used to develop curriculum and design in-depth lab experiences and $325,050 will be invested in technology for hands-on experience.
High School Academies – CCBC will be awarded $295,500 to bolster the High School Academies’ positive impact on the community. The Academies launch students to early success by providing hands-on skills and education needed to work in our region’s high-demand industries. CCBC has developed an academy introducing STEM careers to a diverse high school population to engage students early in their educational journey and empower them to pursue careers previously considered unattainable. The Academies focus on minority and at-risk students, providing support to help them enroll, persist, graduate, and transfer, and gap scholarship support to remove financial barriers. $99,500 will be used to support high school outreach events, $75,000 to dedicate to a STEM Academy Champion to provide student support, and $140,000 for supplemental student gap scholarships.
Artificial Intelligence Infused Academic Programs – CCBC will be awarded $780,500 to launch and support AI education and training. $425,000 is appropriated to hire a full-time faculty expert who would serve as the AI program lead and focus on integrating an AI-infused curriculum across multiple academic programs. AI integration will provide an immersive student experience and stackable credentials to upskill and reskill the region’s workforce. $360,000 will be invested in the robotics and tech labs, $100,000 in curriculum development, and $25,000 in professional development.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the nation can expect to see a 10.8 percent increase in STEM occupations over the next ten years.
“The Build Back Better grant will allow CCBC to invest in cutting edge technology and STEM programming to ensure current and future students are not only prepared, but are ahead of the curve, as they advance along career and academic pathways,” explained Dr. Katie Thomas, Dean of the School of Business, Arts, Sciences, and Technology.
Over the next four years, CCBC will serve 4,155 people as a direct result of this project.
