Leighton Beam is Miami's first
student to earn a Six Sigma
green beltSix Sigma is a popular methodology in which data is analyzed to solve, minimize, or prevent problems in an organization’s processes. Six Sigma certification is valuable for any engineer, but especially for one just starting their career after college. John Richter, a clinical faculty member who became a Six Sigma green belt while working at Schneider Electric, realized that all the pieces to teach it were already in the Miami University College of Engineering and Computing’s curriculum. So Richter, along with B. Carter Hamilton, associate professor, and Tim Cameron, professor and chair of the department, decided to create a program in which engineering students could become Six Sigma green belts.

The new programs blends coursework and independent study. First, students must take MME 334: Quality Planning and Control and MME 434: Manufacturing Design. Then they do a 3-credit hour independent study with Richter that requires working through a real-life Six Sigma application, studying online materials, and finally taking the exam to receive their certification. At the end of the spring semester Leighton Beam was the first Miami University student to become a Six Sigma green belt. More students are planning to get their certification in the upcoming school year.

Because of the nature of the coursework required, only engineering students can get certified as of now. The next step in the process, according to Richter, is to create a program that is open to students of all majors. He hopes that that program will be available in 2018.

By Paige Smith