College Relations

CONTACT --- Karen Cady at 978-542-7503 or karen.cady@salemstate.edu

SALEM, Mass. - In observation of the national "Education in the Workforce Week," School of Business faculty and administrators at Salem State College will unveil a prototype for the college's most advanced technology-supported classroom at 10 a.m. Wednesday, Aug.21. This project addresses the growing need to meet the ever-increasing information technology requirements necessary to educate a 21st century workforce.

What's being referred to as a "smart classroom," will be open for invited guests at 10 a.m. on the first floor of the Harrington Building on the college's South Campus. The classroom, which will eventually be relocated to the new School of Business in the renovated Central Campus, is considered one of the state's pilot facilities to enhance the Commonwealth's overall workforce development initiatives. The event,"Higher Education for the 21st Century Workforce; Technology Support at Salem State College, " will feature demonstrations and will include lunch at the college's Enterprise Center.

The classroom is funded by part of a $4.8 million Title III grant. The balance of the federal money, secured by Rep. John Tierney of Salem, will support additional technology-related initiatives to upgrade the college's music and environmental science programs. Representatives from Senator Edward Kennedy's office are among the invited guests.

"This is a real benefit to the college and the community," said Rob Paterson, Chief Information Officer at Salem State. "This will allow us to train the local workforce with more competitive and computer and information management capabilities. In turn, our students will graduate with a higher confidence level and self-esteem, a real benefit to the marketplace. These individuals will enhance and grow the economic base of the North Shore."

For more information, contact Cynthia McGurren at 978- 542-6887.