The Texas A&M University College of Engineering and Blinn College District received a $5 million grant to establish an industry-focused semiconductor scholarship program. Awarded through the National Science Foundation’s (NSF) S-STEM program, this grant funds the Semiconductor Manufacturing, Research and Testing (SMART) Scholars program.
The program aims to directly address the need for engineers in the semiconductor industry by leveraging two coenrollment programs offered in partnership between the institutions. The current model focuses on advancing the pool of general engineering students who start their education at both Blinn College District and Texas A&M. The proposed SMART Scholars program will further tailor their educational experiences to prepare them for the semiconductor workforce.
“This S-STEM Track 3 award enables us to provide significant financial support, professional development and mentorship to SMART Scholars who start their engineering studies in our coenrollment programs with Blinn College District,” said Dr. Andrea M. Ogilvie, assistant dean for student success in Texas A&M’s College of Engineering and the NSF award’s principal investigator. “In addition, we will investigate how the SMART scholarships and related co-curricular activities impact coenrolled students’ experiences, preparation and persistence in the semiconductor industry.”
The collaborative project, titled “Pathways for Community College Students to Earn Engineering Degrees Based on a Coenrollment Model,” is focused on high-potential students with financial need who are coenrolled in the Texas A&M Engineering at Blinn (TEAB) program or the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Blinn-Brenham. To accomplish this, the SMART Scholars program will fund sixty-three SMART Scholarships over the next six years.
Each scholarship is worth up to $48,000 to be paid out over four-year scholarship periods. Students will also receive a $2,000 stipend to support their participation in study abroad, undergraduate research, or another high-impact learning experience of their choice.
To accomplish the semiconductor industry purpose of the program, the scholarships will be open to 11 SMART majors, including chemical engineering, computer engineering, computer science, data engineering, electrical engineering, electronic systems engineering technology, industrial engineering, manufacturing and mechanical engineering technology, materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, and multidisciplinary engineering technology.
“This project offers an amazing opportunity for Blinn’s exceptionally bright and hardworking students to gain hands-on experience in an emerging field,” said Lauren Buth, engineering programs director and principal investigator on the award for the Blinn College District. “It’s an honor for Blinn College to play a role in preparing the next generation of leaders for success in a fast-growing technology industry.”
Additional leadership team members include Dr. Rainer Fink, professor of electronic systems engineering technology; Dr. Michael Johnson, associate provost for academic enhancement and professor of manufacturing and mechanical engineering technology; Dr. Bimal Nepal, J.R. Thompson department head chair of engineering technology and industrial distribution; and Dr. Karen Rambo-Hernandez, professor of teaching, learning, and culture.