Southern CT State University, DeLauro Announce $2.25M Fed Funds For Emerging Workforce Development, Tech Hub

From Southern Connecticut State University:

NEW HAVEN, CT—Southern Connecticut State University and U.S. Representative Rosa DeLauro joined community leaders recently to announce a $2.25 million federal investment supporting the creation of 'The Hive,' a new emerging workforce development and technologies hub at Southern.

Southern, DeLauro Announce $2.25M Fed Funds For Emerging Workforce Development, Tech Hub

The Hive is a high-tech community development center designed to expand access to emerging technology education, training, and innovation opportunities across Greater New Haven and Connecticut.

The federal Community Project Funding secured by DeLauro will support training in emerging industries, including AI, quantum technologies, biotechnology, nanotechnology, immersive realities, and sustainability.

"The Hive at Southern represents an intensive effort to synergize existing and new programs to promote the well-being of both Southern students and New Haven and Connecticut families in an integrated way," said Dr. Sandra Bulmer, interim president of Southern Connecticut State University. "These efforts are a high priority as the university continues to expand and focus resources to effectively support students’ capacities to learn, graduate, and enter Connecticut’s workforce."

DeLauro said the initiative will help strengthen Connecticut’s talent pipeline while expanding access to high-demand career pathways for historically underserved communities.

"It is so important for us to be investing in the technologies of the future, the high-paying jobs that are created in those fields," DeLauro said. "The jobs of tomorrow come from the decisions that are made today."

She also praised Southern’s commitment to access and community development.

“I really believe that education is the great equalizer,” DeLauro said. “It really doesn’t pay any attention to your gender, to your political party, to your socioeconomic status. It is about the God-given talent that you have.”

“The Hive represents Southern’s commitment to building equitable pathways into the future workforce while strengthening partnerships throughout our community,” said Amy Feest, senior director of Southern’s Office of Workforce and Lifelong Learning (OWLL).

Dr. Colleen Bielitz, interim vice president for institutional advancement, emphasized the initiative’s focus on expanding opportunities for learners and working adults across communities.

“It says to working adults, ‘Your story is not finished yet,’” Bielitz said. “And it says to our communities, ‘We need your brilliance at our table because the future cannot afford your absence.’”

Officials said the center will support certifications, professional badging, professional development programs, and noncredit training opportunities designed to help Connecticut residents upskill and adapt to changing industry demands.

The event also highlighted the experiences of OWLL learners who have already benefited from career-focused programming at Southern.

Brett Sandman, a veteran and OWLL student, spoke about the importance of accessible upskilling opportunities for adult learners navigating career transitions.

"It’s never too late to learn a new skill," Sandman said. "The world is changing. The country’s changing. What is professionally valuable yesterday may actually look very different tomorrow."

Jenni Myers, who completed cannabis industry-focused coursework through OWLL, said the experience helped expand her professional knowledge and opened new career opportunities in an emerging field.

"Having the chance to be able to have this knowledge, we can progress, and we can improve everything in this industry," Myers said while discussing the value of education and certification programs.

For more information about Southern Connecticut State University, visit www.southernct.edu.