DRYDEN, NY (CortacaToday) — Tompkins Cortland Community College is offering a free Microelectronics and Nanomanufacturing Certificate Program for veterans and their dependents.

The course is twelve weeks long and is described as being a semester’s worth of work in those twelve weeks. Students will spend five days a week in the classroom, with trips to Cornell’s Nanoscale Facility to be expected once or twice a week. There are no prerequisites for the course, though people with experience in chemistry, physics, technology, or doing hands-on types of work may find themselves with a bit of a boost.

This program is one of many nodes that has been added by Penn State University to create education opportunities for veterans and their dependents across the country. With additional funds from the National Science Foundation, Penn State has been able to add three of these new nodes to expand accessibility to the program.

Students will earn credits at Penn State by taking this course and will have the ability to explore career industry certifications for free as a result of taking and passing the course. Additionally, students will receive invaluable experience learning from the experts at the clean room in Cornell’s Nanoscale Facility. Not only will students receive hands-on training at CNF, but they will also hear weekly from companies in the industry such as Intel, Micron, and others in order to explore future employment opportunities. Resume preparation will also be received in the classroom at TC3.

CNF students in the lab, courtesy of Tom Pennell

According to Tom Pennell, the Education and Outreach Coordinator at CNF, this industry is only growing and more career opportunities will become available in our region as industry moves in. Whether veterans and their dependents are looking for a career change or to expand upon the skills and experience they already have, this course will provide strong foundations for a solid career.

There are six spots for the fall 2024 cohort, but the course will be offered again in the spring of 2025 as well. For more information and to learn about applying, click here for TC3’s webpage and here for Cornell’s webpage. The following people will be able to aid with any questions or concerns about the course:

  • Sophia Georgiakaki, Professor and Engineering Department Chair, Tompkins Cortland Community College, szg@tompkinscortland.edu
  • Tom Pennell, Education and Outreach Coordinator, Cornell Nanoscale Facility, pennell@cnf.cornell.edu
  • Carrie Coates Whitmore, Director of Continuing Education and Workforce Development, Tompkins Cortland Community College, clw@tompkinscortland.edu