SCC receives MentorLinks grant

Wednesday, September 13th, 2017

The American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) in Washington, D.C., recently announced that Southeastern Community College will be part of the 2017-2019 cohort for the MentorLinks: Advancing Technology Education program with funding from the National Science Foundation. Southeastern Community College will receive $20,000 for the two-year grant period to attend national meetings and events for technical assistance and professional development through the National Science Foundation’s Advanced Technology Education national conference and grant community.

Southeastern’s project, “Preparing the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce in Rural North Carolina,” was one of 11 projects selected through a national, competitive peer review process. The project will focus on implementing the college’s new Mechatronics Engineering Technology degree program. Mechatronics prepares multi-skilled technicians that can work on the electrical, mechanical, hydraulic / pneumatic, and computer control systems in an advanced manufacturing or technology environment. The project will build pathways for high school students, dislocated workers, veterans, and others to pursue these skills to qualify for jobs in advanced manufacturing and help contribute to economic development in Columbus County.

AACC has managed the MentorLinks grant since 2002. Since then over 44 colleges have been assisted by the grant program. The program promotes rural colleges that often lack the resources to build or strengthen their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programs. Forty-six percent of colleges receiving a MentorLinks grant are from rural areas.

The MentorLinks initiative pairs experienced community college mentors with extensive experience in planning and implementing advanced technology programs with colleges seeking support to build, strengthen, and sustain new or existing STEM technician education programs. Selected colleges work closely with their mentor on activities such as curriculum development or redesign, industry engagement, faculty development, student recruitment and retention, and internships and other learning experiences for faculty and students.

Southeastern Community College will join colleges from Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Virginia, and Washington in the 2017-2019 Mentorlinks cohort. Angie Ransom, division chair of technical programs, and Jeff Hester, mechatronics instructor, will participate in the grant from the college. Mr. James Hyder, a professional consultant from New Mexico will be the college’s mentor. Hyder has been employed as an Instructional Designer and Instructor at Rio Salado College in Arizona and Industry Liaison for the Southwest Center for Microsystems Education in New Mexico. As part of the grant, Hyder will visit the Sasser Industrial Training Center on Southeastern’s campus and the Southeastern team will visit the advanced technology center at a college that Hyder will arrange.

Dr. Anthony Clarke stated, “We are honored that AACC and NSF has selected us to be part of the 2017-2019 MentorLinks cohort. Our intent is to learn from others about how to implement a successful mechatronics program that will prepare students for jobs and promote economic development in Columbus County. I am confident that Angie Ransom and Jeff Hester will learn a lot and bring that knowledge back to the college. We are looking forward to working with our industry and educational partners to prepare student for advanced technical jobs.”

Share This Page

Other News

Celebrate Earth Day at SCC

Tuesday, March 28th, 2023

Southeastern Community College is partnering with Whiteville Rotary Club and the Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville to celebrate Earth Day 2023. The event will take place on Saturday, April 22, 2023 from 10am – 1pm. Activities will include a butterfly release, fossil dig, farm animals, science, agriculture, and much more. The day will also include a "Shred-It" portion of the event. Guests are welcome to bring perso...

Read More

SCC Rams Season Update

Wednesday, March 22nd, 2023

Last Weekend the Rams took down #12 in the nation Pitt Community College, behind Garrett Wolffs career series. In game number 1 the Rams pulled the string on the Bulldogs in a hard-fought win. Garrett Wolff played a large part hitting 2 homers in the game. Lefrederick Wooten tallied a grand slam to the scoreboard.  Tyler Satterley gets the win while Jonathan Foster gets the hold, and Caden Kingston gets the save.  10-9 SCC...

Read More

SCC Rams Family Fun Day – Celebrating Athletic Graduates

Tuesday, March 21st, 2023

SCC is hosting a Rams Family Fun Day on Saturday, April 15, 2023 from 10:30am - 4:30pm. The college is celebrating baseball and softball sophomores who are graduating in May. The event is FREE ADMISSION to: SCC Students + Dixie Youth Baseball/Softball players who attend in uniform. FREE SUNSET SLUSH to: First 50 Dixie Youth Baseball/Softball players who attend in uniform. Sunset Slush will be available for purchase....

Read More