Upcoming Community of Practice Part 2

The National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing (NCNGM), funded by the National Science Foundation, is excited to reveal the panelists for our upcoming joint community of practice: Erika Guerra, Mehrdäd Fäézi, and Bryan Sellars. This Community of Practice is working in partnership with the National Applied Artificial Intelligence Consortium (NAAIC), and the Advanced Manufacturing Technical Education Collaborative (AMTEC), both also funded by the National Science Foundation. Dr. Ann Beheler, the NCNGM Industry Engagement Director, will moderate the panel. She strategically leads the Business Industry Leadership Team (BILT) high-employer engagement model, which she developed for the National Center for Next Generation Manufacturing and other community colleges nationwide. The joint Community of Practice is scheduled for Friday, July 10th, from 1:00 pm to 2 pm EST via Zoom.

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Dr. Ann Beheler

This panel will follow a "Lightning Round" format. Instead of delivering presentations, our panelists will answer brief questions from the moderator to convey their insights on the topic. Below are examples of the AI in Manufacturing applications and topics that may be covered. This session is intended for educators at community and technical colleges, as well as other stakeholders engaged in career technician education in advanced manufacturing.

The panelists will explore the effects of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the advanced manufacturing curriculum and its applications for career technical education. The Community of Practice session will inform the audience on how AI technologies are transforming both operational processes and the educational structures that prepare the manufacturing workforce. The panel will offer insights from education and industry professionals, providing various perspectives on advanced manufacturing careers. Panelists will share their views on different AI applications, such as predictive maintenance, quality control, and supply chain optimization. These technologies help manufacturers boost productivity and efficiency while cutting operational costs. AI enables human workers to focus on more complex problem-solving and decision-making by automating routine tasks. The panelists will also address how educational institutions are modifying their curricula to align with the demands of a rapidly evolving AI manufacturing landscape. This includes introducing new training programs focused on AI literacy, data analysis, and robotics to ensure students have the skills needed to succeed in the workplace. We are thrilled to introduce our industry and education panelists to you.

Erika Guerra

Erika Guerra is the Program Chair for Advanced Manufacturing & Mechatronics Technology at South Texas College. She has completed an associate's degree in Engineering from South Texas College and a bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Texas-Pan American. She manages the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program at South Texas College, providing students with an environment to acquire highly marketable technical skills and earn Industry Credentials that boost their employability and showcase proficiency in essential manufacturing technologies.

Mehrdäd Fäézi

Mehrdäd Fäézi is a professor of Manufacturing Engineering Technology in the Engineering, Technology, and Computer Science Department at Connecticut State Community College Manchester campus. Alongside his duties as a manufacturing professor, he also serves as a Connecticut NASA Space Grant Community College Drone Challenge Advisor and is the principal investigator of the NSF ATE grant "Building Career Interest in Computer Science through Advanced Real-World Technology Projects". This NSF ATE project implemented problem-based learning to teach students to solve real-world, industry-relevant challenges, including building, programming, and flying drones.

Bryan Sellars

Bryan Sellars is the Manager of Strategy & Business Exploration at SICK Sensor Intelligence. Since May of 2023, he has worked with product management at SICK Sensor Intelligence to donate more than $1.9M in industrial-grade products to over 100 post-secondary educational institutions and organizations across the United States. SICK is one of the world’s leading solutions providers for sensor-based applications in the industrial sector. SICK also offers a comprehensive range of training courses and relies on innovative methods and formats, such as face-to-face training, web-based training, and virtual classrooms.

We look forward to seeing everyone virtually at our joint Community of Practice!

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