SUNY Chancellor King Joins SUNY Polytechnic Institute Leadership and Researchers to Celebrate Expansion of Premier Semiconductor Processing and Training Center
July 11, 2024
Under Governor Hochul’s Leadership, New York Invested $20 Million to Establish "Semiconductor Processing to Packaging Research, Education, and Training Center"
Utica, NY – State University of New York Chancellor John B. King Jr. joined researchers, faculty, and students today for a site tour and celebration of the development of SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s Semiconductor Processing to Packaging Research, Education, and Training Center. Under the leadership of Governor Kathy Hochul, New York has invested $20 million in the facility, including $4 million from an Empire State Development Grant, and an additional $16 million investment in SUNY Poly’s College of Engineering.
Over the past two years, SUNY Poly has also benefitted from New York’s historic increase in direct state tax support receiving $6.3 million for the 2023/24 and 2024/25 academic years, a nearly 57% increase in operating aid. This includes $235,000 to fund paid internships for SUNY Poly students – a key pillar of SUNY’s commitment to economic development and upward mobility.
Last November, Governor Hochul and Chancellor King announced a $44 million investment in the university, which in addition to funding the semiconductor center, will allow SUNY Poly to expand its health science wing, update nursing labs, and create a robotics and advanced manufacturing lab.
SUNY Poly is perfectly positioned to drive workforce training and degree attainment in the Mohawk Valley, a critically strategic location for the semiconductor industry’s growth. The global market for semiconductors is expected to hit $1 trillion by 2030.
Through a rigorous curriculum, the Center will provide theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience that will prepare students for the jobs of the future. The Center will allow for both silicon device processing and packaging.
"SUNY’s research enterprise is a driving force in New York’s economy, and the workforce of tomorrow is training across the university system," said SUNY Chancellor King. "With this increased investment and new facility, SUNY Poly is well positioned to expand semiconductor research and training. We look forward to celebrating the opening of the Center with our students and faculty in the near future."
Empire State Development President, CEO & Commissioner Hope Knight said, "ESD is proud to support SUNY Poly in building a 21st century industry talent pipeline through this expanded Semiconductor Processing to Packaging Research, Education and Training Center. Thanks to our strategic investments and incentives, workforce development goals and our unrivaled educational institutions, New York State is home to a booming semiconductor ecosystem that will continue to create jobs and opportunity."
Today, Chancellor King was joined by SUNY Board Trustee Giovanni Harvey, SUNY Poly President Winston Soboyejo, Senator Joseph A. Griffo, and Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon, as well as students on campus conducting summer research internship projects.
SUNY Poly’s Summer Undergraduate Research program, which provides paid internship opportunities, was expanded this year through the SUNY Chancellor’s Summer Research Excellence Fund. SUNY Poly has a record 33 students participating in the program, with 19 participating due to the Chancellor’s fund. Across SUNY, there are nearly 200 SUNY students participating in paid research internships through the Chancellor’s Summer Research Excellence Fund.
SUNY Board Trustee Giovanni Harvey said, "A SUNY education is an incredible investment, made possible thanks to the steadfast efforts of Governor Kathy Hochul, the state legislature, Chancellor King, and our workforce partners to increase educational opportunities at SUNY institutions across the state. As a proud SUNY Poly alumnus, I can’t wait to see SUNY Poly expand to meet the rising demand in advanced manufacturing, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing, which will enable the university to increase educational equity and access to these programs, expand research and development, and ultimately, foster student success in a field that offers a good paying career upon graduation."
SUNY Poly President Winston Oluwole Soboyejo said, "SUNY Poly is grateful for these investments by the State and for the continued support of Governor Hochul, Chancellor King and our elected officials. The semiconductor industry is booming in New York State, and we will leverage these investments to establish cutting edge facilities that are critical to workforce development and in meeting the demands of industry. Furthermore, we look forward to further collaboration with our partners to capitalize on the region’s unprecedented momentum and help elevate the lives of all people in the Mohawk Valley and across this wonderful State."
Senator Joseph A. Griffo said, "SUNY Polytechnic Institute is a leader in learning, research and innovation and an important part of the Mohawk Valley and New York State. The Semiconductor Processing and Packaging Research, Education and Training Center on the SUNY Poly campus will provide important workforce training opportunities for students and will enhance and support the existing semiconductor industry in the region."
Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon said, "I was honored to support and advocate for this funding for SUNY Poly. Under the direction of Chancellor King and the SUNY Poly team, these resources will enhance our student’s academic experiences as they prepare for our workforce."
The Center will have approximately 5,000 square feet of cleanroom space and the first floor will feature two classrooms seating 30 students along with office space for scientists, post-doctoral fellows, and students. The facility will train up to 150 traditional and non-traditional students annually. Initial packaging and semiconductor training programs are planned to begin in the first half of 2025, with the full complement of processing, packaging and metrology equipment installed by early 2026.
As part of SUNY Polytechnic Institute’s expanded training and educational opportunities, SUNY has partnered with a number of industry leaders including Wolfspeed, Danfoss, Micron, Indium, Marquardt Switches, Menlo Micro, and NoMIS Power. These partnerships complement the institution’s work with local and community organizations including NY CREATES, Working Solutions - the Workforce Development Board of Utica, Fulton Montgomery Community College, Mohawk Valley Community College, and Onondaga Community College.
About the State University of New York
The State University of New York is the largest comprehensive system of higher education in the United States, and more than 95 percent of all New Yorkers live within 30 miles of any one of SUNY’s 64 colleges and universities. Across the system, SUNY has four academic health centers, five hospitals, four medical schools, two dental schools, a law school, the country’s oldest school of maritime, the state’s only college of optometry, and manages one US Department of Energy National Laboratory. In total, SUNY serves about 1.4 million students amongst its entire portfolio of credit- and non-credit-bearing courses and programs, continuing education, and community outreach programs. SUNY oversees nearly a quarter of academic research in New York. Research expenditures system-wide are nearly $1.1 billion in fiscal year 2023, including significant contributions from students and faculty. There are more than three million SUNY alumni worldwide, and one in three New Yorkers with a college degree is a SUNY alum. To learn more about how SUNY creates opportunities, visit suny.edu.
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