Preparing for tomorrow: CGCCollege engages civic and industry partners
From Columbia Gorge Community College:
By Tom Penberthy
The Dalles Ore. January 8, 2024 — Columbia Gorge Community College (CGCC), in collaboration with local and industry partners, is happy to announce a new grant award and a productive community event that engaged local civic and business leaders in guiding the school’s strategic planning.
CGCC has been awarded a $10,000 grant for scholarships by the Gene Haas Foundation to support students in the Advanced Manufacturing Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree program. CGCC Director of Technology and Trades Robert Wells-Clark wrote the grant application and remarked "This grant will create valuable opportunities for our CNC students to gain hands-on experience and expertise in this in-demand field. We are grateful to the Gene Haas Foundation for supporting the education and future careers of our students.”
CNC stands for Computer Numerical Control – software to control the movement and operation of mills, lasers, plasma cutters, and other machines that cut, carve, or engrave materials such as metal and wood. This skill is highly sought after in many manufacturing industries, including local high-tech prototyping and aerospace manufacturing facilities.
In addition to Advanced Manufacturing & Fabrication, the Columbia Gorge Regional Skills Center at CGCC’s campus in The Dalles offers Construction Technology, Electro-Mechanical Technology, and Aviation Maintenance programs. The Regional Skills Center was conceived and built in partnership with local industry to create educational pathways between students and rewarding careers that are in high demand by local and regional employers.
The college is actively striving to deepen and broaden regional collaboration by inviting local business, education, and governmental leaders to contribute to its strategic planning process. A recent working session was held concurrently in The Dalles and Hood River to focus our wider community’s expertise on the strategic plan and invigorate a long-term collaboration between the college and the region it serves.
President Kenneth Lawson noted “We are grateful for our strong connections with industry and our community. This work helps the college proactively invest in programs that are aligned with our region’s evolving needs.”
For information about Columbia Gorge Community College and its programs, please visit cgcc.edu.
To learn more about charitable giving, please contact Executive Director for College Advancement & CGCC Foundation Sue Davis at sdavis@cgcc.edu — 509.637.5597.
