Community Mission
The College Outreach Community leads collaborative efforts between SAME and academia to identify and resolve national security infrastructure-related challenges and supports Post’s efforts to mentor and develop future STEM professionals at the collegiate-level. The community serves as a bridge between academia, Posts, government (military and civilian), and the private sector. The community provides guidance to the network of student chapters across the Society, promotes internship opportunities from SAME sustaining members, and will establish a new engineering competition for students designed to address the nation’s grand challenges.
Overview
The SAME College Outreach Community strives to organize programs and present opportunities to future military and civilian members of the A/E/C profession that will foster networking within their professional community, build leadership skills, and provide job opportunities to recent graduates. Additionally, students with an active membership within SAME have at their disposal a wealth of knowledge and experiences from professionals throughout the A/E/C community of practice.
Executive Community Structure
Vice Chairs
Danielle Hughes, Communications
Jeffrey Allen, Academia Engagement
Staff Liaison
Sarah Feighery, Program Manager
2026 SAME Undergraduate Innovation Design Challenge
Submissions for the 2025-26 SAME Undergraduate Innovation Design Challenge are due by February 6, 2026. This competition, led by the College Outreach COI, evaluates design projects that are being developed by student members as part of their degree curriculums and highlights the innovative thinking of the next generation of STEM professionals.
Learn more about the Innovation Design ChallengeUpcoming National Webinars
Related TME Articles – College Outreach
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From Obligation Pressures to Mission Readiness: Rethinking Project Delivery in Defense Programs
Looking Forward presented by Procore. The next evolution in project delivery is the expansion from a system of record to a system of intelligence and collaboration where the value of centralized data is amplified through near real-time visibility and connected workflows. Leaders can move beyond static reporting and begin to understand what is happening across the portfolio as it unfolds. -
Leveraging SBIR/STTR in San Antonio, and Beyond
A dormitory maintenance solution created for Joint Base San Antonio demonstrates how projects developed through the unique federal funding mechanisms of Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer can accelerate innovation across the military enterprise. -
Finding Common Ground: Military Planning Across Europe
A cross-country assessment of European military installations in support of U.S. Army Europe and Africa highlights how addressing gaps in master planning, cultural norms, and certifications can improve NATO’s ability to deliver interoperable infrastructure at increasing scale. -
Accelerating Mission Readiness Through Coastal Resiliency
Throughout the Pacific, coastal science and engineering are being applied to strengthen shoreline resilience, sustain critical infrastructure, and accelerate mission readiness.
