June 6, 2024

Ferris State automotive programs earn National Science Foundation grant to help prepare students for careers in sustainable transportation

National Science Foundation Grant Automotive Professor Patrick English — School of Automotive and Heavy Equipment Professor Patrick English is a co-principal investigator preparing a new Associate of Applied Science Degree in Sustainable Transportation Service, thanks to a $350,000, three-year grant from the National Science Foundation.

BIG RAPIDS, Mich. —

A National Science Foundation grant will help Ferris State University automotive students gain skills in the rapidly evolving field of vehicles relying on green energy.

Ferris State’s School of Automotive and Heavy Equipment programs will use a $350,000 National Science Foundation Advanced Technology Education grant to develop an Associate of Applied Science degree in Sustainable Transportation Service Technology.

Professor Patrick English secured the three-year award, with assistant professor Jeremy Themm as his co-principal investigator. The grant will be used to acquire testing equipment and develop the curriculum for our degree and certificate programs.

“In this country and around the world, automotive fleets are changing to green-based energy and these students will be familiar with and capable to service components related to that technology,” English said. “Our instruction will achieve certification from the Society of Automotive Engineers, so graduates might put their skills to use in the United States and abroad.”

English said beyond the two-year Sustainable Transportation Service curriculum, the department will develop and offer a one-year certificate program to help working technicians build specific maintenance skills related to electric vehicle drivetrains.

English previously secured NSF support for his role as a regional advisor in the NEVTEX NEXT (Northwest Engineering and Vehicle Technology Exchange) to assist electric vehicle training programs at four state-funded schools in Michigan and a technical college in South Carolina.

He said the work on green technology will complement existing programs.

“Students are focused on and interested in building their skills maintaining vehicles with traditional internal combustion systems,” English said. “We know this new technology emphasis will excite the students and faculty in regional educational service centers and other K-12 programs. We hope to bring in enough students for Sustainable Transportation Service to support the program after our grant term ends.”

Office of Research and Sponsored Programs Director Thomas Dowling said the Foundation grant awards for electric vehicles support university goals.

“We are proud to have received this federal funding to further Ferris’ significant, long-standing contributions in workforce development and sustainability,” Dowling said. “Our office is pleased that Dr. English’s efforts will bring the Automotive program the latest in technology and training, both for students and professionals in the field.”

Ferris State’s Automotive program is a top choice for candidates to staff service departments, fleet maintenance operations, and private car care centers, with a similar stature among vehicle and parts manufacturing corporations for the university’s Automotive Engineering Technology graduates.