Message from the Director

Greetings from CEPDAM at North Carolina A&T State University. I am honored to serve as Director of this vibrant, university-wide center at the forefront of product design and advanced manufacturing—a sector that drives $2.52 trillion of the US GDP and underpins our economic strength.

CEPDAM delivers innovative, inclusive, and collaborative solutions that address global challenges, supporting NC A&T’s land-grant mission. Our expertise spans the full product realization life cycle: design, prototyping, systems modeling, processing, characterization, and supply chain management across varied industries. Guided by A&T’s motto, “Mens et Manus” (“Mind and Hand”), we turn ideas into impactful action.

Our interdisciplinary affiliates represent seven colleges and lead advancements in Industry 5.0, smart, bio, and sustainable manufacturing. We prepare the 21st-century workforce through research, curriculum innovation, training, and events such as National Manufacturing Day and the Women in Design and Manufacturing Academy.

Across multiple state-of-the-art facilities—design studios, additive manufacturing labs, a nano-bio cleanroom, and more—we partner with national labs, industry leaders, federal agencies, and regional initiatives like the NC Carolina Core to strengthen America’s global competitiveness in advanced manufacturing.

Together, we are shaping the future of manufacturing through innovation, collaboration, and excellence.

Chang S. "CS" Nam, Ph.D.
Interim Director
Center of Excellence in Product Design and Advanced Manufacturing (CEPDAM)