From Penn State World Campus

Note: Employees of all Columbia Montour Chamber members, their spouses and dependents are eligible for a 5% discount on tuition through the PSU World Campus.

Today’s engineers need to be equipped to meet the ever-changing demands of a modern society and to understand how to innovate and better streamline processes. In order to meet these needs, Penn State will offer a new online degree — master of engineering in industrial engineering — beginning in fall 2019 to meet these requirements.

This 30-credit master of engineering program, offered online through Penn State World Campus in partnership with the Harold and Inge Marcus Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, allows students from diverse engineering backgrounds to develop their skills in industrial engineering and in focus areas of their choice.

“The curriculum has been developed to allow engineers to develop strategic skills that will broaden their professional horizons and equip them with specialized knowledge in focus areas they are interested in,” said Robert Voigt, professor of industrial engineering and graduate program coordinator for the department.

The program is intended to be flexible to suit the needs and interests of the students in the program. It features courses in areas such as product innovation, service system engineering, advanced manufacturing processes and systems, organizational excellence and human factors.

During the last semester, students will use the skills they acquire throughout the program to identify and complete a capstone project to solve an industrial problem typically based on their workplace needs. 

“This program is great for those who want to earn their graduate degree but can’t make it back on campus,” said Andris Freivalds, Lucas Professor of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering. “There is great flexibility with online education as it allows professionals to work and study.”

Applications to begin the program in spring 2020 admission will be accepted through Dec. 1. This program is designed for working professionals who a hold bachelor’s degree in engineering and want to enhance their knowledge and skills to advance their careers. 

Visit the industrial and manufacturing engineering graduate programs page for more details about this online master’s degree.

From PA Chamber of Business & Industry

The General Assembly’s return to Harrisburg for the fall session is just a few short weeks away.  On behalf of our broad-based membership, the PA Chamber is preparing by urging lawmakers to prioritize legislation that will reverse negative perceptions about Pennsylvania’s business climate and help businesses of all sizes grow and succeed.

A new study offers the latest proof that the Commonwealth has its work cut out for it in terms of attracting jobs and capital against surrounding states.   Financial rating website WalletHub recently ranked the Commonwealth a very dismal 45^th in the country for its “2019 Best and Worst States to Start a Business,” and third from the bottom in terms of the state’s overall “business environment.”   Unfortunately, these rankings take away from the positive things about Pennsylvania that we should be able to celebrate and tout – for example, a recent Bloomberg study ranked PA No. 1 in terms of having the nation’s most diverse economy.

Through our member-driven advocacy efforts, the PA Chamber is prioritizing a more competitive business tax climate as lawmakers come back this fall.  This will start with comprehensive tax reforms, including the reduction of a 9.99 percent Corporate Net Income Tax rate that is among the nation’s highest.  We’re also tackling Pennsylvania’s burdensome regulatory environment – which consists of more than 153,000 regulations on the state’s business community – by supporting legislation that would streamline and update antiquated regulatory policies.  We’re working toward an equitable justice system that provides fairness and predictability; as well as labor laws that balance the needs of both employers and workers.  And, we’re fighting back against misguided efforts to stymie business growth – including leading the opposition against a government-mandated wage increase and a targeted additional severance tax on natural gas companies operating here in PA.

When lawmakers come back to session in September, the PA Chamber is continuing our push to get these important initiatives enacted.  Doing so will send the right message to the nation’s business community that Pennsylvania has a lot of attributes that make our Commonwealth great, including: a prime geographic location, a diverse economy, extensive natural resources and a dynamic citizenship that we’re working to prepare for 21^st century jobs through a number of workforce development efforts.