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
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The Hidden Cost: Why Schedule is the Biggest MILCON Premium
Military construction (MILCON) cost discussions often focus on dollars per square foot, but one of the most significant portion of the overall cost is time. Every month added to a project can increase costs through -
- Webinar
AI as Load Shock: Rethinking Energy Security and Mission Assurance
The rapid expansion of AI computing, electrification, and mission-critical digital infrastructure is fundamentally altering the energy security landscape. While AI is often discussed as a software capability or data challenge, its most immediate national security impact is physical: unprecedented, concentrated, and inflexible electrical demand that stresses grid infrastructure and traditional resilience assumptions.
Related TME Articles – College Outreach
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Establishing Partnership at Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station
In designing a new fueling solution for Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station that would be capable of meeting its modern mission needs, laying a foundation of transparency, accountability, and communicated expectations early on was key to meeting project goals. -
Navigating Cost Volatility
In reaction to significant market disruptions since 2020, the construction industry has adapted by leveraging shared risk contract methods and more responsive data sources, and by implementing more secure technology platforms. -
Achieving Carbon Neutrality Targets in the Federal Sector
Developing a comprehensive roadmap based on the unique location, mission, and function of the facilities at individual military bases can help deliver projects that move installations toward carbon neutrality goals. -
Leveraging Industry-Government Engagement to Improve Project Delivery
Efforts underway to better implement partnering relationships into federal construction has led to the establishment of updated guidance across the services as well as new tools to better lay out expectations and encourage dialogue at a project’s onset.
