Nevada Engineering is part of the newly formed Pacific-Intermountain Network for Education in Semiconductors, a regional consortium of the National Network for Microelectronics Education (NNME). The college’s Nanofabrication Lab in the Davidson Foundation Cleanroom will support this National Science Foundation-funded initiative to build the country’s semiconductor and microelectronics workforce.

“This partnership will support everything from new K-12 outreach programs to career-oriented education for both University students and the greater Northern Nevada community,” Cleanroom Director Russ Renzas said. “This supports both the U.S. semiconductor industry at large and Nevada’s growing semiconductor and microelectronics industry specifically.” 

NNME Pacific Intermountain consortium — led by Boise State University and including the University of Nevada, Reno and other institutions — is one of four regional hubs launched May 26. The nonprofit Semi Foundation, which is serving as the NNME hub operator, made the announcement.

Nevada Engineering’s Nanofabrication Lab debuted in spring 2025 and anchors the college’s efforts to prepare students for the semiconductor and microelectronics industries. Among those efforts: the college is offering, with support from the Nevada Tech Hub, a Nevada Summer Engineering Academy undergraduate research program with a focus on nanofabrication July 27-31.

“We’re excited to be in the Pacific Intermountain Network for Education in Semiconductors,” Engineering Dean Tom Weller said. “Our college has a lot to offer and also a lot to gain though this and other partnerships that support our mission to educate and advance research.”