By Richy Huneycutt
Beginning Fall 2019, 18 area high school students will begin a new and exciting opportunity at Lenoir Community College at no cost to students or parents. The students will be enrolled in one of four college credit pathways in Engineering and Advanced Manufacturing.
The four programs are Computer/Electronic Engineering, Computer-Integrated Machining, Industrial Systems Technology, and Mechanical Engineering.
The specialized program is geared towards high school juniors and seniors selected through an application process.
“This is an exciting opportunity to offer these programs that will transition from our college campus to our newest education center, the LCC Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Center at the NC Global TransPark,” LCC President Dr. Rusty Hunt said. “The Center will be a one-stop, state-of-the-art facility that provides students hands-on training in the latest technologies in an attractive and high tech educational environment.”
Hunt said the benefits of training at the new facility include providing opportunities for students to interact with industry partners and to interview for internships or employment with local industry at the end of their high school senior year.
“Typical entry-level positions in these fields range from $18 to $22 per hour with most companies offering full benefits packages and tuition reimbursement programs for advancing your degree,” he said. “Open positions are going unfilled in all four of these fields right here in our local area. Our goal is 100 percent job placement for all successful graduates of our programs at the LCC Aerospace & Advanced Manufacturing Center.”
Students successfully completing the pathway will have guaranteed admission to continue their education in the Associate in Applied Science degree program at LCC and have priority scheduling to complete their degree. Also, those students who graduate high school with a GPA of 3.0 will receive free tuition and fees through the LCC Guarantee scholarship program.
“LCC has invested in upgrading the facility, equipment, and professional development for our highly qualified faculty,” Dean of Industrial Technologies Dr. Maggie Brown said. “Each program at the Center will be equipped with the technology and equipment that meets and often exceeds the industry standard.
Students enrolled in the fall cohort will receive additional advising, industry seminars, plant tours, work-based learning opportunities, preferential course scheduling, and scholarship opportunities,” she said.
Students who begin at the Center as high school juniors will complete college credits and third-party certifications during their junior and senior years. Those who complete the junior and senior year pathways will be able to finish the program’s associate degree within one year after high school graduation.
“After completing the associate degree, students will be well qualified to enter the workforce as highly paid, skilled technicians. The students who want to further their education will be qualified to transfer into several university programs, such as East Carolina University’s Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology with degree pathways including Industrial Management, Logistics, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical or Architectural Design, or Information & Computer Technology,” Brown said.
For more information, visit LCC AAMC.
