As more companies explore returning operations or manufacturing back to the United States, Miami University is investing in advanced manufacturing education to prepare the next generation of engineers and technologists. Manufacturing is the largest industry in Butler County.

Ohio has emerged as a central location for onshoring or reshoring — moving a business’s manufacturing or operations back to its home country — after global disruptions and supply chain vulnerabilities exposed by the pandemic drove a new change in strategy. The state has attracted new manufacturing investments in semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, electric vehicles, aerospace technology, and other sectors.

“Miami University is gearing up to train and educate the talent needed for Ohio’s booming high-technology manufacturing industry,” Miami President Gregory Crawford said. 

Miami has acquired the 300,000-square-foot former Champion Paper headquarters and 55 acres near the Hamilton campus that will become the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub, a partnership between Miami and Butler Tech Career Technical Center. 

The Innovation Hub will offer associate degrees, industry-recognized credentials, and bachelor’s degrees in Robotics Technology, Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technology, and more.

“Our partnerships with companies will be the cornerstone of our approach,” said Ande Durojaiye, vice president of Miami Regionals and dean of the College of Liberal Arts and Applied Science. “Students will have access to state-of-the-art resources, equipment, and industry mentors who provide technical and leadership guidance.”

The Butler County Board of Commissioners, which shares Miami’s vision for an integrated education and workforce ecosystem in Ohio, is investing $15 million in the hub.

Meanwhile, Miami’s Oxford campus is advancing smart manufacturing initiatives building on its long tradition of providing manufacturing engineering education to the region, leveraging digital engineering, robotics, automation, data analytics, and additive manufacturing to increase productivity and cost-efficiency. A key feature of this effort is the Smart Factory Technologies Lab, which is being designed and built through a collaboration between Miami University, Mitsubishi Electric and Automation and SCADAware.

“Our smart manufacturing curriculum is cutting edge and was just revised to meet the current industry needs,” said Beena Sukumaran, dean of the College of Engineering and Computing. “The program will train and educate students using sophisticated and advanced equipment. Students will be exposed not only to modern manufacturing equipment but also to the software, data, and artificial intelligence that drives the systems.”

Miami’s Oxford program offers a strong foundation in mathematics, science, engineering, and liberal arts, preparing graduates for roles in design, quality control, lean manufacturing, and project management.

Driven by the needs of industry, students of all ages will be able to take advantage of the Advanced Manufacturing Hub. The collaboration provides traditional students and adult learners with the flexibility to access multiple education pathways at the Hub.

Students participating in the program can start their pathway at Butler Tech and have the opportunity to progress to associate and bachelor’s degrees in Engineering Technology at Miami University Regionals and undergraduate and graduate programs in Engineering and Computer Science at the College of Engineering and Computing on the Oxford campus. 

For example, a Bachelor of Science in Smart Manufacturing Engineering degree program is offered by the College of Engineering and Computing’s Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. Graduate programs include a Master of Engineering in Mechanical and Smart Manufacturing Engineering, as well as Graduate Certificates in Advanced Manufacturing and Materials Evaluation, which provide upskilling opportunities to current working professionals. This certificate program is part of Ohio’s TechCred initiative, which benefits employers through the development of a stronger workforce — equipped with the skills needed most in a technology-infused economy.

Graduates from programs like these often start as manufacturing engineers, progressing to leadership roles or further graduate studies. Seniors at the undergraduate level are encouraged to take the national Fundamentals of Engineering exam as the first step toward professional licensure.

“Together, these initiatives position Miami University as a leader in manufacturing education, empowering students with the skills to excel in high-demand fields and supporting the onshoring movement that is revitalizing American industry,” said Randi Thomas, vice president of ASPIRE.