Automate 2025: Illinois State professor Dr. Jeritt Williams named 2025 A3 Educator of the Year

The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) has named Dr. Jeritt Williams, assistant professor of engineering technology at Illinois State University, the 2025 A3 Educator of the Year.

A3 said Williams was selected for the award due to his focus on hands-on learning and his student support.

Williams will receive the award on May 14 during Automate 2025, held May 12-15 at Detroit’s Huntington Place.

Educator of the Year highlights automation education

The A3 Educator of the Year Award is sponsored by Siemens and seeks to honor individuals who have demonstrated dedication to shaping the next generation of professionals in automation through teaching. It recognizes secondary and postsecondary educators who demonstrate innovation in teaching methods, commitment to personal and professional growth, the ability to motivate and inspire students and a mastery of their subject matter.

Williams leads Illinois State University’s Caterpillar Integrated Manufacturing Laboratory, which serves as an Industry 4.0 model with industrial robots and cobots, machine vision systems, conveyors, production, digital twin capabilities and more. 

“Being named the 2025 A3 Educator of the Year is a truly meaningful distinction for me,” Williams said. “It serves as both a much-appreciated acknowledgment that educators who embrace hands-on, authentic practices are valued and respected, and it celebrates an important point of achievement in a longer journey that would not have been possible without the many incredible educators, mentors, students and friends who have inspired, encouraged, supported and challenged me along the way. I strive to give back and pay it forward for the next generation. My deepest gratitude to the Association for Advancing Automation for this great honor.”

Williams began his career in manufacturing and logistics, where he programmed CNC machines with robot loading systems. He eventually moved into industrial training and became a high school shop teacher. He taught pre-engineering classes at the middle school and high school levels, covering automation and robotics, energy and power systems, advanced manufacturing and engineering design before joining Illinois State University full-time.

At ISU, he teaches courses in mechatronics fundamentals, programmable logic controllers, industrial robotics and manufacturing systems integration.

As the A3 Educator of the Year, Williams and Illinois State University will receive a cash prize from the Siemens Cooperates with Education (SCE) program along with a hardware and software technology bundle to expand Williams’ efforts to provide students with practical technical skills. 

The SCE program will also award Williams and the top five educators nominated with a technology bundle of Siemens software valued at over $250,000 each to promote automation in education and continue elevating the skills of tomorrow’s workforce in the U.S.

“Together with A3 and the other forward-thinking sponsors of Educator Day, it’s an honor to recognize the people who ignite curiosity, build confidence and guide students into STEM careers,” said Amanda Beaton, U.S. program manager of SCE. “Siemens is excited to recognize this year’s winner, Dr. Jerrit Williams of Illinois State University, and to help expand and promote the wonderful work he is doing in the field of engineering technology.  His demonstrated success teaching PLCs, robotics and digital twins with real-world, hands-on experiences is exactly what the Educator of the Year Award is about. Siemens is proud to be a part of recognizing all of the educators and students participating in Educator Day and the impact they are making on future generations of STEM scholars.”

Educator Day at Automate 2025

Educators in STEM, robotics, automation and other relevant fields can attend Educator Day at Automate 2025 Automate. The event runs from 9:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, May 14 and is sponsored by ABB, FANUC, Siemens and Universal Robots. Attendees will learn about the industry, make new connections and see the latest industry developments. Educators can register here.

On Thursday, May 15, Automate, in partnership with A3 NextGen, will host free tours of Automate for students and educators. Sponsored by MISUMI, the tours will educate the next generation on the possibilities that automation technologies hold and provide resources to start careers in automation. Students can also share their resumes and discuss opportunities with select automation companies exhibiting at the show. 

Throughout all four days of Automate 2025, students will also have access to the Automate Education Pavilion, a designated area of the show floor where students can explore a variety of career paths in automation, network with industry professionals and explore workforce training and advancement opportunities.