HARRISBURG, PA — Harrisburg University of Science and Technology’s (HU) Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics (ADMA) program has received a $30,000 grant from the Gene Haas Foundation (GHF) – the private family foundation of Gene Haas, founder and owner of Haas Automation, Haas F1, and Haas Factory Racing – to support student scholarships and experiential learning opportunities, including student competition teams.
This is the fifth consecutive grant award that Dr. Richard Pitts, Jr., department chair and program lead for Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics, has received for the ADMA program from the Foundation since Fall 2022, totaling more than $119,000. The ongoing partnership reflects the Foundation’s commitment to computer numerical control (CNC) and machining education, as well as HU’s role in workforce development for advanced manufacturing.
“We are deeply grateful for the Gene Haas Foundation’s investment in our students and our manufacturing program,” said Dr. Pitts. “By combining industry-aligned skills with hands-on learning in our smart factory, robotics, 3D printing, machining, PLC/electronics, and CAD/CAM and simulation labs, HU provides students with the knowledge and practical experience needed to thrive in advanced manufacturing careers. This solid partnership strengthens the workforce pipeline across Pennsylvania and helps ensure that students are prepared for the high-demand, high-wage jobs of today and the opportunities of the future.”
Grant Purpose and Immediate Impacts
The Haas Foundation grant will be used to fund scholarships and support student competition teams that give ADMA students practical, project-based experience in CNC machining and related technologies. “We were able to award scholarships to each ADMA student this school year. Scholarships can be life-changing for students by easing financial burdens, reducing the need to work long hours outside of their studies, and helping cover essential expenses such as meals, textbooks, lab supplies, and other educational costs,” said Dr. Pitts.
“Receiving scholarships has had a significant impact on my educational journey,” said Kiana Hemphill, a first-year ADMA student. “For a long time, I was unsure whether college was the right path for me because I was concerned about the financial burden. The scholarships and grants I have received have helped make college possible and have allowed me to attend Harrisburg University without taking on debt. Knowing that a portion of my education is already funded has relieved a great deal of stress and allowed me to focus on my academics, career goals, and personal growth rather than worrying about how I would pay for school.”
The NASA Lunabotics Robotics Competition is a prime example of the sort of experiential learning opportunities unlocked by grants like this one. In 2024, HU’s inaugural Lunabotics team secured two awards at the qualifying event in Orlando, FL: an Honorable Mention for their STEM Engagement, as well as the coveted Best Presentation by a First-Year Team Award. This year, if selected, the robotics team is hoping to compete again in the 2027 NASA Lunabotics Challenge.
Why Haas Supports Advanced Manufacturing in PA
Gene Haas Foundation grants are aimed at expanding access to CNC and advanced manufacturing education, sponsoring teams in competitive engineering events, and supporting teacher training and lab development. The Foundation has a long history of supporting post-secondary and technical programs through scholarships, lab funding, and the Haas Technical Education Community (HTEC).
“I am a current freshman and [already] have a manufacturing background from working an internship … which has been incredibly rewarding,” Kiana continued. “The internship helped connect classroom learning to real-world applications and introduced me to opportunities that have shaped my career path and I discovered a passion for manufacturing engineering that I never knew I had. Today, I work as a manufacturing engineering apprentice at JLG while attending Harrisburg University and studying Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics.
“In my role, I assist with process improvements, tooling, and equipment development. These experiences have helped me develop both technical and professional skills while working on projects that have a real impact on manufacturing operations. In the future, I hope to continue growing within the manufacturing and engineering industry, expanding my knowledge, and improving how products are designed and produced. The ADMA program gave me the foundation and opportunities that helped me make those goals possible.”
Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics at HU
Harrisburg University offers a four-year Bachelor of Science in Advanced Manufacturing and Robotics: a distinctively hands-on degree that combines machining, robotics, automation, and additive manufacturing. The program operates a smart-factory environment with industrial and collaborative robotic platforms and a suite of industrial-scale 3D printers and machining centers, engaging students in real-world projects and industry collaboration. The program’s experiential focus equips graduates with the technical and applied problem-solving skills employers seek in modern manufacturing roles.
Dr. Pitts concluded: “Support from the Gene Haas Foundation expands opportunities for students to engage in real-world industry experiences and helps HU develop the skilled workforce needed to drive growth in today’s manufacturing economy. Employers appreciate that our ADMA graduates can bridge the gap between theory and practice, applying their technical knowledge and problem-solving abilities to address real-world manufacturing challenges.”
ABOUT THE GENE HAAS FOUNDATION
The Gene Haas Foundation focuses on supporting CNC and machining education, scholarships, team sponsorships for competition organizations and teams that highlight manufacturing technology, CNC teacher training, and the Naming Program/Endorsement of the highest-quality CNC training labs in North America and Europe. The Foundation operates grant programs and the Haas Technical Education Community (HTEC) to help scale advanced manufacturing education nationally and internationally.
ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology (HU) is an independent, nonprofit university in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, offering degrees in advanced manufacturing, analytics, biotechnology, cybersecurity, nursing, and other STEM fields. Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, HU serves a diverse student body through bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral programs that link research with practical application. Learn more at HarrisburgU.edu or stay in the know by following Harrisburg University on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and YouTube.
MEDIA CONTACT
Do you have questions about this story? Interested in lining up an interview? Contact Dan Wilhelm, director of communications, at DWilhelm@HarrisburgU.edu.
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