Nash Community College recently received an equipment donation valued at $80,846.56 from Schneider Electric, expanding hands-on training opportunities for students in the college’s Applied Engineering Technologies programs.
The donation opportunity was shared with colleges participating in the Careers Electric grant initiative by Chrisy Hayden. Interested colleges were connected with Schneider Electric, and following the company’s internal approval process, NCC was selected to receive one of the available equipment kits.
Robert Long of Schneider Electric coordinated the donation and delivery to NCC. Following the delivery, Long met with faculty and members of Team Nash and toured the college’s Advanced Manufacturing Building. During the visit, Schneider Electric representatives learned more about NCC’s Applied Engineering Technologies programs, facilities and hands-on training opportunities available to students.
“This is an incredible donation for our programs and, most importantly, for our students,” said Wanda Tyson, department chair of Applied Engineering Technologies at NCC. “Our instructors were genuinely excited to see the equipment and immediately began thinking about how it could be incorporated into their classes and labs. Having access to industry-relevant equipment gives our students valuable hands-on experience and helps prepare them for the equipment and technologies they will encounter in the workplace.”
The donated equipment will enhance instructional and laboratory experiences within the college’s Applied Engineering Technologies programs. Incorporating industry-relevant equipment into instruction allows faculty to reinforce technical concepts through practical application while providing students with opportunities to develop skills that transfer directly to the workplace.
During the visit, Long also invited NCC faculty and students to consider visiting Schneider Electric’s Raleigh Hub. A future visit could provide students an opportunity to see advanced electrical, automation and manufacturing technologies in an industry setting while gaining additional insight into careers within the field.
Partnerships with industry and donations of equipment help NCC provide students with access to current technologies while strengthening the connection between technical education and regional workforce needs.
“We want our students to leave NCC with both a strong understanding of the technical concepts they are learning and the ability to apply those concepts in real-world settings,” said Tyson. “Schneider Electric’s generosity helps us provide those experiences. We are extremely grateful for this donation and for Schneider Electric’s support of our students and programs.”
NCC extends its appreciation to Schneider Electric and Long for the investment in technical education and to Hayden and the Careers Electric grant team for connecting the college with the opportunity. For more information about Applied Engineering Technologies programs at NCC, visit nashcc.edu.
