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INL awards energy systems scholarship to local ISU student

Contributed by Angela Askey

Cameron Christiansen, an Energy Systems Instrumentation and Controls Engineering Technology Student (right), accepts the INL-sponsored Energy Systems Technology and Education Center Diversity Scholarship from INL representative Richard Holman. Christiansen's mentor, Linda Stuffle, center, joins the ceremony awarding the scholarship, which covers tuition costs for two and one-half years for a selected minority or woman student in the ESTEC degree program.

Idaho State University and the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) recently recognized Cameron Christiansen, an Energy Systems Instrumentation and Controls Engineering Technology student, as the recipient of the new INL-sponsored Energy Systems Technology and Education Center Diversity Scholarship. This scholarship provided by the INL will cover tuition costs for the 2 ½ years a selected minority/woman student will be in an ESTEC degree program.

Christiansen is in her first year at Idaho State University, working in the core electronics program. She has a strong work ethic and has worked continuously to support her own needs. Cameron will complete the first year in the electronics core program and begin specific instrumentation and control training in the Energy Systems Technology and Education Center (ESTEC) in fall 2008. She will complete an Associate of Applied Science degree in May 2009. She hopes to find a job allowing her to create an affordable system in the future that uses renewable energy such as solar power and wind energy to provide a home and/or neighborhood with enough energy to operate. "I am definitely excited about my future and all the College of Technology has to offer me," explains Cameron, "I plan to utilize all of my resources and learn as much as I can in the next two and a half years."

The Energy Systems Technology and Education Center was established within the ISU College of Technology in 2006 with grants from both the U.S. Department of Labor and the National Science Foundation. The focus of ESTEC programming includes the energy industry venues of fossil, nuclear and renewable power generation. Idaho State University, the Idaho National Laboratory, and Partners for Prosperity are the principal collaborators in this effort.

ESTEC degree programs were created to help offset the growing national shortage of energy systems operators and technicians and are expected to facilitate regional economic competitiveness, increased job growth and provide new opportunities for all employees through education and workforce development, economic development, and community development. The mission of the Center is to cultivate the people, educational resources and applied research capabilities necessary to improve the local, regional and national availability of trained workers in support of the construction, operation, and maintenance of current and future energy facilities and energy-related occupations.

The first Associate Degree in Energy Systems Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology began this past fall. Associate degrees in Energy Systems Electrical Engineering Technology and Energy Systems Mechanical Engineering Technology will follow in the fall of 2008 and 2009 respectively.

Approximately 20 additional scholarship awards are available for the 2008-09 academic years. Scholarship applicants must be a full-time student majoring in Energy Systems Instrumentation and Control Engineering Technology with a minimum 2.00 cumulative GPA for continuing students or acceptance into the program for new students. Preference for these scholarships is given to minority and female students with financial need being considered. For more information regarding ESTEC programs please contact Student Services at (208) 282-2622.