BP, UAA Partnership Seeks to Create Opportunities for Future Engineers in Alaska

BP is investing more than $280,000 in UAA’s College of Engineering and the Alaska Native Science & Engineering Program (ANSEP) in 2019, benefitting not only current university students, but also elementary school students and engineering professionals supported by the college’s extensive programs.

“At UAA, we’re training the next generation of our state’s workforce,” said Dr. Kenrick Mock, Interim Dean of UAA’s College of Engineering. “Partnerships like this allow us to expand our impact and support the full reach of a lifetime of education. We’re grateful to BP for their continued investment in the university, our programs, and Alaska’s future.”

This year’s gifts will support various programs at UAA, including:

• BP Summer Engineering Academies: BP’s investment in UAA is making it possible to add a new LEGO Robotics session in Kenai this summer. There, students will design, build and program a robot using LEGO-based tools to problem-solve and compete in various challenges. UAA’s Summer Engineering Academies offer a full series of week-long, hands-on instructional sessions for students entering grades 3-12 in Anchorage, Matanuska Valley and Kenai. Each academy is designed to encourage interest and provide exposure to science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), especially for underrepresented populations.
• ANSEP: Continuing their generous support of ANSEP for close to 20 years, BP will fund nine ANSEP Summer Bridge students, who will participate in BP-provided internships this summer. Summer Bridge focuses on developing students academically, socially and professionally for college and careers.
• College of Engineering Professional Development Seminars: Through support of these weekly seminars, BP’s investment will reach Alaska’s professional engineers completing continuing education credits.
• Tutoring Center:  The College of Engineering Tutoring Center provides crucial academic support to assist students in mastering challenging engineering curriculum to reach their goals.
• BP Asset Integrity and Corrosion Lab: BP will not only support the existing Corrosion Lab in the Engineering and Industry Building (EIB), but also allow for its expansion to the Engineering and Computation Building (ECB) on campus. The lab’s mission is to advance the understanding of corrosion processes through fundamental and applied research, and to provide a pipeline of well-trained, corrosion-savvy engineers to support Alaska’s economy and industries. 
• Student Clubs: A portion of the donation will be used to support the Baja Society of Automotive Engineers, Robotics, Steel Bridge, and the Women in Engineering clubs. These clubs and programs create a comprehensive education at UAA, readying students to serve the needs of industry and the state. 

“BP has supported the ANSEP Summer Bridge since 1998, and today, several ANSEP alumni work as engineers at BP. Together, we are making a profound and positive impact on the lives of the students, their families, their communities, our university, our state, and within our partner organizations that will endure generations,” said ANSEP Founder and Vice Provost Dr. Herb Schroeder.

“Our partnership with UAA is so important to us,” said David Conway, HR Director for BP Alaska. “UAA’s future students are also our future employees and industry leaders, and providing them support and opportunities strengthens Alaska’s workforce for years to come.” 

For more information about UAA College of Engineering, visit: https://www.uaa.alaska.edu/academics/college-of-engineering/