At the beginning of the fall semester, Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) welcomed its first cohort of students in the new manufacturing engineering program. The bachelor’s degree program—the first of its kind in Kentucky—prepares students for careers in the expanding manufacturing engineering industry. According to a Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education report, engineering jobs in Kentucky are projected to increase by more than 11% by 2029.
“Having manufacturing engineering at EKU extends our reach as a School of Opportunity,” said EKU President David McFaddin. “We are now proudly a destination for engineering students in the region, across the Commonwealth and around the country. We look forward to fueling industries with skilled graduates for many years to come.”
EKU freshman and Lexington native Jocelyn Langdorf said the manufacturing engineering program was one of the main factors in her decision to become a Colonel.
“I really wanted to do engineering, but the manufacturing engineering program hadn’t been announced yet, so I wasn’t really planning on going [to EKU],” Langdorf said. “When the program was announced in February last year, my dad texted me and said, ‘This changes things.’”
Soon after, Langdorf visited campus with her mom and enjoyed the environment.
“In my college search, I had narrowed it down to EKU and the University of Louisville,” she said. “I chose EKU because of the great environment and how personal the connections between the professors and the students are. How close it is to home and the affordability of Eastern just make it a really good place to be for school.”
Since starting classes at EKU, Langdorf is getting hands-on experience within the engineering field. In high school, she was able to learn about the theory behind the work, and now she’s putting that to practice with more real-world experience.
“I’ve used a lot of equipment that I didn’t get the chance to use in high school,” she said about the learning environment at EKU. “I feel like it’s definitely preparing me for the workforce.”
EKU’s bachelor of science degree in manufacturing engineering prepares students to become practicing manufacturing engineers. Students in the program gain expertise and practical knowledge in the major areas of manufacturing materials and processes, design for manufacturability, lean manufacturing, quality and process control, automation and robotics.
By Ethan Sirles
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