Welcome to Our Newest Leadership Member Andrew Dunn is an Industrial Technology Trainer based at Central Community College’s Columbus, Nebraska campus, providing hands-on training throughout the college’s service area. He holds Associate degrees in Mechatronics and Drafting from Central Community College and delivers practical instruction in industrial maintenance with an emphasis on real-world troubleshooting. At Central Community College, Andrew helped develop PLC, HMI, and

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, funded by the National Science Foundation, announced an addition to its leadership structure. In its effort to connect academic research with industry practices, Dr. Suj Chandrasekhar, president of Strategic Insights Inc., has been named chair of the Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT). As chairperson of BILT, Dr. Chandrasekhar will play a crucial role in guiding the center's strategic initiatives, ensuring that

Central Community College (CCC) has been awarded nearly $1 million by the National Science Foundation (NSF) . This funding will assist CCC in providing mechatronics education to working adults and students in adult education programs. Mechatronics combines computers and machinery and is often referred to as industrial automation. Professionals in this field use problem-solving and practical skills to operate robots and other automated systems in factories and other settings

The National Science Foundation (NSF) funded National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing has officially commenced the highly anticipated 2026 Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering Technologies (MET²) Program cohort. This exciting initiative began with a two-week Winter Intersession Workshop hosted this year by Central Connecticut State University. This innovative program provides comprehensive instruction in technical and professional skills for community college and

Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch was recently elected Vice Chair of the Connecticut Technical Education and Career System (CTECS) Board for 2026, a role that positions her to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of technical education and career pathways in the state. Her experience and dedication to education and workforce development make her an ideal candidate for Vice Chair. The Board’s two subcommittees aim to enhance student success and workforce readiness by strengthening

The New England Regional Defense Industry Collaboration (NERDIC) is a coalition that unites stakeholders across New England, including industry leaders, community colleges, Manufacturing Extension Partnerships (MEPs), and other influential entities. The primary goal of NERDIC is to effectively address the pressing needs of the regional industry while developing and promoting best practices tailored to the manufacturing technician sector. This initiative is crucial to ensuring

Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch, principal investigator and director of the National Science Foundation funded National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing, was honored to receive an invitation to serve as a panelist at the annual meeting of Discover E's Coalition Convening. Discover E is an organization dedicated to promoting engineering and technology education. This event brings together a coalition of board members, stakeholders, educators, and industry professionals commit

Douglas Pauley, former Associate Dean of Community and Workforce Education at Central Community College in Nebraska, recently had the opportunity to attend the annual Rockwell Automation Fair. This event highlights the advancements in digital transformation and industrial automation, showcasing Rockwell Automation as a leader in these fields. Rockwell Automation is renowned for its commitment to providing comprehensive resources tailored for an array of stakeholders within t

University of New Haven Center for Innovation and Applied Technology The National Science Foundation funded National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing was invited to the University of New Haven's Open House for its Center for Innovation and Applied Technology. Stakeholders from across Connecticut were present at the construction site. This forthcoming initiative will allow the academic community to engage in hands-on learning, help industry enhance their workforce ski

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (NCNGM) participated in the annual National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education Principal Investigators Conference in Washington, D.C. This event brings together educators and professionals who have received an NSF ATE (Project or Center) Grant dedicated to enhancing technological education and workforce development nationwide. This year, the NCNGM joined other leading organizations in the field at the inno

Applications for the 2026 MET2 Cohort are now   OPEN! MET²Program provides genuine, real-world challenges and problems to fuel projects explored by self-managed Program Teams of students. Program Teams are inter-institutional, interdisciplinary, and self-managed to capitalize on the synergy between the theoretical knowledge of university students and faculty ( College of Technology partner universities in Connecticut) and the requisite hands-on technical skills of community

Last week, the National Science Foundation (NSF)  funded National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing attended an event organized by the Connecticut Northwest Hills Council of Governments (NHCOG), which brought together local leaders, industry representatives, and stakeholders to discuss vital issues in the manufacturing sector. The occasion was particularly special as it coincided with Manufacturing Month  , a time dedicated to celebrating and promoting the importance o

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing is excited to announce a partnership with Central Community College in Columbus, Nebraska. Together, we will offer Professional Development opportunities for high school educators during the summer of 2026. If you are interested in attending, please complete the attached form and return it as soon as possible, as class size is limited. Program Overview Classes must be taken in sequence. Our goal is to foster collaboration

The National Science Foundation funded National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing is proud to announce the remarkable success of the NCNGM Summit 2025, which was held at the headquarters of FANUC America Corporation . This event was organized in collaboration with the National Coalition of Advanced Technology Centers (NCATC), bringing together groups of industry leaders, researchers, educators, and stakeholders dedicated to advancing the field of manufacturing and tec

On Monday, October 6th, Karen Wosczyna Birch , Principal Investigator and Director of the National Science Foundation-funded National...

National Science Foundation funded National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing's mission is to promote advanced technological...

The National Science Foundation (NSF)   funded National Applied Artificial Intelligence Consortium aims to foster collaboration among...

The National Science Foundation (NSF)  funded National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing is excited to announce and invite you...

The   National Science Foundation (NSF)  funded National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing  is excited to announce and invite you...

Overview of the HITEC 2025 Conference The HITEC 2025 Conference, held in the vibrant city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, served as a...