From Advisory Committee to Action: Improving Industry Engagement to Enhance the Student Experience through NSF EPIIC

This session will share how Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College (MGCCC) has made efforts to improve the student experience in advanced manufacturing programs through industry engagement as part of the NSF-funded EPIIC project, “Generating Regional Innovative Partnerships (GRIP).” The session will share lessons learned, challenges encountered, and early insights from coordinating across the GRIP cohort to build a Business and Industry Leadership Team (BILT) in the Robotics and Automated Manufacturing Program at the college. The presentation will inform attendees on what the NSF EPIIC program is, what a BILT is, and highlight practical strategies for building sustainable partnerships with industry and research institutions. Conference attendees will gain actionable ideas for improving student experiences by creating clearer pathways from classroom learning to real-world employment.