Welcome

Welcome to CAVS Extension, a unit of Mississippi State University focused on meeting the needs of Mississippi’s manufacturers by:

  • Providing technical expertise with advanced engineering tools
  • Providing professional development training geared for industry
  • Providing on-site project support in the areas of product and process improvement

Let us know how we can assist you.

"Our staff has industry experience – so we understand the problems industry faces – and we want to help solve these problems so that companies can grow and prosper in Mississippi."
- Tonya McCall
Director, CAVS Extension
Providing Advanced Technical Expertise in the Areas of Product and Process Improvement and Technology Transfer Improving Processes with Six Sigma Training and Support Helping Manufacturing, Service and Healthcare Industries through Lean Enhancing Industrial Systems Through Simulation and Decision Support
Economic Impact: $7,660,808,398
click here for details and success stories
Upcoming Training and Events

FANUC Collaborative Robot Operations and Programming
Dec 02, 2025

Course Objectives:

This 3-day (24 Hours) course covers the tasks that an operator, technician, engineer or programmer needs to setup, record and/or troubleshoot programs on a FANUC CRX-Series Collaborative Robot.

Students successfully completing this course will be able to:

  • Understand the different types of collaborative operation.
  • Understand the requirements for unpacking and installing a new CRX-Series robot.
  • Become familiar with the Tablet Teach Pendant and CRX User Interface.
  • Perform a backup and restore.
  • Jog the robot by manual guidance.
  • Create and test motion programs to pick and place workpieces.
  • Gain an understand of collaborative functions related to a CRX-Series robot.

The course consists of lectures, chapter reviews, demonstrations, and a series of lab exercises designed to reinforce what the student has learned. In addition to lab exercises, a pre-test and a post-test are used to measure mastery of objectives. Through our partnership with Aim Up, Carver Middleton will provide support for the training program.

Who Should Attend?

This course is intended for the person who must set up and record a program on a Collaborative Series Robot.

Instructor(s): Jonathan Howell

Date(s): December 2-4, 2025

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost:$475.00 1

Please contact Coretta Price at cprice@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2770 if you have any questions.

Register

1Pricing is contingent upon participant eligibility for state funding. Eligibility will be assessed during registration. For more information about eligibility click here.

SPC 101 - Statistical Process Control
Dec 04, 2025

Course Objective:

This two day workshop is structured so that participants gain a solid understanding of the use of Statistical Process Control to drive process improvement. The class is taught through a balance lecture, class discussion, class exercises, and follow-on participant projects. Specific topics include both variables and attribute control charting. Specific variables control charting tools include X-BAR and R charts, as well as X and Moving R. Specific Attribute charting techniques are also presented including P, C, and U Charts. Also process capability indexes are presented and explained (i.e., Cp, Cpk, Pp, Ppk). Throughout the class a strong emphasis is placed on how to connect SPC with root causes oriented problem solving. Key concepts are reinforced through the use of catapults to simulate the real world linkage between SPC and process improvement.

Course Content:
  • Basics of Process Variation
  • Introduction to the Control Chart
  • Using Systematic Problem Solving to Drive Improvement
  • How a Control Chart Really Works
  • Basic Measures of Process Capability
  • SPC Class Exercise using Catapults

Who Should Attend? Manufacturing Engineers, Quality Engineers, Managers, Supervisors, and other professionals.

Instructor(s): Adam Collins, PE

Date(s): December 4-5, 2025 (Canton, MS)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost:$175.00 1

Please contact Coretta Price at cprice@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2770 if you have any questions.

Register

1Pricing is contingent upon participant eligibility for state funding. Eligibility will be assessed during registration. For more information about eligibility click here.

FMEA and Asset Criticality Analysis Workshop
Jan 21, 2026

Course Description:

This two-day workshop will equip participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to rank the criticality of machines/assets within a manufacturing environment and to implement Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) effectively. This allows them to identify and prioritize failure modes, assess risks, and develop mitigation strategies. This is a hands-on interactive workshop that uses the simulated Industry 4.0 factory in our CAVS-E Experiential Learning Lab (C.E.L.L.).

Course Content:
  • FMEA (History, Purpose, Implementation)
  • Asset Criticality Ranking (Purpose, Implementation)
  • Risk Mitigation
  • Condition Based Monitoring
  • Hands on Activities
Who Should Attend:

Maintenance Managers, Manufacturing Managers, Maintenance Engineers, Maintenance Technicians, Process Engineers, Reliability Engineers, Reliability Managers.

Instructor(s): Jonathan Howell and Jonathan Curtis, PE

Date(s): January 21-22, 2026 (Canton, MS)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost:$200.00 1

Please contact Coretta Price at cprice@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2770 if you have any questions.

Register

1Pricing is contingent upon participant eligibility for state funding. Eligibility will be assessed during registration. For more information about eligibility click here.

Operational Finance: Linking Outcomes & Values (Financial Fundamentals)
Jan 27, 2026

Course Objective:

In this course, using interactive business simulation where you will be immersed in setting and running your own business, you will develop a new ability to visualize corporate financial information as a single landscape of interacting forces. You will experience how other departments affect how you do your job, and how you do your job affects other departments.

Instructor(s): Jonathan Howell and Harry Kitchens

Date(s): January 27, 2026 (Communiversity)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: Communiversity - 7003 South Frontage Road Columbus, MS 39701

Cost:$175.00 1

Please contact Coretta Price at cprice@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2770 if you have any questions.

Register

1Pricing is contingent upon participant eligibility for state funding. Eligibility will be assessed during registration. For more information about eligibility click here.

Lean Certificate
Jan 28, 2026

Course Objective:

Course objective is to develop participant skills in the recognition and elimination of Waste, and to improve Flow in their operations. Participants will apply these techniques on an approved project.

Who Should Attend? Manufacturing Engineers, Quality Engineers, Industrial Engineers, Mechanical Engineers, Engineering Managers, Plant Managers

Participant Involvement: The training will consist of 4 two-day sessions (i.e., 64 hours of class time) scheduled during a four month period. Each participant is required to implement techniques and tools on an approved project that targets substantial benefits to their respective organizations. Each participant will receive consulting support both in and outside the classroom to assist with the successful completion of their project. It is anticipated that significant work outside the classroom will be expected in order to ensure maximum results from the student project.

Instructor(s): John Moore

Date(s): Spring 2026 (January 28-29 (Communiversity), February 25-26 (Canton), March 25-26 (Communiversity), April 22-23 (Canton))

Time: 8:00AM - 4:00PM

Location: Communiversity - 7003 South Frontage Road Columbus, MS 39701 & MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost:$725.00 1

Please contact Coretta Price at cprice@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2770 if you have any questions.

Register

1Pricing is contingent upon participant eligibility for state funding. Eligibility will be assessed during registration. For more information about eligibility click here.

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
Feb 04, 2026

Course Objective:

This eleven-day workshop is to develop participant skills in the advanced problem-solving techniques that have been popularized under the banner of Six Sigma. Participants will apply these techniques on an approved project. Upon project completion and successfully passing a written examination, participants will receive a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification.

Participant Involvement: The training will consist of 11 days scheduled during a five month period. Each participant is required to implement techniques and tools on an approved project that targets substantial benefits to their respective organizations. Each participant will receive consulting support both in and outside the classroom to assist with the successful completion of their project. It is anticipated that significant work outside the classroom will be expected in order to ensure maximum results from the student project.

Who Should Attend: Manufacturing and Quality Engineers and Technicians, Industrial Engineers, individuals supporting Six Sigma projects, and/or individuals looking to achieve their Green Belt Certification.

Instructor(s): Les Goff, Ph.D., Adam Collins, PE and Harry Kitchens

Date(s): Spring 2026 (February 4-5, March 4-5, April 1-2, April 29-30, May 27-28, June 18) Communiversity

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: Communiversity - 7003 South Frontage Road Columbus, MS 39701

Cost:$850.00 1

Please contact Coretta Price at cprice@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2770 if you have any questions.

Register

1Pricing is contingent upon participant eligibility for state funding. Eligibility will be assessed during registration. For more information about eligibility click here.

Six Sigma Black Belt Certification
Feb 04, 2026

Course Objective:

This 11 day workshop requires each student to demonstrate mastery of the Six Sigma Body of knowledge and is accomplished through the participant leading a black belt project which illustrates the DMAIC methodology, use of appropriate statistical tools, and substantial business results. Upon project completion and after successfully passing a written examination participants will receive a Six Sigma Black Belt Certification.

Participant Involvement: The training will consist of 11 days scheduled during a five month period. Each participant is required to implement techniques and tools on an approved project that targets substantial benefits to their respective organizations. Each participant will receive consulting support both in and outside the classroom to assist with the successful completion of their project. It is anticipated that significant work outside the classroom will be expected in order to ensure maximum results from the student project.

Who Should Attend: Manufacturing and Quality Engineers and Technicians, Industrial Engineers, individuals supporting Six Sigma projects, and/or individuals looking to achieve their Black Belt Certification.

Instructor(s): Adam Collins, PE, Les Goff, Ph.D. and Harry Kitchens

Date(s): Spring 2026 (February 4-5, March 4-5, April 1-2, April 29-30, May 27-28, June 18) Communiversity

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: Communiversity - 7003 South Frontage Road Columbus, MS 39701

Cost:$1025.00 1

Please contact Coretta Price at cprice@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2770 if you have any questions.

Register

1Pricing is contingent upon participant eligibility for state funding. Eligibility will be assessed during registration. For more information about eligibility click here.

Lean 101
Feb 05, 2026

Description:

Lean 101 is a class designed to introduce students to the principles of Lean Manufacturing, focusing on efficiency and waste reduction in processes. Students will learn how to identify and eliminate unnecessary steps through a combination of lectures and hands-on activities.

Instructor(s): William (Billy) Peacock, PE, Harry Kitchens and Montrell Marshall

Date(s): February 5, 2026 (Canton, MS)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

Location: MSU CAVS Extension - 153 Mississippi Parkway Canton, MS 39046

Cost:$175.00 1

Please contact Coretta Price at cprice@cavse.msstate.edu or 601-407-2770 if you have any questions.

Register

1Pricing is contingent upon participant eligibility for state funding. Eligibility will be assessed during registration. For more information about eligibility click here.