Wayne State University announced it opened a new $12-million extension center to focus on engineering, advanced manufacturing, instructional technology, and global supply chains to ensure that area employers have a well-prepared, educated workforce.
The 40,000-square-foot facility, which opened in early September and was originally a Farmer Jack grocery store, is part of the university’s strategy to expand within Macomb County, says Ahmad Ezzeddine, associate vice president of Wayne State’s office of educational outreach.
“We started this a few years ago,” Ezzeddine says. “We have two other locations (in Clinton Township) which focus on the liberal arts and human development-type programs. This (new) location (resulted from) a study we did a few years ago that called for making investments and programs that meet the different needs of the various parts of Macomb County.”
Ezzeddine says programming will complement fast-growing industries, such as manufacturing, transportation, and defense.
The Warren-based Advanced Technology Education Center is one of two extension centers to open this fall, with the new Schoolcraft Center in Livonia offering academic programs in business and engineering technology.
“The extension centers are outposts of Wayne State’s Midtown campus,” Ezzeddine says. “We offer degree programs in a variety of spaces and times so that no matter where our students live or work, there is a Wayne State site nearby that can help them achieve their goal of completing their degree.
The new building, at 14601 E. 12 Mile Rd., is located across from Macomb Community College’s South Campus. A new pedestrian walkway and traffic light on 12 Mile will help students travel between the two campuses.
“We are confident that by opening this new state-of-the-art classroom facility across from the South Campus, we will help more students from Macomb County succeed academically and in the workforce,” Ezzeddine says.
