CT State Asnuntuck
Building Careers and Breaking Barriers Through Innovative Education
Reimagining community college education to meet the needs of students and industry.
CT State Asnuntuck—recently renamed under Connecticut State Community College’s statewide unification—is anything but your typical higher-ed institution. Despite the branding shift, Asnuntuck maintains the nurturing, student-focused environment that has defined it for decades. Dr. Michelle Coach, the CEO, emphasizes that while the campus now operates under a statewide identity, its mission remains profoundly personal and community-centered. “We’re still a nurturing environment,” she says. “Our classes are small, usually no more than 20 to 24 students, allowing us to really spend time and energy on each individual.”
In recruiting faculty, Asnuntuck looks beyond credentials alone. Timothy St. James, the Dean of Students and Faculty, explains, “We want people who are proficient in their fields and genuinely invested in helping students improve their lives.” The goal is to create a technically skilled faculty dedicated to teaching as a craft, people who see their roles as mentors, not just lecturers. This approach shapes an environment where students feel understood and guided throughout their educational journey.
Mary Bidwell, Director of Advanced Manufacturing, takes pride in Asnuntuck’s approach to technical education, particularly within her own department. “Our advanced manufacturing instructors are industry veterans,” she says. Many instructors are program graduates who worked in the field before returning to teaching, bringing insight that resonates with students. “They know where our students are headed because they’ve been there themselves.” This hands-on experience gives Asnuntuck’s graduates an edge, linking classroom learning to career realities in a way that textbook-based instruction can’t match.
Establishing Pathways into Skilled Trades
Asnuntuck’s Advanced Manufacturing program is a trailblazer in Connecticut’s community college system, with a legacy that spans nearly 26 years. Established as the state’s first program of its kind, it has since become the template for similar initiatives across Connecticut. Bidwell explains, “Our program’s reputation is built on decades of success. Word-of-mouth referrals are a huge driver for us—people know what they’re going to get when they come to Asnuntuck.”
The program offers three specialized tracks: Machine Technology, Robotics and Mechatronics Technician, as well as Welding and Fabrication Technologies. As the only Connecticut community college to provide all three, Asnuntuck has carved out a niche that appeals to traditional students and returning learners seeking hands-on, marketable skills.
The program’s appeal extends into local high schools as well, through the Advanced Manufacturing Technology Pathways program—a dual-credit model that gives high school students early exposure to the trades. “We work with area high schools that bus students to our campus, and it’s been a reliable feeder for over a decade,” Bidwell notes. “Securing funding for these partnerships is always a challenge, but we’re constantly looking for ways to bring more schools into the fold.”
The welding program has seen a noticeable rise in female students, an exciting trend for an industry traditionally dominated by men. “Out of the 65 welding students this semester, 15 are women,” Bidwell shares. At the same time, with free tuition now available, Asnuntuck’s Advanced Manufacturing program has become an even more attractive option for recent high school graduates. “We’re seeing a very young demographic this semester,” Bidwell observes. “It’s great to know that manufacturing is becoming a viable career path for people right out of high school.”
Automation and Industry Collaboration
As technology reshapes manufacturing, Asnuntuck’s Advanced Manufacturing program ensures its students don’t just keep up—they stay ahead. Bidwell explains, “Our robotics and mechatronics students are trained to handle real-world problems, like when a production line at Amazon goes down. They’re prepared to go in, troubleshoot, and get things back up and running.” This hands-on experience goes beyond textbooks, giving students the opportunity to repair and maintain equipment directly on campus rather than relying on external technicians.
Bidwell also notes that robotic welders are central to the welding curriculum, enabling students to work on cutting-edge equipment in modern fabrication.
“We’re deeply involved in Industry 4.0 discussions,” she says, referencing the integration of automation, robotics, and digital transformation into manufacturing. Bidwell’s team recently collaborated with the Connecticut Center for Advanced Technology to explore new credentials and strategies for teaching digital transformation. “We’re studying the next steps—how to incorporate these concepts into our curriculum so that our graduates are fully prepared for an automated workplace.”
Asnuntuck’s efforts to stay aligned with industry needs are reinforced through its advisory boards, which include representatives from local manufacturing firms. Dr. Coach also highlights the value of Asnuntuck’s partnerships with Connecticut’s extensive aerospace manufacturing sector, which includes over 120 companies. “These companies are still implementing their approaches to automation, so we’re evolving alongside them,” she explains. The program can adapt quickly by staying agile and adding new courses or directed electives that meet the industry’s shifting needs.
Investing in Innovation and Expansion
Since the onset of COVID-19, Asnuntuck has used state funding, private donations, and grants to modernize its facilities and expand educational access through technology. St. James describes the evolving classroom options: “We have hybrid classes, fully asynchronous online courses, and live remote options. But the most exciting is our new hyflex model, where students can attend in-person or remotely, with cameras and microphones capturing everything so they can participate however they choose.”
In the manufacturing labs, technology upgrades go beyond software. Dr. Coach notes that recent investments in CNC machines now include mounted cameras inside the equipment. “The cameras allow us to record tutorials on programming and operating CNC machines, which we can upload to our learning management system, Blackboard, for students to review anytime,” she explains. Thanks to a grant from Metallica’s charitable foundation, All Within My Hands, the program received site licenses for advanced robotic software, further enriching the curriculum.
Regarding equipment, Asnuntuck’s partnerships with industry giants like Pratt & Whitney and United Steel have proven invaluable. Dr. Coach explains, “Pratt & Whitney supports our incumbent worker training and often donates equipment, while United Steel supplies metal scraps, which saves us thousands of dollars in material costs.” This year, the college received approval for a metal 3D printer, a state-of-the-art addition that no other Northeast campus has. “We’re preparing a room for this new printer right now,” she adds. “It’s exciting to give our students direct experience with the technology they’ll encounter in the workforce.”
Partnerships That Fuel Success and Access
Asnuntuck’s approach to education is strengthened by strategic partnerships that expand support services, deepen educational impact, and create new pathways for students. St. James explains how the college tackles barriers that can interfere with student success. “Food insecurity, mental health, and childcare are real challenges for our students,” he states. The on-campus food pantry, made possible through collaborations with Connecticut Foodshare, Enfield Food Shelf, and local donors like Stop & Shop, is one example of how the school addresses these needs directly.
Furthermore, Asnuntuck now has a Wellness Counselor who can see students on campus for mental health concerns. Students can also access remote counseling and medical support through an online service called Timely Care. As part of their holistic approach to health, the college partners with local health departments to host flu clinics and other preventive care services on campus.
“Student support services are top of mind—mental health resources, career counseling, academic advising, etc. —so we can make sure our students have every opportunity to succeed on our campuses and beyond,” emphasizes CT State President O. John Maduko.
The college’s public-private partnerships extend into educational opportunities for unique populations, including incarcerated individuals. Through Second Chance Pell, Asnuntuck offers classes at nearby correctional facilities, educating over 1,000 students. “We currently teach around 200 to 250 incarcerated students each semester,” Dr. Coach notes. The program aims to reduce recidivism by equipping students with skills they can use upon release. “It’s amazing to see these students continue their education or secure employment afterward,” Coach adds, highlighting the program’s impact on their futures.
Industry-Recognized Certifications and Flexible Pathways
Asnuntuck’s Advanced Manufacturing program stands out for its robust credentialing opportunities, supported by the college’s ISO 9001 accreditation. “We are one of the very few educational facilities with that designation,” says Dr. Coach, noting that this international quality standard is typically found in industry, not academia. In addition to ISO standards, the college’s National Institute for Metalworking Skills (NIMS) accreditation allows students in machine technology to earn NIMS credentials, while welding students can gain certifications from the American Welding Society (AWS).
The program’s structure follows the practical, career-focused philosophy that Asnuntuck champions. In a unique “flipped” approach, students spend their first year earning a hands-on certificate in fields like welding or CNC machining. After this intensive year, many enter the workforce, with local companies often covering tuition for students who return to complete their associate’s degree. “Our students can get that initial credential, start working, and then chip away at their associate’s degree when they’re ready,” Dr. Coach says. The college’s partnerships with four-year universities provide additional pathways for those interested in advancing to engineering or specialized manufacturing roles.
Preparing for Growth
Looking to the future, Asnuntuck will continue providing opportunities for high school students while expanding its role in innovative educational programs. Dual enrollment has become a primary focus. St. James explains, “We’re getting high schoolers into the pipeline with the goal that they can graduate with substantial college credits—sometimes even close to a certificate or degree.” Students can earn college credit through programs like College Career Pathways and partnerships with local high schools as early as their junior year.
Meanwhile, as part of Connecticut State Community College’s newly consolidated system, Asnuntuck is experiencing increased connectivity with other campuses. Previously, students had to make separate applications, transcript transfers, and financial aid agreements for each community college they attended. Now, the unified system offers streamlined access across multiple campuses, allowing students to take classes aligned with their schedules and goals. “It’s seamless,” Dr. Coach says. “Students barely notice that we’re separate campuses now. They can take advantage of resources and courses across the entire state, which makes a huge difference in flexibility.”
“Our latest census data provides encouraging insights into the makeup of our student body, states CT State President Maduko. “Hispanic/Latine students have increased by 11%, followed closely by a 9% rise in Black/African American students. Additionally, we have seen an 8% increase in BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) students compared to Fall 2023. These numbers reflect the richness of diversity within our student population and reaffirm our commitment to fostering an inclusive community where everyone belongs.”
Over the next year and a half, Asnuntuck plans to build on these advances, ensuring that its programs meet students’ immediate needs and prepare them for a rapidly changing workforce. By expanding dual enrollment and adapting to the new state system, Asnuntuck reinforces its position as a forward-thinking institution in Connecticut’s educational landscape.
AT A GLANCE
CT State Asnuntuck
What: Community college offering advanced manufacturing, skilled trades, and workforce development programs in addition to traditional academic programs and certificates
Where: Enfield, Connecticut
