Holly Vincent
Tuesday, April 16, 2019 12:00 AM
Community, Academics
CLEVELAND, Tenn. – Cleveland State Community College recently held a ceremony for students from Bradley Central and Walker Valley High Schools who successfully passed the Siemens Mechatronics Systems Certification Program (SMSCP) Level 1 certification. Students take the first four of ten mechatronics courses in the first semester to be prepared for the Level 1 certification. Cleveland State’s Advanced Technologies department is a partner school with the SMSCP, a globally recognized technology leader in mechatronic engineering.
Mechatronics is a blend of mechanical, electrical and computerized technologies forming a complex system. CSCC offers an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in advanced integrated industrial technology, or mechatronics. The training is a blend of precision engineering, control theory, computer science, mathematics and sensory technology. Mechatronics engineers and technicians work in most advanced manufacturing industries and fields.
This certification was made possible through the MechaCON Grant. Cleveland State Community College was one of four Tennessee community colleges that received a $250,000 state grant to expand its Middle College Mechatronics Program. The grant was funded by a $1 million appropriation in the 2018-2019 state budget proposed by Gov. Bill Haslam and approved by the Tennessee General Assembly.
“This grant is a great opportunity for students to complete their Level 1 certification,” stated Dr. Tim Wilson, Advanced Technologies Department Chair. “They can even complete a mechatronics technology certificate if their schedule allows, and we will award them 12 credit hours towards their associate degree.”
Because high school students don’t qualify for college scholarship assistance like Tennessee Promise and Hope Scholarships until they earn their high school diplomas, most of the grants will pay the costs of tuition, fees, textbooks and materials for the students who enroll in the colleges’ Middle College Mechatronics programs.
Cleveland State Community College is a Tennessee Board of Regents institution