Nevada Engineering celebrated the graduation of 28 rising sophomore students from the inaugural cohort of the Nevada Summer Engineering Academy — a one-week hands-on lab experience for students interested in nanofabrication and robotics. The academy took place in the last week of July, culminating in a showcase where students met with representatives from local companies and displayed their projects.

“Thank you for being the first Nevada Summer Engineering Academy cohort,” Engineering Dean Tom Weller said at the graduation celebration. “I hope you not only got a lot of intensive lab time but also made new connections with your peers that will help you for the rest of your academic journey.”

The 10 students who completed the nanofabrication track learned about manufacturing processes and design basics, including lithography, deposition, packaging and metrology, and spent most of their time in the Davidson Foundation Cleanroom Nanofabrication Lab making circuits with Cleanroom Director Russ Renzas and Lab Manager Nancy Xiao. As part of the robotics track, students worked under Professor Dave Feil-Seifer to build and program prototypes of robots that can be used to help specialists screen for language disorders in children.

“What a fantastic group of students! We marketed the academy and all the spots were filled within weeks,” NSEA coordinator Julie McMillin said. “The desire for research opportunities from our rising sophomores is huge. When you get to know these students firsthand, you realize how academically strong our engineering students are. This type of program is what sets us apart and strengthens our student community.”

Training students for an innovation economy

Nevada Tech Hub, one of 31 Tech Hubs nationally designated by the Economic Development Administration, supported the NSEA with grant funding for workforce development efforts that support Nevada’s growing lithium battery and critical materials economy.

“Programs like NSEA demonstrate how alignment between higher education and industry strengthens talent pipelines and helps build a durable workforce for the industries of the future,” Nevada Tech Hub Regional Innovation Officer Dick Bartholet said.

Nevada Tech Hub is providing a three-year grant for future NSEAs.

The NSEA was created to provide students with hands-on training in emerging fields vital to the state’s growing and diversifying economy. Manufacturing engineers, electrical engineers, industrial materials engineers, semiconductor processing technicians and mechanical engineers have the brightest career outlooks, according to Jason Klonicke, project director at Truckee Meadows Community College.

“Whoever told you that you should be an engineer — give them a hug when you get home,” Klonicke said.

Representatives from local businesses gave presentations about their companies and what they look for in employees.

“We hire builders, not test takers,” Zachary Zimits, director of research and development at Atlas Magnetics, said.

He emphasized that Atlas Magnetics hires employees who are comfortable in a lab, own a problem end-to-end and “learn by building, test by breaking.” He encouraged students to join clubs where they can apply their studies.

“By going through this program, you contributed to the economic development success of the state of Nevada. Thank you,” Karsten Heise, Governor’s Office of Economic Development senior director of strategic and innovation, said.

Nevada’s economic transformation began under former Gov. Brian Sandoval, the current president of the University of Nevada, Reno. By prioritizing manufacturing, the state accelerated its recovery from the 2008 recession and created a mechanism for sustained growth. According to Heise, Nevada’s economy has grown six times the national average, with Reno leading at 14 times the average over the last decade. While manufacturing drove economic recovery, he emphasized that innovation would drive future economic growth.

“Spread the word: innovation matters, and startup technology-based companies matter for the economy,” he said.

There are a variety of initiatives connecting businesses with student talent in emerging manufacturing fields. The Semiconductor Materials, Advanced Research and Technology in Nevada (SMART NV) consortium is active in connecting companies in the microelectronics space with capable interns to build the semiconductor workforce pipeline.

If you would like more information about SMART NV, please contact ero@unr.edu or visit smartnv.org.

For more information on Nevada Tech Hub and additional initiatives, visit the Tech Hub website.