news & events

DuBOIS, Pa. — The North Central Pennsylvania (NCPA) LaunchBox powered by Penn State DuBois marked a year of significant achievements in 2023-24 by fostering regional industry growth and workforce development. A key highlight of the year was the LaunchBox’s pivotal role in the North Central Pressed Materials Strategy Development Consortium, an initiative aimed at advancing the pressed material industry in central Pennsylvania. The consortium, based in Ridgway, recently received a major boost through the federal Tech Hubs Strategy Development Grant, awarded by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. This grant will be instrumental in developing a strategic roadmap...

DuBOIS, Pa. — A recent panel discussion at Penn State DuBois, in conjunction with the North Central Pennsylvania (NCPA) LaunchBox, gave students a valuable opportunity to learn from and gain insights from three local entrepreneurs. The simple definition of an entrepreneur, according to Marriam-Webster, is “one who organizes, manages, and assumes the risks of a business or enterprise.” However, how this term is used has changed greatly over time. As early as the 18th century, the term entrepreneur referred to many types of businessmen and women. By the early 20th century, the term took on the connotation of a go-getter...

DuBOIS, Pa. — Since its creation in 2019, the North Central Pennsylvania (NCPA) LaunchBox powered by Penn State DuBois has continued to work towards its mission of being the hub that connects local entrepreneurs to the support, resources and facilities they need to build a sustainable and scalable business. Over the past year, the LaunchBox and its Idea Lab, which offers students, faculty, staff and the community the opportunity to utilize 3D printers, virtual and augmented reality, commercial vinyl printing and more, have seen many changes and have been part of numerous events to help educate the community that they...

DuBOIS, Pa. – Continuing and Community Education at Penn State DuBois is preparing to offer the Certified Quality Engineer (CQE) education program, with classes scheduled to begin in July. With the constant need for certified quality professionals in the region’s manufacturing sector, this program provides education for those preparing to take the American Society for Quality (ASQ) certification exam to become a Certified Quality Engineer. According to ASQ, a Certified Quality Engineer is a professional who understands the principles of product and service quality evaluation and control. This body of knowledge and applied technologies include, but are not limited to,...