MUSD receives $2M grant to boost Career Technical Education pathways

A $2 million Career Technical Education Incentive Grant, facilitated through the California Department of Education, has been an unequivocal windfall for Milpitas High School’s Extension at the MUSD Innovation Campus - the centerpiece of the district’s career pathways development initiative.

And it nearly didn’t happen.

Despite short notice of and unforeseen challenges in the application process, MHS Principal and Chief Innovator of New Campus Programs Greg Wohlman, along with colleague and MHS Lead Digital Business Academy Teacher Andrea Hutchison, secured the seven-figure state funding considered a game-changer in the enhancement and expansion of MUSD’s Engineering Academy Program.

“The short timeline and up against the odds motivated me more,” said Principal Wohlman, who worked in tandem with Hutchison to submit MUSD’s application by the CDE’s deadline even after a late-night computer glitch erased more than half of the information and data needed to win over the decision-makers.

“The best part about getting this grant, despite all the hard work, is how much this will help to expand and improve this program, offering students industry standard hardware and software and providing them with real world experiences to prepare them for their future.” Andrea Hutchison

For the current 2024-25 school year, the grant has already been utilized for everything from the purchase of hand tools, 3D print machines, vinyl printers and consumable materials to scheduling of staff training and professional development to keep up with industry partners in the ever-advancing technological landscape. All grant funds must be exhausted by January 2026.

"From the award of the grant to the implementation and now to see the students working with the staff, machines, and consumables that are funded from the grant brings the process full circle,” Wohlman shared. “I am so grateful to CDE for the grant award that will not only affect our students now but generations of students that will follow."

This grant, combined with a $750,000 donation to the MUSD Innovation Campus capital campaign from global technology leader KLA Foundation, and the hiring of Engineering teacher Kristin Berbawy (who brought some of her own cache of equipment for students), have made an immediate impact in developing curriculum and working on machinery that matches real-world industry standards.

“Those are the three key factors to make this place go,” said Principal Wohlman of the CDE grant, KLA donation and Ms. Berbawy, who teaches Introduction to Engineering, Computer Science and CAD (Computer-Aided Design) at the MHS Extension at the MUSD Innovation Campus.

Now nearly halfway through the first year of the Extension, which is a key piece to the more than $90 million, 100,000 square foot sprawling innovation campus, the team is already thinking ahead to the future - applying for the next round of the CDE’s CTE grant, continually recruiting business partners for entrepreneurships and internships, and seeking more career pathway opportunities in fields such as Advanced Manufacturing, e-Sports, and Audio/Video production.

“Our vision only becomes reality when we have leaders who strive to make what’s possible possible,” said Superintendent Cheryl Jordan. “Their innovative leadership exemplifies what it means to build a world class education for all MUSD learners and team members!”