Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology is proud to announce that three students from the Computer Integrated Machining program have advanced to the Project MFG National Championship after winning their regional competition. Shaun Hershey, Trevor Masterson, and Hayden Telford earned their spot among the nation’s top manufacturing students through a multi-day regional competition that tested their technical skills and ability to perform under real-world pressure.
About Project MFG
Project MFG is a national tournament-style competition series designed to elevate the next generation of skilled trades professionals. The Advanced Manufacturing Competition tests teams on a combination of integrated manufacturing processes, including 5-axis CNC machining, additive manufacturing, and metrology. Teams must navigate real-world challenges throughout the competition, including change orders, project delays, and time management demands, all while producing a final product to precise specifications.
This year, 16 teams competed across four regional sites. The winning team from each regional round advances to the National Championship at no cost, where four teams will compete for the title of Project MFG National Champion and a $100,000 prize.
Meet the Bulldogs
Trevor Masterson grew up in Quarryville, Pennsylvania, and attended Solanco High School before coming to Thaddeus Stevens College. He was drawn to the College because of its Computer Integrated Machining program and its proximity to home. At the regional competition, Trevor discovered something unexpected: the experience outside the competition was just as valuable as the competition itself. The camaraderie of going to dinner with teammates, instructors, and competitors from other schools brought a sense of community to what could have been a high-pressure event. Trevor is eager to enter the workforce and continue growing within the machining trade.
Shaun Hershey, also from Quarryville, came to Thaddeus Stevens College on the recommendation of friends who had attended before him. He chose Computer Integrated Machining because the field looked interesting, and that curiosity has only grown. Learning to program with CAM software and set up and run CNC machines has become a highlight of his education. Like Trevor, Shaun found the team dynamic at Project MFG to be one of the most rewarding parts of the experience, and he is looking forward to graduating and stepping into the workforce.
Hayden Telford came to Thaddeus Stevens College from Greensburg, Pennsylvania, drawn by the College’s reputation as one of the best in the state for CNC machining. A lifelong hands-on learner, Hayden has found the program full of challenges he never anticipated when he started, including fixturing and cutting tool selection. He has a clear vision for his future in the trade, with hopes of one day working on amusement park rides and building things that bring joy to people. For Hayden, competing in Project MFG meant improving his skills with real motivation behind every decision, while getting to know teammates and peers from across the country who share the same passion for the trade.
From the Classroom to the National Stage
The success of these three students is a direct reflection of the applied, practical education that defines the Computer Integrated Machining program at Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology. Students do not just learn theory in the classroom; they build the skills and confidence to compete and win on a national stage.
Thaddeus Stevens College of Technology congratulates Trevor, Shaun, and Hayden on their regional victory and wishes them the best as they represent the Bulldog community at the National Championship.