NSF Grant, One of Only Two Awarded in Nation, Establishes National Center of Excellence for Supply Chain Technology Education.

DAYTON, OH –Sinclair College and Norco College of Riverside, CA have been selected by the National Science Foundation as one of only two recipients in the United States to be awarded a national center grant. The four-year $3.5 million award will be used to establish a National Center of Excellence for Supply Chain Technology Education at the Southern California college, and develop education and training programs in association with partner community colleges across the U.S. including Jefferson Community and Technical College in Kentucky, Oakton Community College in Illinois, and Tacoma Community College in Washington.

Once established, the National Center of Excellence for Supply Chain Technology Education will work with strategic private and public partners from the manufacturing, port operations, transportation, distribution, and information technology sectors.

The goal is to increase the number of high school, community college, and university faculty teaching supply chain technology or completing advanced professional development; disseminate best practices for supply chain technology education; and develop career pathways for students in such fields as geospatial technology information systems, operations technology, automation and control technology. Programs will be designed to move students seamlessly from high school to community college to university.

Neil Herbkersman, Senior Director of Advancement was instrumental in the center’s attainment. Herbkersman suggested that the grant "is another example of Sinclair College’s commitment to provide the local, regional, and national communities with the programs and education required to satisfy workforce development needs. For nearly 125 years, the employees of Sinclair have maintained founder David Sinclair’s motto ‘Find the need and endeavor to meet it.’ This is yet another excellent example of putting those words into action."

Norco College is a part of the Riverside Community College District. Established in 1991, it is designated as the technology college within the system and serves nearly 10,000 students each semester.

Sinclair Community is celebrating 125 years since its beginnings as an adult school for the Dayton YMCA. Today, the comprehensive community c ollege serves over 25,000 students each session through its two campuses, three learning centers, and on-line learning options.

Contact:          Adam R. Murka
                        Sinclair Community College Public Information
                        937-512-2947