The American Association of Community Colleges with the support of the National Science Foundation held the seventeenth national ATE Principal Investigators Conference, at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, DC., on October 27-29. The conference brings together approximately 800 people to focus on the critical issues related to advanced technological education. Key people working on ATE projects across the country participate in the conference. Conference attendees represent community colleges, business and industry, secondary school systems, four-year colleges, and research and development centers covering projects in a wide variety of areas such as: information technology, engineering technology, micro- and nanotechnologies, chemical technology, biotechnology, and others.
Cliff Bennett, Director of the Computer Network Engineering Technologies (CNET) Department at Polk State College, attended the meeting and showcased the NSF-ATE project, Linux Integration Networking Connections (LINCS). LINCS is an advanced, comprehensive, four-year degree program specializing in Linux system administration. It includes online courses, interactive exchanges, and laboratory experiences that provide a seamless transition between two-year and four-year programs. The project is a partnership between Polk State College and the University of South Florida Polytechnic funded by NSF through a three-year grant. Mr. Bennett is enrolled in the MA in CTE program and is expected to graduate in summer 2010.
