ASU Joins National Foundry School Initiative to Reshore Manufacturing

The initiative, a collaboration between the U.S. Departments of State and Labor, aims to close the skills gap in advanced manufacturing by embedding practical, industry-led expertise directly into university curricula. Across the partner schools, 17 sessions will be taught by CEOs and founders from global manufacturing hubs, including Japan, Taiwan, India, and the Republic of Korea. These practitioners will instruct students on the complexities of automation, factory economics, supply chains, and precision production.

For Arizona State University, the partnership leverages the Ira A. Fulton Schools of Engineering, the nation's largest engineering program with nearly 33,000 students. ASU President Michael Crow noted that the university is already deeply integrated into domestic R&D and workforce development, specifically through its School of Manufacturing Systems and Networks. Housed in the 173,000-square-foot ISTB12 facility, this department focuses on the cross-disciplinary skills required for aerospace, microelectronics, and energy sectors.

Kyle Squires, dean of the Fulton Schools, emphasized that the curriculum shift focuses on systemic thinking—teaching engineers how early design decisions impact long-term manufacturing yield and scalability. By aligning federal resources with the university's existing infrastructure, the Foundry School intends to move beyond theoretical education, placing students alongside practitioners who build and scale industrial enterprises. Other leading institutions in the program include Stanford University, Georgia Tech, and The Ohio State University.