About Us
MNCEME is a consortium of academic institutions led by Minnesota State University, Mankato, in conjunction with ten two-year colleges located throughout Minnesota. Membership includes: Alexandria Technical College, Alexandria; Anoka Technical College, Anoka; Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie campuses; Normandale Community College, Bloomington; South Central College, North Mankato and Faribault campuses; and the five colleges of the Northeast Higher Education District: Hibbing Community College, Hibbing; Itasca Community College, Grand Rapids; Mesabi Range Community and Technical College; Eveleth and Virginia campuses; Vermillion Community College, Ely; and Rainy River Community College, International Falls.
The Center serves industry as a first-contact resource for continuing education, emerging technology and the development of future workers by promoting opportunities for students to pursue science, technology, engineering and math as career fields.
Vision
Maximize Minnesota’s manufacturing competitiveness through innovation
Mission
The Minnesota Center for Engineering & Manufacturing Excellence leads and stimulates innovative collaboration among industry, education and allied organizations to equip Minnesota manufacturers with an educated workforce to compete worldwide.
Core Values
Outward Focus
Collaborative Relationships
Transformative Processes
Respectful Candor
Resource Stewardship
Culture of Learning
Call to Excellence
Strategic Goal 1
Lead collaborative efforts to increase pipeline flow across the full spectrum of people pursuing or employed in STEM career paths.
Strategic Goal 2
Assist Minnesota Industry in meeting critical technical needs of the 21st century.
Industry Profile
Several years ago, the leaders at Honeywell developed a successful, yet simple, approach to doing business. They called it the “value creation model.” The value creation model states that a manufacturer creates value for its stakeholders by increasing revenues and reducing costs. Plain and simple. However, there is a catch. The only way to increase revenues and reduce costs is through employees who are innovative and empowered to bring about change. That’s where the Minnesota Center for Engineering and Manufacturing Excellence (MNCEME) comes in. Read more.
Staff
Dr. Ronald Bennett, Executive Director
Dr. Bennett has more than 40 years experience as a scientist, engineer, business executive, educator and leader working in both industry and academia. He was instrumental in introducing innovation processes and leading change in manufacturing, engineering and quality in the electronics and medical device industries. In 1993, he applied his experience and comprehensive understanding of industry in a new way and began teaching at the University of St. Thomas.
With input from industry, Bennett developed undergraduate engineering programs, resulting in the formation of the University of St. Thomas School of Engineering, one of only three new engineering schools established in the United States in the past decade. Bennett was named Founding Dean of the School.
Receiving his PhD in metallurgy and an MS in metallurgical engineering from the University of Minnesota, Bennett completed an MBA from the University of St. Thomas in 1980.
Bennett also works to support manufacturing and engineering on a national level. He served as an organizer of a national forum this year on Manufacturing Education Leadership through the Society of Manufacturing Engineers (SME) and as a SME representative on the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET, the official accrediting body for engineering programs. He is a published author on innovation, engineering ethics, leadership, reshaping graduate engineering education and industry/academic partnerships.
Contact: ronald.bennett@mnsu.edu
Judith Brunner Evans, Associate Executive Director
Judith has served in the non-profit sector developing and directing marketing and communications strategies for nearly 20 years. She served as Director of Admissions and Communications for Loyola Catholic School, Mankato, and Communications Director for the School Sisters of Notre Dame during the height of their national and international attention in the study of aging and Alzheimer’s disease.
Contact: judith.evans@mnsu.edu
Laura Jackson, Executive Administrative Assistant
Laura has served in private sector for over 20 years specializing in customer service and administration. Most recently she was employed by Coloplast Corp., North Mankato. Prior employment includes Pepsi Cola, Burnsville.
Contact: laura.jackson-1@mnsu.edu
Jim Mecklenburg, Project Lead the Way Program Director
Jim Mecklenburg serves as Program Director for Project Lead the Way, a key Center for Excellence middle and high school program. Nationally established, the program is intended to help schools give students the knowledge they need to excel in the high-tech fields of engineering and manufacturing. Jim brings 31 years of experience in education as a teacher, special needs facilitator and administrator to the position. He has served as state supervisor for career and technical education in the trades and industry areas at the Minnesota Department of Education for nearly seven years. Since 1999, Jim has served as Minnesota State Leader in Minnesota for Project Lead the Way.
Contact: james.mecklenburg@mnsu.edu
Dennis Siemer, Advisory Board Chair
Dennis Siemer is President of V-Tek Inc., an international pioneer in the development and manufacturing of electronic component packaging and processing solutions. Committed to the growth of engineering and manufacturing careers, he has advised both university and college engineering and manufacturing technology programs. Under Mr. Siemer’s leadership the Center has forged new relationships with industry and impacted educational programs.
Contact: d.siemer@vtekusa.com
