Millersville University one of 17 schools to receive Manufacturing PA initiative grants

Millersville University is one of 17 colleges in the state to receive grants totaling $2.3 million through the Manufacturing PA initiative, Gov. Tom Wolf said today. 

The initiative is funding 36 student research projects that will help advance innovation in several sectors of manufacturing, from 3D printing to waste sustainability, to autonomous navigation and more, Wolf said. 

Millersville received a $53,450 grant to support a project led by Dr. Jeremiah Mbindyo, professor of Chemistry, who will supervise student interns to provide analytical services to K&L Plating to help them optimize metal plating processes.   

The grant will pay the student interns and provide supplies at Millersville for the analytical laboratory work, said Jeffry Porter, associate vice president, Office of Grants, Sponsored Programs and Research. 

“Pennsylvania’s manufacturing industry has seen continued growth and innovation, and I am amazed at the work these students and companies do,” Wolf said. “My administration continues to be committed to providing funding to students involved in this important industry. I am proud to fund these 36 projects and look forward to seeing what they create.” 

The approved projects are part of Manufacturing PA’s fellowship program. The program embeds the commonwealth’s best and brightest graduate and undergraduate students with local manufacturers, Wolf said.  

Once paired, the students embark on research projects to develop new technologies and advance innovation statewide.  

Universities that have partnered with a manufacturer can apply for and receive between $25,000 and $70,000 in funding for specific student research projects. 

In addition to Millersville, the 36 projects awarded grants are involved in partnerships with local manufacturing companies and the following Pennsylvania colleges: 

• Bucknell University 
• Carnegie Mellon University 

• Drexel University 
• Gannon University 
• Lehigh University 
• Pennsylvania State University – Behrend 
• Pennsylvania State University – Berks 

• Pennsylvania State University – Harrisburg 
• Pennsylvania State University 
• Robert Morris University 
• Temple University 
• Thomas Jefferson University 

• University of Pittsburgh 
• Villanova University 
• Widener University 
• York College of Pennsylvania. 

Neil Weaver, acting secretary of the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) joined Rick Lucas, chief technology officer of ExOne, and others in Harrisburg to celebrate these grants today.  

The fellowship was developed through collaboration with Pennsylvania’s seven research institutions, manufacturers, and industrial resource centers (IRCs) across the commonwealth and is administered by DCED and Carnegie Mellon University. 

Since its inception in 2018, the fellowship has granted $9.8 million to 409 students across the commonwealth.  About 117 companies located across the commonwealth have benefited from the partnerships this fellowship has provided. 

Wolf’s Manufacturing PA initiative ensures that training leads not simply to any job, but to careers that provide higher pay and opportunities for advancement. 

 Working with DCED’s strategic partners, including IRCs, Pennsylvania’s colleges, universities, technical schools, and non-profit organizations, this initiative fosters collaboration and partnerships to accelerate technology advancement, encourage innovation and commercialization, and build a 21st century workforce, the governor’s office said.