

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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Managing Mission Readiness for Our Military
Looking Forward presented by Jacobs. In a continually changing world, today’s military is under more pressure than ever to operate efficiently and cost-effectively. Leadership also must balance the need to keep an eye on the future as it relates to cyber threats, energy security, and sustainability. -
Building a Common Operating Picture of Facilities, Infrastructure, and Terrain
With an increasing need for commanders to have an understanding of infrastructure and the physical environment both on and off the battlefield, geospatial engineers must be able to provide a global, holistic, and cohesive view through tools like the Joint Engineer Common Operating Picture. -
Meeting Data-Intensive Challenges With Narrow AI
When considering solutions for targeted, data-intensive problems, such as a recent challenge undertaken by the Air Force Civil Engineer Center to predict construction project priorities, the use of traditional narrow artificial intelligence still beats emerging technologies. -
Leveraging Geospatial Data Tools on the Key Bridge Response
In carrying out the joint response after the Key Bridge collapse, the U.S. Coast Guard and other partner agencies leveraged both internal and external geographic information system expertise to provide data-sharing and near real-time monitoring capabilities.