Latest news with #ALIC@Bessemer
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Allegheny College president recognized as Trailblazer in Economic & Workforce Development
Allegheny College President Ron Cole has been recognized by City & State PA with a 2025 Trailblazers in Workforce & Economic Development award for his dynamic leadership forging important partnerships for the college that create new opportunities for regional economic growth and produce graduates who are prepared for the workforce upon graduation. The award was presented at an exclusive celebration at The Liberty View at Independence Visitor Center in Philadelphia. City & State's inaugural Trailblazers in Workforce & Economic Development honors key figures from Pennsylvania's government, business, advocacy and institutions on the front lines, creating jobs and spurring economic growth at the local, state and national level, officials said in making the announcement. Under Cole's leadership, Allegheny College has developed and implemented a bold Strategic Pathway with a robust focus on community and economic development. The awards committee cited how Cole is inspiring academic leaders and institutions to drive regional economic development by actively engaging with local communities, businesses and government stakeholders. They particularly highlighted initiatives that Allegheny College has developed in support of these efforts, including four entities driving development and collaboration across the region: • Allegheny College Community Impact Hub • Allegheny Lab for Innovation and Creativity at Bessemer (ALIC @ Bessemer) • Meadville Community Revitalization Corporation (MCRC) • Allegheny College Watershed Conservation Research Center As Pennsylvania continues to invest in advanced manufacturing, Allegheny's branch campus, ALIC @ Bessemer, will play a key role in developing talent, driving R&D and creating new opportunities for economic growth and industry expansion, officials said. By integrating emerging technologies like automation, digital fabrication and smart manufacturing, ALIC @ Bessemer will help position the region as a leader in next-generation production. Further, Allegheny College implemented microcredentials last academic year to bolster student learning and post-graduate success with nearly 30 offered this fall to complement its distinctive curriculum of a major and minor in different areas of study. Andy Walker, who has served as Allegheny College's executive director for economic, civic and community engagement, was also named to the Trailblazers in Workforce & Economic Development list in his capacity as executive director of the MCRC, where he leads renewed investment in Meadville and the Crawford County region by partnering with elected officials and community stakeholders, officials said. Honorees will be profiled in City & State PA.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Allegheny College ALIC @ Bessemer achieves accreditation as a branch campus
Allegheny College announced Tuesday the accreditation of its Allegheny Lab for Innovation and Creativity (ALIC) branch campus by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Located with the Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County on Bessemer Street, ALIC @ Bessemer solidifies Allegheny's commitment to leveraging liberal arts education in workforce development and advanced manufacturing, college officials said in an email announcing the accreditation. Officials said ALIC @ Bessemer integrates traditional liberal arts education focused on the development of critical thinking, problem-solving and interdisciplinary learning with practical workforce training in high-demand sectors for adult learners. 'The accreditation of ALIC @ Bessemer is a claim on the future of higher education and its role in strengthening communities,' said Allegheny President Ron Cole. For more than 200 years, Allegheny has been a leader in developing innovative educational models, officials said. ALIC @ Bessemer expands opportunities for workforce-focused education for nontraditional students in northwestern Pennsylvania and also creates new avenues for collaboration between the college's faculty, staff, students and the broader community. 'This initiative also allows our traditional students to engage with hands-on, industry-driven learning experiences while reinforcing the value of liberal arts education in an evolving job market,' Cole explains. 'By embracing workforce development and manufacturing education, we are building a stronger regional economy and ensuring that Allegheny College is relevant and accessible to a diverse range of learners.' ALIC @ Bessemer already has made significant strides in this direction, piloting industry-relevant training in software programs like Mastercam and Solidworks; developing hands-on coursework in Additive Manufacturing; and designing courses in close collaboration with regional manufacturing industry experts. Now as a branch campus of Allegheny, ALIC @ Bessemer is positioned to further expand its offerings by providing a unique blend of hands-on training and critical thinking. Future plans that support research and development will provide distinct opportunities for Allegheny students. From use-inspired research to marrying ideas with production, the facility will soon enable students to augment their studies in real-world applications, with the potential to work in innovative solutions with regional manufacturers. Due to a decline in the number of traditional college-aged students across the higher education industry — a phenomenon known as the 'demographic cliff' — many institutions have been forced to rethink their models of education. ALIC @ Bessemer positions Allegheny to thrive despite this shift by serving the professional development and adult education needs within the surrounding community. Its approach also demonstrates how colleges can successfully adapt by adding workforce-driven learning opportunities to more traditional offerings. The accreditation of ALIC @ Bessemer is also a significant win for Crawford County and the state, according to officials. As a region with deep industrial roots and a growing need for skilled workers, the county stands to benefit from ALIC's role in helping to prepare the next generation of workforce-ready professionals. ALIC @ Bessemer will fuel economic development by strengthening the local job market and attracting new business investment, officials said. 'This is a game-changer for our region,' said Elisabeth Smith, CEO of Acutec Precision Aerospace. 'Having an accredited branch campus of a top-ranked national college in Meadville, focused on advanced manufacturing, provides students and workers with valuable opportunities for education and career advancement. It also signals to the manufacturing industry that rural Pennsylvania is dedicated to equipping its workforce with the skills needed to thrive in the global marketplace.' 'The launch of ALIC@Bessemer was made possible by building partnerships with local industry and importantly with the Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County who serves an important role in this work,' Cole said. Allegheny will officially unveil ALIC @ Bessemer to the public during a two-day celebration starting April 24 with a ribbon-cutting, facility tour and featured speakers, followed by an open house and additional happenings April 25.
