|
JCC Holds Ribbon Cutting for Newly Renovated Dulles
Building to House Mechatronics and Cybersecurity Workforce Training
Published: October 27, 2026
at 04:00 p.m.
By: Press Release
from Jefferson Community College
JCC Dulles Building Ribbon Cutting
Home to Mechatronics and Cybersecurity Workforce
Training
(l-r) Carey Goyette, Provost, Vice President of
Academic and Student Affairs, JCC, Mari Cecil, Principal / Architect,
BCA Architects and Engineers, Ryan Piche, County Administrator, Jefferson
County, William Johnson, Chairman, Jefferson County Board of Legislators,
Dr. Ronalyn Wilson, Associate Vice Chancellor for Community Colleges, State
University of New York, Michelle Capone, Director of Regional Development,
Development Authority of the North Country, Cindy Intschert,
Chair, JCC Board of Trustees, Stephen Hunt, Regional Director, Empire State
Development, Hon. Scott Gray, Assemblyman, 116th District, New York State
Assembly, Dr. Daniel Dupee, II, President, JCC, Michael Guttman, Staff
Program Manager, Micron, Donna Stevenson, Associate Vice President of STEM,
Health Professions & Business, JCC, Sarah Compo Pierce, Mayor, City of
Watertown, Dr. Robert Kimball, Council Member, City of Watertown, David
Males, Immediate Past Chair, JCC Board of Trustees, Stephen Todd, Vice
Chair, JCC Board of Trustees, Michael Montigelli, Legislator, Jefferson
County Board of Legislators, Daniel McBride, Legislator, Jefferson County
Board of Legislators, Lieutenant Colonel John Marhevsky, United States Army
Garrison, Fort Drum, Sidney Pond, Vice President for Administration &
Finance, JCC.
Watertown, N.Y. – On
Friday, October 23, 2026, Jefferson Community College (JCC) held a ribbon
cutting ceremony for its newly renovated John F. Foster Dulles Building,
which houses state-of-the-art mechatronics labs, a cybersecurity classroom
and lab being equipped with servers and other equipment for hands-on
learning, as well as traditional classrooms. Nearly 75 College officials,
faculty/staff, representatives from Next Move NY, Jefferson County, Empire
State Development, Micron, and New York State assembly members, along with
Fort Drum officials turned out for the event.
Speakers in the
ceremony included Dr. Daniel J. Dupee, II, President, Cindy Intschert, Chair, Jefferson Board of Trustees, Mari
Cecil, Principal/Architect, BCA Architects and Engineers, Ryan Piche,
County Administrator, Jefferson County, Michael Guttman, Staff Program
Manager, Micron, Stephen Hunt, Regional Director, Empire State Development,
and the Honorable Scott Gray, Assemblyman, 116th District, New York State
Assembly.
President Dupee,
II, said, “As the North Country continues to grow and evolve, Jefferson
Community College must continue to lead. New industries, new technologies,
and new opportunities are emerging all around us. This facility strengthens
our ability to respond to those opportunities by preparing students for
high-demand careers, expanding workforce development initiatives, and
supporting economic growth across the region.”
Governor Kathy
Hochul said, “The transformation of the John F. Foster Dulles
Building marks a monumental step forward for innovation, technical
education, and workforce development in Watertown. Through our Next Move NY
grant and strategic state investments, we are ensuring that Jefferson
Community College has the world-class facilities it needs to train the next
generation of workers in advanced manufacturing, mechatronics, and
cybersecurity. By connecting these high-tech training programs with our
incredible military families at Fort Drum and major economic drivers like
Micron, we are fueling regional growth, creating solid career pathways, and
securing New York's economic future.”
The SUNY Board of
Trustees said, "SUNY is at the forefront of academic
excellence, setting our students on a path to be New York's skilled
workforce of the future. We are grateful to Governor Hochul and state
leaders for their continued support and investment in SUNY community colleges,
particularly for Jefferson Community College for this opportunity, as well
as companies like Micron for their partnership. We look forward to seeing
how this investment will transform Jefferson Community College and meet the
needs of our students and New York State's economy."
Jefferson Board
of Trustees Chair Cindy Intschert said, “The Dulles
Building reconstruction reflects Jefferson’s commitment to investing in the
future of our students and the North Country. By modernizing our facilities
and expanding opportunities for hands-on technical training, we are
strengthening the college’s ability to serve its students and the
community, support regional employers, and help drive economic growth for
years to come.”
The Dulles
Building renovation was initiated as part of the college’s 2025 Capital
Improvement Program to create a new hub for technical education and
workforce development. Empire State Development provided $4 million for
this project to support the Next Move NY Vocational Training and Job
Readiness Facility at Jefferson. This endeavor positions JCC to respond
directly to regional workforce needs by providing accessible,
industry-aligned education close to home. Students will gain hands-on
experience in automation, electronics, hydraulics and mechanical systems,
developing the technical skills needed to succeed in advanced manufacturing
and semiconductor operations.
Jefferson is
holding two free semiconductor bootcamps in spring 2027. The first
semiconductor bootcamp will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, January 25,
2027, through March 16, 2027, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The second
semiconductor bootcamp will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays, March 22, 2027,
through May 14, 2027, from 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. All classes meet in the
Dulles Building mechatronics labs. Upon successful completion, students
will earn two SnapOn® industry-recognized
certifications and three JCC college credits. To sign up for Jefferson’s
semiconductor bootcamps, email dsnow@sunyjefferson.edu or call (315) 786-2297. Learn
more by visiting www.sunyjefferson.edu/mechatronics. The
semiconductor bootcamps are made possible through a SUNY Transformation
Fund, with support from Onondaga Community College.
Jefferson
anticipates launching two new academic programs in fall 2027: mechatronics
and cybersecurity following approvals from SUNY and the New York State
Education Department. These degree programs will prepare students for
careers in advanced manufacturing, semiconductor operations, and other
technology-driven industries. Upon successful completion, graduates will
receive their diploma and industry recognized certifications.
This project was
supported in part by Jefferson County, New York State, Micron, Empire State
Development through the Next Move New York Grant, and the SUNY 2020 Grant.
-30-
About Jefferson
Community College
Established on
November 7, 1961, Jefferson Community College was the area’s first
institution of higher education. Supervised by the State University of New
York (SUNY), Jefferson offers more than 50 associate degrees, certificates
and microcredentials for career preparation and
transfer. The college also provides local access to bachelor’s and advanced
degrees through partner institutions; lifelong learning through workshops
and seminars; business and industry training; and community-based research.
Jefferson’s state-of-the-art mechatronics labs provide hands-on learning
opportunities in automation, electronics, hydraulics, and mechanical
systems to support workforce development in emerging industries. Through
its Center for Community Studies, the college facilitates productive
discussion of ideas and regional issues and provides cultural enrichment
opportunities that serve the entire tri-county region, including Fort
Drum’s military community. Jefferson, accredited by the Middle States
Commission on Higher Education, serves approximately 3,400 students, many
of whom are service members and their families. Visit www.sunyjefferson.edu
for more information.
|
