Oak Ridge Today

Roane State to celebrate its LEAP grant on Leap Day

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Roane-State-Mechantronics

The mechatronics program at Roane State Community College prepares students for technology-driven manufacturing careers. (Photo by RSCC)

 

Roane State Community College received a workforce development grant last year, and the school will celebrate the LEAP grant on February 29, Leap Day, with mechatronics demonstrations, robotics teams from area high schools, and refreshments.

“Because Monday, February 29, is Leap Day, it’s the perfect time for Roane State Community College to celebrate its LEAP grant,” a press release said.

The $970,000 Labor Education Alignment Program, or LEAP, grant helped Roane State expand its one-year mechatronics program into a two-year degree and to offer dual credit mechatronics course for students at area high schools.

The Leap Day celebration is scheduled from 9-11 a.m. on Monday, February 29, at the college’s Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility in Clinton at 214 Nave Street. The public is invited. [Read more…]

Roane State students awarded NASA scholarships; more available for summer, fall

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Jeffrey Burks

Jeffrey Burks

Roane State Community College student Jeffrey Burks earned his GED six months before he started college. He’s on his way to a mechanical engineering degree.

A typical workday for Blake Stewart lasts 15 hours—job in the morning, classes at night.

Corey Stafford works to pay for school. Any help with costs, he said, is a relief.

Burks, Stewart, and Stafford are all receiving extra financial assistance with their college education. They are the first recipients of $1,250 NASA scholarships awarded to Roane State students pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, or math (STEM) fields. More NASA scholarships are available for summer semester and for fall semester. Students in STEM majors are encouraged to apply. [Read more…]

Grant will allow Roane State to expand mechatronics program

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Chris Whaley

Chris Whaley

Roane State Community College will use a nearly $1 million state grant to expand its mechatronics program and to pilot offering the program’s first year as dual credit courses for high school students. The college will partner with schools in Oak Ridge and Anderson County.

The mechatronics program trains students to become technicians who operate, maintain, and repair high-tech automated manufacturing systems. Roane State offers a one-year certificate in mechatronics. Through a $970,000 Labor Education Alignment Program, or LEAP, grant, Roane State will create a two-year associate degree in mechatronics. The program will be launched in fall 2015.

“We are honored to receive a LEAP grant, and we appreciate the hard work of our partners and our legislative delegation on the grant,” Roane State President Chris Whaley said. “The grant is built on great partnerships between Roane State, industries, local school systems and the Tennessee Colleges of Applied Technology. Working together, we will help students learn the skills they need for high-tech manufacturing careers.” [Read more…]

Roane State’s Mechatronics Showcase on Tuesday highlights high-tech job opportunities

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Anyone interested in learning about Roane State’s one-year mechatronics program is invited to a Mechatronics Showcase from 2-5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at the Clinton Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility.

Visitors will be able to speak with industry leaders and experts in advanced manufacturing and learn what careers are available. Technology used in advanced manufacturing will be on display, and Roane State staff will answer questions about the college’s mechatronics certificate program.

The program trains students to become technicians who operate, maintain, and repair high-tech automated manufacturing systems. The courses include instruction in electronics, mechanics, computer science, robotics, and process control. Evening classes and financial aid are available. [Read more…]

Roane State’s Gatton eager to show new side of manufacturing

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Bob Gatton of Roane State's National STEM Consortium

Roane State’s Bob Gatton explains a composite materials demonstration during an open house showcasing the college’s advanced manufacturing programs. (Submitted photo)

Bob Gatton wants to spread a simple but powerful message.

Manufacturing is not what it used to be.

“When you start talking about factories, people have this mental picture of being covered in soot,” Gatton said. “That’s just not true anymore. Most factories are clean and automated.”

As director of Roane State Community College’s National STEM Consortium Program, Gatton is in a position to train people for today’s high-tech manufacturing jobs. The college has developed two one-year certificate programs—mechatronics and composite materials—with funding from a $19.7 million grant awarded to the National STEM Consortium. [Read more…]

Roane State open house will showcase advanced manufacturing programs

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Everyone is invited to learn how Roane State Community College’s advanced manufacturing programs can help their career at an open house on Tuesday, July 30, at the Clinton Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility at 214 Nave St. in Clinton.

The open house is scheduled from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Visitors are welcome to drop by anytime to learn more about the programs. Employers are also encouraged to attend to learn more about training opportunities for their employees. [Read more…]

Roane State, ORNL, industries train workers in composites, advanced manufacturing

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John Thornton at Carbon Fiber Technology Facility

John Thornton, left, a graduate of Roane State’s Advanced Materials Training and Education Center and an intern at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Carbon Fiber Technology Facility, chats with Roane State President Chris Whaley. (Submitted photos)

John Thornton of Clinton graduated from Roane State Community College’s Advanced Materials Training and Education Center, or AMTEC, a year ago.

Today, he works in one of the most innovative places in the country.

“It’s been an amazing experience,” Thornton said. “It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be a part of this and hopefully develop a career out of it.”

Thornton is one of 13 AMTEC trainees interning at Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Carbon Fiber Technology Facility. The $35 million plant is a new advanced manufacturing facility designed to reduce the cost of carbon fiber—a critical material for efficient, lightweight vehicles, next-generation wind turbines, and a wide array of other consumer and industrial products. [Read more…]

Learn more about high-tech mechatronics at Roane State on Thursday

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Anyone interested in Roane State Community College’s new high-tech mechatronics program is invited to information sessions on Thursday, March 21, at the college’s Oak Ridge Campus.

The information sessions will be held at 1 p.m. and 4:15 p.m. in the City Room. Visitors only need to attend one of the sessions. [Read more…]

Roane State hosts information meetings for new mechatronics program

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Factory Manufacturing

Technicians trained in mechatronics work with high-tech robotic equipment. (Photo courtesy of Anne Arundel Community College)

Roane State Community College is hosting information meetings about a new certificate program that will train students to become technicians who operate, maintain, and repair high-tech automated manufacturing systems.

Anyone interested in the one-year mechatronics program is invited to attend information meetings on Thursday, Jan. 3, at the college’s Oak Ridge campus; Tuesday, Jan. 8, at the college’s Loudon County campus in Lenoir City; or on Thursday, Jan. 10, at the Clinton Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility.

The information sessions will be held at 10 a.m., 2 p.m., and 6 p.m. each day. Interested students only need to attend one of the sessions.

The program begins Tuesday, Jan. 22, at the Clinton Higher Education and Workforce Training Facility.

[Read more…]