CONGRESSMAN JOE MORELLE NAMES MONROE COMMUNITY COLLEGE PROFESSOR ALEXIS VOGT AS GUEST TO STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS

(Washington, D.C.) — Today, Congressman Joe Morelle announced Dr. Alexis Vogt, Endowed Chair & Professor of Optics at Monroe Community College, will be his guest to President Biden’s State of the Union Address to Congress on Thursday.

“For this year’s State of the Union Address, I want to highlight a dedicated partner in our efforts to advance Rochester’s position as a global leader in innovative technologies,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “Dr. Vogt has been a leader in the high-tech optics field for years, and her work has helped propel our region to the forefront of the innovation economy—including helping to secure our recent designation as a Regional Technology Hub. I am proud to have her as my guest to the State of the Union Address and showcase the vital work she is doing to invest in the future of our workforce and our economy.” 

"Congressman Morelle has been a strong advocate for Monroe Community College and the optics industry for many years and I am honored to be his guest at the State of the Union address,” said Dr. Alexis Vogt, Endowed Chair & Professor of Optics at Monroe Community College. “With a 148% increase in student enrollment since 2019—including the current enrollment of 25% students of color and 23% female students—MCC’s Optical Systems Technology program is leading the way in workforce development so our region can continue to pioneer advancement in the field of optics both nationally and globally.”

“Rochester’s long history of innovation and growth continues today with MCC’s first-in-the-nation, two-year optical training program providing a direct path to employment for hundreds of students,” said MCC President DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna, Ph.D. “With over 150 optics companies in the region, Rochester’s recent Tech Hub designation demonstrates its leadership in high-tech innovation.”

Dr. Alexis Vogt is Endowed Chair and Professor of Optics at Monroe Community College, teaching in the only Optical Systems Technology program in the nation. Since joining MCC in 2015, she has helped grow MCC’s Optical Systems Technology Program substantially, cementing it as a critical piece of the high-skill optics workforce pipeline.

Beyond her work at MCC, Dr. Vogt has been instrumental in supporting the NY SMART-I Corridor’s application to be designated a Regional Technology Hub by the U.S. Department of Commerce. Working collaboratively with organizations and leaders in the workforce development space, she has helped to further advance Rochester’s place as a leader on the national and global stages.

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