For immediate release July 24, 2008

Media contact: Jacquie Lucy 410-869-7168

CCBC garners additional $2.6 million
National Science Foundation grant for TIME Center initiatives
TIME (Technology and Innovation in Manufacturing and Engineering) develops and refines
educational program materials for the secondary and post-secondary levels
to keep up with the rapid changes in manufacturing and engineering technology

Baltimore, Md. – The Community College of Baltimore County has been awarded a $2.6 million grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for an additional three years of funding to support the Technology and Innovation in Manufacturing and Engineering (TIME) Center, an Advanced Technological Education (ATE) Regional Center. The three-year NSF grant, which runs from Oct. 1, 2008 through Sept. 30, 2011, builds on the successes of the initial 2003 grant ($3 Million) that funded the creation of the TIME Center in the School of Applied and Information Technology at CCBC.

“This additional funding will enable our TIME Center to continue its impressive work in developing and providing secondary and post-secondary institutions with up-to-date curricula to meet the needs of the manufacturing and engineering sector. Today’s work force is technologically sophisticated and our role is to make sure that our students and faculty are prepared for the ever-evolving needs of this work force,” notes CCBC President Dr. Sandra L. Kurtinitis.

The TIME Center focuses its energies in five critical areas: (1) developing secondary and post-secondary manufacturing and engineering technology curricula; (2) providing professional development opportunities for faculty in manufacturing and engineering technology; (3) creating a positive image of manufacturing and engineering as viable career options; (4) providing customized training for our industry partners; and (5) exploring innovative instructional and educational delivery technologies.

“In awarding the new grant, the National Science Foundation noted the excellent progress made during the initial grant and the potential for even more success in the future” said Kenneth Burch, director of the TIME Center. “They also recognized the strong support and involvement of our partners in our success.” Partnering with CCBC are Chesapeake College, College of Southern Maryland, Wor-Wic Community College, and Harford Community College.

“Maryland’s community colleges pump billions annually into the state’s economy,” said CCBC’s Michael Netzer, dean of the School of Applied and Information Technology. “With this continued funding, we are making an even greater contribution toward assisting the local, regional and state-wide manufacturing community. Establishing the TIME Center boosted our ongoing efforts to help the local manufacturing industry,” exclaimed Netzer. “In the past five years, enrollment growth in manufacturing-related courses at partner colleges increased by 45 percent, from approximately 7000 students to over 10,000. The TIME Center has been a major contributor in this growth. This new funding recognizes that contribution.”

In addition to its managing college partners, the TIME Center collaborates with other regional partners including the Regional Manufacturing Institute, Maryland State Department of Education, University of Maryland Eastern Shore, University of Maryland Baltimore County, Morgan State University, Frederick Community College, Carroll Community College, Frederick County Public Schools, and the Maryland Business Roundtable for Education.

Dr. Mike Galiazzo, executive director of the Regional Manufacturing Institute comments, "The NSF grant greatly assisted our efforts to “Go Green with Maryland Manufacturing” creating cleaner work environments, increased sustainability, and good-paying green-collar jobs. RMI commends CCBC and Dr. Kurtinitis for leadership that works for and with Maryland manufacturing. “

For more information, contact Ken Burch, director of the TIME Center, at 410-455-5103 or Dennis Faber, principal investigator, at 410-455-4297.

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About CCBC (www.ccbcmd.edu)
Rooted in the community since 1957, CCBC educates nearly 65,000 students each year, including half of all Baltimore County residents attending college in Maryland as undergraduates. Offering more than 50 associate degree and 100 certificate programs, CCBC is ranked among the best in providing undergraduate education, work force development, technology, health care training and life enrichment options to citizens throughout the Baltimore Metropolitan area. CCBC also provides customized employee development training to more than 100 companies annually.

CCBC. The incredible value of education.