

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
2027 SAME Undergraduate Innovation Design Challenge
Submissions for the 2026-27 SAME Undergraduate Innovation Design Challenge are due by February 28, 2027. 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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Leveraging Waste as an Energy Force Multiplier
Isolated from the mainland and operating at the edge of the power grid, Naval Air Station Key West is evaluating a waste‑to‑energy microgrid that would convert local refuse into on‑site, dispatchable power. -
Seeing Results: Construction at Tyndall Takes Shape
As construction got underway to rebuild Tyndall AFB as the Installation of the Future following the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Michael in 2018, contractors and base leadership navigated the overlapping challenges of constructing dozens of complex projects while the daily activities of an operational base continued. -
Measuring Success of an Onsite Wastewater System
The Louisville District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers played a critical role in designing an innovative septic mound system for the St. Charles Army Reserve Center, with recent evaluations indicating acceptable performance has been maintained years later. -
Identifying Contaminated Materials at Remediation Sites
Differentiating site-related wastes from naturally occurring or industrial background materials is critical for accurate remediation decisions and cost-effective cleanup.