UW-Stout aims to boost advanced manufacturing workforce via agreement with Central New Mexico Community College

UW-Stout is extending high-impact polytechnic education beyond Wisconsin with its first-ever out-of-state articulation agreement for the B.S. automation leadershipprogram.

The agreement between UW-Stout, 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 UW-Stout," said UW-Stout 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 UW-Stout."

"On behalf of CNM, we're excited to partner with UW-Stout 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."

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 UW-Stout's continued collaboration with Smart Automation Certification Alliance(SACA) to strengthen industry-aligned credentials and workforce pathways. Courses in UW-Stout'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 UW-Stout's Robert F. Cervenka School of Engineeringand interim dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Management.

While the articulation agreement with Central New Mexico Community College is UW-Stout's first with an institution outside of the Upper Midwest, the university already offers transfer pipelines and articulation agreementswith numerous Wisconsin and Minnesota educational institutions into dozens of degree programs.

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