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Entergy Empowers STEM Professors for Students’ Future Success

Entergy Empowers STEM Professors for Students’ Future Success

Published 07-19-24

Submitted by Entergy Corporation

Three people posed for a selfie in front of a wall of controls.

Entergy recently welcomed six new faculty members from partner universities to its Entergy Faculty Extern Program across our service area in Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. The program offers STEM educators – in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics – collaborative opportunities, facility tours, job shadowing and hands-on experiences to enhance their understanding of energy careers and better prepare their students.

Originally established in 2019, our extern program was put on hold due to the pandemic and reintroduced in 2023 with expanded offerings, including non-nuclear business functions such as reliability and the reliability control center, providing faculty with insights into various industry aspects.

"The program serves as a transformational agent to how we should see education. It is just not about loading them [students] with theory and knowledge but also emphasizing how important soft skills and communication skills are," said Dr. Erol Sarigul, associate professor, department of advanced technology, Alcorn State University.

The 2024 program began with an orientation in Jackson, Mississippi, followed by on-site job shadowing in participants' service areas. Faculty externs gained valuable industry knowledge, enabling them to inspire students and serve as Entergy brand ambassadors in their communities. Since the program’s re-launch, participants have lauded the program for enhancing their ability to connect theory with practice and improving student employability through relevant, practical learning experiences.

"Faculty externs were given an in-depth, inside look at the important work we do each day at Entergy. Entergy subject matter experts and leaders shared their time, talents and knowledge with the faculty externs. As a result, those externs will take new examples to their classrooms, highlight the energy industry as a viable career option and serve as Entergy brand ambassadors in their local communities," said Krystal Thurman, Entergy’s diverse workforce strategy program manager and Entergy Faculty Extern program lead. "Programs like this do not happen without an immense amount of teamwork, collaboration and desire to make others more successful."

Entergy’s 2024 faculty externs

  • Erol Sarigul, associate professor, department of advanced technology, Alcorn State University
  • Lin Gong, assistant professor, department of electrical and computer engineering and computer science, Jackson State University
  • Fred Lacy, professor and chair, electrical engineering, Southern University and A&M College
  • Jiecai Luo, professor, electrical engineer, Southern University and A&M College
  • Yasser Ismail, associate professor, electrical engineering, Southern University and A&M College
  • Charles Colen, professor and chairperson, engineering management and technology, University of Arkansas Pine Bluff

The program continues to enrich the talent pipeline by equipping educators with the skills needed to prepare students for success in the evolving energy sector. Learn more about our initiatives to provide training and support for students who are pursuing careers in STEM or energy.

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Entergy Corporation

Entergy Corporation

Entergy is a Fortune 500 company that powers life for 3 million customers through our operating companies in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas. We’re investing in the reliability, resilience and growth of the energy system while helping our region transition to cleaner, more efficient energy solutions. With roots in our communities for more than 100 years, Entergy is a nationally recognized leader in sustainability and corporate citizenship. Since 2018, we have delivered more than $100 million in economic benefits each year to local communities through philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy is headquartered in New Orleans, Louisiana, and has approximately 12,000 employees. Learn more at entergy.com and follow @Entergy on social media. #WePowerLife

Corporate Social Responsibility at Entergy

For more than 100 years, Entergy has powered life in our communities through strategic philanthropy, volunteerism and advocacy. Entergy’s corporate social responsibility initiatives help create and sustain thriving communities, position the company for sustainable growth and are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Our top CSR priorities are education/workforce development, poverty solutions/social services and environmental programs. Entergy annually contributes $16-$18 million in shareholder-funded grants to approximately 2,000 nonprofit organizations in the communities where we operate. In addition, our employees volunteer more than 100,000 hours in those communities' values at more than $3 million.

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