IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — College of Eastern Idaho (CEI) is proud to announce that it has officially joined the Community College Engineering Pathways (CCEP) program through the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), becoming the first community college in the state to do so. This groundbreaking partnership will open new doors for CEI students and faculty, providing access to professional development, free student memberships, curriculum support, and connections to industry-leading professionals.

CEI has enjoyed a long-standing relationship with ASME, as the organization regularly holds its monthly meetings on the CEI campus. The collaboration deepened as CEI’s commitment to advancing engineering education caught the attention of ASME leadership, leading to this opportunity to formally join the CCEP program.

Through CCEP, CEI students will receive free ASME student memberships, giving them access to ASME’s extensive digital resources, webinars, and industry reports. Faculty will benefit from two complimentary professional memberships, as well as support in curriculum development and academic alignment with current industry standards.

“CEI has always been deeply committed to providing our students with relevant, hands-on experiences that prepare them for the workforce,” said Chuck Bohleke, Dean of Career and Technical Education. “Joining ASME’s CCEP program strengthens our ability to do that and gives our students an edge as they pursue careers in engineering and technical fields.”

Additional benefits of the partnership include:

• Networking opportunities with industry professionals, educators, and peers nationwide.
• Professional development for both students and faculty, keeping them at the forefront of advancements in mechanical engineering.
• Event participation, with students invited to join ASME’s virtual and in-person events, technical workshops, and advisory council meetings.
• Career connections through ASME’s internship opportunities and job placement resources.

ASME, founded in 1880, is one of the world’s premier engineering organizations, dedicated to developing solutions to real-world challenges and advancing technical knowledge. The organization’s CCEP program is designed to support community colleges in preparing students for successful careers in engineering by offering enriched educational resources and access to industry networks.

CEI students and faculty are encouraged to take full advantage of this new partnership by enrolling in ASME membership, participating in upcoming events, and exploring the many opportunities now available through CCEP. The programs expected to benefit the most from this partnership are Energy Systems — soon to be renamed Electrical Controls Technology — and Mechatronics.