Posted on Tuesday, October 06, 2026
LaGrange College has been awarded a $1.88 million grant through the U.S. Department of Education’s Strengthening Institutions Program to launch its 21st Century Workforce Readiness Program. The initiative will strengthen STEM education, improve college readiness, and expand pathways to high-demand careers.
The $1.88 million award represents the first year of funding for a five-year program expected to receive $3 million in total support.
Congressman Brian Jack highlighted the award's impact on workforce development in west Georgia.
“I am honored to deliver an initial $1.88 million federal investment in STEM education and workforce development at LaGrange College,” said Jack. “This funding will help grow the Manufacturing Engineering Technology program to prepare students for skills-based careers across our part of Georgia.”
“We’re grateful to Congressman Jack for his support of the College and his efforts to help secure this funding,” said Dr. Susanna L. Baxter, president of LaGrange College. “This investment will have a transformative impact on our students and our region. We are committed to helping students develop in-demand skills, gain meaningful hands-on experience, and pursue careers that strengthen their communities. This grant allows us to deepen that commitment for future generations of students.”
Located in one of Georgia's major manufacturing corridors, LaGrange College serves a region that is home to global companies including Kia Georgia, Duracell, Hyundai Transys, Hyundai Mobis, Interface, Kimberly-Clark, Mauser Packaging, Milliken, Sewon, and Seoyone E-Hwa.
Together, these industries continue to drive economic growth throughout west Georgia while creating demand for highly skilled professionals in engineering, manufacturing, technology, business, and related fields.
The College's Manufacturing Engineering Technology (MET) program was developed in response to conversations with regional employers seeking graduates prepared for high-demand careers in advanced manufacturing and emerging technologies. The new federal investment will help expand those efforts while strengthening partnerships with employers across the region.
The grant will support the creation of advanced laboratory facilities for hands-on STEM learning. New labs supporting manufacturing methods, engineering physics, plastics and injection molding, and metals manufacturing will provide students with direct access to equipment and technologies used in modern industry settings.
More broadly, the 21st Century Workforce Readiness Program will expand internships, co-ops, apprenticeships, clinical placements, and other experiential learning opportunities that connect classroom learning with real-world applications.
New partnerships with employers and expanded academic advisory councils will help students better understand the career opportunities in their chosen fields while keeping academic programs aligned with evolving workforce needs.
The initiative will also improve college readiness through enhanced mathematics support, summer bridge programming, faculty development, and targeted interventions for students entering rigorous STEM, business, and healthcare programs. These efforts are designed to improve retention and help more students successfully complete gateway mathematics courses that serve as foundations for academic and professional success.
This award reflects the partnerships that connect LaGrange College with employers, community organizations, and public leaders throughout west Georgia. The College is grateful to Georgia's federal delegation and the industry and community partners whose collaboration helped shape this initiative and continues to create pathways for students and the region.
Implementation of the program will begin immediately, with hiring, faculty development, workforce partnership expansion, and facility planning activities launching during the first year of the grant. STEM laboratory construction and equipment installation are expected to begin in 2027.
Category: Events, Academics, Students, College, Community
Keywords: Manufacturing Engineering Technology
