

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
-
Determining the Presence of PFAS in Coated Bentonite Pellets
A recent study, which investigated the potential for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances to leach from coated bentonite pellets commonly used during environmental monitoring well construction, also revealed the extent of consequences derived from false positives during site samplings. -
Assessing a Threatened Fish Species Using Remotely Operated Vehicle Technology
To survey the population of the pygmy sculpin, a small, federally protected fish that is highly vulnerable to environmental stressors due to its limited distribution, an innovative method was developed using remotely operated vehicle technology. -
Leveraging Small Business
Expanding opportunities for small businesses to serve in lead roles could help bolster the capabilities of the defense industrial base and provide capacity for federal agencies. -
Missile Defense Activities in Alaska
For more than 70 years, Alaska’s geographically strategic location has served the United States as an ideal base for housing missile defense and radar sensing installations to protect the nation from missile threats.