Ferrum College has secured $1,977,991 in first-year Title III Strengthening Institutions Program funding for a new Bachelor of Science in Engineering Technology program, expanding student opportunity and strengthening the workforce pipeline for rural Southwest Virginia.
The first-year investment from the U.S. Department of Education will support the development of an applied, hands-on engineering technology degree designed to prepare students for high-demand careers in civil, construction, and environmental engineering fields. The program will combine academic instruction, embedded internships, registered apprenticeships, and industry-aligned credentials to equip students with the skills employers need now and in the future.
Chairman of the Ferrum College Board of Trustees Scott Showalter said, “Ferrum College has always believed in the power of education to change lives. This first-year funding is a remarkable investment in that belief. It will open doors for students who may never have imagined a path into engineering technology and will help build a stronger workforce for the communities we serve. We are proud of the leadership that brought this opportunity to fruition and grateful for the confidence this award places in Ferrum College.”
Ferrum College President Mirta M. Martin said the funding is a meaningful step forward for the institution and the region it serves.
“This is a powerful affirmation of Ferrum College’s mission as a College of Opportunity,” said President Martin. “This first-year funding allows us to begin expanding access to a high-value academic program that will prepare students for meaningful careers while also strengthening the economic future of rural Virginia. We are deeply grateful for the support that made this possible, and we are excited to see the impact this program will have on our students, our region, and generations to come.”
Provost Richard Grant emphasized the program’s academic significance and its alignment with Ferrum College’s mission.
“The launch of Engineering Technology represents an important step forward for Ferrum College and the students we serve,” said Grant. “This program brings together rigorous academics, applied learning, industry partnerships, and career preparation in a way that aligns directly with workforce needs across Virginia. Most importantly, it creates new opportunities for our students to earn a high-value degree, gain practical experience, and enter careers where they can make an immediate impact. This is exactly the kind of innovative, mission-driven program that expands opportunities for students while strengthening the future of the region.”
The Engineering Technology program was developed in response to documented workforce needs and sustained student interest in engineering-related pathways. It will serve Ferrum College’s largely rural, Pell-Grant-eligible, and first-generation student population by providing access to a career-focused degree that aligns directly with employer demand in the Commonwealth and beyond.
The first-year funding will support key elements of the program’s launch, including specialized laboratory equipment, renovation and modernization of instructional space in Bassett Hall, and the hiring of essential personnel to guide curriculum development, internships, apprenticeships, and student success.
During this implementation year, 100 percent of grant program activities will be financed with federal money. As proposed in the grant application, nongovernmental sources will not be utilized to finance the program.
The program will also include embedded credit-bearing internships and direct employer engagement to ensure that graduates are ready to contribute immediately in technical fields.
The new degree program is expected to strengthen the region’s economic vitality by preparing graduates for careers in infrastructure, utilities, construction, and environmental systems — fields that are essential to the future of rural Virginia. Through partnerships with employers and community colleges, the program will also create pathways for transfer students and working adults seeking advancement through higher education.
Ferrum College officials noted that the funding supports not only academic growth but also long-term institutional sustainability. The program is expected to generate new enrollment, expand access to career pathways, and create a model that benefits students, families, employers, and the broader region.
“This is exactly the kind of mission-driven innovation Ferrum College was created to provide,” President Martin added. “We serve students who are determined to build better lives for themselves and their families. This funding helps us meet that promise in an even more powerful way.”
Implementation will begin immediately, with facility preparation, curriculum finalization, personnel hiring, and employer partnership development already underway. The college expects the first cohort of students to enroll for fall 2027 classes.
