News Summary

Diamondback Energy has partnered with Midland College to enhance educational opportunities through the Texas A&M Engineering Academy. This collaboration aims to provide local students in the Permian Basin access to high-quality engineering education while enabling them to remain in their community. The partnership is supported by a generous donation aimed at improving scholarships and resources, reflecting a commitment to developing local talent for the growing job market in engineering.

Midland

Diamondback Energy has partnered with Midland College to enhance educational opportunities for local students through the Texas A&M Engineering Academy. This collaboration aims to provide residents in the Permian Basin with access to a high-quality engineering education while allowing them to remain close to home.

The Texas A&M Engineering Academy, which began in 2019, has seen significant growth, expanding by 53% over the past six years. The program allows students to simultaneously attend Midland College and Texas A&M University, enabling them to complete essential foundational courses locally before they transfer to Texas A&M to complete their engineering degrees. This initiative is designed to support students pursuing their higher education in the engineering field.

In a recent development, Midland College received a generous $1.5 million donation from Diamondback Energy, which will be directed towards improving access to engineering education in the area. The funds will be used for scholarships, program resources, and student support services, making it easier for local students to pursue their engineering degrees without significant financial burdens.

The impact of this partnership is already being felt within the student body. As a member of the Texas A&M Engineering Academy, Hannah Hoban expressed her pride in being part of the class of 2028, with aspirations to work in the oil and gas industry after graduation. This reflects a broader trend, as the academy aims to equip students with the necessary skills to meet the needs of local industries, particularly in the booming oil and gas sector.

Increasing Demand for Engineers

The need for engineers in Texas is on the rise, with projections indicating that by 2032, the state will require 110,000 engineers, representing a growth rate of 1.8% annually. Currently, there are approximately 154,000 engineers employed in Texas, indicating a robust job market for graduates of engineering programs.

Supporting Local Talent

The funds provided by Diamondback Energy are part of a broader strategy to invest in local talent in the Permian Basin. Erin Bailey, representing Diamondback Energy, highlighted the company’s commitment to fostering educational opportunities for students in the region. This investment is seen as vital for developing a skilled workforce that can contribute to the local economy and support the energy sector.

Program Achievements

The Texas A&M Engineering Academy has already shown promising results, graduating 11 students in May 2023, a sign of its growing effectiveness in providing quality education. Harry Hogan, the Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at Texas A&M University, emphasized the necessity of offering engineering degrees to a diverse range of students, ensuring that various backgrounds and perspectives are represented in the engineering workforce.

Enrollment Information

Students interested in joining the Texas A&M Engineering Academy at Midland College can find more information regarding enrollment and program benefits on the college’s official webpage dedicated to the partnership. This initiative represents a significant opportunity for aspiring engineers in the region to gain access to superior educational resources while remaining in their local community.

With the support of partners like Diamondback Energy, Midland College and the Texas A&M Engineering Academy are poised to make a lasting impact on the educational landscape of the Permian Basin and prepare the next generation of engineers for a rapidly evolving job market.

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Additional Resources

• First Alert 7
• Odessa American
• NewsWest 9
• Wikipedia: Engineering Education
• Odessa American
• Google Search: Midland College Texas A&M Engineering Academy

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