Launching Micro Monday: New Community of Practice Newsletter _Issue 01

We’ve been working on an idea for a fresh newsletter from Jared to better serve our amazing Community of Practice. We welcome your input and feedback as we tweak and shift to get it right. Thanks for being here.

For the record, we value our entire MNT community, but we’ve felt for a while that those on the front lines of community college work and who meet more often as a group to discuss how to serve the many students in the USA with advanced technology training, need their own thing…

We published only the internships and jobs on This Week in Small as we sent out the full MailChimp newsletter announcement. But we also posted the entire newsletter (including jobs and internships) here as well. TWIS changes more often, but is still shareable, and this post will survive a few more weeks and be more visible in the news section.

Community of Practice | Issue 01 | May 2026

A newsletter for the micro and nano technology education community — opportunities, resources, and news for the people doing the real work at community colleges across the country. This month we’re publishing the full issue here on Think Small as a launch post. Student opportunities are listed first. Share freely with students, advisors, and colleagues.

A Note from Jared

Welcome to Issue 01 of our new Community of Practice newsletter. We’ve been building toward this for a while — a regular, useful briefing for the people doing the real work of micro and nano technology education at community colleges across the country. We’ll keep it tight. Jobs, Internships, Opportunities, Events, and the occasional resource worth passing along to your students or colleagues. We’re glad you’re here.

— Jared Ashcroft, PI, MNT-EC at Pasadena City College

P.S. In our first few months, we will mail to the entire MNT community, but our intent is to focus this down to the smaller set of Community of Practice members. My email is below — message me to learn more.

Community Shout-Out

Community College of Philadelphia — Dr. Dominic Salerno and his students in the Biomedical Technician Training Program are doing exactly the kind of hands-on, industry-ready work this community exists to support. Gowning up for clean room training, building real lab skills, connecting students to biomedical careers. This is the model. We’re glad to have CCP in this network.
Connect with Dominic on LinkedIn | Biomedical Technician Training Program

Student Opportunities

Student opportunities first. Two Corning co-ops are open specifically for North Carolina community college students — one in Concord and one in Wilmington. TSMC Arizona has Summer 2026 internship openings in facility roles in Phoenix, and Micron has a process technician internship open at sites in Boise, ID and Manassas, VA.

Corning — Manufacturing Co-op for NC Community College Students | Concord, NC
Co-op opportunity specifically for North Carolina community college students. Hands-on manufacturing experience at Corning’s Concord facility.
View posting

Corning — NC Community College Student Co-op | Wilmington, NC
Second Corning co-op for NC community college students, based in Wilmington.
View posting

TSMC Arizona — Summer 2026 Internship Opportunities (Facility Roles) | Phoenix, AZ
Multiple facility-track summer internship openings at TSMC’s Arizona fab. Ideal for students in electronics, manufacturing technology, or engineering programs.
View posting

Micron — Intern, Process Technician | Boise, ID or Manassas, VA
Process technician internship open at two Micron sites.
View posting

Career and Technician Roles

Southwest — Arizona

TSMC Arizona — Failure Analysis Technician | Phoenix, AZ
View posting

TSMC Arizona — Process Technician | Phoenix, AZ
View posting

TSMC Arizona — Manufacturing Specialist Trainee | Phoenix, AZ
View posting

TSMC Arizona — Junior Electrical Technician | Phoenix, AZ
View posting

Mountain West — Idaho

Micron — Manufacturing Process Technician, Advanced Packaging | Boise, ID
View posting

Micron — Equipment Technician, APTD | Boise, ID
View posting

Northeast — New York

Corning — Optical Manufacturing Technician | Fairport, NY
View posting

GlobalFoundries — Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship | Malta, NY
An apprenticeship pathway with GlobalFoundries. Strong model for programs exploring earn-while-you-learn partnerships.
View program info

Southeast — North Carolina

Thermo Fisher Scientific — Formulation Technician II | Greenville, NC
View posting

Thermo Fisher Scientific — Multi-Craft Maintenance Technician (Days) | Greenville, NC
View posting

Thermo Fisher Scientific — Multi-Craft Maintenance Technician | Greenville, NC
View posting

Thermo Fisher Scientific — Lead QA Technician | Greenville, NC
View posting

Thermo Fisher Scientific — Lead Formulation Technician | Greenville, NC
View posting

Thermo Fisher Scientific — Stationary Engineer / Sr. Manufacturing Maintenance Technician | Greenville, NC
View posting

Grants and Funding

NSF ATE remains the primary federal funder for two-year college technology programs and is worth knowing well if you’re not already engaged. The NSF TA-ESW initiative, a joint effort with the Micron Foundation, is supporting transformative approaches to semiconductor workforce education specifically. Both are worth a look if you’re considering a proposal.

NSF ATE — Advanced Technological Education
Learn more

NSF TA-ESW — Transformative Approaches to Educating the Semiconductor Workforce
Learn more

NNME Regional Nodes
Awards expected Spring 2026. Up to $20M per node over five years to build regional microelectronics workforce infrastructure.
Learn more

Events and Deadlines

Two dates for your calendar. If your institution submitted an LOI for the NSF NQNI solicitation, full proposals are due May 14. And the 2026 Embedded Vision Summit runs May 11–13 in Santa Clara — relevant if you have programs touching computer vision, sensors, or applied semiconductor work.

NSF NQNI Full Proposals Due — May 14, 2026
Solicitation details

2026 Embedded Vision Summit — May 11–13 | Santa Clara, CA
Learn more

Useful Resources

These two are oldies but goodies — both 7 to 10 years old and still among the best starting points we’ve found for students new to nanoscale work. Zoom into a Microchip takes viewers from human scale down to chip-level features and works well as a first-day primer. Pair it with the Visual Capitalist particle size infographic for a quick one-two on why scale matters in this field.

Zoom into a Microchip
Watch on Vimeo

Visual Capitalist — Relative Size of Particles Infographic
View infographic

Also Worth Knowing

If you’re not already following APT Friday, it’s worth your time. Christine Galib at Princeton curates a weekly briefing for the Advancing Photonics Technologies community — events, jobs, funding, and shout-outs at the photonics and microelectronics intersection. Adjacent to what we do and genuinely good. Her newsletter is a big inspiration for this one — thank you, Christine.

Subscribe to APT Friday

One Question for You

We read every response. Here’s our question for this issue:

What’s one resource you wish more of your students knew about before they enrolled?

Share your answer here — we may feature it in Issue 02.

Thanks for reading. If something here is useful to a colleague, please forward it along.

–Follow MNT-EC on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/mnt-ec

–News and resources: Think Small at MNT-EC

–Questions or news to share? JMASHCROFT@Pasadena.edu

— Jared
Building the workforce, one program at a time.

Five Years of Building Together

This is a joint post by Dr. Jared Ashcroft (PI) and Center Director, Billie Copley

Editor Note: Full 5 Year Summary Report: Five Years of Building Together is embedded for view and download at end of post.

Five Years of Building Together -- Summary of Achievements

1. Why This Moment Matters

Six years ago, we began building a national center to strengthen micro- and nanotechnology education and help more people see themselves in these fields. Our goal was practical, but the challenge was real: bring educators, industry, and students together to create real opportunities.

Reaching a five-year milestone offers an occasion to reflect—not as a conclusion, but as a checkpoint. This post isn’t meant to catalog every activity or outcome. Instead, it reflects on how the work evolved, how our role changed, and what we’ve learned as the Center moved from launch to national engagement. The past five years were defined by disruption, collaboration, and steady learning. Looking back helps clarify how we move with purpose over the next five years.

2. From Startup to Strategy: Years 1 and 2

In the early years, we worked to build a strong foundation despite tough conditions. Year 1 started during COVID-19, so staying connected and organized took extra effort. Learning Zoom was part of that and definitely made meetings more interesting. One of our first goals was to bring together existing micro- and nanotechnology centers under a shared plan, giving us a clearer national presence.

We also worked on setting up key systems to support educators and students. This meant mentoring early NSF ATE proposals, starting new ways to share information, and offering professional development that met immediate needs. From the beginning, we involved industry by forming a Business and Industry Leadership Team, which helped keep our work connected to real workforce needs.

In Year 2, we focused on growing and improving our work. We expanded access through new academic publishing, reached out to more people, and launched early workforce programs focused on inclusion. We also began to look more closely at how we measured our impact—not just by what we did, but by who participated, who had access, and what people learned. These years were about finding the right direction, not just getting bigger.

3. Growth and National Leadership: Years 3–5

As the Center grew, our role changed. In Years 3 to 5, we moved from building programs to making a difference at the national level, especially as workforce needs in semiconductors and advanced manufacturing became more urgent.

During this time, more people joined and more partnerships formed, but growth was not our only goal. We invested in new ways to improve learning, like using AR and VR tools for technician training. We made sure our programs supported access and representation, showing that belonging and excellence go hand in hand.

Our partnerships with schools and industry grew stronger, shaping how we developed curriculum and aligned with workforce needs. Listening to educators, students, and employers became even more important as our work grew. By Year 5, the Center was not just nationally recognized but also trusted. That trust came from working together and staying focused on what matters.

4. More than Numbers: What We Built

As we reached more people, we also built resources meant to last. Over five years, the Center set up publishing, mentoring, and communication systems to help educators share knowledge and improve their work. Journals, writing workshops, podcasts, and digital media gave faculty and technicians new ways to share their often-overlooked voices.

We also invest in tools that support hands-on learning and make things more accessible, drawing on advice from educators and industry experts. Workforce programs and paid internships gave students chances to use their skills, explore careers, and gain confidence.

All of this was possible because of the ongoing work of our leadership team, faculty partners, industry advisors, and staff who tried new ideas, adjusted programs, and stayed involved as things changed. Together, we created shared resources that can be used, adapted, and improved over time.

5. Lessons from the Journey

After five years, a few lessons stand out. First, building national capacity relies on trust. Momentum is important, but lasting impact comes from listening, making changes, and staying connected to what happens in classrooms and workplaces.

Second, industry partnerships are strongest when they last over time. Staying engaged helps shape curriculum, confirm skills, and respond to changing workforce needs.

Third, inclusion requires planning. Programs that aim to include more people work best when equity is built in from the beginning, not added later.

Finally, growth changes how we lead. As the Center grew, we needed greater coordination and shared decision-making. Our work moved from running projects to managing systems that others can count on.

6. Future Proof: The Next Chapter

Looking ahead, we want to keep what works and stay ready for change. Publications, workforce programs, and partnerships need ongoing attention to stay useful and effective.

In the next phase, we’ll work even more closely with education and industry partners, while paying attention to local needs. Supporting faculty, creating student pathways, and using new technologies will stay at the top of our list. This work builds on what we’ve already done and the partnerships that make it possible.

7. Closing: A Joint Mission

Five years in, this work is still about people: students finding new opportunities, educators improving their teaching, and partners working together for a shared future.

We are grateful to the leadership team, faculty, industry partners, and collaborators who helped shape this effort. Our progress so far shows our shared commitment and responsibility. As we move forward, we know the most important work is still ahead, shaped by this community and its ongoing teamwork.

MNT-EC Achievements _5Yr Review _Billie Copley Download

Community College Researchers Represented at CAMPS 2025 with Scientific Excellence

Two students from Pasadena City College (PCC) were among the select few undergraduate researchers presenting at the prestigious CAMPS 2025 Conference, hosted May 23–24 at Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas.

Supported by the NSF’s PREM (Partnerships for Research and Education in Materials) and MRSEC (Materials Research Science and Engineering Centers) programs, CAMPS brings together student researchers from across the country to present innovative work in materials science, biology, chemistry, and related fields.

While most attendees hailed from four-year institutions—a reflection of where PREM and MRSEC funding is typically centered—these two students from PCC stood out for their research contributions, poise, and academic rigor.

The participation of two-year students at CAMPS 2025 this year signals a noteworthy shift—one that points to the importance of fostering inclusive research pathways at all academic levels.

Poster Presentation: Safety of Brain Implants in Living Organisms

Carlton Mantovani: Pasadena City College | AT3 Internship Program | NSF PREM #2425226

LinkedIn Profile

Carlton’s research poster explored the neurological effects of brain microchip implants in animal models, particularly in rhesus macaques and sheep. His work focused on measuring whether such implants—used to study or even treat neurological diseases—cause long-term harm to cognitive function or brain tissue.

Using MRI imaging, behavioral Delayed Non-Matching-to-Sample (DNMS) tests, and biomarker analysis (GFAP and IBA-1 expressions), Carlton found no significant memory impairment or tissue damage. His findings suggest that brain implants could play a safe and influential role in neuroscience in the future.

“This type of advanced, interdisciplinary work is exactly the kind of research we want to see coming out of programs like AT3 and PREM,” PCC professor and student mentor, Dr. Jared Ashcroft, said. “Carlton’s results were well-documented and thoughtfully presented—it was a proud moment for our team.”

Poster Presentation: Pollution and Biodiversity at the Audubon Center

Phone (Morest) Myint Mo: Pasadena City College | Department of Natural Sciences

LinkedIn Profile

Morest’s research examined biodiversity loss due to urban air and noise pollution in two plots at the Audubon Center in California—Monarch Alley and Hummingbird C. By collecting data on air quality (PM2.5, PM10, VOCs), noise levels, and plant species counts (using iNaturalist and Shannon diversity index), the team discovered a clear correlation: the less polluted site had higher biodiversity and healthier vegetation.

His group used leaf area measurements of native oak species as indicators of physiological stress and found that air and noise pollution had a measurable adverse effect on these species.

Morest, a STEM tutor and Vice President of the Resilience Club at PCC, plans to transfer to UC Berkeley in Fall 2025 to pursue Molecular and Cellular Biology. He brings a deeply interdisciplinary perspective to science, linking biology, chemistry, and physics with real-world sustainability and public health issues.

A Sign of Progress

“To our knowledge, they were the only community college students presenting at the conference this year,” Dr. Jared Ashcroft said. “Their work was just as advanced and compelling as that of students from major research universities.”

As CAMPS continues to grow (this year marked only its third occurrence), participation from two-year institutions remains less common—but meaningful. The presence of these students at such a high-level national research forum reflects the increasing role community colleges are playing in shaping the future of science and innovation.

“We hope their stories inspire other students and institutions to aim high and pursue research opportunities that might once have seemed out of reach,” said Dr. Ashcroft.

Resources / Links

CAMPS at a Glance (Source: NSF PREM Highlights)

Hosted by The Texas State University PREM Center for Intelligent Materials Assembly (CIMA) with 94 students from over 30 PREM and MRSEC institutions nationwide.

Included in the program:

Invited speaker series featuring four faculty and three industry presenters
Two rapid-fire oral presentation sessions (38 student presenters)
Two poster sessions (87 posters presented)
A career panel and industry networking lunch
A lab tour of Texas State’s Shared Research Operations, featuring demonstrations of SEM, TEM, EDS, and a nanofabrication clean room

CAMPS at a Glance content provided by Dr. Tania Betancourt, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Texas State and Director of the PREM Center for Intelligent Materials Assembly.

Director’s Message — Building on a Strong Foundation

–

Five years ago, we set out to build something bold: a national center that could connect students, educators, industry, and community colleges nationwide in the name of micro- and nanotechnology workforce development.

We didn’t know exactly where it would take us—but we knew it had to begin with students, with skilled faculty, and with a belief that community colleges could lead the way. That belief wasn’t just a hypothesis. It’s a reality we have helped shape—and one we plan to build on over the next five years.

Photo Caption: This photo is from the J ATE annual meeting, but it has so many of our team and partners that we decided to use it for today’s final (for this cycle) Director’s Message.

Lifting Others Up

From our earliest days, MNT-EC has been about elevating others. We’ve helped students access internships, apprenticeships, research opportunities, and real-world experiences that open doors and build confidence. Programs like AT3, MNT-CURN, and the Talking Technicians podcast have given students a platform and a pathway. We’ve also worked with educators—through mentor programs, curriculum development, and community building—to create a national ecosystem of teaching and training that supports technician education at its highest level.

Our Student Success series, launched in recent years, highlighted what we’ve always known: When you listen to students and share their voices, you validate their efforts and inspire all of us.

Let’s say that one more time for the folks in the back…

When you listen to students and share their voices, you validate their efforts and inspire all of us.
-MNT Leadership Team

A Partnership from the Start

As Billie writes:

“I received several calls back in 2019—Jared had reached out about building this center, and before I knew it, six years later, we were running it side by side.”

That first call turned into a full partnership. And what grounded us was a shared philosophy: do the real work, keep it student-centered, and make sure what we build can last. We’ve had little patience for anything less than genuine effort. When something didn’t work, we pivoted—with transparency, urgency, and a focus on what would serve our mission.

And we showed up. Whether it was lab workshops, grant deadlines, student video editing sessions, or early morning check-ins, we were committed because we believed in what we were building.

Acknowledging the Work—and the People Behind It

This progress hasn’t happened in isolation. It’s happened because of people. We want to thank the Co-Principal Investigators who helped shape this vision from day one: Mel Cossette, Peter Kazarinoff, Neda Habibi, and Greg Kepner. You can read their short bios linked just below.

To our external evaluation teams—The Allison Group and MUME Collective—thank you for helping us reflect, adapt, and grow stronger. They won an award for their amazing evaluation work: MNT-EC Evaluators Recognized Nationally.

To our partners across education and industry—your belief in technician education and your willingness to invest time, insight, and energy have made the difference. You deserve and have our deepest gratitude and appreciation.

Thank you, SEMI Foundation, Natcast, and NIICA, for your collaboration and commitment to building training pipelines that serve real workforce needs.

We’re also in awe and so completely grateful to the hundreds of community college faculty, students, and industry leaders who helped shape this center.

You can meet many of them here:

Looking Ahead

Our mission remains clear as we enter the next five-year chapter: strengthen technician education, create equitable access to opportunity, and ensure community colleges are front and center in the nation’s workforce development conversation.

To the students: Keep applying. Keep asking questions. Keep showing up.
To the educators: Your mentorship echoes far beyond your classroom.
To our partners: Let’s keep building—boldly, together.

We’re just getting started.

— Jared Ashcroft, Principal Investigator

— Billie Copley, Center Manager

P.S. (from Billie) If you want to get a more profound sense of Jared’s commitment and, well, his competitiveness (Ax champion? And a link to the “Alligator story” on our MNT-EC LinkedIn page/community), read this Spotlight profile: Center Manager Notes — Partner Spotlight: Dr. Jared Ashcroft.

Student Success: An Interview with Gracious Mhlanga

Gracious Mhlanga: Pursuing a Future in Cellular Biology and Cancer Research

For Gracious Mhlanga, science isn’t just about understanding the world—it’s about changing it. A Zimbabwean-American and sophomore at Pasadena City College (PCC), Gracious is passionate about how biology can contribute to advancements in medicine. With a strong interest in cancer treatment research, she is making the most of her time at PCC, taking advantage of opportunities to learn, connect, and grow.

Student Success story with Gracious Mhlanga

Visit Gracious’ LinkedIn Profile here

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“I’ve always been fascinated by how people use science to make positive changes in the world.”

Please tell us a little about yourself and your background.

I graduated from Rosemead High School in 2023 and am currently a sophomore at Pasadena City College. I’m also Zimbabwean-American, and I’ve always been fascinated by how people use science to make positive changes in the world.

What brought you to Pasadena City College, and what are you studying?

I chose to attend Pasadena City College because it was the best financial choice at the time, and PCC had a lot of connections with my high school. I’m majoring in biology.

Academic and Career Goals

What are your academic and career goals?

My academic goal is to transfer to a 4-year university and earn a Bachelor’s in Cellular Biology. As for my career goal, I hope to have a job involving cancer treatment research.

How has your experience at this community college influenced or shaped your goals?

My experience at PCC has helped shape my goals by providing me with opportunities to learn more about what there is to offer in the field of science.

Experience at the Community College

What has been the most rewarding aspect of your time here so far?

The most rewarding aspect of my time at PCC so far has been the people I’ve met and had conversations with. I’ve had the chance to meet people from different backgrounds and passions.

Can you share a memorable experience or highlight from your time at PCC?

A highlight from my time so far at PCC has been some of the labs I’ve gotten to do in my science courses—they are usually my favorite part of the class.

How have the faculty and staff supported your educational journey?

The faculty and staff at PCC, especially Dr. Ashcroft and Dr. Blatti, have helped support me a lot with my academic journey by offering guidance and advice but also informing me of various research opportunities that offer me the chance to gain experience in the things that I’m interested in, such as science.

Challenges and Overcoming Them

What challenges have you faced during your time at PCC, and how have you overcome them?

I faced challenges balancing many classes, especially during my first year at PCC. But I overcame that by utilizing my resources and trying to be on top of everything.

How has the community college environment helped you address these challenges?

The environment at PCC helped me address this challenge by offering us many resources and hearing other students talk about similar challenges.

Involvement and Activities

Are you involved in any clubs, organizations, or extracurricular activities?

I’m a part of the PCC Transfer Bound program, the PCC Biology Club, which I’m the secretary of, and Caltech Connections and the CUR STR program. All of these activities have been positive experiences.