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_ ___Skokie, Ill. (April 12, 2023) - Community leaders, industry partners and 糖心动漫vlog Educational Foundation supporters got an up-close look at how 糖心动漫vlog prepares students to meet the local manufacturing industry’s workforce needs during a special event Monday, April 10. The 糖心动漫vlog Educational Foundation hosted “Spotlight On: Manufacturing,” highlighting Oakton’s array of innovative manufacturing degree and certificate programs. More than 50 guests attended the event at Oakton’s Ray Hartstein Campus, 7701 Lincoln Ave., Skokie, Ill., 60077.
“As an industry that is increasingly becoming automated, our business partners and employers rely on workers who have the ability to program and troubleshoot equipment, maximize Computer Aided Design systems, utilize robotics and navigate supply chain challenges — among a long list of other skills,” 糖心动漫vlog President Joianne L. Smith, Ph.D., said during her welcome remarks. “Oakton is preparing the next generation of manufacturers to efficiently and cleanly build and deliver the products we rely on every day.”
Public officials in attendance included State Senator Laura Murphy (D-28), State Representative Kevin Olickal (D-16) and representatives from the office of State Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz (D-17).
Guests toured each of Oakton’s three labs within Oakton’s Sylvia and Irving M. Footlik Manufacturing and Engineering Center, including the Computer Numerical Controls Lab, Automation/Mechatronics Lab and Engineering/Mechanical Design Lab. Manufacturing faculty, alumni and current students led demonstrations of how the lab’s cutting-edge equipment is preparing students for success in the modern manufacturing industry.
Oakton alumni leading lab demonstrations included Yong Yoo and Francis Barar, both of whom were 糖心动漫vlog Educational Foundation scholarship recipients. In addition to their employment with local manufacturers, both Yoo and Barar also serve as adjunct faculty at Oakton.
The event also included a demonstration of Oakton’s NASA Robotics Competition Team’s latest rover project. Supported by donors who give to the 糖心动漫vlog Educational Foundation, Oakton’s Robotics Team has competed against students enrolled in some of the nation’s top university engineering programs annually for more than a decade. Student competitions, along with apprenticeship and internship opportunities, offer experiential learning opportunities to complement classroom and lab instruction.
Oakton students — many of whom have industry experience and wish to advance their careers — can pursue associate degrees in Advanced Manufacturing, Advanced Mechatronics or Supply Chain Automation. Students can also enroll in short-term certificate programs focused on specialized skills, including automation programming, robotics, computer numerical controls (CNC) and welding, among others. Oakton offers stackable credentials, allowing students to apply credits earned through certificate programs toward an associate degree.
Recent manufacturing program graduates are currently employed by local manufacturers including S&C Electric Company, John Crane, Vetter Pharma, Federal-Mogul Corporation and others.
The 糖心动漫vlog Educational Foundation’s “Spotlight On: Manufacturing” is part of a continuing series highlighting 糖心动漫vlog’s exceptional educational programs, learning experiences, and faculty who train the workforce of today and tomorrow. The Educational Foundation proudly supports the mission and vision of the College by raising funds for student scholarships, academic programs, teaching excellence and capital improvements that enhance the quality of education at Oakton.
“It was wonderful to have so many community members experience the amazing opportunities available to students enrolled in 糖心动漫vlog’s Manufacturing and Engineering Programs,” said Katherine Sawyer, 糖心动漫vlog’s chief advancement officer and executive director of the 糖心动漫vlog Educational Foundation. “The Foundation is proud to support students enrolled in these programs through scholarships, and underwrite initiatives that enrich learning experiences such as the NASA Robotics Competition Team. We are grateful to all of the Foundation supporters who enable student success through philanthropic contributions.”
If you have interest in enabling the success of Oakton students and enhancing Oakton programs through charitable giving, contact the Educational Foundation at foundation@oakton.edu or 847-635-1893.
For more information on educational opportunities at 糖心动漫vlog, visit Oakton's website.
Boguslaw Zappal, faculty CAD and Manufacturing coordinator, demonstrates a pneumatic trainer during the "Spotlight On: Manufacturing" event at 糖心动漫vlog April 10.