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The Appalachian Semiconductor Education and Technical (ASCENT) Ecosystem has awarded the program’s first scholarships to seven students enrolled in the Engineering Technology program at Ohio University's Lancaster campus.
These scholarships are part of a $3 million grant awarded by Intel
to support ASCENT, a program that will create an inclusive workforce development and training program to cultivate the next generation of skilled technical professionals for Ohio’s emerging semiconductor industry. Ohio University serves as the lead institution working alongside Belmont College, Eastland-Fairfield Career and Technical Schools, Hocking College, Marietta College, Mid-East Career and Technology Centers, Shawnee State University, Tri-County Career Center, Zane State College, Ohio University Lancaster and Ohio University’s regional campuses.
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“The Intel grant provides up to $400,000 in scholarships to the ASCENT partnership group each year for the next three years to identify STEM programs at Ohio University and our ASCENT partner institutions. These programs are aligned not only with the workforce needs of Intel but with the most advanced manufacturing workforce needs as well,” said Todd Myers, chair and professor of the Department of Engineering Technology and Management and the Russ College of Engineering and Technology ’s Director of Workforce and Professional Development.
As Intel and other manufacturers move into Ohio, there is an increasing demand for skilled technicians and engineering technologists. Students enrolled in the Engineering Technology program at Ohio University Lancaster are developing skills through hands-on lab courses, equipped with state-of-the-art, full-scale robots, machines and tools to learn about manufacturing processes, quality analysis tools, occupational safety and electronics.
The ASCENT scholarships will help financially enable Engineering Technology students to complete their program of study and enter the manufacturing workforce upon graduation.
“[These scholarships] will significantly impact our Appalachian region for individuals to access these technology programs to attain high-paying jobs and workforce readiness for employers,” said Myers.
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As part of the program, ASCENT leaders at OHIO plan to continue to identify scholarship opportunities for students at Ohio University Lancaster and the main campus in STEM-related fields of study. Additionally, there are plans to continue to upscale the university’s abilities in automation, robotics, programmable logic controllers, mechatronics and digital engineering by investing in the equipment and facilities used by students in manufacturing-related fields, such as engineering, technology, math and physics.
To learn more about ASCENT, visit ohio.edu/work-intel .