MSU industrial technology students gain hands-on experience at Hol-Mac Corporation

MSU industrial technology students gain hands-on experience at Hol-Mac Corporation

Contact: Bethany Shipp

STARKVILLE, Miss.—Mississippi State is preparing industrial technology students to solve real-world challenges by facilitating valuable experiential learning opportunities outside the classroom.

A group of students and faculty pose for a photo outside a building
Pictured from left, front row, Johnathan Zink of Gulfport, Auston Strong of Grenada, Caleb Windham of Bassfield, Ian Caldwell of Kosciusko, Luke Rooks of Brandon, Anna Hester of Grenada, Avery Johnson of Starkville, Instructor Denise Adair. Back row, Instructor Lara Threet, Landry Parr of Olive Branch, Retired Instructor Jody Buchanan, Zabian Ruffin of Walnut Grove, Ian Dillon of Saltillo, Keegan Cuevas of Biloxi, MS. Not pictured, Assistant Professor Swapnil Patole. (Photo by Camille Moss, Hol-Mac Corporation)

One example is a recent trip made by fourteen students to Hol-Mac Corporation in Bay Springs, Mississippi. Led by industrial technology faculty, the group engaged in an immersive hands-on learning project at the facility. Students were divided into two teams and paired with engineering mentors as they tackled industry-based process improvement and lean six sigma projects identified by the company. During the experience, teams analyzed production challenges, developed data-driven solutions and presented their recommendations to company leadership.

Lara Threet, instructor and program coordinator, said the experiential learning opportunity allowed students to apply classroom knowledge, collaborate with industry professionals and gain valuable insight into manufacturing operations.

“Experiences like this highlight how industrial technology at Mississippi State University continues taking care of what matters while preparing students to solve real industry challenges,” Threet said.

MSU’s College of Education, home of the Department of Technology, Leadership, and Design, also includes four additional academic departments, a division of education, one research unit and numerous service units. Learn more at www.educ.msstate.edu.

Mississippi State University is taking care of what matters. Learn more at www.msstate.edu.