CAVS Extension

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: $7,711,133,997
click here for details and success stories
Upcoming Training and Events

Six Sigma Green Belt Certification
Aug 05, 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): Adam Collins, PE and Harry Kitchens

Date(s): Fall 2026 (August 5-6, August 26-27, September 30 - October 1, October 28-29, November 18-19, December 9) Canton, MS

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

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

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
Aug 05, 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 and Harry Kitchens

Date(s): Fall 2026 (August 5-6, August 26-27, September 30 - October 1, October 28-29, November 18-19, December 9) Canton, MS

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

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

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.

Measurement System Analysis: Gage Repeatability & Reproducibility
Aug 11, 2026

Course Objective:

This two day course will provide an introduction to the concepts of Measurement System Analysis (MSA), which is often referred to as Gage Repeatability & Reproducibility (Gage R&R). Participants will hone their individual skills during a step-by-step, instructor led interactive example using sample demonstration parts.

Course Content:
  • Introduction
    • What is MSA (Gage R&R)?
    • Why measurement Error Matters
    • Measurement System Analysis Terms
    • Gage Repeatability
    • Gage Reproducibility
    • Assessing Measurement System Capability
  • Classroom Activity
    • Overview of Gage R&R Forms
    • Exercise: Actual Inspection & Data Collection Using Sample Parts
    • Step-by-Step Calculations
    • Interpretation and Explanation of Calculated Results
    • Verification of Results Using Computer Software (Minitab, Excel, etc.)
  • In Plant Application
    • Divide the class into teams and perform the Gage R&R on actual inspection equipment
    • Each team present results to the rest of the class.

Who Should Attend? Engineers practicing in any discipline, managers, other technical professionals, and anyone responsible for collection and/or analysis of measurement data.

Participant Involvement: This workshop will provide attendees with basic instruction in the statistical analysis of measured data for the purpose of measurement system validation. Each participant should have a working knowledge of the typical measuring system(s) used in their work or professional environment and an understanding of how related data measurements are collected. The participant's basic understanding of mathematics (average, percentage, & square root, etc.) is assumed. A prior understanding of basic descriptive statistics such as mean, range, and standard deviation is desirable, but these topics will be also be defined and explained during the workshop. Participants will benefit from instructor led lecture, individual hands-on activity, and general discussion on related topics.

Instructor(s): Jonathan Howell and Montrell Marshall

Date(s): August 11-12, 2026 (Communiversity)

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

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

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.

Lean 101
Aug 18, 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): August 18, 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.

Reliability 4.0: Using Industry 4.0 Tools to Transition from Reactive to Proactive Maintenance
Aug 26, 2026

Course Objective:

This two-day workshop explores how Industry 4.0 tools can be used to enhance your condition-based monitoring program to increase asset reliability. This is a hands-on interactive workshop that uses the simulated Industry 4.0 factory in our i4.0 Skills Accelerator Lab.

Course Content:
  • Industry 4.0 Overview
  • Condition Based Monitoring
  • Process Control Analysis
  • Equipment Criticality Ranking
  • Risk Mitigation (RCA/RCM)
  • Industry 4.0 Technologies for Maintenance
Who Should Attend?

Reliability engineers, manufacturing managers, process engineers, maintenance engineers, technicians, and maintenance and reliability managers.

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

Date(s): August 26-27, 2026

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.

Lean Certificate (PRCC)
Aug 26, 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): William (Billy) Peacock, PE

Date(s): Fall 2026 (August 26-27, September 23-24, October 21-22, November 18-19)

Time: 8:00AM - 4:00PM

Location: PRCC Lowery A. Woodall Advanced Technology Center - 906 Sullivan Dr, Hattiesburg, MS 39401

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.

Operational Finance: Linking Outcomes & Values (Financial Fundamentals)
Sep 08, 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): September 8, 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.

Introduction to Industry 4.0
Sep 10, 2026

Description:

This one-day workshop offers attendees an introduction to seven key technologies driving the fourth Industrial Revolution, commonly known as Industry 4.0. Participants will be guided through each topic, exploring various technologies and their applications in industry. Hands-on activities are included to provide practical experience with the technology discussed. By the end of the workshop, attendees will have a foundational understanding of Industry 4.0 technologies and insight into how these innovations could benefit their company.

Technology Topics:

  • Autonomous Robots
  • Machine Monitoring
  • Additive Manufacturing
  • System Integration
  • Big Data Analytics
  • Simulation/Digital Twins
  • Augmented/Virtual Reality

Date(s): September 10, 2026

Time: 8:00AM - 5:00PM

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

Cost:$150.00 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.