Exploring a Future in Mechatronics
Mechatronics program hosts spring open house for prospective students
Clark College’s Mechatronics Technology program hosted an open house for prospective
students on April 27, offering a firsthand look at career pathways in advanced manufacturing.
They had the opportunity to tour the program’s labs at the Columbia Tech Center, where
they met faculty members and explored equipment. From learning how the various machines
operate to discussing curriculum and program outcomes, attendees got a glimpse of
what Mechatronics has to offer.
Community members of all ages attended. One 7th-grade student arrived with his father and gravitated toward a lift robot on display — the capstone project built by last year’s cohort. Though not yet old enough to apply for the program, he asked detailed questions, showing an early interest in the field.
Some attendees focused on career pathways. During one conversation, Professor Ben Saunders spoke with a prospective student about how the program can help him reach his professional goals.
In another lab, Professor Doug Miller introduced visitors to the FMS-200, a flexible integrated processing system that he jokingly compared to a sushi conveyor belt, meaning each section completes the next step of the process. He explained that the system helps students understand not just how processes work, but how to troubleshoot them.
“I want my students to learn theories, not just solutions to specific problems,” Professor Miller said. "That way, students can apply what they know to any system they encounter in the field.”
The program has experienced steady growth over the past few years. Sixteen students began in the last cohort — twice as many as the previous year, reflecting increasing interest in hands-on, technical training aligned with workforce needs.
Program leaders continually explore opportunities for expansion, such as offering new certificates and trainings, and applying for funding to purchase new equipment, such as a modern robotic arm.
About Mechatronics at Clark College
Clark’s Mechatronics program emphasizes current concepts and technology through practical, hands-on training with industry-standard equipment. Students receive real-world, state-approved technical instruction from experienced faculty. Graduates can earn an Associate in Applied Technology (AAT) degree in mechanical and instrumentation automation in two years.
Mechatronics graduates are equipped to work in manufacturing industries, including semiconductor, fabrication, aerospace, and more. Clark’s graduates work at companies including Intel, Amazon, Columbia Machine, SEH America, nLight, Kyocera, TSMC (formerly Wafertech), Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI), and Georgia Pacific. The program’s faculty has built relationships with several local employers to ensure that the program stays current.
Learn more about Mechatronics at Clark College here.
Photos: Clark College/Maureen Chen-Hefflin and Malena Goerl
Story by Malena Goerl, Staff Writer, Communications and Marketing