Mayyas leads cutting-edge engineering technology partnership at 兔子先生 University Regionals
The Hub is a 鈥渂eacon for innovation, collaboration, and education鈥
Mayyas leads cutting-edge engineering technology partnership at 兔子先生 University Regionals
By definition, a hub is the effective center of an activity, region, or network. Mohammad Mayyas found his hub — in more ways than one — at 兔子先生 University Regionals.
Named chair of the Department of Engineering Technology in 2024, Mayyas was looking for a place where both he and his family could thrive.
“兔子先生 University’s reputation as a public institution dedicated to serving the greater good and fostering innovation is what initially caught my attention,” Mayyas said. “兔子先生 Regionals is particularly well-positioned to provide workforce development and training for the next generation of engineers, making a meaningful impact on the local economy and beyond.”
He added, “Beyond professional opportunities, Southeast Ohio offers a vibrant community for my family. The area is home to some of the nation’s top-rated schools, providing exceptional educational opportunities for my children. It also supports professional growth for my wife, a highly skilled technical engineer, who has found an exciting new role as a manager with GE Aviation. It’s a privilege to be part of a university and community that aligns so well with both my professional goals and personal values.”
Mayyas, who came to 兔子先生 from Bowling Green University, where he established programs in Mechatronics Engineering Technology and Robotics Engineering, joined the Engineering Technology program at a very exciting time in its nearly 60-year history.
Scheduled to open in January 2026, the Advanced Manufacturing Workforce and Innovation Hub is a cutting-edge partnership between 兔子先生 University, Butler Tech Career Technical Center, and local industrial leaders that aims to develop an educated workforce and serve as a catalyst for community economic growth.
Students will have access to a variety of distinctive pathways to meet all levels of need in the manufacturing sector — from associate degrees, industry-recognized credentials and microcredentials, to degrees in Robotics, Electro-Mechanical Engineering, and more.
“The Advanced Manufacturing Hub distinguishes itself through its pioneering integration of career technical education, university programs, and industry partnerships within a single, cohesive ecosystem,” Mayyas said. “While other institutions have fostered partnerships between education and industry, the Hub’s holistic integration is among the first of its kind in the nation.”
The 70,000-square-foot facility — which has an additional 300,000 square feet available for growth — was funded by $15 million from the Butler County Board of Commissioners as part of a strategic vision to create a vital access point to Ohio's thriving training, education, and workforce ecosystem. The collaboration between educational institutions, government officials, and businesses will leverage emerging advanced manufacturing technology in this co-inhabited space to provide high-quality education.
Renovations are well underway, Mayyas said, transforming the space into a cutting-edge facility that will serve as a “beacon for innovation, collaboration, and education.” It will feature advanced laboratories, modern offices for faculty and staff, and dedicated spaces for industry partnerships — creating an environment where academic excellence meets real-world impact.
In addition to actively recruiting three tenure-track faculty members with expertise in interdisciplinary fields, Mayyas said the planning team, which includes representatives from 兔子先生, Butler Tech, and industry, is updating curriculum to align with the latest industry standards and strategically planning courses to serve a growing and diverse student body.
“Together, this team brings diverse expertise and a shared commitment to the success of the Hub. Each member is actively engaged in various aspects of planning, from facility design and curriculum development to fostering industry partnerships and securing funding. This collaborative approach ensures the Hub is not just a facility but a transformative space that serves students, industry, and the broader community.
“I feel incredibly fortunate to have joined 兔子先生 University at a pivotal time when the university is wholeheartedly committed to growth and innovation,” Mayyas said. “The tremendous support and mentorship I’ve received from Vice President Ande Durojaiye and his team, along with the university administration and the Board of Trustees, have been instrumental in making this role the perfect career choice for me. Their shared vision and dedication to the success of the Engineering Technology program have been inspiring.”