The National Science Foundation's Advanced Technological Education (ATE) program is seeking reviewers to help evaluate proposals that advance technician education and the skilled technical workforce. This helps the ATE program funds research and development projects that strengthen two-year college STEM programs, industry partnerships, curriculum innovation, and pathways that prepare the next generation of skilled technicians.

Serving as a reviewer is a great way to contribute to the ATE community, support impactful projects, and gain insight into the NSF review process. Reviewers can be STEM professionals, community college STEM faculty and leaders, industry partners, evaluators, or STEM educators. To submit interest in becoming a reviewer, complete NSF’s survey here.

In a recent report, the Belk Center for Community College Leadership and Research examines educational trends for associate of applied science (AAS) degrees, particularly those in business, information technology, and criminal justice. An increasing number of students with these credentials are transferring to four-year institutions instead of immediately entering the workforce post-graduation.

However, many AAS degree holders face challenges during the transfer process, including lower completion rates and lost program credits. Addressing these barriers is a pressing issue, with recent workforce data indicating an increasing demand for graduates with bachelor's degrees in business, information technology, and criminal justice. 

To learn more about AAS trends, transfer challenges, and targeted recommendations, read the full Belk Center report.

Supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF), the American Association of Community Colleges (AACC) will be hosting this year’s ATE Principal Investigators’ (PI) Conference on October 29-31, 2025, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D.C. The deadline for registration is October 2, 2025.

The August/September issue of the American Association of Community Colleges’ (AACC) Community College Journal is now available online and in print through subscription. A featured publication by AACC, this journal provides contemporary information, insights, strategies, and connections for those in academia, industry, government, and workforce development.

The latest issue highlights:

• AACC's announcement of its next president and CEO, DeRionne Pollard.
• Trends in the green building industry, including within higher education.
• The importance of organizational culture, culture-building, and leadership in quickly evolving landscapes.
• Ways to prevent burnout and initiative fatigue in the face of rapid change.

AACC's August/September publication of the Community College Journal can be accessed online here, and archived issues can be viewed in AACC’s library.

In a recent Dear Colleague Letter (DCL), the National Science Foundation (NSF) has announced an invitation for supplemental funding requests from current Experiential Learning for Emerging and Novel Technologies (ExLENT) and Advanced Technological Education (ATE) grantees to test, integrate, or build upon AI-based career learning opportunities and workforce preparation efforts for high school students. 

To be eligible for additional funding, proposals must demonstrate partnership among community colleges, high schools, and industry collaborators. Supported activities include curriculum development, micro-internships, hands-on training, certification programs, and dual enrollment opportunities. 

To determine eligibility prior to official proposal submission, contact the “Expanding AI Career and Skilled Technical Workforce Opportunities in Support of High School Students” program leads by providing a two-page summary of the planned funding request, including its budget, to: 

• [email protected] for current ExLENT awardees
• [email protected] for current ATE awardees

If approved to submit, supplemental requests are due by December 15th, 2025. 

NSF ATE and ExLENT program officers...

Hosted by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3), the 2025 FOCUS: Intelligent Vision & Industrial AI Conference will be held on September 24-25, 2025, at the Sheraton Grand Seattle in Seattle, Washington.

Attendees will have the opportunity to explore cutting-edge advancements in AI-driven automation, robotics, machine vision, and transformative technology, with applications for fields including manufacturing, aerospace engineering, and information technology. Industry leaders will share expert insights on the latest AI trends and innovations, helping attendees learn, grow, and stay at the forefront of advancements.

The FOCUS conference will offer interactive exhibits for hands-on exploration of AI-based technologies, various networking opportunities to foster connection, and a variety of panel and keynote speaker presentations.

To learn more or to register for the event, visit the 2025 FOCUS conference's website. 

A recent report from the American Enterprise Institute and the Burning Glass Institute analyzes non-degree credentials for the potential to lead to increased earnings, position advancements, or career changes. 

In the report, the American Enterprise Institute notes varied results surrounding non-degree credentials, with only 12% offering the opportunity for significant salary gains. Almost one-fifth of the learners studied saw no increases in wage after program completion, and few experienced career advancements. On the other hand, the top non-degree credentials were associated with an approximately $5,000 salary bump and a 17 times chance of promotion one year later. Even within specific fields, reported outcomes were mixed, including the professions of data science, accounting, and marketing. 

To make report findings more accessible, the American Enterprise Institute and the Burning Glass Institute have developed an interactive dashboard with detailed information on the thousands of non-degree credentials studied. 

Read the full report on non-degree credentials and career outcomes here.

EvaluATE, the evaluation resource center for NSF's ATE program, will be hosting an upcoming PI-Evaluator Meet and Greet on Wednesday, August 27th, from 2:00-3:15PM EST. This virtual event offer a collaborative way to connect with potential evaluators for your ATE project or center, facilitating valuable partnerships and connections. During the Meet and Greet, attendees will discuss the various approaches for evaluation and have the opportunity for one-on-one sessions with available evaluators, with the goal of finding the best fit to meet your specific proposal needs.

To register for the PI-Evaluator Meet and Greet on August 27th or to learn more about the event, visit EvaluATE's website.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has recently announced a $25.5 million investment in manufacturing technologies, research, and workforce pipelines. As part of the NSF Future Manufacturing Program, awards will fund nine seed projects and seven research grants across the nation.

Focus areas for investments include cyber manufacturing, bio manufacturing, and quantum manufacturing. NSF's Future Manufacturing Program underscores the importance of collaboration and interdisciplinary teamwork to propel innovation, address gaps in technologies and workforce pipelines, and strengthen the U.S. presence as a leader in manufacturing. 

Visit NSF's website to read more about its recent awards.