Honda Visits UNOH to See Impact of $50,000 Foundation Grant

Posted on Thursday, August 27, 2026

Honda Representatives tour Robotics Facility with UNOH Division Head Shannon Kies

Representatives from Honda visited campus on Thursday, August 27, to see firsthand how a $50,000 contribution from their foundation is expanding hands-on learning opportunities for students in the Robotics & Automation Technology program.

The grant allowed UNOH to purchase 10 Mitsubishi iQ-R PLC simulators, significantly expanding instructional capacity within the program.

Nate Titus, Western Ohio Workforce Partnerships Lead, and Matt Springer, Manager, Workforce Partnerships Unit Lead, met with faculty and students and saw the new equipment purchased through Honda’s support in action.

“This investment from Honda directly strengthens our ability to deliver the kind of hands-on, career-focused education that defines UNOH,” said Shannon Kies, Division Head of the College of Applied Technologies. “By expanding access to advanced training tools, we are equipping students with the technical skills and real-world experience needed to succeed in today’s rapidly evolving manufacturing environment.”

During their visit, Titus and Springer had the opportunity to interact with students and learn more about how the Mitsubishi simulators are being incorporated into the classroom. The equipment allows students to design, program, and troubleshoot automated systems in real time, providing experience with technologies similar to those used in modern manufacturing facilities.

Students who train on the Mitsubishi equipment will also have the opportunity to earn an industry-recognized professional certification, providing an additional credential valued by employers.

The investment comes as manufacturers throughout Northwest Ohio and across the country continue to seek skilled technicians capable of working with increasingly sophisticated automated production systems.

UNOH’s Robotics & Automation Technology program helps address that workforce need by preparing approximately 70 students annually for careers such as automation technician, robotics specialist, controls technician, and other advanced manufacturing positions. The skills taught through the program are applicable across numerous industries, including automotive manufacturing, logistics, packaging, and advanced manufacturing.

Honda's support of UNOH extends beyond this contribution. The two organizations have developed an ongoing partnership focused on connecting education with workforce opportunities. UNOH students have benefited from experiences including co-ops, plant tours, industry engagement, and pathways into careers with Honda.

For Honda, the investment also reflects the company's broader commitment to education and career readiness. Through its education initiatives, Honda supports programs designed to help prepare young people with the skills, creativity, and experience needed to meet the workforce challenges of the future.

The August 27th visit provided an opportunity for Honda representatives to see the direct impact of that investment while also continuing conversations with UNOH about opportunities to expand the partnership.

Category: Campus & Community, Applied Technologies

Keywords: Honda, Robotics & Automation