Charlie Womac, CSCC’s associate professor of Industrial Technology, stands in front of the FMS 200 Mechatronics equipment
Faculty members in Cleveland State’s Advanced Technologies Department participated in summer professional development to stay current in their fields and bring opportunities for certification and deeper immersion in industrial technology back to campus for CSCC students.
Chuck Barkley, associate professor of engineering graphics, completed the Cleveland/Bradley Chamber of Commerce Teacher's Academy and a 160 hour internship at Cormetech this summer to increase his expertise in electrical design. Charlie Womac, associate professor of industrial technology, completed a two week Siemens Mechatronics Level I Training.
The Teacher’s Academy Program has been a workforce development program of the Chamber for 19 years. This program works with local industries to provide teachers from local schools that are skilled and able to work on special projects for the industry over a four week period during the summer. The program gives local educators an opportunity to see what the industry world is like and to develop lesson plans to take back to their classrooms that will help prepare our future workforce. The industry benefits by having a skilled person to complete projects that they may have not had the time or personnel to complete.
“I always try to stay abreast of new technology,” stated Mr. Barkley. “I also try to stay in touch with the real world—the world that my students plan to go into. The Teacher’s Academy was a good opportunity for me, and I’d recommend it to all instructors. It helps the instructors and the companies. It’s really a win/win. It really is a wonderful program. Hopefully, I was a good benefit for them because this was very beneficial for me.”
Susan Webb Curtis, dean of business and technology, stated, “Our technology faculty continuously participate in training in order to stay current. Chuck Barkley actively engages with high schools and engineering firms throughout our service area. Chuck’s participation in the Chamber’s summer internship program is the perfect example of our instructors’ commitment to staying abreast of the latest software and technology in their fields. Chuck is an extremely enthusiastic and knowledgeable instructor. I always love to stop by his classes and watch how deeply engaged his students are in his classes. I know his students are strongly prepared for the workforce upon graduation.”
Ms. Womac completed his Level I Siemens Mechatronic Systems Certification Program at Motlow State this summer. SMSCP is a comprehensive industry skills certification offered with partner colleges and universities throughout North America, Asia and Africa.
With Tim Wilson, technology chair, completing Level I & II training, students can now sit for both levels of certification at Cleveland State. Students can later transfer to other four-year universities where they would receive their Level III training by earning a bachelor’s of applied science. CSCC is one of only four in a system of 13 community colleges to receive Level II status and offer Mechatronics SMSCP training.
Ms. Womac stated, “I’m glad I did this. It’s good to be refreshed. It gives you new perspective, new energy and a new approach on things…This new systems approach definitely won’t be boring to the students. My role is going to be to provide some information, but a lot of the responsibility is going to fall on the students. They will be more engaged than in other classes because this approach is much more hands-on. They are not only studying books, but they are also studying the equipment. I think it’s going to be pretty neat, and I think they will, too.”
Ms. Webb-Curtis said, “Charlie Womac has been with the college 24 years and is well respected out in the advanced manufacturing field. He has participated in industry internships in past summers to experience first-hand the latest in technology so that he can effectively train our students. This summer, Charlie spent two weeks in intense Siemens Mechatronics training to become a certified instructor. Charlie is bringing that wealth of experience and new certifications to our exciting new Mechatronics Technology program.”
For more information on the Advanced Technologies Department, call 423-472-7141, ext. 447.
Seated: Chuck Barkley, CSCC’s associate professor of engineering graphics, participated in the Chamber’s Teacher’s Academy over the summer. Standing: Lindsey Norton, Cormetech employee.