Western New England University (WNE) has been selected as a subaward recipient under the NNME Northeast Regional Node, part of the National Network for Microelectronics Education, a newly launched national initiative funded by the U.S. National Science Foundation Directorate for Technology, Innovation and Partnerships in partnership with the U.S. Department of Commerce and aligned with the CHIPS and Science Act.
The NNME is designed to serve as national infrastructure for microelectronics workforce development, connecting academic institutions, industry partners, workforce organizations, and training providers to build education pathways that respond to the nation’s growing semiconductor talent needs.
NNME Northeast is led by NY CREATES, the New York Center for Research, Economic Advancement, Technology, Engineering, and Science, in partnership with the State University of New York and a network of more than 90 academic, industry, and workforce partners across 12 states from Maine to Virginia, including Massachusetts.
Western New England University's project, titled “AI-Enhanced Microelectronics Technician Training with the Analog Discovery 3,” will develop portable, AI-enhanced laboratory modules for microelectronics education. The project will support associate- and bachelor-level learners and incorporate Python and MATLAB workflows for automated data acquisition and AI-guided troubleshooting.
The work will be led by Steve Adamshick, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, in collaboration with regional industry and community college partners. Through a train-the-trainer model, the project is designed to expand awareness and access to microelectronics workforce education across the region.
“This award connects Western New England University directly to a major national effort to strengthen the semiconductor and microelectronics workforce,” said Neeraj Magotra, Ph.D., Chair of the department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “By combining hands-on engineering education with AI-enhanced learning tools, WNE is helping prepare students for high-demand careers that are essential to the region’s economic future.”
The anticipated Year 1 award for WNE is $66,000 for a 12-month performance period, with renewal potential of up to five years subject to performance and defined milestones.
The initiative comes as the Northeast region is projected to add more than 25,000 semiconductor-related jobs by 2031, driven by major investments including Micron’s semiconductor expansion in New York and the CREATES High NA EUV Lithography facility in Albany.
For WNE, the subaward further strengthens the University’s growing role in engineering workforce development, applied technology education, and regional industry partnerships. The project also aligns with WNE’s emphasis on hands-on learning, interdisciplinary innovation, and preparing graduates to contribute to emerging technology sectors.
“This project is about making microelectronics education more accessible, portable, and responsive to the needs of students, faculty, and industry,” said Adamshick. “By integrating AI-guided troubleshooting and automated data acquisition into laboratory modules, we can give learners practical experience with the tools and problem-solving approaches they will need in the field.”
Western New England’s participation in NNME Northeast builds on the University’s broader commitment to preparing students for careers in advanced manufacturing, engineering, computer science, and emerging technologies that are shaping the future of the regional and national economy.
