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When Ä¢¹½ÊÓƵÍø (CWI) launched its Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology [2] program, the goal was simple but ambitious: prepare Idaho’s workforce for one of the fastest growing and most advanced industries in the world.  

With major investments reshaping the U.S. semiconductor landscape, and companies like Micron Technology, Inc. (Micron) expanding in Idaho, the need for highly skilled technicians has never been greater. Meeting that need requires not just a new program, but one built on a foundation of real-world expertise.  

CWI’s semiconductor program is a team of faculty whose combined decades of industry experience and passion for teaching are giving students opportunities they might never have imagined. By blending hands-on practical training with real world expertise, they are preparing students to power both local industry growth and global innovation. 

Robert Novak – A Career Among the Stars 

Robert Novak’s path into technology began at a trade school, where a hands-on approach to learning transformed his struggles with math into a passion for electronics. His career would eventually span rocket test facilities, satellite tracking stations, and even the [3] in Hawaii, home to the world’s largest optical telescopes. 

Now the chair of CWI’s Industrial Automation Department, Novak has been with the College since 2016, guiding the growth of programs like Advanced Mechatronics Engineering Technology [4], Unmanned Aerial Systems [5] and now Semiconductor Manufacturing Technology. For him, teaching represents the most rewarding stage of his career. 

“When I first started teaching, I realized this was what I was meant to do,” Novak said. “Helping students connect the dots, seeing them discover what they are capable of. That is the best part.” 

Ryan Schnuerle – Idaho Roots, Global Industry Perspective 

For Adjunct Instructor, Ryan Schnuerle, teaching the semiconductor program is also a full-circle moment. A lifelong Idahoan, he was one of Micron’s earliest employees, employee number 2,212,to be exact. His career at Micron spanned fabrication, research and development, and process improvement, giving him firsthand insight into the technical and operational demands of semiconductor manufacturing. After Micron, he also owned a business and taught math, bringing both entrepreneurial and educational experience to his work at CWI. 

Schnuerle holds a bachelor's degree in business administration and finance, and his combined industry and entrepreneurial background gives him a unique perspective that he now brings to the classroom. At CWI, he teaches all classes online, using interactive platforms and real-world case studies to help students understand the nuances of nanofabrication, process control, and quality assurance, preparing them for roles in a highly specialized and evolving industry. 

“Even online, you can be fully engaged,” Schnuerle said. “I encourage students to take advantage of every resource, ask questions, and approach each challenge like a real-world problem. The more you invest in your learning, the more prepared you will be for the opportunities ahead.” 

Paul Perez – A Global Journey in Semiconductors 

Instructor, Paul Perez, built a career that reflects the global scale of the semiconductor industry. After starting in electronics through a high school program, he earned an engineering degree and built a career that took him and his family around the world to Italy, Singapore, England, Taiwan, and Norway. Along the way, he worked at companies such as Micron, Eastman Kodak, and Onsemi. In these roles, he applied his engineering expertise to design and testing new technologies. His work supported the development of semiconductor and imaging systems used in automotive, industrial, and commercial applications. 

Joining CWI’s faculty has been transformative for Perez. 

“I call it life-changing,” Perez said. “The students inspire me every day. I tell them, ‘I’m for you, I’m with you. We will get through this together. We all rise together. we all fall together.” 

Innovation in Teaching and Skills development

Teaching in the semiconductor program goes far beyond textbooks and labs. Faculty are committed to shaping the whole student: technically, professionally, and personally. 

Perez challenges each of his students to bring a quote of the week to class, something positive, motivational, and thought-provoking. 

“It’s about mindset,” Perez said. “We’re all going to face challenges, but if you can ground yourself in positivity, you will go further.” 

Schnuerle takes a practical approach, urging students to sit at the front of the classroom and make the most of their time. 

“Statistics show you learn more when you’re engaged,” Schnuerle said. “So, I tell them, get to the front. You’re here to learn, and this is your investment.” 

Innovation also comes through technology. CWI is the only community college in the country partnering with [6] on a pilot program using virtual reality (VR) and 360-degree video to simulate cleanroom environments. The goal is to give students immersive practice before they even step into a lab. Eventually, students may have their own VR headsets, funded through course fees, making this advanced training accessible to everyone in the program. 

Faculty connect classroom lessons to the real world, helping students see how what they learn in class applies to actual jobs. Novak explains the difference between mechatronics and semiconductor manufacturing. A mechatronics technician works with automated mechanical and electrical systems across industries, while a semiconductor manufacturing technician focuses on operating and monitoring highly controlled equipment to produce microchips and electronic components. In semiconductor fabs, engineers make tiny, microsecond-level adjustments that can save companies millions of dollars each year. Understanding this process-driven work gives students insight into both the technical and economic impact of their future roles. 

Perez expands on that idea, recalling how a single saved mask step in chip fabrication could mean millions in cost savings. That kind of perspective helps students understand both the technical and economic impact of their work. 

Looking ahead, faculty see technician roles evolving, with process and equipment technicians merging into broader mechatronics-style positions. By designing the semiconductor program with crossover in mind, CWI is preparing students not just for today’s jobs, but for tomorrow’s workforce. 

Preparing Students for Life and Work 

Graduates of the semiconductor program are prepared for entry-level positions such as process technicians, equipment technicians, and lab technicians. These roles are critical in keeping fabrication facilities running smoothly and efficiently. For students who want to take their education further, the program also builds a strong foundation for transferring into four-year engineering or advanced manufacturing degrees. By offering stackable certificates and degrees, CWI allows students to start small, enter the workforce quickly, and keep building as their goals grow. 

 Ultimately, the semiconductor program is about more than skills, it is about people. Faculty draw on their own mentors, personal challenges, and career turning points to guide students through obstacles. They know their students are often balancing school with work, family, and other responsibilities, and they are committed to walking alongside them. 

“We’re not just teaching skills,” Perez said. “We are building confidence, perseverance, and the ability to keep going, even when things are hard.” 

That combination of technical training, personal mentorship, and industry connection is what makes CWI’s semiconductor program stand out. Students are not just earning a degree, they are gaining the mindset, resilience, and network to thrive in a rapidly changing field. 

With instructors like Novak, Schnuerle, and Perez at the helm, students are not just learning how to operate in a cleanroom. They are learning how to solve problems, lead with confidence, and adapt to a future where technology is always changing and always staying the same.