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���Ĺ��� has been awarded $420,010 by New York State through the  Matching Grant Program for the renovation of the institution’s Transit Road Extension Center in Williamsville, NY. The project will align physical space and technology with new and existing cutting-edge academic degree programs.

“As ���Ĺ��� continues to align its academic and workforce development offerings with the regional market, the institution strives to better utilize existing facilities to enhance the delivery of cutting-edge technology programs in growing job markets,” said ���Ĺ��� President Bassam M. Deeb, PhD.

“I want to congratulate ���Ĺ��� on submitting a compelling application that resulted in a significant financial award to enhance its operations and curriculum at its extension campus in the 59th Senate District,” said New York State Senator Patrick M. Gallivan.  “I look forward to continuing to work with Dr. Deeb and his administrative team to bring new opportunities to students in emerging and growing technology focused careers through the new Technology Institute.”

“I’m thrilled to see this latest state investment in ���Ĺ���,” said Assemblymember Monica Wallace. “As a result of Dr. Deeb’s commitment to cutting-edge educational opportunities, ���Ĺ��� continues to adapt to Western New York’s STEM economy by preparing students to compete in our growing jobs market. Through this investment, it is clear that the state believes in ���Ĺ���’s commitment to offering high-quality academic programs, and I look forward to seeing the great impact that the new Technology Institute will have on Western New York.”

The Transit Road Extension Center offers various curriculum, including degrees in Computer Network Administration (associate and certificate), Healthcare Informatics (associate and baccalaureate), and Health Information Technology (associate) technology program courses. Two new programs in Data Analytics and Cybersecurity will be offered at the Williamsville location beginning in the 2018 fall semester.

In addition, the Transit Road location also supports a number of technology certifications through the college’s Workforce Development arm. Certifications include Data Service Microsoft Technology Associate (MTA) – Database Fundamentals; Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP); Microsoft Certified Solutions Associate 2012; and CCENT/ICNDI CISCO Certified Entry Network Technician.

The planned renovation will take existing, under-utilized classroom, office and meeting space and transform them into an advanced Technology Institute including multi-purpose combination lab-classrooms, a hands-on virtual reality laboratory, high-tech network lab with interactive server room, faculty and student sandbox for technology testing, practice, and instruction, an analytics laboratory, data analytics seminar rooms, and additional space renovations that will allow for laboratory experiences to be streamed into classrooms, combining hands-on experiences with live classroom learning.

HECap grants assist in the financing of capital projects and equipment purchases by independent institutions of higher learning in New York State. These projects create construction jobs across the state and benefit students, faculty, staff and communities. Currently, the HECap Program is a competitive grant program that awards bonded funds for capital projects on Independent Sector campuses across New York. For every $1 of state funds awarded, colleges and universities provide at least $3 of matching funds.