Dr. Kenneth Lawson, President
Columbia Gorge Community College

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Online via Zoom

Thursday
February 12, 2026

Join us for an upcoming Community Affairs conversation featuring Dr. Kenneth Lawson, President of Columbia Gorge Community College, as he shares exciting updates on workforce innovation and regional industry collaboration.

Dr. Lawson will highlight the launch of CGCC’s new Industrial Training and Assessment Center (ITAC) — a state-of-the-art resource designed to help small- and medium-sized manufacturers improve efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen the technical workforce across the Columbia Gorge.

Supported by a $1.97 million federal grant from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Manufacturing and Energy Supply Chains (MESC), the ITAC provides hands-on training, applied problem-solving, and real-world projects focused on productivity, energy use, and process improvements for regional manufacturers.
 

The new lab focuses on:
• Additive manufacturing
• Laser sintering
• Rapid prototyping
• Expanding access to advanced tools often out of reach for smaller firms
By connecting students, faculty, and industry partners, the center helps accelerate innovation while creating clear pathways into high-demand technical careers right here in our region.

Join us via Zoom to learn how education, industry, and innovation are coming together to support workforce development and strengthen our local economy.

For past guests recordings click HERE