RCC students, faculty and staff gathered to celebrate the college’s Makerspace with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and hands-on technology demonstrations. As the Northeast’s only Predominantly Black Institution, RCC offers students free, hands-on access to 3D printing, virtual reality and computer-aided design (CAD) technology through the space, helping them build job skills for the region’s growing tech sector.
The reimagined space, located on the fourth floor of Building 3, houses nine 3D printers, including a large-format Raise3D printer and a printer capable of producing four colors at once, four CAD workstations, an HTC Vive virtual reality headset and an LED gaming laptop. The Makerspace has operated since March, logging more than 363 student visits, and remains free to the RCC community, a deliberate choice designed to close a gap in access to technology many students would otherwise only find at private institutions or paid maker spaces.
"The Makerspace is an example of new college-wide commitments and priorities that address an ever-evolving world,” said RCC President Dr. Jonathan K. Jefferson. “It also solidifies RCC's historic commitment to providing our students with long-term economic mobility and empowering our community with education that matters.”
Hillel Sims, RCC Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of STEM, who helped bring the Makerspace to campus, spoke to the growing role the technology will play in students' careers. "This technology is still in its infancy," said Sims. "It takes training to use it. As 3D printing improves, it will be more of an everyday fixture in business." 3D printing is already used across several industries including healthcare, automotive manufacturing, aerospace and construction.
Curtis Haymon from Boston’s Mission Hill neighborhood is the RCC engineering student who manages the Makerspace through the college's Learn and Earn program. He said the space has built its own following among students. "Once someone gets the hang of it, they come back and tell others about it," said Haymon. He works 25 hours a week maintaining the equipment and supporting students who use the space. He plans to pursue a bachelor's degree in manufacturing after graduating from RCC in 2027.
Following the ceremony, attendees toured the Makerspace and watched live equipment demonstrations, with 3D-printed keychains available as giveaways.
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