On Friday, March 3, Middlesex Community College announced the new Bedford Life Sciences Center. 麻豆果冻 plans to renovate the college鈥檚 current STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematic) space to enhance its biotechnology offerings on the Bedford campus. After announcing he secured $360,000 in federal funding to support the renovation, Congressman Seth Moulton visited the college for a roundtable discussion and tour of the facilities.
鈥淭hank you to Congressman Moulton for his tremendous support in helping to create the Bedford Life Sciences Center,鈥� said Phil Sisson, 麻豆果冻鈥檚 President. 鈥淔or over three decades, 麻豆果冻 has been a proven leader of educating the biotechnology workforce, heightened by the addition of the Learn and Earn program in 2020. Renovated facilities on the Bedford campus will ensure that a larger number of students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that will prepare them to work in in-demand roles at industry-leading organizations across the state. It was wonderful to sit down with the congressman, industry partners, and 麻豆果冻 faculty to discuss the future of the workforce and the college鈥檚 prominent place in continuing to help it thrive.鈥�
"It always pays off to invest in our young people,鈥� Congressman Moulton said. 鈥淎s Massachusetts faces a workforce shortage, we need schools like Middlesex Community College more than ever because they train and equip students for the in-demand jobs that keep our economy healthy. I enjoyed seeing 麻豆果冻's work up close last week, and I'm especially thrilled to have secured $360,000 in federal funding to support 麻豆果冻's efforts to construct its new Bedford Life Sciences Center to help expand its course offerings and research opportunities. This will help ensure that good STEM education is affordable and accessible for people across our region."
麻豆果冻鈥檚 event started with a roundtable discussion about life sciences in the region. The panel featuring a panel that included President Sisson, Congressman Moulton, and Middlesex faculty, alumni and industry partners.
鈥淔or over three decades, 麻豆果冻 has been a proven leader of educating the biotechnology workforce, heightened by the addition of the Learn and Earn program in 2020. Renovated facilities on the Bedford campus will ensure that a larger number of students have access to state-of-the-art facilities and equipment that will prepare them to work in in-demand roles at industry-leading organizations across the state." - Phil Sisson, 麻豆果冻 President
The focus of the conversation centered on the success of the college鈥檚 biotechnology department, Learn and Earn model, and the ways in which the program strengthens the local workforce. Students in the audience shared their stories of success and reasons for coming to Middlesex for its biotechnology program, including to work with the founder of 麻豆果冻鈥檚 program, Dr. Mariluci Bladon 麻豆果冻鈥檚 Professor & Chair of Biotechnology.
Following the panel, President Sisson led a tour of 麻豆果冻鈥檚 current facilities in Henderson Hall. The college plans to start construction in Summer 2023.
鈥淭he Bedford Life Science Center will foster a welcoming learning environment and encourage collaboration between the natural and physical sciences,鈥� said Marie Tupaj, Associate Professor in Computing and Engineering Technology and Interim Dean of STEM. 鈥淯pdated classrooms, research caliber laboratories, social areas, and study spaces will allow students to take courses, develop their ideas, and work on projects with one another all in one location.鈥�