PASSHE Chancellor Fiorentino and President Wubah Tour Robotic WorX

Millersville University recently welcomed PASSHE Chancellor Dr. Christopher Fiorentino and Millersville President Dr. Daniel Wubah to the Department of Applied Engineering, Safety and Technology for a hands-on tour of the Robotic WorX program and Solutions Lab—an initiative that exemplifies Millersville’s commitment to applied learning, innovation, and workforce development.

Robotics Worx students welcomed Chancelor Fiorentino and Dr. Wubah to the lab on a recent visit.
Robotic WorX students welcomed Chancelor Fiorentino and Dr. Wubah to the lab on a November 10, 2025. Pictured (L to R) Ermias Wogari, Quinn Foura, Alex Nikkanen, Chancellor Fiorentino, Chris Shenberger, Dr. Wubah, John Bridgen, Isabella Persaud, Matt Way, and Dr. John Haughery

Robotic WorX is a collaborative workforce development and career exploration program that engages both high school and university students in solving real-world manufacturing challenges provided by regional industry partners. The program serves as a bridge between education and employment by deepening and broadening students’ experience in automation, robotics, and advanced manufacturing technologies while helping industry collaborators identify emerging talent and innovative solutions.

Describing the lab to Chancellor Fiorentino
John Bridgen gives Chancellor Fiorentino an overview of the Robotics Worx initiative and discusses the impacts that it is having on MU students and the region.

Through project-based learning, students work in multidisciplinary teams to design, build, and prove automation systems that address actual production or process needs. These experiences not only enhance technical and problem-solving skills but also expose students to the collaborative and iterative nature of modern engineering work.

During the Chancellor’s visit, students demonstrated projects involving robotic integration, machine vision, and industrial controls, highlighting how the program transforms classroom learning into professional readiness. The visit also included a tour of the Solutions Lab, where students apply their skills to develop proof-of-concept solutions to de-risk industry problems.

Student demonstrating a solution
Quinn Foura, high school student intern demonstrating a real-world problem that he is working on with the Robotic WorX program.
Student demonstrating modeling software
Alex Nikkanen, MU student, showing Chancellor Fiorentino the modelling that he is working on while solving a challenging problem for a well-known manufacturer.
Student showing off a model created to solve a manufacturing problem.
Chris Shenberger explains the geometry of a 3D model that was created to simulate a production challenge that a manufacturer brought to the team to solve.
Assembly problems discussed.
Hecmarys Cintron shows Chancellor Fiorentino the intricate parts that she is working with to solve a manufacturer’s problem in the lab.
Student showing Chancellor Fiorentino and Dr. Wubah coding
MU student Ben Weaver showing a complex coding project to Chancellor Fiorentino and Dr. Wubah.
Creating a lab training tool
Matthew Way, MU student, shows Dr. Fiorentino and Dr. Wubah an assembly that he is working on to modernize the automation and control laboratory at Millersville and beyond!

The Robotic WorX program showcased how Millersville University and the Department of Applied Engineering, Safety and Technology is cultivating the next generation of professionals while strengthening connections between education and industry across Pennsylvania.

By: Dr. John Haughery

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