Enrollment is now open for Clark State Community College’s first applied bachelor’s degree program. The four-year degree in Manufacturing Technology Management is officially available to students beginning in the fall semester of this year.
Clark State President Dr. Jo Alice Blondin said the degree in Manufacturing Technology Management complements Clark State’s existing certificates and associate degrees, and it is an opportunity to provide higher education for an industry important to the region’s economic health.
“Additionally, incumbent workers can now have access to a bachelor’s degree that brings with it the opportunities for advancement and higher-level skill development,” she said. “It’s a win-win for the employees and employers.”
Dr. Arefeh Mohammadi joined Clark State this spring as assistant professor of Manufacturing Technology. She will oversee the bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Technology Management. Her area of expertise is workforce development and training for STEM industries using experiential learning techniques. Mohammadi is a graduate of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a Ph.D. in engineering and a minor in educational administration.
“This program is offered in the evenings and can be customized to the needs of working students,” said Mohammadi. “We care about our students, and we want them to succeed so we provide a teaching experience that is accommodating work-life balance issues of the students.”
Mohammadi said her goals for the bachelor’s degree in Manufacturing Technology Management program include fulfilling the need for manufacturing industry leaders and managers in Ohio; providing a collaborative and active learning environment; and providing leadership training for students to advance themselves in their current and future careers.
“This is a great start to what looks to me as a valuable education set,” said Frank Beafore, executive director of SelectTech GeoSpatial. “This kind of program will help the region and the state to grow. I am delighted to consult on core content needs.”
Clark State applied to the Ohio Department of Higher Education for approval of the applied bachelor’s degree in 2017 with support from local industry partners including: Bundy Baking Solutions, Cascade Engineering, Champion GSE, Hall Company, Heroux Devtek, Honda of America, Konecranes, McGregor Metalworks, MEVA Formworks, SEEPEX, SelectTech, Sweet Manufacturing, Tech II, TJAR Innovations, UTC, Valco Industries, Yamada North America, The Chamber of Greater Springfield, Champion Economic Partnership, Dayton Regional Manufacturers Association, Ohio Hi-Point Career Center, Springfield-Clark Career Technology Center and many others.
“We are looking forward to helping our regional manufacturing business partners upskill their current workforce into management positions with this degree,” said Aimee Belanger-Haas, dean of business and applied technologies for Clark State.
To begin the enrollment process for the Fall 2019 semester, visit clarkstate.edu. Classes begin August 19.