Madison Reporter

Madison College, in collaboration with its industrial and educational partners, is establishing a state-of-the-art training center focused on emerging electronic manufacturing technologies, including semiconductor fabrication, automated PCB assembly, and quantum photonics.

This initiative aims to enhance hands-on learning experiences and technical skills for students in electronic and electrical engineering technology. It will support faculty professional development and create pathways for underrepresented populations within the Madison College district. The training center will expand opportunities in high-tech emerging technologies for the community and contribute to creating an economic development zone for advanced electronics.

In partnership with the State University of New York (SUNY) and NY Creates, supported by a four-year, $4.6 million National Science Foundation Advanced Technology Education (NSF ATE) federal grant, the Educational Alliance for Semiconductor Experiential Learning (EASEL) will offer Madison College students a unique opportunity to participate in a summer internship program in New York. This program includes housing, a meal plan, and a stipend while providing hands-on training in integrated circuit manufacturing. A total of 120 scholarships will be awarded at Madison College (600 nationwide), focusing on supporting underrepresented populations while making the opportunity available to anyone interested in the semiconductor field.

Dr. Alberto Rodriguez, Program Director for Electrical Engineering Technology at Madison College, emphasized the importance of this grant: "This grant allows us to introduce important technologies to students who might not otherwise have access or who might believe that a career in high-tech is not possible,” Rodriguez said. “It also supports our ongoing efforts to engage K-12 students, providing them with paid experiences that expand access to the fields of electronics and electrical engineering within our district.”

Through this funding initiative, Madison College faculty will receive training in integrated circuit manufacturing. The multidisciplinary nature of semiconductor manufacturing will benefit not only electronics faculty but also faculty from other disciplines across the college.

Grant Emmel, a Madison College Electronics & Electrical Engineering faculty member leading this initiative for two years, sees it as a catalyst for regional economic development: "This grant unequivocally validates our efforts to revolutionize the workforce in a multi-disciplinary manner by unifying various trades including industrial maintenance, robotics, HVAC as well as more liberal arts transfer areas such as chemistry and physics. These competencies are essential particularly in the semiconductor field,” Emmel said.

Emmel is spearheading collaborative efforts with industry and local educational partners to create strategic plans for state-of-the-art facilities on the Madison College campus designed to accommodate students from K-12 through graduate levels comprehensively. According to Emmel, this facility has potential as an economic driver where companies can transition from research into commercial markets.

The Research Foundation for SUNY is the principal recipient of this grant with Madison College being one of four sub-awardees. The other sub-awardees already have existing semiconductor programs; thus this presents an opportunity for Madison College to establish itself prominently within this technological area. This grant responds directly to the 2022 CHIPS & Science Act which initiated a $52 billion investment into U.S.'s semiconductor industry aiming at creating 42 thousand fab manufacturing jobs along with additional opportunities within IC equipment materials facilities support companies.

Additionally awarded was another NSF EPIIC grant worth $400 thousand titled Collaborations with High-Tech Industry Partners (CHIP). This initiative aims at fostering partnerships between private sectors government agencies technical consortiums bringing forth centers dedicated towards high-tech emerging technologies such as quantum photonics advanced circuit assembly manufacturing alongside semiconductor circuit manufacturing onto campus grounds.

The Micro-Nano Technology Education Center recently invited participation from Madison College into another NSF ATE-funded Advanced Technology Technician Training program exposing technical education students towards necessary knowledge skills abilities essential towards successful careers within micro nano industries via virtual programs running October through May inclusive hands-on learning sessions insights industry partners earning up-to three thousand dollars stipends receiving application support internships ten current applicants already enrolled further additions anticipated by both Emmel Rodriguez alike

For more information regarding these grants or discussing strategic goals contact Grant Emmel via email gemmel@madisoncollege.edu or Alberto Rodriguez concerning Electronic Electrical Engineering Technology Programs ARodriguez5@madisoncollege.edu