AMT Co-op earns national award for Program of Promise

Jackson State Community College’s (JSCC) AMT Co-op will be awarded the Program of Promise Award during the 48^th Annual NOSS (National Organization for Student Success) Conference.

NOSS, an organization serving as the leading voice to support student success nationally and internationally, created the Programs of Promise: Outstanding Program Recognition to acknowledge programs that set excellent examples of supporting student success and development. The award ceremony will occur during NOSS’ 2024 Annual Conference in Las Vegas, February 14-17.

“Our AMT Co-op is one of the many programs at Jackson State that are a pillar of excellence for our institution and our community and its graduates,” said JSCC President Dr. Carol A. Rothstein. “This co-op has been life-changing for many, providing hands-on experiences that pay students while in school. This opportunity, paired with our outstanding instructors, has led to a significant rise in the enrollment and retention rates of our ENST and AMT programs. I applaud our AMT co-op for this outstanding accomplishment and the exceptional efforts to support student success at Jackson State.”

The JSCC AMT Consortium was formed in 2012 to address the skills gap, declining enrollment, and lack of interest in manufacturing. When the first AMT Co-op cohort was established, 12 manufacturers participated in the consortium. In the years since, the consortium has grown to include 80 people from 38 companies, local leadership, educators, students, graduates, and JSCC faculty and staff.

Thanks to industry partnerships and grants, the co-op has successfully implemented several changes to optimize student success. Since 2014, JSCC has added more than $1.8 million in upgrades and support for the co-op to promote student success. New labs were designed and updated based on the essential input of industry partners regarding the skills a successful technician needs in the field.

The co-op has been designed to improve student success through classroom learning and hands-on experience. The program allows students to attend classes two days a week and, if selected, the other three days a week, they work in a partner manufacturing facility as maintenance technicians. The co-op also prioritizes professional development efforts to ensure students receive the most up-to-date knowledge and skills from JSCC’s faculty and staff. Community service is also an important aspect of the co-op’s drive to improve student success, with required student volunteer hours in at least one activity each semester, with most students involved in multiple projects.

“The AMT program at Jackson State Community College has consistently demonstrated its commitment to student success, community engagement, and the promotion of manufacturing as a viable and fulfilling career path,” said Vicki Bunch, the Chief Workforce Development Officer for the Greater Jackson Chamber, in her recommendation for this award. “I am confident that their dedication to excellence will continue to impact the educational landscape and the manufacturing industry.”

For more information on the NOSS, visit thenoss.org.

To learn more about JSCC’s AMT program, visit jscc.edu/amt.