This summer, more than 50 interns from over 13 historically Black colleges and universities brought fresh energy to the Labs. Under the guidance of their managers and mentors, they engaged in technical projects and contributed to research across various fields.
Supported by more than 90 staff members, these interns received invaluable mentorship on professional growth and networking. The institute included professional development seminars, graduate school workshops and facility tours.
Interns showcased their research and achievements through poster presentations. A standout presentation was delivered by year-round interns Josiah Moore and Kenneth Howard, who introduced their contributions to ATLAS, an AI-assisted tool designed to help quality engineers with complex processes.
“The diverse work I get to do as an intern has been fantastic. Working on this AI tool is something I never imagined I would do. I’m applying skills from my data structure and data science classes to help build this AI model. Networking with experts has been life-changing,” Josiah said.
Starting a new internship can feel overwhelming. However, the START HBCU intern institute, which stands for Securing Top Academic Research & Talent at HBCUs, and the Black Leadership Committee ensured that all students felt welcome by organizing social events. These activities allowed interns to connect with each other and the broader Sandia and Albuquerque communities, fostering camaraderie and lasting relationships.
Kenedi Catoe, a year-round intern and North Carolina A&T State campus ambassador, said, “Planning events for the Black Leadership Committee was fun and exciting. We made sure all interns felt welcomed and included. Activities like bowling and white water rafting helped create a sense of community that I can carry into the school year. This has been one of the many reasons I’m returning to Sandia.”
NNSA program enhances talent pathways
The NNSA Minority Serving Partnership Institute Program, designed to create career pathways for students from minority-serving institutions and tribal colleges, supported over 106 students at the Labs over the summer. Several students were supported by both the NNSA Minority Serving Partnership Institute Program and the START HBCU intern institute.
Sandia is collaborating with Alabama A&M University on the NNSA project, the Consortium for Research and Education in Power and Energy Systems, or CREPES. Led by Sandian Brian Pierre and Alabama A&M professor Mebougna Drabo, this initiative, in partnership with Florida International University and the University of Texas at El Paso, focuses on preparing students from minority-serving institutions for careers in national security.
“CREPES is an exciting program to provide a diverse group of interns opportunities to perform hands on experience that will impact the national security of the U.S. energy systems. It is wonderful to see students return to Sandia multiple summers and grow in their scientific careers,” Brian said.
Betsy Snell, program director of the NNSA Minority Serving Partnership Institute Program, said, “This program empowers students from diverse backgrounds, reinforcing the mission of MSIPP to sustain a career pathway and strengthening the future workforce of the nuclear security enterprise.”