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Harrisburg, Pa. – Harrisburg University of Science and Technology is pleased to announce the hire of Dr. Richard Pitts, Jr. who will serve as the Academic Program Lead for HU’s Advanced Manufacturing (ADMA) undergraduate degree program beginning the week of Jan. 24. 

Dr. Pitts joins HU from Morgan State University where he served previously as Interim Chairperson for the Industrial & Systems Engineering Department. In his new role, Dr. Pitts will continue to grow the University’s innovative ADMA program.

“Harrisburg University started its nation-wide search almost a year ago for an individual to guide the strategic direction, as well as the instructional and administrative functions, of the ADMA program,” said Harrisburg University President Dr. Eric Darr. “Dr. Pitts has an excellent track record in teaching and advising students, evaluating and mentoring faculty, and revising and expanding curricula aligned with workforce and market trends. I am confident HU’s ADMA program will continue to grow under the leadership of Dr. Pitts.”

Harrisburg University’s ADMA Program offers a unique combination of hands-on activities to deliver current technologies such as Robotics, System Integrations, Internet of Things (IoT), Simulation, Additive Manufacturing, Cloud Computing, Augmented Reality (AR), Big Data, Cybersecurity, Digital Twins, Compliant Robots, Industrial Networking, Material Testing, Nano Fabrication, and the mainstreaming of new processes.

The program, to be located in HU’s $100 million Education Center set to open in 2023, is centered around Industry 4.0 and prototyping, as well as hands-on activities and applied projects that provide a practical understanding of advanced manufacturing processes, equipment, software, and materials. 

“I look forward to working with new colleagues and becoming part of the HU team,” Dr. Pitts said of his pending arrival. “I also look forward to elevating the ADMA program by expanding the curriculum to include the skills and knowledge necessary for the management of advanced manufacturing systems. We will attract students and increase program numbers as we spark further interest in manufacturing and robotics such that our HU graduates can be significant assets for the manufacturing workforce in the U.S. and world.”

During his time at Morgan State, Dr. Pitts:

  • Led his department through the ABET accreditation process and achieved a six-year re-accreditation.
  • Increased graduation rates of the program and conducted community outreach.
  • Developed industry relations and partnerships to support student internships and employment.
  • Organized and recruited an external advisory group to improve teaching and research effectiveness.

Dr. Pitts served as the Founding Director of the Industrial Robotics & Automated Manufacturing (IRAM) Laboratory that provided hands-on experience for students within a flexible manufacturing and computer-integrated manufacturing environment. He served as the Faculty Advisor for NASA’s Lunabotics Robotics Mining Competition (RMC) and the Faculty Advisor for the Institute of Industrial & Systems Engineers Student Chapter. Early in his career at Morgan State, Dr. Pitts worked as a special project engineer to set up, operate, and manage the Automation & Robotics Laboratory within the School of Engineering.

He has also served as the Program Faculty Advisor for the PACE Program at Morgan State, was the Program Director of the AMP Math Bridge Program and served as the Program Director for the Pre-College Career Exploration in Engineering and Science Program.

Dr. Pitts earned his Ph.D. and M.S. degrees in Industrial Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University. He earned his B.S. degree in Industrial Engineering from Morgan State University.

For information about HU’s ADMA program, visit this link.

ABOUT HARRISBURG UNIVERSITY

Accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, Harrisburg University is a private nonprofit university offering bachelor and graduate degree programs in science, technology, and math fields. For more information on the University’s affordable demand-driven undergraduate and graduate programs, call 717-901-5146 or email, Connect@HarrisburgU.edu. Follow on Twitter (@HarrisburgU) and Facebook (Facebook.com/HarrisburgU).

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