On Friday, April 17th, Cohort 3 of Next Engineers Greenville celebrated a milestone three years in the making.
Since the program's launch, students have come to Clemson's campus twice a month — for 180 hours total — to engage in team-based, project-driven learning that mirrors the real work of engineers in the field. For three years, they showed up. They built, tested, failed, adjusted, and built again. And on April 17th, they walked across a graduation stage to prove it.
A Program Built on Strong Partnerships
Next Engineers Greenville exists because of an intentional, research-grounded partnership between Clemson University, GE Vernova, GE Aerospace Foundation, and FHI 360 — organizations that believe preparation and access to hands-on engineering education should begin long before a student sets foot in a college classroom.
"Our partners bring research-based learning practices and projects that equip us to facilitate the best possible learning environment," says Brittany Fatima Sanders-Bell, Associate Director of Next Engineers in Greenville. "We do significant volunteer training with our college students and working professionals so they can partner alongside students and coach them through testing and modeling real solutions."
The Showcase and Graduation Ceremony
Before taking the stage, Cohort 3 participated in a gallery showcase featuring the hands-on projects they developed throughout the program. Students presented their work, fielded questions from proud family members, GE Vernova team members, and FHI 360 representatives, and demonstrated exactly how far three years of dedicated learning can take a young engineer.
"Graduation was a delightful experience that showcased all the talent and growth of this team," Sanders-Bell reflects. "What a privilege it has been to learn alongside these young people."
Executive Director Serita Acker echoed that gratitude: "We are so grateful to John Intile of GE Vernova, our GE Vernova volunteers, FHI 360, and every student who has come through our doors. We do not take these opportunities lightly. We know these students will be exceptional performers — in their education and in their careers."
A Scholarship for What Comes Next
Students who complete the Next Engineers program are eligible to receive a scholarship upon enrolling in an engineering degree program. Greenville Next Engineers: Engineering Academy graduates will receive $20,000 in scholarships to pursue higher education in engineering and related fields.
The Work Continues — Engineers of Change
While this chapter of Next Engineers concludes the current grant cycle, Acker and Sanders-Bell are already looking ahead.
The team at Clemson will collaborate again on Engineers of Change, a new initiative made possible by the GE Vernova Foundation. The program will continue PEER WISE's mission of equipping young people across the South Carolina Upstate with the skills, experiences, and community they need to thrive.
"Our work and mission are far from complete," Acker says. "We will continue to provide meaningful opportunities for youth in the Upstate to learn, grow, and — we hope — find their way to Clemson as Tigers."
Engineers of Change launches Fall 2026. For more information on student programming, contact engineersofchange@fhi360.org or visit our website https://www.gevernova.com/company/philanthropy/engineers-of-change
