Communiversity

WHAT IS THE COMMUNIVERSITY?

• Educational training space designed and equipped to foster higher order learning and skills acquisition in a collaborative environment.
• The needs of industry, workers and economic development are integrated and addressed in a cycle of knowledge expansion, innovation, and action.
• Unofficially known as the "Communiversity," the name reflects the related missions of each entity present: University reflects higher order learning and critical thinking; Community reflects the objectives that address the needs of all stakeholders.
• The CMTE 2.0 will be a model of innovation for programs everywhere in the nation.
• Locating the facility at the gateway of the Golden Triangle Global Industrial Aerospace Park puts the CMTE 2.0 at the heart of the region’s industry.

• Carl Hogan Toyota donates Corollas to EMCC Automotive program
• Dr. Scott Alsobrooks: Rising demand for 'middle skills jobs'
• EMCC Truck Driving graduate driven to succed
• EMCC to host Digital Symposium, LAN party
• EMCC’s Steps to Success program awarded fourth grant
• CMTE 2.0 nearing completion
• EMCC hosts Peco Foods job fair 
• EMCC to host LAN party 
• EMCC’s Scooba campus to offer night welding courses
•  Programs to address worker shortage in construction trades
• EMCC brings home gold in national SkillsUSA Championships
• County supervisors tout CMTE 2.0 as economic driver
• State legislators, officials tour CMTE 2.0 and Student Union
• EMCC avionics, cabling graduates
• EMCC partnering to launch Choctaw tribe Hackathon
• EMCC students soaring in aerospace manufacturing programs
• Federal officials tour ‘Communiversity’
• EMCC student overcomes adversity to earn GED
• EMCC recognizes area business and industry partners at annual luncheon 

ADVANTAGES OF THE COMMUNIVERSITY

• Marketable training space that provides flexibility for industry recruitment.
• Branded opportunity for industry growth, industry attraction, and student recruitment.
• Bridge the gap between K-12, Community College, University, and Industry.
• Commitment to state-of-the-art, industry-driven, instruction and equipment.

The two-story structure under construction between East Mississippi Community College’s Golden Triangle campus and the PACCAR plant is easily visible to passing motorists traveling along U.S. Highway 82.

It is obvious to passersby that the campus that will house EMCC’s “Communiversity” won’t conform to the traditional square-block, brick-and-mortar architecture prominent throughout the Southeast.

“The style will be very modern,” said PryorMorrow’s Michael W. Taylor, the architect of record for the Communiversity, a large-scale workforce training center that will offer credit and non-credit courses to students seeking careers in advanced manufacturing. “We were told EMCC wanted something that would impress visitors. As much as we all like traditional architecture, it doesn’t really impress people from other countries.

“For this project, our goal was to really step up our game with a level of architecture that is on par with the rest of the world.”   

The modern theme dovetails with the building’s purpose. The Communiversity will house credit and non-credit courses related to training students for careers in advanced manufacturing. The facility will boast state-of-the art equipment needed to prepare students to work in high-tech industries.

Automation & Control, Electro-Mechanical Technology/Mechantronics and Precision Machining and Manufacturing are just a few of the programs that will be offered at the new, 145,638-square-foot, $42 million facility that is expected to open in late 2018 or early 2019. 

The main building will feature sweeping, curved lines and a wall of glass that faces outward, with a large open space inside for exhibits by local industries to showcase their products. Students from area schools will be able to tour the building and learn about the technology that goes into making the various products.

There will be classrooms, computer labs, and office space on the second floor, with student lounge areas scattered throughout the building.

“Common spaces will have different elements that will enhance the space and really reinforce the idea of technology and collaboration,” Taylor said.

Much of the student training will take place in 21 high-bay laboratories designed to allow the easy access for the setup and removal of heavy machinery like that used by area manufacturers. Most of the bays will be housed inside two, single story wings that will intersect the main building at 45-degree angles.

“We worked pretty hard on making things as transparent as possible,” Taylor said. “We jumped on every opportunity we could to put glass inside so you could see activity going on in the different rooms. When the building is being used to its full purpose, it is going to be buzzing with activity. No matter where you are at, you will be able to look into classrooms and see people learning. The idea is to make the whole facility stimulating and buzzing with activity.

“The project was fun for us because this was the first time in a long time we could really step out of the box and do something exciting. I think it is going to draw a lot of attention because it is different than what is around this area.”