When Millard Fill-more College and American Axle & Manufacturing (AAM) began drafting conceptual blueprints in 1999 for UB's University Study in the Workplace program-designed to provide AAM associates with the opportunity for on-site education-both parties were relatively certain of one thing: if such a program were built, people would come.

Now in its second semester, the initiative serves AAM's Tonawanda Forge plant, with more than 800 associates, and the Buffalo plant, with roughly 2,000 associates-and plans are in the works to include some 100 associates at the company's newest facility in Cheektowaga. With enrollment up to 62 from last semester, the program has proven anything but fortuitous in its marriage of industry and university. And while not new in higher education, the triad of labor, management and university is a singular presence in the Buffalo area, says Larry Gingrich, assistant dean for continuing education and summer sessions at MFC. Gingrich, who drew up the proposal, brings to the table a host of experiences in such partnerships, having worked as director for continuing education at the Pennsylvania State University on similar projects with Hershey Foods Corp., IBM, AMP Inc. and other companies.

Part of AAM's interest in bringing UB into its workplace, Gingrich explains, was the product of changing corporate hands. In 1994, General Motors sold off what now is known as AAM's Tonawanda Forge and Buffalo plants. Many employees who were offered incentive packages retired, which in turn, provided opportunities for employment for others at the plants.

	Gary Hummel, a die sinker with American Axle & Manufacturing’s Tonawanda Forge plant and a member of the Industrial Association of Machinists (IAM) DS-490, is enrolled in Millard Fillmore College’s University Study in the Workplace program.
	Photo: Sue Tzetzo

"A lot of the people who came in to replace them were young," says Gingrich. "People who came into the plant to work there never envisioned working at a manufacturing plant. But many of them have an interest in furthering their education."

A division of the Office of Public Service and Urban Affairs, MFC has been able to seize upon the interest of the non-traditional student through its unique model of community outreach-integrating as a major component UB's distance-learning technology, which has brought college-education opportunities to individuals who otherwise might not have taken advantage. It also has proven beneficial for AAM, among whose initiatives is to "continually upgrade the skills and knowledge of our associates," according to Marc Farrell, joint activities representative for the United Auto Workers, which represents workers at the plants.

"We're trying to promote lifelong learning," Farrell says, noting that AAM felt "MFC would give us flexibility and support in the short- and long-term" toward achieving that goal.

Gingrich was approached nearly two years ago by Mark Hoeber, an educational development counselor for AAM's plants who represents MFC at the company. Hoeber was interested in setting up an on-site education program for associates who, through the UAW Local 846 (Tonawanda Forge) and Local 424 (Buffalo) bargaining agreement, are eligible for tuition assistance. The program, called TAP (Tuition Assistance Program)-not to be confused with the New York State program of the same name-affords associates $4,200 annually toward furthering their education.

After extensive planning, which included surveying associates in order to best meet their needs, University Study in the Workplace arrived at AAM last semester. The program envisions its enrollees gradually "stepping up" to a degree-with "rewards and milestones along the way" to keep associates pursuing their educational goals, Gingrich says. For some, that might be a specialty certificate; for others an associate's or bachelor's degree.

To help accomplish that, MFC offers an individualized major program. "(Associates) can meet with one of our MFC advisors, sit down and design their own degree program," Gingrich says, explaining that in addition to providing instruction for the associates, MFC also offers academic support and student services.

"Once they enroll in a course, they become a UB student," Gingrich says of the AAM associates. "And they have all the benefits and advantages of a UB student." Those benefits include information sessions, admissions processing, financial aid and registration-all of which is accomplished at the plants.

A major piece of the overall curriculum is the inclusion of distance-learning technology.

"Individuals can continue their education without leaving the workplace through our distance-learning technology-with courses on site, through the Internet and also telecourses," explains Susan Marchione, MFC marketing coordinator, who adds that MFC's distance-learning team provides ongoing support to associates enrolled in Web-based courses.

And given that each of AAM's facilities has distance-learning classrooms capable of communicating with UB, Gingrich says he is eager to roll out interactive video courses as well.

But perhaps the No. 1 driver behind this newly formed partnership is accommodating associates whose schedules might very well preclude them from enrolling in an on-campus course. As Joan Bukowski, Tonawanda Forge Skills Center administrator and TAP advisement counselor, points out: "People do move from shift to shift during the semester, (while) also shuffling family responsibilities."

UAW Local 846 electrician Joe Pellegrino is one such example, working the third shift-11 p.m. to 7:30 a.m.-at the Tonawanda Forge plant.

"Being that (class is) there makes it a lot easier," says Pellegrino, who last semester completed Introductory Algebra. "If I had to go to take just one class at a big campus, that would make it tough," he adds, explaining that he has to accommodate overtime hours, as well as a changing schedule.

This semester, he's taking the follow-up four-credit course, Intermediate Algebra. Pellegrino says he hopes to build up his math skills in preparation for engineering courses-and possibly a degree-down the line.

Through MFC, American Axle associates this semester also can enroll in three-credit courses in Writing Skills, Microcomputer Applications I or II, Human Nutrition and Introductory Psychology.

"We want to make it as convenient as we possibly can," Gingrich says, "but we don't cut them a break on the academics-it's as hard as it is anywhere else."

MFC's relationship with AAM also serves as a resource during times of unemployment. Associates affected by recent temporary layoffs at the plants now have the opportunity to concentrate on furthering their education.

Gingrich says no matter the circumstance, MFC's role is promoting-and providing-education.

"Adults want a plan," he notes. "You've got to show them a path, you've got to deliver.

"This is not a job requirement-these are people who smell a future and want to go after it."

As for building on the American Axle partnership to include others in the community, Gingrich says MFC is interested in meeting those needs and filling that niche.

"Millard Fillmore College is definitely interested in developing educational partnerships with organizations and expanding its outreach services so that we can offer lifelong learning to all citizens in Western New York," he says.