Students and mentors seated around a table with laptops talking to each other.

Energy Ambassadors Network

Empowering the Future Energy Workforce

Energy Mentorship

The Energy Ambassador Network (EAN) incorporates student teams working with faculty and industry mentors to address local challenges and their impact on communities.

Through these teams, students get hands-on experience working on energy-related challenges with:

  • Career-connected coursework
  • Project-based learning
  • INEF internships
  • Energy and the Environment Certificate (in development)

Program Outcomes

Technology Education

Develop an understanding of cultural, social, economic, and potential effects of technology.

History

Understand the impacts of past energy generation on local populations.

Business Basics

Understand the energy sector, entrepreneurship, and how to leverage university services.

Systems Thinking Perspective

Understand the balance between food, energy, and water.

Science

Understand advanced energy technologies, systems, and the importance of sustaining natural resources.

Career and Industry

Understand current industry opportunities (mentorship, internships, and co-ops).

Community Outreach

Develop strategies for engaging the community, particularly around new technologies.

21st Century Energy

Study innovations and sustainable solutions along with impacts on the environment & human health.

Why I became an ambassador

The opportunity being here in my home, the Tri-Cities, motivated me to join since I want to become a part of the Tri-Cities legacy as a frontier in energy.

This is a wonderful opportunity to conduct meaningful research and contribute to shaping the future of the F.E.W. nexus.

I want to learn about topics people don’t think about when approaching from an engineer’s mindset – helps me view energy challenges from a different persepctive.

Quotes from EAN students and INEF interns

Students seated around a table with laptops talking to each other.

What are ambassadors working on?

  • Identifying pressing research questions and pursuing collaborative solutions related to food, energy, and water (F.E.W)
  • Leveraging F.E.W. industry resources in our region
  • Studying impacts of advanced nuclear generation and large loads
  • Visiting local F.E.W. project sites
  • Exploring strategies for community engagement and outreach.
Students seated around a table with laptops talking to each other.

Ambassadors in the Community

EAN empowers and educates the next generation of energy leaders who tackle energy challenges using an integrated systems approach. Students work together with INEF leadership and local experts to support the region’s energy future by:

  • Providing research assistance
  • Developing needed workforce skills
  • Leveraging the region’s energy hub along with WSU’s unique research, education, and extension resources