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Partnership will support domestic industry growth 

5X����, in response to a request from Intel^®, will lead a network that includes 13 other Ohio higher education institutions now poised to prepare the workforce to make the small electronic devices that play a large role in our everyday lives.

From computers and cellphones, cars, bank ATMS and more, semiconductors and other microelectronics are central to the operations of the items that fuel daily living in the United States.

The institutions will develop innovative solutions to best support Intel coming to Ohio to further the advanced semiconductor and microelectronics industry and address the industry’s workforce needs.  

“Kent State is well suited to answer Intel’s charge to help the region and the nation meet key technology challenges, such as addressing the demand for semiconductors,” said Kent State President Todd Diacon. “This grant presents us with a great opportunity to empower this network of academic institutions to take the lead in the future of microelectronics in ways that tangibly advance the workforce.”

Kent State is among 80 Ohio colleges and universities whose work in semiconductor research and education will be part of the . The grant recipients were announced Friday, Sept. 9, as part of Intel’s groundbreaking ceremony for its leading-edge semiconductor manufacturing plant in New Albany, Ohio. President Joe Biden, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, and state and local officials were scheduled to participate in the event.

Intel’s Semiconductor Education and Research Program for Ohio was announced in March as part of the company’s pledge to invest $100 million in education and research collaborations with universities, community colleges and technical educators in Ohio and across the U.S. The program is designed to help build a pipeline of talent and bolster research programs. Of its $100 million investment, Intel designated $50 million specifically to Ohio colleges and universities.  
 
Eight proposals were selected from leading Ohio institutions, including Kent State. Each proposal includes collaborative efforts with other higher education institutions in Ohio, representing more than 80 institutions across the state. The eight leading institutions will receive $17.7 million in funding over a three-year period. Intel expects this first iteration of the program to produce nearly 9,000 graduates for the industry and provide more than 2,300 scholarships over three years helping diversify the talent pipeline.

Kent State Leads the Way

The partnership led by Kent State plans to scale existing educational opportunities, develop new experiential curricula, and establish or refine pathways for learners seeking to enter, reskill or upskill in areas relevant to semiconductor fabrication. These strengths can be amplified through Kent State’s collaboration with its 13 partner institutions to address the immediate and future workforce needs of Intel and its suppliers.

“Intel is excited to be in Ohio, the new Silicon Heartland and home to what will be one of our most sophisticated semiconductor manufacturing plants in the world,” said Jim Evers, Intel Vice President and Ohio General Manager. “Higher education plays a key role in the future success of our industry. We’re proud to support these institutions from every corner of the state as they work to build the workforce of tomorrow.”   

Using a three-year, $1.1 million grant from Intel, Kent State will lead the group’s focus via its foundation of high-quality facilities, including an active research and teaching cleanroom, located on the Kent Campus, and the university’s strong history of access and success for a diverse set of learners. Kent State’s -accredited associate degree program in electrical/electronic engineering technology directly aligns with Intel’s major workforce needs. Several other technology-based programs via Kent State and partner institutions directly align. Leveraging the strength of the partner network and Kent State’s own engineering bachelor’s and master’s degrees, a full complement of educational opportunities will be available to learners throughout Ohio. 

Joining the Kent State network are:

• Baldwin Wallace University
• Cuyahoga Community College
• Hiram College
• John Carroll University
• Lake Erie College
• Lakeland Community College
• Lorain County Community College
• Malone University
• Mount Vernon Nazarene University
• Muskingum University
• Notre Dame College
• Walsh University
• Wilberforce University

Partner institutions will leverage existing research, curricular and experiential learning assets, capabilities and expertise within the region and will grow the collective capacity to support the domestic growth of robust semiconductor and microelectronics innovation and supply chain ecosystems. 

To learn more about Intel’s innovations, go to and . 

For more information about Kent State, visit www.kent.edu/cats/intel. 

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Photo Caption:
Intel launched 12th Gen Intel Core processors at CES 2022. (Credit: Intel Corporation)

Media Contact:
Eric Mansfield, emansfie@kent.edu, 330-672-2797
Emily Vincent, evincen2@kent.edu, 330-672-8595