HANCEVILLE, Ala. – Wallace State Community College’s Systems Engineering Technology (SET) degree program is about to expand, thanks to a $20,000 grant from the Institute for Digital Enterprise Advancement (IDEA). This money will be used to continue to develop the SET program and to support the development of an on-campus vocational training area, to improve the hands-on work areas for students.
IDEA Executive Director Chris Crumbly visited the Wallace State campus to provide assistance to the Computer Science department. He clearly explained the importance of the grant and the purpose of IDEA in promoting model-based systems engineering (MBSE) education.
“We knew that this model-based systems engineering was coming, but we also knew that not enough people knew how to do it, so we integrated IDEA into public schools. We’re looking to expand beyond where we started in Huntsville, and Wallace State was the next logical choice,” said Crumbly. “We were able to come up with a $20,000 grant to help the Computer Science department set up a learning lab based on work. Thanks to Congressman (Robert) Aderholt(, R-Alabama), who was able to give us additional funding to move this program to Wallace State, we know we can work with these students to have remote jobs here Hanceville and work with them. some of the high tech companies in Huntsville, with companies like Airbus down in Mobile, with locations in Atlanta and wherever there is a need for model systems engineering. We know we can do that from a distance and Wallace State helps showcase that ability. ”
It made clear how the grant opens up new opportunities for students to enter high-tech STEM careers without immigration.
“The most exciting thing about this grant is being able to prove that we can teach anywhere in Alabama,” Crumbly said. “These students can go to school where they live and be part of a high-tech STEM career. I think this is a great way to try right here in Hanceville.”
Wallace State Computer Science Department Chair Terry Ayers expressed enthusiasm for the grant, emphasizing the importance of the SET program in today’s evolving industry.
“We are one of the very few colleges in the state that offers a Systems Engineering Technology track,” Ayers said. “This program will save companies a lot of money by keeping one source of truth for complex projects. Instead of having five, 10 or even 100 different versions of what is true to purpose, systems engineers can rely on a single, up-to-date version, ensuring consistency across teams.Our first batch is set to graduate this coming year, and we hope to see the program you grow even more with this help.”
Ayers also explained that the ability for students to work remotely makes the program even more attractive.
“The work itself can be done remotely,” Ayers said. “Students can log into a secure system and maintain it at home or elsewhere, without needing to be on site with engineers.”
A program designed for the future of engineering
Wallace State’s SET program offers a focused two-year degree program for students interested in model-based systems engineering (MBSE). MBSE is a system that allows engineers to design, analyze and control complex systems with visual models, ensuring interoperability and reducing errors across industries such as aerospace, automotive and defense.
Students in the SET program learn essential computer programming, systems modeling and database skills needed to coordinate large-scale engineering projects. Courses give students hands-on experience with the tools needed for these roles. The program, developed in partnership with IDEA, equips students with skills that translate directly to high-demand positions in industries such as defense and aerospace, where accuracy and efficiency are critical.
Greg Knight is a computer science instructor and lead SET instructor in Wallace County. Knight emphasized how MBSE can reduce costs and shorten project times, especially in the defense and aerospace industries.
“As the systems have become more and more complex, the time to deploy them has increased to almost impossible,” Knight said. “Model-based Systems Engineering, which is what we teach here, allows companies to shorten timelines, save taxpayers’ money and still produce world-class defense and aerospace products. “
In the SET program at Wallace State, students have the option of pursuing a short-term certificate in the program after completing 12 hours of coursework in the coding languages of C++, Java and Python. In addition, industry partners play a key role in providing paid internships and internships to students, ensuring they gain real-world experience before entering the workforce.
The VETS collaboration increases the opportunities for veterans
Assistant Director of Training for Veterans, Engineering, Training and Software (VETS), Vernon James, was also on hand to provide assistance to Wallace State’s Computer Science Department. James said he sees the grant as an important opportunity to address the growing need for systems engineering skills.
“This grant is a wonderful opportunity to help build a broad supply base to meet the growing demand for model-based systems engineering across the state of Alabama and the nation,” said James. “It’s a growing field.”
VETS, based in Huntsville, works in partnership with IDEA and partners with educational institutions across the United States. VETS works closely with the federal government and the Department of Defense to prepare veterans for the jobs that are most needed in MBSE, ensuring they have the tools and skills needed to succeed. James, a product of the Department of Defense’s SkillBridge Program, shared how his experience shaped his journey in the industry.
“The SkillBridge program allowed me to study with VETS before coming on board as a full-time employee,” he said. “It has provided a bridge between my time in uniform and my work with industry. This grant will create more such opportunities for service members, helping them transition into high-tech careers by developing basic knowledge, from writing to industry-specific training, and I think it’s necessary.”
Students in Wallace State’s SET program are prepared for flexible career opportunities, including the ability to work remotely for high-tech companies. Whether employed in aerospace or defense, systems engineering professionals play an important role in ensuring the success of complex engineering projects.
For more information about Wallace State’s Systems Engineering Technology program, visit www.wallacestate.edu/set or contact Greg Knight at 256-352-8158 or gregory.knight@wallacestate.edu.
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