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Western Illinois University professor Kevin Hall takes regional leaders through a lab at Knoblauch Hall.
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Regional Leaders Visit WIU's School of Engineering and Technology

March 6, 2026

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MACOMB, IL - - Top regional education officials got a first-hand look at Western Illinois University's labs within the School of Engineering and Technology in Knoblauch Hall on Monday, March 2, as the community discusses initiation of a Career and Technical Education (CTE) center in McDonough County.

ROE #26 regional superintendent John Meixner, Assistant Superintendent Dave Delmer, Director of ROE services Scott Sullivan, Macomb School District 185 superintendent Patrick Twomey, Bushnell-Prairie School District 170 superintendent Bob Gound, and West Prairie School District 103 superintendent Paula Markey, joined WIU President Kristi Mindrup, Spoon River College President Curt Oldfield, Macomb Mayor Mike Inman, Macomb Area Economic Development Corporation President and CEO Kim Pierce and other WIU personnel for a tour to show off the facilities on campus and see how Western can be a part of the future of the CTE project being considered.

"WIU is excited to collaborate with K-12 and community college partners to create new opportunities for students," Mindrup said. "This initiative will inspire students to discover and pursue their STEM-focused interests, curiosities and pathways that lead to academic and career success."

WIU School of Engineering and Technology Director Rafael Obregon showed how the faculty guides the students through the process of "concept to completion" in handling engineering design projects, preparing the students to compete favorably in the workplace with graduates of institutions nationwide.

The tour showed off WIU's Power Systems Laboratory, Robotic Systems Laboratory, Programmable Controller Laboratory, Construction Lab, Machining Lab, 3D Printing Lab, Welding Shop and Plasma Lab, just a few of the offerings available within the School of Engineering and Technology.

"We have such great technology being utilized here every day to educate students at Western Illinois University," Inman said. "It needs to be celebrated, and the faculty is doing a great job getting the information into the hands of young people. I think we have the opportunity to do what we have been struggling to put together and we have a great partner here with WIU. There's a stable product here on campus, and there's no reason these entities can't come together and bring more opportunities to students in high school and beyond."

Oldfield has helped to lead the project, saying that four new CTE career pathways would be created through this effort, along with pathways for high school students to earn an associate degree through Spoon River College and bachelor's degree through WIU.

WIU Provost Mark Mossman said it is important to continue working with regional educators to provide the best training for students.

"Workforce development and accessibility to higher education are at the core of WIU's mission. We are excited to embark on this new effort to partner with regional educational institutions to provide the training students need in this day and age," Mossman said.

Through this meeting organized by WIU Assistant Provost Kishor T. Kapale, WIU is recharging its commitment to connecting students with the tools that will help them succeed and exploring partnerships with regional educational institutions and the community.

To learn more about WIU's School of Engineering and Technology, visit wiu.edu/set.

Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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