LASER-TEC, Center for Laser and Fiber Optics Education
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About LASER-TEC  

Southeast Regional Center for Laser and Fiber Optics Education, LASER-TEC, founded by the National Science Foundation in 2013, is an association of community and state colleges, universities, high schools and technical centers, trade associations, and laser and fiber optic (LFO) companies.

Our Mission:

Develop a sustainable pipeline of qualified laser and fiber optic technicians to meet industry needs in the Southeastern United States.

Our Goals:


  1. Assist colleges with existing LFO programs by providing support, professional development, and equipment.
  2. Assist colleges without LFO programs to create courses and programs by providing startup support.
  3. Provide professional development for K-12 STEM teachers to bring LFO career awareness to students to create a high-school-to-college student pipeline.
  4. Create awareness of LFO careers and a clear pathway for returning veterans to recruit them for participating regional college programs.
  5. Develop, expand, and strengthen partnerships between LFO industries and all regional colleges.
  6. Expand the membership of the Industrial Advisory Board (IAB), and monitor the supply, demand, and skill-set needed by LFO technicians in the Southeast region through a strong Industrial Advisory Board.
LASER-TEC has its headquarters at Indian River State College, in Fort Pierce, Florida, and its service area covers the following eight Southeastern states: Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Florida.

The United States is the world’s leader in design, manufacturing, and export of complex laser-enabled equipment used in manufacturing, medicine, biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, health care, and other fields.

The advancement of this technology is fueled by close and ongoing collaboration among colleges, universities, and the industry.

According to a National Academy of Sciences report, “Optics and Photonics: Essential Technologies for Our Nation,” 4.9 billion dollars’ worth of laser sales generated 7.5 trillion dollars of the U.S. gross domestic product in 2009 and 2010.

Jobs supporting this type of national technological advancement should not be internationally outsourced. It is vital that academic institutions, together with industry, foster the development of a highly-qualified workforce.

Technicians with training in lasers and fiber optics are in great demand across the United States. Specifically, the demand for laser and fiber optics technicians is 300% greater than
the current graduation output of colleges in the Southeastern region. With higher-than-average starting salaries, ranging from $40,000 to $55,000, LFO technician jobs offer dynamic environments, technological challenges, and exciting work.

LASER-TEC invites academic and industry partners to join with us to help meet the demand for a trained laser and fiber optics workforce across the Southeastern United States.


Our partners:

Principal Members            


  1. Indian River State College
  2. Central Carolina Community College
  3. Tri-County Technical College

Principal Members have established laser and fiber optics academic programs that successfully meet the demands for qualified LFO technicians in their local areas.

The LASER-TEC assists colleges and high schools interested in starting an LFO program by providing curriculum materials and other resources, faculty training, startup funds, and best practices.

To learn more about our partners or to become LASER-TEC partner
click here.

Our Industry Network:

Our industry network is led by the Florida Photonics Cluster representing 42 laser companies and 3 research universities in Florida. The Board will expand and include all 425 laser and fiber optics companies across the entire Southeast region with emphasis on the North Carolina Research Triangle, and the Atlanta, Georgia, area.

To learn more about LASER-TEC industry network 
click here.

To read our project summary
click here.

To download the LASER-TEC informational flyer
click here.
Dr. Chrys Panayiotou
Dr. Chrys Panayiotou
Principal Investigator


Indian River State College
3209 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL 34981
772-462-7621
cpanayio@irsc.edu


Gary Beasley
Gary Beasley
Co-Principal Investigator

Central Carolina Community College
1075 E. Cornelius Harnett Blvd
Lillington, NC 27546
910-814-8828
gbeasley@cccc.edu


Dr. James Pearson
Dr. James Pearson
Co-Principal Investigator


CREOL, College of Optics & Photonics
University of Central Florida
P.O. Box 162700
Orlando, FL 32816
407-823-6858
jpearson@creol.ucf.edu




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Dorian McIntire, PE
Co-Principal Investigator


Tri-County Technical College
7900 US-76
Pendleton, SC 29670
864-646-1481
dmcinti1@tctc.edu
Natalia Chekhovskaya Kearney
Natalia Chekhovskaya Kearney
Program Manager

Indian River State College
3209 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL 34981
772-462-7295
nchekhov@irsc.edu



Lauren Hays
Lauren Hays
Program Coordinator

Indian River State College
3209 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL 34981
772-462-7179
lhays@irsc.edu


WIll Keiser
Will Keiser
Photonics Technologist

Indian River State College
3209 Virginia Avenue
Fort Pierce, FL 34981
772-462-7066
wkeiser@irsc.edu



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