McHenry County College in Crystal Lake this week unveiled the Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation, a state-of-the-art hub for skilled trades education and innovation.
Courtesy of McHenry County College
McHenry County College in Crystal Lake this week opened the Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation, a $29.6 million, state-of-the-art hub for skilled trades education and innovation.
The 48,677-square-foot facility features open-concept classrooms and labs outfitted with the newest equipment and technologies used in industry applications, including geothermal systems, 3D printing, and welding. Students will work on industry-standard HVAC units, CNC machines, welders, computers, and more.
The center will offer nine degrees and more than 39 certificates and certificate options in: architectural and engineering design technology; automation, robotics, and mechatronics; construction management; engineering technology; heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC); industrial maintenance; industrial management and technology; precision machining; and welding and fabrication.
“The Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation is a place of learning that sponsors the imagination of everyone and creates innovation in everyone,” said MCC President Clint Gabbard. “Our creative, talented, and motivated students will make an indelible impact on companies throughout our community. And this center will most certainly change the economic future of our county.”
With the strong presence of manufacturing and technology-based industry within the region, MCC has continued to expand its programming to support the job pipeline and training needs of the county’s workforce and industry partners, officials said.
Gabbard spoke Tuesday at an official unveiling of the center, joined by manufacturing management faculty member and department chair Heather Zaccagnini, Congressman Bill Foster, McHenry County Board Chair Mike Buehler, and Vince Foglia.
The Foglia Family Foundation has been a strong advocate of the initiative, providing a portion of the $8.2 million in funding MCC contributed toward the center. The state contributed $21.4 million toward the project.
A partnership with the Griffin Museum of Science and Industry will bring additional expertise and resources to the center.
Attendees Tuesday included MCC board members, donors, local business leaders, and city and county officials. The ceremony highlighted the center’s positive impact on economic development, career growth opportunities in the skilled trades, and the partnership between MCC, philanthropy, and the Illinois Capital Development Board to complete the building project.
As part of the partnership between Griffin MSI and MCC, officials will seek Massachusetts Institute of Technology Fab Lab certification for the Foglia CATI’s Fabrication Lab, which will provide the community and students with access to advanced, production-level prototyping equipment. MCC also has welcomed a Griffin MSI liaison to collaborate on innovative projects.
“Through the Foglia CATI, we want to expand on the terrific programming offered by MCC and broaden the scope of our outreach by promoting our mission to ‘inspire the inventive genius in everyone’ with new audiences and encourage young people to consider a wide range of STEAM educational and career pathways,” said Manny Juarez, senior director, creativity, and innovation programs at Griffin MSI.
The Foglia CATI will feature a Maker’s Space that’s open to the community for work on initial concepts or hobbies. It will leverage Griffin MSI’s expertise to provide year-round programming, including MCC’s existing Kids and College program, personal development classes, and other K-12 partnerships.
Foglia CATI is one of three donor-funded innovation centers on campus, alongside the Liebman Institute for Science Innovation and the Center for Agrarian Learning. For more information, visit mchenry.edu/cati.
McHenry County College in Crystal Lake this week opened the Foglia Center for Advanced Technology and Innovation. The facility features 45,000 square feet of open-concept classrooms and labs outfitted with the newest equipment and technologies used in industry applications, including geothermal systems, 3D printing, and welding.
Courtesy of McHenry County College