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91��Ƭ aims to boost advanced manufacturing workforce via agreement with Central New Mexico Community College

giffeyt — Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:00:00 +0000

91��Ƭ aims to boost advanced manufacturing workforce via agreement with Central New Mexico Community Collegegiffeyt March 16, 2026

University creates new pathway into automation leadership program

Tom Giffey

91��Ƭ is extending high-impact polytechnic education beyond Wisconsin with its first-ever out-of-state articulation agreement for the B.S. automation leadership program.

The agreement between 91��Ƭ, Wisconsin’s Polytechnic University, and Central New Mexico Community College (CNM) creates a pathway for students to advance from a two-year technical education into a bachelor’s degree program focused on automation, advanced manufacturing and industry leadership.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer this new educational option for CNM graduates through 91��Ƭ,” said 91��Ƭ Chancellor Katherine Frank. “This is an example of a flexible educational offering, informed by industry partners, and designed to create a seamless pathway for students wishing to advance their education while remaining in their home communities. We are appreciative of the strong collaboration and innovation embraced by the exceptional faculty and staff at CNM and 91��Ƭ.”

“On behalf of CNM, we’re excited to partner with 91��Ƭ to create a powerful new pathway for our students and for employers who need a highly skilled workforce,” said CNM President Tracy Hartzler. “Our Industrial Automation program at CNM already prepares students with the hands-on skills regional employers need. Through this uplifting partnership, our students will be able to seamlessly advance their education into a high-quality bachelor’s degree program that will prepare them to be leaders in advanced manufacturing. The result is a stronger talent pipeline for employers that will help their businesses grow and thrive, and greater opportunity for our graduates to advance into leadership roles, high-demand careers and the quality of life they seek.”

91��Ƭ Chancellor Katherine Frank, right, and Tracy Hartzler, president of Central New Mexico Community College, sign the articulation agreement. / Submitted photo

Frank and Hartzler signed the agreement on Feb. 27 as part of the Alliance for Innovation and Transformation (AFIT) Higher Education CEO Forum & Reps Meeting in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Central New Mexico Community College, which is based in Albuquerque, has about 20,000 students across five campuses.

Both Frank and Hartzler are members of the executive committee of AFIT, an association of innovative higher education CEOs who are committed to transforming their organizations in the face of unprecedented challenges and change. The group aims to inspire innovation by connecting with world-class learning partners from organizations outside of higher ed, including the likes of Apple, Disney, Microsoft and Ritz-Carlton.

The articulation agreement is part of 91��Ƭ’s continued collaboration with Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) to strengthen industry-aligned credentials and workforce pathways. Courses in 91��Ƭ’s online-only B.S. automation leadership program are aligned with SACA standards.

“We look forward to the opportunities this partnership will create for students, faculty and industry partners,” said Professor David Ding, director of 91��Ƭ’s Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering and interim dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management.

While the articulation agreement with Central New Mexico Community College is 91��Ƭ’s first with an institution outside of the Upper Midwest, the university already offers transfer pipelines and articulation agreements with numerous Wisconsin and Minnesota educational institutions into dozens of degree programs.

Automation Leadership

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91��Ƭ aims to boost advanced manufacturing workforce via agreement with Central New Mexico Community College

University creates new pathway into automation leadership program

Training Wisconsin workers: Automation leadership students develop niche station for Eaton

Coil winding training station helps develop quality employees to keep jobs in the state

Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation donation transforms labs with advanced manufacturing equipment

Machinery for automated manufacturing, 3D printing and more will impact thousands of students’ polytechnic experiences

University creates new pathway into automation leadership program uw-stout_and_central_new_mexico_signing.jpg

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Hero Caption: Representatives of 91��Ƭ — including Chancellor Katherine Frank, third from right — and Central New Mexico Community College pose at the college in Albuquerque, New Mexico. / Submitted photo

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Training Wisconsin workers: Automation leadership students develop niche station for Eaton

goersab — Thu, 04 Sep 2025 13:30:00 +0000

Training Wisconsin workers: Automation leadership students develop niche station for Eatongoersab September 4, 2025

Coil winding training station helps develop quality employees to keep jobs in the state

Abbey Goers

A group of B.S. automation leadership students at 91��Ƭ completed a multi-year project to develop a niche training station and related training materials for Eaton, headquartered in Waukesha.

Building the project into their capstone course, the group was father and son Jason Solberg and Tyler Solberg, and classmate Wesley Lidwin. Jason, an automation systems instructor at Waukesha County Technical College (WCTC), led the group.

Eaton, which manufactures transformers for utility companies and data centers, partners with WCTC to complete on-site training for its employees. Through the partnership, Eaton donated a coil winding machine from its plant to WCTC, allowing Eaton employees to train at the college and providing students with hands-on experience.

91��Ƭ automation leadership student Jason Solberg, right, led a capstone group project to complete a coil winding training station for Eaton / Waukesha County Technical College

The capstone group received around $350,000 in financial support from Eaton to complete the project. They collaborated with Pieper Electric for the machine upgrade.

“Transformers step up or step down the voltage of different systems and provide power for facilities. This niche coil winding training with Eaton will help develop quality employees to keep jobs in Wisconsin,” said Jason, who conducts training bootcamps a few times a year at WCTC for new Eaton employees. About 20 employees per year will use the new coil winding training station.

“Coil winding requires expertise and knowledge within the transformer manufacturing process,” said Guillaume Laur, senior vice president and general manager for Eaton, in a project video. “The training station will also help WCTC students learn what Eaton does and what positions it can offer them, knowing that our business is growing.”

Jason Solberg is an automation systems instructor at WCTC / Waukesha County Technical College

The Solbergs and Lidwin also developed training materials for the station, including programmable logic control (PLC) and human-machine interface (HMI). The PLC handles the control functions, while the HMI provides a user-friendly interface for monitoring and control.

They developed a variable frequency drive (VFD) and backups of machine parameters, applied 5S and Lean to create a safe workspace, and created safety documentation and a project charter to document the process, Jason said.

The Solbergs and Lidwin transferred to 91��Ƭ from WCTC. “We chose Stout's automation leadership program since WCTC and Stout created an articulation agreement for this program that closely aligns with WCTC’s automation systems technology,” Jason said. The automation leadership seniors will graduate in spring 2026

The automation leadership degree is offered entirely online. SACA professional core and professional-level classes may be completed on-site with a partnering technical college. Students may transfer up to 88 credits from any technical or community college in the country.

Students may earn professional certificates to expand their career opportunities, and related courses fulfill program elective requirements: SAP ERP & Business Analytics Certificate; Six Sigma Green Belt Certificate; and Workforce Development Specialist Certificate.

Automation Leadership

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91��Ƭ aims to boost advanced manufacturing workforce via agreement with Central New Mexico Community College

University creates new pathway into automation leadership program

Training Wisconsin workers: Automation leadership students develop niche station for Eaton

Coil winding training station helps develop quality employees to keep jobs in the state

Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation donation transforms labs with advanced manufacturing equipment

Machinery for automated manufacturing, 3D printing and more will impact thousands of students’ polytechnic experiences

Coil winding training station helps develop quality employees to keep jobs in the state Jason Solberg, automation leadership student and WCTC instructor

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Xuedong (David) Ding

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Degree: Ph.D. Industrial and Management System Engineering

University: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation donation transforms labs with advanced manufacturing equipment

giffeyt — Wed, 27 Aug 2025 13:00:00 +0000

Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation donation transforms labs with advanced manufacturing equipmentgiffeyt August 27, 2025

Machinery for automated manufacturing, 3D printing and more will impact thousands of students’ polytechnic experiences

Tom Giffey

A $3.1 million donation of high-tech equipment from the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation (the Foundation) will dramatically increase University of Wisconsin-Stout’s ability to offer a state-of-the-art polytechnic experience for students in design, engineering and education programs.

The generous gift of equipment – which includes production-level 3D printers, a fully-integrated automated manufacturing system and more – is the result of an ongoing partnership between 91��Ƭ and the Wanek family and their business, Ashley Furniture Industries, based in Arcadia.

Chancellor Katherine Frank

“We are extremely grateful for the generosity of the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation and its belief in the distinctiveness, relevance, and need for the polytechnic learning experience that 91��Ƭ provides,” 91��Ƭ Chancellor Katherine Frank said. “This investment in labs and high-demand programs will serve thousands of students prepared to enter the workforce and contribute to the economic vitality of Wisconsin and beyond. The strong relationships with our business and industry partners, like Ashley Furniture Industries, are key to our ability to produce 91��Ƭ graduates prepared to succeed on day one and throughout their professional career.”

The Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation is a philanthropic organization committed to supporting STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and other community initiatives. The Foundation was established by Ronald Wanek, founder and chairman of Ashley Furniture Industries, LLC, and his wife, Joyce. Their son, Todd Wanek, is a 1988 91��Ƭ alum and president and CEO of the company.

“Our partnership with 91��Ƭ represents a strategic investment in the future of STEM education,” stated Ron Wanek, founder and chairman of Ashley Furniture Industries. “By providing students with access to industry-standard equipment and technology, we are ensuring they graduate with the practical skills and technical expertise that today’s employers require. 91��Ƭ’s polytechnic mission aligns with our commitment to developing a skilled workforce, and we are pleased to support their efforts in preparing the next generation of manufacturing professionals.”

CNC equipment donated by the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation installed in a lab at 91��Ƭ's Fryklund Hall.

The Foundation’s investment expands applied learning across 91��Ƭ’s STEM disciplines, benefiting both undergraduate and graduate students as well as allowing them to gain additional industry certifications. It also will enhance experiences for K-12 students and professional learners, amplifying the impact of 91��Ƭ’s polytechnic focus.

CSTEMM Dean Daniel Freedman

Daniel Freedman, dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management, said the new equipment will create automation, robotics and 3D printing labs at 91��Ƭ that will be in the top tier for undergraduate engineering programs in the United States.

“91��Ƭ’s partnership with Ashley Furniture and the Foundation will make us a national leader in educating students and supporting the manufacturing community in digital design, digital fabrication, and digital assembly and production,” Freedman said.

The equipment donated by the Foundation will be used in multiple campus locations, including three labs in Fryklund Hall and one in the Jarvis Hall Technology Wing. Some equipment has already been installed, while the rest will be put in place for use during the soon-to-begin fall semester, when it will be used by thousands of students in multiple programs.

Donated equipment is driven through the 91��Ƭ campus earlier this summer.

The Foundation’s equipment donation includes the following:

An Amatrol Smart Factory Enterprise system, which will be used to create a new Automation Training Center. This fully integrated automated manufacturing system includes a manufacturing line composed of processes such as inventory control, inspection, sorting, assembly, testing, CNC machining and storage, all linked by ethernet or wireless communications. The system is designed to showcase how all these technologies are integrated in a modern production system and to educate students in how to build and maintain these systems. Through the Smart Factory Enterprise system and 91��Ƭ’s ground-breaking Automation Leadership and Engineering programs, the university will be able to offer a wide variety of industry recognized certifications through the Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA).
Three new Universal Cobots (collaborative robots) and six AI-powered Cognex Vision Cameras will be added to 91��Ƭ’s already impressive Industrial Robotics and Machine Vision Lab. AI powered robotics creates a major leap forward from preprogrammed automation to intelligent, adaptive systems. Adding AI turns robots from rigid machines into smart collaborators that can see, learn, adapt and optimize – making them far more valuable in manufacturing, healthcare, logistics, agriculture and beyond.
91��Ƭ’s Additive Manufacturing Lab will be upgraded with state-of-the-art industrial printers. This includes a One-Click metal printer and Origin II, J55 and H350 printers from Stratasys, enabling the printing of almost anything out of a wide variety of materials, from stainless steel to nylon to high-performance plastics such as ULTEM and Antero. The Origin II and H350 are production-level 3D printers that will fabricate tens to hundreds of parts virtually overnight at high resolution and precision.
The Fryklund 101 machining lab has been upgraded with 6 Haas VF-2SS CNC mills; a Haas ST-20Y CNC lathe with Y-axis capabilities; a bar feeder and live tooling; and a Fanuc Robodrill with a machine tending robot system. Two of the Haas CNC mills will be fitted with machine tending robotic systems from Universal Robots and Robotiq end-of-arm tooling.

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This new equipment will enhance the education of well over 1,000 students and will support 91��Ƭ’s many industry partners by giving them access to advanced technology directly and through student projects as well as opportunities for upskilling employees in automation and additive manufacturing.

“The equipment provided through this generous donation will create valuable hands-on learning opportunities for a wide range of students – including those in engineering, engineering technology, technology education and business programs, particularly those focused on automation leadership. In addition to enhancing student learning, the equipment will support workforce development initiatives and serve as a resource/platform for funded research projects sponsored by industry partners and external agencies,” said Professor David Ding, director of the Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering and associate dean of CSTEMM. “Bringing this equipment into our labs is not the final step – it marks the beginning of our continued commitment to elevating the 91��Ƭ learning experience to a new level.”

Previous collaborations between the university and Ashley Furniture include a cross-disciplinary student project to develop toolless bed connections and the company’s sponsorship of engineering students’ capstone projects. In addition, Todd Wanek was 91��Ƭ’s Cabot Executive in Residence in 2017.

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Machinery for automated manufacturing, 3D printing and more will impact thousands of students’ polytechnic experiences CNC machine donated by the Wanek Foundation

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Success by design

CEO, an alumnus, tells how Ashley strives to remain No. 1

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Hero Caption: Computer numerical control (CNC) equipment donated by the Ronald and Joyce Wanek Foundation is delivered to a 91��Ƭ lab.

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STEAM Day opens world of career, academic possibilities in 91��Ƭ’s labs, studios

goersab — Thu, 21 Nov 2024 17:36:59 +0000

STEAM Day opens world of career, academic possibilities in 91��Ƭ’s labs, studiosgoersab November 21, 2024

Menomonie High School sophomores have hands-on experiences in workshops across campus

Abbey Goers

The Menomonie High School sophomore class glimpsed the possibilities open in STEAM careers – science, technology, engineering, art and math – during hands-on workshops at 91��Ƭ recently.

The 225 students broke into small groups and attended workshops led by faculty and instructional staff, including activities in anatomy, automation, psychology, physics, proteins, thermodynamics, natural history, the biology and behavior of honeybees, testing water and food quality, nonfiction comics, packaging, construction, design and more.

National STEAM Day, on Nov. 8, introduces young students to STEAM fields and careers. / 91��Ƭ

“Each workshop was designed to inspire curiosity and highlight 91��Ƭ’s unique polytechnic focus, blending creativity with practical, applied skills. This inaugural event offered students an authentic glimpse into STEAM disciplines, illustrating their relevance to future careers and academic opportunities,” said biology Lecturer Tiffany Hoage, College of STEMM project coordinator.

The field trip on Nov. 8 aligned with National STEAM Day. STEAM Day is a part of Menomonie High School’s Academic and Career Planning process, which encourages students to investigate a variety of potential career pathways, said Principal Casey Drake.

“91��Ƭ has been very willing to work with our vision of what the STEAM Day structure could be so that the students experience a dynamic and hands-on set of activities. We believe having a full understanding of potential next steps is critical,” Drake said. “We appreciate the opportunity to collaborate with 91��Ƭ. We have the same goal of providing outstanding learning experiences for our area’s youth and encouraging them to think about their post-secondary options.”

91��Ƭ also offers summer STEAM camp experiences for middle and high school students to discover career paths in science, technology, engineering, and art and design, while nurturing creativity and critical thinking skills through lab workshops led by faculty and university students.

Students use simple electrodes to test signal processes in their bodies. / 91��Ƭ

The Body Electric

Students learned how muscles, nerves and the heart use electricity to send signals throughout the body in the Body Electric workshop.

Led by Dr. Alex Hall and biology Lecturer Shelby Saenger in the university’s Cadaver Lab in Jarvis Hall Science Wing, students saw how this happens at the cellular level and then tested the process on their own bodies using a simple electrode and software system.

“They got to see their own body electricity at work and how the ‘wiring’ for our bodies is set up,” Hall explained. “They saw the electrical impulses from their muscle contractions and heartbeats – like in an EKG – and timed the nerve signaling to their muscles in reaction to a stimulus.”

Students saw a brain, spinal cord and nerves from one of the lab’s body donors to observe sensory versus motor neuron axons coming into and out of the spinal cord. They saw a heart with a pacemaker attached, used when a patient’s own cardiac electrical system isn’t working properly.

“We hope that the students were able to see that the things they learn about in school have direct connections to how even their own bodies function, as well as to learn that our body systems are amazing,” Hall said.

“The key to learning is to always stay curious. There are so many incredible things at work in our bodies and our world,” she added.

Food science faculty and student lab assistants help high school students run a water quality test. / 91��Ƭ

Testing of Food and Water Quality

Students in a food science lab in Heritage Hall engaged in a Testing of Food and Water Quality experiment. They tested tap water, fountain water and environment samples using rapid, ready-to-use, low-cost test kits for the detection of indicator microorganisms, such as coliform or E. coli pathogens, in water and food.

“I believe we keep young students curious to learn more if we provide them with hands-on, engaging activities and experiments that allow them to explore concepts directly, ask questions, and discover answers through trial and error, while connecting scientific concepts to real-world application,” said food science and technology Program Director Taejo Kim.

Kim provided students with easy, step-by-step manuals to walk them through the rapid test kit process and techniques, explaining the principles of the test, its benefits, sensitivity and specificity, safety and precautions.

The manuals also helped them understand the chemical and biological principles of the test kits and how research in rapid testing techniques is important to ensure food quality and safety in the food industry.

Students in the Controls and Instrumentation Lab see how automation processes begin. / 91��Ƭ

A Look at Automation

Across campus in Fryklund Hall’s Motion, Controls and Instrumentation Engineering Lab, engineering technology Program Director Mike Miller helped students to understand what automation is, how circuits are set up and how devices interact with each other.

“Overall, what makes things operate,” Miller said.

Equipment in the lab includes controls trainers, hydraulics trainers, power electronic trainers and Rockwell digital twin software.

Students first learned the function of each trainer and then hooked up their own circuits to watch its operations.

“If you like to build, fix, or simply understand things, engineering is a field to consider,” Miller said.

More than 65 91��Ƭ faculty, staff and students were involved in STEAM Day. It was organized by Hoage and Drake, Senior Admissions Counselor Jeanie Albricht, College of Arts and Human Sciences Associate Dean Jennifer Astwood, Educational Pathways and Outreach, and MHS counselors Kayla Hundt and Lee Vang.

91��Ƭ and Menomonie High School also collaborate on Direct Admit, the Early College Credit program, the transcription of high school courses for dual credit, and providing students with leadership opportunities in conjunction with the Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce and in the community.

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Menomonie High School sophomores have hands-on experiences in workshops across campus STEAM Day, fall 2024

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Hero Caption: The Menomonie High School sophomore class of 225 students had hands-on experiences in 91��Ƭ's labs and studios as part of STEAM Day.

Jeanie Albricht

About Me

Hello! My name is Jeanie, and I am from Central Wisconsin. I was very fortunate to have known exactly what I wanted to do when I grow up. I wanted to run a restaurant! That is where Stout came in, they have the best program for Hotel, Restaurant, and Tourism Management in the area. I didn’t even look at any other colleges because I knew. We got to travel to different hotels, restaurants, and run our own restaurant here on campus. Even though our program was big, you didn’t feel like you were just another number. I earned my degree and worked in restaurants for a very long time until I decided to come back to Stout to work in Admissions. Now I get to share what 91��Ƭ Polytechnic has to offer to prospective students, and all the reasons why I love Stout.

Q&A with Jeanie

What is your advice for a new student?

Slow-down! Take in and appreciate each moment you have as you grow! Don’t take anything for granted! Get involved inside and outside of the classroom.

What was your college major (and minor)?

B.S. Hotel, Restaurant & Tourism Management

What do you love most about Stout?

Our hands-on approach, you learn so much by “Doing”

My favorite thing to do in Menomonie is…

I love supporting the local businesses... Menomonie has great restaurants and places to shop!

A random fact about me...

I was fortunate to cater for some of the stars that were performing in a local music festival!

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PODCAST: Frank, Ding speak to Tech Ed Podcast about groundbreaking automation leadership degree

giffeyt — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 13:00:00 +0000

PODCAST: Frank, Ding speak to Tech Ed Podcast about groundbreaking automation leadership degreegiffeyt September 19, 2023

91��Ƭ chancellor, engineering professor discuss innovative program combining technical, business skills

What does it take to build a first-of-its kind college degree program designed specifically for the demands of modern manufacturing? 91��Ƭ Chancellor Katherine Frank and Professor David Ding, director of the university’s Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering, tackle that question with host Matt Kirchner on The TechEd Podcast.

In this episode, “Groundbreaking Automation Leadership Degree is a Fast Track to Industry 4.0,” the conversation centers on the new Automation Leadership degree. The first program of its kind in the United States, the Automation Leadership degree was built to give students both the technical know-how and the business skills needed to lead a company through digital transformation.

The episode explores how the program blends hands-on training in robotics, PLCs, CNC, control systems, sensors and other industrial technologies with coursework in project management, lean manufacturing, and systems integration – pairing technical depth with leadership readiness in a way few degrees attempt. Frank and Ding also discuss how the program reflects broader shifts in higher education, with more flexible on-ramps and off-ramps for students. Notably, up to 88 credits toward the degree can come from Smart Automation Certification Alliance (SACA) credentials, making the path faster and more accessible for high schoolers, community college students, and working professionals alike.

By building the program around existing SACA industry certification standards rather than starting from scratch, 91��Ƭ has created a degree that’s directly aligned with what manufacturers actually need – one that other SACA member institutions can plug into through articulation agreements. Listen to Frank and Ding unpack how this new degree fits into 91��Ƭ’s polytechnic mission and what it means for the future of manufacturing education.

Learn more about the Tech Ed Podcast and listen to other episodes at techedpodcast.com.

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91��Ƭ chancellor, engineering professor discuss innovative program combining technical, business skills 91��Ƭ Chacellor Katherine Frank and Professor David Ding on Tech Ed Podcast

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Automation leadership degree offers SACA, tech school paths to Industry 4.0

polingj — Fri, 07 Jul 2023 16:35:05 +0000

Automation leadership degree offers SACA, tech school paths to Industry 4.0polingj July 7, 2023

Students have option to start online at university or with technical certification courses at institutions across the country

The road to becoming a leader in smart manufacturing goes through 91��Ƭ, with its new, first-of-a-kind bachelor’s program in automation leadership.

However, students beginning their higher education path this fall and beyond have two options as they pursue the innovative 91��Ƭ degree:

They can begin coursework at 91��Ƭ and then earn their 21 technical certification credits from SACA — the Smart Automation Certification Alliance — at an approved technical or community college anywhere in the country.
They can start at a technical or community college, earn SACA credits, then transfer and finish their automation leadership degree at 91��Ƭ.

Students program a robot in a 91��Ƭ engineering lab. / 91��Ƭ

No matter the route, the online program is designed to be flexible. It supports traditional students out of high school, with the option to take courses while in high school. It also supports industry workers who want to finish a bachelor’s degree, improve their skillset and boost their career.

91��Ƭ is working with the Wisconsin Technical College System and other colleges nationwide because of national interest in the program. The goal is to create a network of SACA partners and provide a seamless credit transfer process.

Automation leadership addresses the new age of manufacturing — robots, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, analytics and more, called Industry 4.0, or smart automation.

Graduates will be able to:

Solve broadly defined engineering problems
Design Industry 4.0 and automation systems, components or processes
Analyze data produced by Industry 4.0 systems and utilize findings for continuous improvement
Apply Industry 4.0 technology to lead digital transformation projects for manufacturers.

B.S. Automation Leadership

Our SACA-aligned B.S. Automation Leadership prepares you for leadership in operations management, digital automation, and Industry 4.0.

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The program also will develop students’ skills in management, leadership and quality improvement through SACA-aligned core courses such as Project Management, Organizational Leadership, Lean Manufacturing, Digital Transformation, Internet of Things in Manufacturing and Automation Leadership.

Automation leaders in demand

Management positions in automation leadership are projected to grow 8% more than other leadership positions nationally through 2031.

State manufacturers that supported development of the program include Harley-Davidson, Kohler, Mercury Marine, Oshkosh Corp., Ashley Furniture, Generac, Greenheck Group and Plexus, as well as many medium and small manufacturers.

A student mills metal in a manufacturing engineering lab at 91��Ƭ. / 91��Ƭ

“Industry partners have asserted that their workforces need upskilling in automation leadership and requested this program to fulfill that need,” said Glendali Rodriguez, 91��Ƭ provost and vice chancellor for Academic Affairs.

Matt Kirchner, a national advanced manufacturing expert and SACA board member, said that “people with these skills are in unbelievably high demand. This degree hits the mark with precision and does so in a genuinely innovative fashion.

“Having worked with educators across the country and world we can say with full confidence that this degree is the first of its kind – anywhere. The integration of industry-backed stackable credentials from the Smart Automation Certification Alliance, the alliances with technical colleges and the hands-on nature of the degree are unmatched,” Kirchner added.

91��Ƭ’s program was approved June 9 by the UW System Board of Regents. Enrollment is open for the fall semester.

“We are excited for the opportunity to partner further because we recognize that both our students and our industry partners are looking for this type of degree and appreciate the flexibility that 91��Ƭ is able to offer,” said Darren Ackley, vice president of learning at Northcentral Technical College based in Wausau, which has an Industry 4.0 Smart Manufacturing Lab.

“This will be a great option for alumni and current students, as they will have the opportunity to complete their bachelor’s degree without having to move or quit their current job,” Ackley said. “By ensuring that WTCS students have the ability to transfer between WTCS schools and guaranteeing the acceptance of SACA certifications at 91��Ƭ regardless of the degree program, this pathway simplifies the credit and knowledge/skills transfer for students.”

Automation leadership is a good fit with 91��Ƭ’s already strong programs and faculty in science, engineering and technology. The program also aligns with the mission of 91��Ƭ’s Discovery Center, the primary outreach and engagement organization for regional businesses. The Northwest Manufacturing Outreach Center is part of the Discovery Center.

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Automation Leadership

All Automation Leadership News

91��Ƭ aims to boost advanced manufacturing workforce via agreement with Central New Mexico Community College

University creates new pathway into automation leadership program

Training Wisconsin workers: Automation leadership students develop niche station for Eaton

Coil winding training station helps develop quality employees to keep jobs in the state

Ronald & Joyce Wanek Foundation donation transforms labs with advanced manufacturing equipment

Machinery for automated manufacturing, 3D printing and more will impact thousands of students’ polytechnic experiences

The road to becoming a leader in smart manufacturing goes through 91��Ƭ, with its new, first-of-a-kind bachelor’s program in automation leadership. Engineering lab 1

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SACA-aligned automation leadership degree breaks new ground in manufacturing world

Manufacturing is going high-tech — robots, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, analytics and more to help make and distribute products.

Xuedong (David) Ding

Full Name: Xuedong Ding

Job Title: Interim Dean / Professor / Director

Include in Directory: Yes

College: College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

Department: Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering Operations & Management Department

Program

All Degree Programs

Curriculum Vitae: Xuedong Ding CV (185.1 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Industrial and Management System Engineering

University: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

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SACA-aligned automation leadership degree breaks new ground in manufacturing world

polingj — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 16:23:09 +0000

SACA-aligned automation leadership degree breaks new ground in manufacturing world polingj June 9, 2023

UW System Board of Regents approves flexible program that stacks management skills onto smart automation training

Manufacturing is going high-tech — robots, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, analytics and more to help make and distribute products. It’s called Industry 4.0, or smart automation.

Much of the next generation of the manufacturing workforce won’t make the products but will program and manage the automated systems that do it for them. To address the growing, skilled workforce needs, a first-of-its-kind bachelor’s program, automation leadership, was approved for 91��Ƭ on June 9 by the UW System Board of Regents. Enrollment is open for the fall semester.

The online program is designed for technical and community college students who have an associate degree and incorporates training in SACA — the Smart Automation Certification Alliance. Students also can begin their career path in high school while taking college credits or, if working in industry, return to school as adult learners to finish their degree.

Students work on a flexible robotic arm in a lab at 91��Ƭ’s Fryklund Hall, home to the Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering. / 91��Ƭ

Matt Kirchner, a national advanced manufacturing expert and SACA board member, said that having worked with educators across the country and world “we can say with full confidence that this degree is the first of its kind – anywhere.

“The integration of industry-backed stackable credentials from the Smart Automation Certification Alliance, the alliances with technical colleges and the hands-on nature of the degree are unmatched,” Kirchner added.

SACA uses Amatrol/FANUC smart factory learning systems to teach and certify SACA competencies, which are incorporated into 91��Ƭ’s new major. / Contributed photo

“We consult with advanced manufacturing employers in Wisconsin and throughout the Midwest – from smaller contract manufacturers to the Fortune 500,” Kirchner said. “Almost all of them tell us one of their greatest needs is for team members who understand automation, Industry 4.0, advanced control systems and process optimization and who can integrate highly advanced industrial technology and help lead a company’s digital transformation. People with these skills are in unbelievably high demand. This degree hits the mark with precision and does so in a genuinely innovative fashion.”

Kirchner has 20 years of experience as an advanced manufacturing CEO, is president of ATS/LAB Midwest, a leading distributor of technical education learning materials, and serves on many corporate and nonprofit boards, including SACA. He hosts the weekly TechEd Podcast.

Greenheck, based in Schofield, is investing heavily in automation because of concerns about current and future workforce shortages. Using automation, it hopes to double output of its operations while increasing labor costs just 50%, according to Scott Graf, chief manufacturing officer.

The Innovation Center at Greenheck Group. / Greenheck Group

Greenheck’s automated processes include sheet metal fabrication systems, robotic welding and assembly cells, automated material storage and retrieval systems for components, robotic paint lines and robots that load and unload machines.

“We will continue to grow and add new team members but at a slower rate, and more of the production jobs will become higher skilled and higher paid,” said Graf, an engineer and past member of 91��Ƭ’s manufacturing engineering advisory board.

The automation leadership program will provide the skilled leaders to manage those automated and robotic systems. Management positions in automation leadership are expected to grow 8% more than other management positions nationally through 2031.

B.S. Automation Leadership

Our SACA-aligned B.S. Automation Leadership prepares you for leadership in operations management, digital automation, and Industry 4.0.

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A flexible, collaborative program

Kirchner and Graf are excited about the program’s flexibility. Because it’s online, technical college transfers and current employees looking to advance their carers can finish their degree in about two years from home.

Also, with the Wisconsin Technical College System providing credit options to high school students and WTCS’ transfer agreements with the UW System, teenage students can get a head start on the degree.

“91��Ƭ has truly listened to the needs of industry,” Graf said. “We have been asking for years for clean, easy progression from high school to technical college associate programs, to bachelor’s degrees that give credit and recognition for prior education and on-the-job learning.”

Kirchner agreed. “Students can literally be 75% of the way to a degree a year out of high school. They’ll spend way less, carry much less debt and earn impressive salaries years earlier than their peers. That’s what innovation and disruption in higher education looks like.

Technical and community college students, like these in the smart manufacturing lab at Northcentral Technical College, can finish an automation leadership degree at 91��Ƭ. / Northcentral Technical College

“Wisconsin and the U.S. are in dire need of educational institutions willing to see higher education for what it will be in the future – highly flexible, hands-on, career-relevant, affordable and efficient. (This) degree is a prime example of where higher education must go. It is exactly what employers are asking for and is tremendously forward-thinking,” Kirchner said.

Graduates will be able to solve broadly defined engineering problems; design Industry 4.0 and automation systems, components or processes; analyze data produced by Industry 4.0 systems and utilize findings for continuous improvement; and apply Industry 4.0 technology to lead digital transformation projects for manufacturers.

Darren Ackley, vice president of learning at Northcentral Technical College based in Wausau, said most WTCS graduates transferring to automation leadership will be from programs such as electromechanical, automation, and smart manufacturing at NTC, which has an Industry 4.0 Smart Manufacturing Lab.

A smart tabletop factory helps students learn about automation in manufacturing. / Contributed photo

Technical + leadership skills

Automation leadership also will develop students’ skills in management, leadership and quality improvement through SACA-aligned core courses such as Project Management, Organizational Leadership, Lean Manufacturing, Digital Transformation, Internet of Things in Manufacturing and Automation Leadership.

Program graduates will enter the workforce with strong credentials — SACA certifications, which they can complete before or after transferring to 91��Ƭ, and industry experience through a required co-op or internship.

91��Ƭ projects that within five years the program will have about 80 graduates and an annual average enrollment of about 50. In addition to transfer students, current 91��Ƭ bachelor’s students in engineering, technology and management have expressed interest in the program.

Automation leadership is a good fit with 91��Ƭ’s already strong programs and faculty in science, engineering and technology — especially expertise from the department of operations and management, which will oversee the program along with Program Director Xuejun “Jason” Liu. Three new courses have been developed for the program, but they also will dovetail with existing STEM university programs.

Professor David Ding, director of the Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineering and associate dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Management, said the program is a perfect fit for 91��Ƭ.

“To increase entry points, it provides students the opportunity to start from high school all the way through options for a master’s program to become a leader in digital and automation transformation in manufacturing. 91��Ƭ’s mission is to prepare students for careers through applied learning and research, professional experiences, and collaborative partnerships to benefit a global society,” Ding said.

91��Ƭ offers a master’s degree in operations and supply management.

The program aligns with the mission of 91��Ƭ’s Discovery Center, the primary outreach and engagement organization for regional businesses. The Northwest Manufacturing Outreach Center is part of the Discovery Center.

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Xuejun "Jason" Liu

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Industrial IoT, Robotic
Quality Management
Smart Manufacturing
Project Management
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Full Name: Jason Liu, Ph.D.

Job Title: Assistant Professor

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College: College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management

Department: School of Management Operations & Management Department

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Curriculum Vitae: Jason Liu CV (106.68 KB)

Education:

Degree: Ph.D. Manufacturing and Industrial Engineering

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Degree: M.S. Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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Degree: M.S. Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

University: Nanjing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics

Degree: B.S. Manufacturing Engineering

University: Dalian Jiaotong University

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