APSCU President Steve Gunderson and ECPI University President Mark Dreyfus meet with students Anthony Higa and Wendell Hughes in the Mechatronics Lab

Former Congressman Steve Gunderson just toured ECPI University’s Virginia Beach campus and came away thoroughly impressed. Appointed president of the Association of Private Sector Colleges and Universities (APSCU) earlier this year, Gunderson is conducting a fact-finding tour to collect information on best practices among member institutions.

Said Gunderson following his meeting with faculty and students, “I am going to call my friends at the White House and ask them to tell the President that if he wants to see a university that really approaches STEM education in a meaningful way, that consistently produces graduates with skills desperately needed in today’s economy and effectively serves veterans and people of color, he should come visit ECPI.”

President Obama has made it a priority to support efforts to improve education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). ECPI University President Mark Dreyfus says previous government efforts, while well-intentioned, have failed to focus on what’s really important. “Every bit as important as the curriculum is the method of delivery,” says Dreyfus. “ECPI’s hands-on approach blends knowledge and classroom learning in a way that resonates with all types of learners and produces graduates who can apply that knowledge the moment they enter the workplace.”

With a large skills gap and many unfilled jobs in the nation’s increasingly automated manufacturing sector, many employers are now looking to educators to step forward and help them address a growing problem: with a significant percentage of manufacturing technologists preparing to retire in the next 10 years, who will replace them? Steve Gunderson believes schools like ECPI University have a great deal to offer. He says “we need to change the conversation and set in place a plan to meet America’s skill demands. If we succeed, we will not only heal our ailing economy but re-establish a vibrant middle class.”

The Wounded Warrior class at Oceana.

Michael Kidd is a marine who was hit by two IEDs in 2005. He looked at the class as his next step as he transitions out of the military later this year. As an assistant trainer for his unit, he has been responsible for the managing all of the training information, which led to his interest in database administration.

Michael Kidd is a marine enrolled in the computer class.

The marine of 8.5 years worked with representatives from the Veteran’s Individual Training Assistance Link (VITAL). “We come up with the battle plan by identifying my interests, what education would be needed and what companies I should be speaking to,” said Michael.

Logan McEwen signed up for the course as a result of the disability transition assistance program. He too worked with VITAL to discuss his future outside the military. In the navy Logan installed collection equipment on the ships, essentially the instruments to pull radio communications. It was his work there that lead him to look at computers, “I’d like to work up to a Network Engineer, take a CC+A course, and ultimately earn a business management degree,” shared Logan.

Logan McEwen is using the course as a stepping stone to obtain his bachelors.

After passing the course attendees are better equipped to earn a job with the military or government agencies.

ECPI University is the only school in Virginia with the bachelor’s and associate’s program accreditation from the FAA.

According to the FAA, more than 9,000 technical operations employees make sure that more than 41,000 pieces of equipment operate every day. Technical Operations Services supports the delivery and efficient flight services to customers through responsive and cost effective maintenance of the National Airspace System (NAS) facilities, systems, and equipment.

Technical Operations – Collegiate Training Initiative (TO-CTI) hires students from FAA approved colleges and trade schools for entry-level positions in support of the following jobs:

•           Airway Transportation Systems Specialist
•           Computer Systems Specialist
•           Electronics Engineer
•           Electronic Technician
•           Environmental Protection Specialist
•           Engineering Technician
•           General Engineer

“Jemma has worked with MCI students to provide counsel from how to make themselves look most attractive and stand out when applying, through coaching them on how to perform during the interview process,” says Alan Levinson, who works for MCI career services in Raleigh.

Duke University and Health System is a world-class academic and health care system. Duke Medicine strives to transform medicine and health locally and globally through innovative scientific research, rapid translation of breakthrough discoveries, educating future clinical and scientific leaders, advocating and practicing evidence-based medicine to improve community health, and leading efforts to eliminate health inequalities.

“Hiring managers have been happy with MCI graduates,” said Jemma. “It benefits Duke because MCI students with clinical placements at Duke Medicine allow managers the opportunity to assess their skills as potential hires, and managers have made offers upon graduation.”

The Duke University Health System combines the University School of Medicine, the Duke University School of Nursing, the Duke Clinic, and the member hospitals into a system of research, clinical care, and education with several location and physicians.

“For a hire it is how students sell themselves during clinicals and on their resume,” explained Jemma. “It also helps managers to know the past history of great MCI students currently working at Duke.”

Felishia Ward shares the excitement of her role in the IT field.

At the Newport News Campus, ECPI University began the Girls Get IT program through a partnership with Cisco Systems. “Technology is constantly changing. Cisco supports schools who are building the pipeline,” says Gena Pirtle, Marketing Program Manager for Cisco Networking Academy. “We want to see more women in the field.”

The program introduces teenage girls from area high schools to women doing amazing things in the IT field. There is also an opportunity to work as teams to solve real-world situations with the assistance from a female industry mentor. “Women are more solution oriented,” said Tony Rufi, who launched the program for ECPI University Newport News. “They see how technology can solve real world problems.”

Richmond launched its program at an event on March 25. On April 1, Newport News welcomed Felishia Ward a Geographic Information System (GIS) Analyst with the City of Durham, North Carolina. She introduced girls from Achievable Dream High School, Phoebus High School, and Surry County Office on Youth to her role as an employee in the solid waste department. She helps to plan logical routes for the refuge collectors.