A Special Message from Dean David T. Ma
How time flies—spring is just around the corner!
Although we’re still in the first quarter of 2025 and only halfway through the spring semester, we already have a wealth of exciting updates to share.
Our faculty continue to lead in cutting-edge research, with breakthroughs spanning artificial intelligence, nano-scale sensors for national security, and smart concrete materials for next-generation civil infrastructure. In FY 2025, the college has secured 10 research grants totaling $7 million, marking yet another historic milestone. This momentum has also led to the awarding of two U.S. patents—a clear testament to the innovation taking place across our college.
As part of our strategic initiative to stay closely aligned with industry needs, we’re proud to announce the launch of the Coastal Bend Midstream Program. This initiative is focused on building strong partnerships with the midstream energy sector. Leading the program is Thomas Kalb, a seasoned industry expert with over 40 years of experience, who is playing a key role in bringing real-world industry perspectives into our classrooms and research labs. The program has already resulted in new scholarships for Islander students and is laying the groundwork for future industry-university research collaborations.
On the student front, enthusiasm and momentum are at an all-time high. Thanks to the leadership of Ms. Mayra Alvarado Ramirez, Director of the newly established Islander office of Student Excellence Experience (iSEE), our students launched the Islander Engineering and Computer Science Student Council, which aims to create professional development opportunities, connect students with industry leaders, and encourage engagement among engineering and computer science organizations. This year, we’ve reached a record 23 student clubs—a threefold increase from just three years ago.
Our students are fearlessly engaging in bold, hands-on projects—from competing in Formula 1 car racing and building a full-scale rocket engine to excelling in cybersecurity competitions. Our Islander Cyber Society teams have earned top-tier national and international recognition, placing 58th out of 5,000 teams in a national hackathon and finishing in the top 7.7% of over 8,000 teams worldwide in the Hack the Box CTF competition, where they competed not only against fellow students but also professional security testers and hackers.
Thanks to the generous support of our industry partners, we’ve also launched several high-impact initiatives, including the Islander Energy Club, the Flint Hills Islander Leadership Academy, and the CITGO Distinguished Lecture Series.
As we look ahead to the second half of this remarkable year, I’m confident that even more inspiring stories and accomplishments are just around the corner.
Stay tuned!