Mechatronics Program at Motlow College Receives Accreditation

Five years of development, impressive outcomes, teamwork and diligence has paid off in a big way for the mechatronics program at Motlow State Community College. The program recently received a critical accreditation from the Association of Technology, Management, and Applied Engineering (ATMAE), a nationally recognized accrediting agency for technology programs within community colleges and universities.
The mechatronics program at Motlow began with the Level One certification in 2010, with the goal to build it into a two-year AAS (Associate of Applied Science) program while working to achieve accreditation. The AAS program began in 2012.
Over a dozen Motlow employees worked with the mechatronics staff to obtain the accreditation. Much documentation, research, success tracking, and data assembly was required, with assistance from supporting Motlow departments such as institutional research, human resources, library staff, and others.
Currently the mechatronics program has partnerships with Oakland High School in Murfreesboro and Warren County High School in McMinnville, with both schools offering dual enrollment credit and the Level One certification. The instructors at these schools possess the same qualifications as Motlow instructors.
The industry partnership list for the program is rapidly growing, including existing relationships with Bridgestone, Batesville Casket, and Jarden. Representatives from each of those companies are on the advisory board. Other company partners include Great Lakes Cheese, Nissan, Yorozu and more, with additional industry frequently coming to the program requesting involvement.