Newswise — Responding to one of the state's most pressing workforce needs, Central Connecticut State University will begin offering a bachelor of science program in mechanical engineering in fall 2006. The new program has just received official approval from the Connecticut Board of Governors for Higher Education. "This is excellent news," said CCSU President John W. Miller, in making the announcement. "The demand for qualified engineers in Connecticut is double the number of engineering graduates from all the state's colleges and universities combined. We can be sure that this new program will soon begin to address the state's workforce needs, since 85 percent of our graduates continue to reside and work in Connecticut."
Echoing that sentiment is Angelo A. Rossetti, President and Executive Director of Contact Advocate, Inc., "Central's development of the mechanical engineering program is critical to retaining the next generation of engineering leaders in Connecticut. I am confident that this program will help mitigate the situation and significantly improve the manufacturing cluster in the region."
Program a "Natural Fit" for CCSUDr. Zdzislaw Kremens, Dean of CCSU's School of Technology, which will house the program, said, "This is a natural fit for us. It draws on the strengths of the School of Technology, which offers a practical, application-oriented education. Our co-op and internship programs will provide students with challenging real-work experiences in the many industries located in central Connecticut. Our faculty are not only highly qualified professors of engineering, they also have extensive experience in industry, and so can advise students about best practices and future trends."
Underscoring this "natural fit," Michael J. Werle, President of the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering, said that the program "will fill a glaring gap in Connecticut's engineering education pipeline." He added, "CCSU's location, market position, networks, and history provide Connecticut a unique opportunity to help satisfy its engineering education and industry needs."
Other leaders in the industry also emphasized the point. "CCSU's new bachelor's of science mechanical engineering program is an important addition to the state," said Dr. Karl Prewo, chief of innovation and technology at the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology. "CCSU is uniquely well suited to provide an integrated educational experience that links engineering with next generation manufacturing. Their strong relationship with Connecticut industry and their connectivity with regional high schools and community colleges provide an important pathway for students interested in highly rewarding careers."
Forward-looking curriculumDean Kremens said that the school will seek to have the program accredited at its first opportunity: when the first group of students graduate. "We designed the program with ABET [Accreditation Board for Engineering & Technology] accreditation standards in mind. Since we already offer three ABET-accredited programs [Mechanical Engineering Technology, Manufacturing Engineering Technology, and Civil Engineering Technology], I am confident that the ME program will earn accreditation, too."
Kremens said that School of Technology faculty designed the curriculum to be "forward looking," drawing from a comprehensive report produced by the National Academy of Engineers: The Engineer of 2020. "That report, especially with its emphasis on the urgent need to teach engineering that connects applied sciences, engineering design, and solutions to real-world problems, was a crucial component in our development of our program," Kremens said.
Students in the program will have an excellent opportunity to explore a wide range of engineering applications through the University's co-op arrangements. Indeed, Trumpf, Inc., a world market leader in laser technology and located in nearby Farmington, has already opened the door to "some five-to-ten CCSU co-op students" each year, according to Kai Moellendorf, Trumpf's director of manufacturing. "Trumpf is a highly innovative company. We know the importance of education in creating a high level of engineering expertise, and we are really looking forward to recruiting students from Central's program."
Another key component in the program, Kremens said, is its commitment to attract capable students from currently underrepresented groups. "As all reports indicate, successful engineers need to be able to work in highly diverse groups. So bringing in a diverse student body will be a win-win situation for all students. We know from experience that students from underrepresented groups possess very strong potential for engineering."
Helping to make that possible is CCSU's participation in Connecticut's College of Technology pathway program enabling a "seamless" transition for students from the state's 12 community colleges to Central. Dr. Karen Wosczyna-Birch, state director of the College of Technology, said Central's program "will provide opportunities to underrepresented groups who often begin their higher education at a local community college." Wosczyna-Birch added that the program will provide the state with "the highly skilled mechanical engineers that are desperately needed for a competitive 21st-Century workforce."
Dean Kremens notes that mechanical engineering is a rigorous program. "Students will find that it is hard work, but they will also find that it is an excellent investment in their future." Something similar could be said about CCSU's mechanical engineering program itself—it is an excellent investment in the state's future.
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