

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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Microgrids: A Modern-Day Energy Solution
Investments in microgrids have been growing as the nation confronts more frequent extreme weather events, and an increased urgency to consider alternative energy sources. -
Assuring Energy Security to Meet Mission Needs
To meet current energy security demands and align with policy, the U.S. Navy is leveraging third-party financing, conducting exercises to prioritize needs, and investing in energy infrastructure improvements and recapitalization. -
Piloting the Next Generation of Installation Energy
The Department of the Air Force is developing new policies, investing in carbon-pollution free electricity and electric vehicle projects, exploring alternative energy opportunities, and changing its approach to future energy initiatives in order to maximize operational capability while promoting cleaner, more efficient resource use. -
Transforming Energy Security at Camp Pendleton
A utility energy services contract completed in 2021 at Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton included transformer retrofits as an integral energy conservation measures to improve reliability and reduce energy consumption.