Allegheny College announced Tuesday the accreditation of its Allegheny Lab for Innovation and Creativity (ALIC) branch campus by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Located with the Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County on Bessemer Street, ALIC @ Bessemer solidifies Allegheny’s commitment to leveraging liberal arts education in workforce development and advanced manufacturing, college officials said in an email announcing the accreditation.
Officials said ALIC @ Bessemer integrates traditional liberal arts education focused on the development of critical thinking, problem-solving and interdisciplinary learning with practical workforce training in high-demand sectors for adult learners.
“The accreditation of ALIC @ Bessemer is a claim on the future of higher education and its role in strengthening communities,” said Allegheny President Ron Cole.
For more than 200 years, Allegheny has been a leader in developing innovative educational models, officials said. ALIC @ Bessemer expands opportunities for workforce-focused education for nontraditional students in northwestern Pennsylvania and also creates new avenues for collaboration between the college’s faculty, staff, students and the broader community.
“This initiative also allows our traditional students to engage with hands-on, industry-driven learning experiences while reinforcing the value of liberal arts education in an evolving job market,” Cole explains. “By embracing workforce development and manufacturing education, we are building a stronger regional economy and ensuring that Allegheny College is relevant and accessible to a diverse range of learners.”
ALIC @ Bessemer already has made significant strides in this direction, piloting industry-relevant training in software programs like Mastercam and Solidworks; developing hands-on coursework in Additive Manufacturing; and designing courses in close collaboration with regional manufacturing industry experts. Now as a branch campus of Allegheny, ALIC @ Bessemer is positioned to further expand its offerings by providing a unique blend of hands-on training and critical thinking.
Future plans that support research and development will provide distinct opportunities for Allegheny students. From use-inspired research to marrying ideas with production, the facility will soon enable students to augment their studies in real-world applications, with the potential to work in innovative solutions with regional manufacturers.
Due to a decline in the number of traditional college-aged students across the higher education industry — a phenomenon known as the “demographic cliff” — many institutions have been forced to rethink their models of education. ALIC @ Bessemer positions Allegheny to thrive despite this shift by serving the professional development and adult education needs within the surrounding community. Its approach also demonstrates how colleges can successfully adapt by adding workforce-driven learning opportunities to more traditional offerings.
The accreditation of ALIC @ Bessemer is also a significant win for Crawford County and the state, according to officials. As a region with deep industrial roots and a growing need for skilled workers, the county stands to benefit from ALIC’s role in helping to prepare the next generation of workforce-ready professionals. ALIC @ Bessemer will fuel economic development by strengthening the local job market and attracting new business investment, officials said.
“This is a game-changer for our region,” said Elisabeth Smith, CEO of Acutec Precision Aerospace. “Having an accredited branch campus of a top-ranked national college in Meadville, focused on advanced manufacturing, provides students and workers with valuable opportunities for education and career advancement. It also signals to the manufacturing industry that rural Pennsylvania is dedicated to equipping its workforce with the skills needed to thrive in the global marketplace.”
“The launch of ALIC@Bessemer was made possible by building partnerships with local industry and importantly with the Economic Progress Alliance of Crawford County who serves an important role in this work,” Cole said.
Allegheny will officially unveil ALIC @ Bessemer to the public during a two-day celebration starting April 24 with a ribbon-cutting, facility tour and featured speakers, followed by an open house and additional happenings April 25.