From high-tech labs and hands-on training to statewide outreach, Missouri University of Science and Technology is preparing engineers and innovators to lead today’s manufacturing revolution and shape what comes next.
“At Missouri S&T, we provide students with an industry-relevant education using some of the best equipment available, but that’s only part of the solution to closing critical manufacturing workforce challenges,” said Dr. Richard Billo. “We’re also committed to advancing the industry itself by fostering strong partnerships between universities, businesses, and communities to prepare a workforce with the skills manufacturers demand.”
The Missouri Protoplex
Billo is director of the university’s Missouri Protoplex, which is set to open in 2026. The Protoplex will serve as a 116,000-square-foot hub for advanced manufacturing innovation and workforce development, and already has several initiatives aimed at strengthening Missouri’s manufacturing ecosystem.
It will have three levels and feature new equipment for hands-on training, collaborative research, and prototyping. The Protoplex’s focus areas will include advanced manufacturing, aerospace production, advanced metallurgy, and materials for extreme environments, and partnerships are already in place with manufacturers of all sizes from Missouri and beyond.
“More than just a building, the Protoplex will be a launchpad for both statewide and national impact,” Billo said. “It will be a hub where manufacturers connect with university expertise, workforce talent, and innovation networks to accelerate growth and solve real industry challenges. We have already received millions of dollars in state and federal support focused on national defense, K-12 outreach, curriculum development, equipment and more to give manufacturing a significant boost.”
And Missouri S&T’s manufacturing support doesn’t stop there.
“Steeling” the show
Missouri S&T is also home to the Kent D. Peaslee Steel Manufacturing Research Center, an industry-funded consortium that brings together steel producers, suppliers and university researchers to solve challenges in steel manufacturing. The center’s mission is to advance the state of knowledge in steelmaking through applied research, education, and innovation that benefits both its industry partners and the broader steel sector.
Some of the center’s research areas include process optimization, energy efficiency, advanced materials, and quality improvement. The center’s director, Dr. Ronald O’Malley, received the 2025 Tadeusz Sendzimir Memorial Medal for Innovation in Steel Manufacturing Technology from the Association for Iron & Steel Technology.
Sparking early interest
S&T programs like the Missouri Manufacturing Academy, developed in partnership with the University of Missouri Extension and America Makes, introduce children to modern manufacturing careers.
This six-week after-school program serves students in grades 6-10 from across the state.
Lesson topics include a general introduction to manufacturing, manufacturing skills — with a robotic arm relay race, Missouri manufacturing companies, manufacturing careers, fiscal and resource management, and real-world problem solving.
Degrees manufactured for what’s next
In fall 2025, S&T will launch the nation’s first bachelor’s degree program in semiconductor engineering. This new program is made possible by a $20 million private investment, part of which will fund a 2,500-square-foot cleanroom in the Applied Research Center, expected to be completed by late 2026.
Earlier this year, S&T dedicated the new KUKA Robotics Laboratory, which includes four training cells with robots and microcontrollers. This laboratory allows students to learn the fundamentals of industrial robotics through hands-on programming and operation.
In addition, S&T offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in fields closely tied to manufacturing, including:
- Manufacturing engineering
- Mechanical engineering
- Materials science and engineering
- Electrical and computer engineering
- Systems engineering
At S&T, students interested in manufacturing don’t have to wait long to get involved in groundbreaking work. From their first year here, students get several opportunities to work with faculty researchers on projects related to additive manufacturing, smart systems, robotics, and countless other areas related to manufacturing technologies. “We really have something special at Missouri S&T,” Billo said. “The university offers top-tier labs, industry-grade equipment, and incredible partnerships with institutions, agencies, and businesses of all sizes. We work with people of all ages and career stages to help manufacture a brighter future.”
