Austin Community College District (ACC) Dean of Advanced Manufacturing Dr. Laura Marmolejo has been recognized with the prestigious Ally in Workforce Award at the 2025 Austin Regional Manufacturers Association (ARMA) ARMIES Awards. Sponsored by Regions Bank, this year’s ceremony introduced the Ally in Workforce Award to honor individuals who have made a significant impact in strengthening the manufacturing workforce in Central Texas.
Leading the Way in Workforce Training
Dr. Marmolejo was selected for her work in advancing manufacturing education and workforce training at ACC. Under her leadership, ACC has secured strong industry and government partnerships and more than $13 million in funding to expand its semiconductor training programs and manufacturing facilities:
- Partnered with Merit America and America’s Frontier Fund Foundation to strengthen the nation’s semiconductor workforce, expanding training and career opportunities in this critical industry.
- Received a first-of-its-kind national certification from the National Institute for Industry and Career Advancement (NIICA) for a curriculum that monitors how well it adapts to meet the evolving needs of the semiconductor and advanced manufacturing sectors.
- $7.5 million from the U.S. Department of Defense through a DARPA grant to establish the Semiconductor Training Center, expand the Semiconductor Technician Advanced Rapid Start (STARS) program, and develop new industry-aligned training.
- $3.7 million in funding to develop the Semiconductor Training Center in partnership with The University of Texas and the Texas Institute for Electronics (TIE).
- $1.5 million in congressional funding to enhance ACC’s semiconductor programs by acquiring new training equipment and upgrading facilities.
- $250,000 from the NXP Foundation to fund equipment for the new NXP Semiconductors Advanced Manufacturing Lab at ACC Highland and establish the NXP Foundation Endowed Scholarship.
- $200,000 from Samsung Austin Semiconductor to invest in the equipment needed to offer the STARS program at the Round Rock Campus.
The College also collaborates with companies such as Samsung and Applied Materials to align the curriculum with workforce demands, offering pathways that lead to well-paying jobs in manufacturing.
ACC’s Advanced Manufacturing Program provides a flexible, stackable pathway for students to skill up or gain new expertise to advance in their careers. Students receive hands-on training in cutting-edge facilities from a six-week certificate to an associate degree or pursuing a Bachelor of Applied Technology in Manufacturing Engineering Technology.
To learn more about ACC’s manufacturing programs, visit austincc.edu/manufacturing.