BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Three Alabama community colleges have received a $500,000 National Science Foundation grant to expand STEM education and prepare students for careers in semiconductor manufacturing and other advanced technology fields.
Drake State Community & Technical College in Huntsville will lead the three-year initiative in partnership with Trenholm State Community College in Montgomery and Lawson State Community College in Birmingham, according to a news release.
All three institutions are historically Black community colleges.
The grant-funded project, called the Semiconductor Exposure, Exploration, and Development Collaborative, or SEED, will run from Oct. 1 through Sept. 30, 2029.
According to the release, the colleges will work together to develop educational pathways that expose more students to science, technology, engineering and mathematics and help prepare them for jobs in the growing semiconductor industry.
The colleges also plan to explore new instructional models, strengthen their capacity to offer applied science programs and connect students with career-development opportunities in semiconductor and advanced manufacturing fields.
“This award reflects a shared commitment among our institutions to broaden participation in STEM education and create transformative opportunities for students,” Drake State President Patricia Sims said in the release.
Sims said the partnership would prepare students for high-demand technology careers.
Lawson State President Cynthia Anthony said the initiative would provide students with the skills, industry exposure and professional connections needed to pursue careers in semiconductor and advanced technology industries.
Trenholm State President Kemba Chambers said the collaboration would help expand students’ access to emerging opportunities in the semiconductor industry.
“By collaborating with fellow Historically Black Community Colleges,” Chambers said, “we are broadening participation in STEM fields and ensuring that talented students from our communities have access to emerging opportunities in the semiconductor industry.”