Madison Reporter

Madison College, in collaboration with its industrial and educational partners, is setting up a new training center for emerging electronic manufacturing technologies. This includes semiconductor fabrication, automated PCB assembly, and quantum photonics.

The initiative aims to improve hands-on learning and technical skills for students in electronic and electrical engineering technology. It will also support faculty development and create pathways for underrepresented populations within the Madison College District. The training center will expand opportunities in high-tech fields 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 summer internship program in New York. This program includes housing, meals, a stipend, and hands-on training in integrated circuit manufacturing. With part of the grant funding $400,000 specifically for scholarships at Madison College (600 nationwide), it focuses on supporting underrepresented populations interested in semiconductors.

Dr. Alberto Rodriguez, Program Director for Electrical Engineering Technology at Madison College said: "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.” He added that it supports efforts to engage K-12 students by providing paid experiences that expand access to electronics and electrical engineering fields within their district.

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

Grant Emmel, a faculty member leading this initiative at Madison College for two years said: "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." Emmel's vision is to strategically expand the college’s workforce offerings to catalyze economic development within the region.

Emmel is working with industry and local educational partners on creating a strategic plan for a state-of-the-art facility on campus designed to accommodate students from K-12 through graduate levels. This facility has potential as an economic driver for companies moving from research into commercial markets.

The Research Foundation for SUNY is the principal recipient of this NSF ATE federal grant with Madison College being one of four sub-awardees. This opportunity positions Madison College prominently within this technological field responding to the 2022 CHIPS & Science Act aimed at boosting U.S. semiconductor industry jobs.

Additionally, Madison College received another $400,000 Enabling Partnerships to Increase Innovation Capacity (EPIIC) NSF grant titled Collaborations with High-Tech Industry Partners (CHIP). This initiative fosters partnerships with private sectors, government agencies, and technical consortiums bringing centers focused on high-tech emerging technologies including quantum photonics and advanced circuit assembly.

Madison College was invited by Micro-Nano Technology Education Center (an NSF ATE Center) to participate in an Advanced Technology Technician Training program running virtually from October through May. Students gain hands-on learning sessions insights from industry partners earn stipends up-to $3K plus application support towards internships ten students already applied while Emmel Rodriguez look forward adding more participants.