For Release on January 20, 2023
Contact: Dr. Martha Parham mparham@aacc.nche.edu
The announcement follows AACC and GM’s commitment to grow community college advanced manufacturing programs.
Washington, D.C. – January 20, 2023 – The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) is pleased to announce the selection of seven community colleges to study and share best practices for integrating advanced manufacturing credentials into their college curriculum. Generous funding provided by General Motors (GM) will support the colleges’ efforts to expand and leverage local programs into national networks.
“Our community colleges are the key link between students and meaningful career paths,” said Walter G. Bumphus, president and CEO of AACC. “Working with respected leaders in the manufacturing industry such as General Motors will allow us to ensure that there is a solid bridge between skills education and the skills needed to succeed in today’s modern manufacturing facilities.”
GM provided a philanthropic grant of $600,000 to be administered by AACC to study and share best practices for integrating advanced manufacturing credentials at community colleges nationwide.
“We are thrilled to work with AACC and to provide our support for this program which will help integrate advanced manufacturing credentials at community colleges nationwide,” said Terry Rhadigan, vice president of Corporate Giving at GM. “In the automotive industry and beyond, manufacturing technology is becoming more advanced, and it is increasingly important to equip the current and future workforce with the skills and training they need to succeed in modern manufacturing careers.”
The seven colleges selected are located near GM facilities and will take part in an initial study that explores options that launch individuals into higher skills and higher wage opportunities. They will receive $40,000 each in order to help parlay local successes into national models.
Each selected community college will receive direct technical assistance from AACC. Additionally, the association will develop collateral that will allow community colleges across the country to increase skills training for advanced manufacturing and elevate promising and best practices in program design and delivery for replication, adaptation, and scaling.
The cohort of community colleges includes:
Ivy Tech Community College, IN
Lansing Community College, MI
Columbia State Community College, TN
Owens Community College, OH
Johnson County Community College, KS
St. Charles Community College, MO
Imperial Valley Community College, CA
About AACC
As the voice of the nation’s community colleges, the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC), delivers educational and economic opportunity for the more than 10 million diverse students in search of the American Dream. Uniquely dedicated to access and success for all students, AACC’s member colleges provide an on-ramp to degree attainment, skilled careers, and family-supporting wages. Located in Washington, D.C., AACC advocates for these not-for-profit, public-serving institutions to ensure they have the resources and support they need to deliver on the mission of increasing economic mobility for all. https://www.aacc.nche.edu/
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