FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Trenholm State Community College Receives NSF SEED Grant to Advance STEM Education Through Historic HBCU Community College Collaboration 

Montgomery, Ala-. Trenholm State Community College, in partnership with Drake State Community & Technical College and Lawson State Community College, has been awarded a $500,000 National Science Foundation (NSF) grant for a project named the Semiconductor Exposure, Exploration, and Development (SEED): Collaborative to Broaden Participation in STEM Education.  

The grant award period runs from October 1, 2026, through September 30, 2029. 

This landmark award highlights the collective strength of three of Alabama’s Historically Black Community Colleges as they work together to identify innovative strategies that expand access to STEM education and prepare students for emerging opportunities in the semiconductor and advanced technology sectors. 

The SEED Collaborative aims to create new pathways for student engagement, exploration, and career development in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), while strengthening institutional capacity to support workforce needs in one of the nation’s fastest-growing industries. 

This NSF investment reinforces the importance of realigning and elevating applied science pathways to meet the nation’s growing advanced manufacturing needs.  

This investment also recognizes the applied sciences as a vital connector across traditional STEM disciplines, strengthening both workforce preparation and scientific discovery by fostering interdisciplinary approaches that translate theory into innovation within the semiconductor and advanced technology sectors. 

“This grant represents an extraordinary opportunity to connect our students to the future of innovation and advanced manufacturing,” said Dr. Kemba Chambers, President of Trenholm State Community College. “By collaborating with fellow Historically Black Community Colleges, we are broadening participation in STEM fields and ensuring that talented students from our communities have access to emerging opportunities in the semiconductor industry. Together, we are building a stronger, more diverse workforce that will help drive technological advancement and economic growth throughout our region and beyond.” 

“This award reflects a shared commitment among our institutions to broaden participation in STEM education and create transformative opportunities for students,” said Dr. Patricia Sims, President of Drake State Community & Technical College. “Through collaboration, innovation, and a focus on student success, we are positioning our students to thrive in the high-demand careers that will shape the future economy.” 

“Lawson State is proud to be part of this transformative partnership that expands access to high-quality STEM education and prepares our students for careers in one of the nation’s most critical and rapidly growing industries,” said Dr. Cynthia T. Anthony, President of Lawson State Community College. “Through the HBCU CHIPS Network and the SEED initiative, we are creating new pathways for students to gain the skills, exposure, and industry connections needed to succeed in semiconductor and advanced technology careers. This investment strengthens not only our institution, but also the economic vitality and workforce potential of the communities we serve.” 

The partnership between Drake State, Trenholm State Community College, and Lawson State Community College demonstrates the power of collaboration among Historically Black Community Colleges to address workforce challenges and increase diversity in STEM fields. Together, the institutions will leverage their unique strengths and resources to create a model for expanding access to semiconductor education and workforce development. 

Supporting this effort will be Dr. George White, Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at the Georgia Institute of Technology, and co-founder of the HBCU CHIPS Network. Dr. White’s expertise and leadership will help guide the collaborative’s efforts to strengthen pathways into semiconductor careers and foster greater participation in STEM disciplines among underrepresented students. 

The NSF-funded project comes at a pivotal time as industry, government, and educational institutions work to build a robust domestic semiconductor workforce. Through the SEED initiative, the three colleges will explore innovative educational models, expand student exposure to STEM opportunities, and enhance career readiness for future technology leaders. 

The SEED project underscores the ongoing commitment to advancing educational excellence, fostering innovation, and creating equitable opportunities for students pursuing STEM careers. 

About Trenholm State Community College 
H. Councill Trenholm State Community College is a public, two-year institution within the Alabama Community College System serving the River Region of central Alabama. For more than 60 years, the College has provided accessible, high-quality academic, technical, and workforce education that prepares students for in-demand careers, university transfer, and lifelong success. Through innovative programs and strong industry partnerships, Trenholm State creates pathways to credentials, careers, and continued education that strengthen both individuals and the communities it serves. Learn more at www.trenholmstate.edu. 

About National Science Foundation 

The U.S. National Science Foundation is an independent federal agency that supports science and engineering in all 50 states and U.S. territories. NSF was established in 1950 by Congress to: 

• Promote the progress of science. 

• Advance the national health, prosperity and welfare. 

• Secure the national defense. 

Learn more about National Science Foundation: https://www.nsf.gov/about 

About HBCU CHIPS Network Industry Board  

HBCU CHIPS Network Industry Advisory Board (IAB) is comprised of more than twenty companies engaged in semiconductor and microelectronics education and workforce development, including Synopsys, GlobalFoundries, Semiconductor Research Corporation, and Micron. As ongoing partners to the HBCU CHIPS Network, these companies provide strategic guidance on national semiconductor workforce trends, emerging technologies, and best practices in technician preparation.  

For SEED, the HBCU CHIPS Network IAB will serve in a consultative role, offering feedback on the transferability of SEED’s curriculum templates and professional development models, identifying opportunities for alignment with other HBCU CHIPS initiatives, and informing dissemination to additional two-year and four-year partners, without requiring duplicative letters of commitment for this project.