In its ninth year, the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program boasts 100% job placement and offers internship opportunities and incentive awards. Dr. Dresdner described the Incentive Awards that are available to manufacturing students in the program:  the top 5 students of each cohort who meet the criteria of maintaining a B average or better, have excellent attendance- both online and on-campus, and great performance on the shop floor are awarded the opportunity to take free, additional training in Additive Manufacturing and Solid Works in the winter session. This mini one-week class is a highly-sought award. 

 Students introduced themselves and shared the reasons why they chose to enroll in the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program. CEO Dresdner commented on the passion the students expressed in their introductions. For many, it’s a “family affair.” They have a family member who has succeeded in manufacturing, and they are following their examples. Other students had experiences in their high school programs that inspired a “love of machines.” Ileana Baez, the only woman student in the cohort said she “found solace in working on machines.” 

  The opening day program continued with reminders to the students about the importance of “showing up” and an introduction to the resources available for academic support for challenging subjects from the tutoring center known as the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE), the library, and of course their instructors.