Gulf Coast immersion trip participants
Twenty-five Lee J. Styslinger Jr. College of Engineering students recently traveled to Alabama and Mississippi to learn more about shipbuilding along the Gulf Coast.
The Gulf Coast immersion trip is part of the University’s partnership with the U.S. Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base Program and subsequently Build Giants Alabama. Students observed the design, manufacturing, integration, and commissioning of the newest lines of naval and Coast Guard ships and networked with UA alumni.
Historically, shipbuilding has existed primarily on the Northeast Coast, explained Sandy Pettit, associate dean for student success for the Styslinger College of Engineering. However, this partnership between The University of Alabama and the U.S. Navy will expand workforce development opportunities across Alabama.
The name Build Giants Alabama pays homage to its roots in shipbuilding while reflecting the massive vessels manufactured in Alabama.
The trip is part of a larger effort to encourage students to consider a career in the naval sector while reminding them they need not leave Alabama to do it.
“This trip opened me up to a new industry. I did not know that Alabama had so many shipyards that have contracts with military defenses,” said Jade Williams, a senior majoring in computer science. “Mobile was not on my radar of places to live post-grad, but it is now somewhere I will highly consider.”
Several other students in attendance expressed similar experiences of unfamiliarity surrounding the industry and its opportunities along the Gulf, or that it had not occurred to them to consider a career in shipbuilding at all.
“This trip did really change how I viewed shipbuilding as a potential career field. It was really impactful to see the construction sites firsthand and be able to speak directly with the engineers. I am definitely more interested in working in shipbuilding and more likely to now,” said William Malerich, a sophomore aerospace engineering student.
Student participants included Addison Moncelle, Alex Povorozniuc, Austin Roch, Benjamin Lewandowski, Bryce Coughlin, Ethan Hovsapian, Haynes Whorley, Jacob Walters, Jade Williams, James Standard, Joslyn Bullington, Kenna Brosseau, Kiley Ward, Kyle Tavarez, Luke Rodel, Mason Harden, Nathan Meyer, Olivia Valencia, Shon Jones, Tanner Clark Holloway, Teddy Ross, Thomas Hughes, Tyler Paquette, Wattson Gage Sanford and William Malerich.
The College’s partnership with Build Giants Alabama is also materializing as an ambassador initiative. Fifteen Styslinger students were selected to join the inaugural cohort of the UA Build Giants Alabama Ambassador Program.
These students will serve as highly trained representatives promoting workforce awareness and reflecting the talent needed to support modern maritime and defense systems. Each ambassador also attended the Gulf Coast immersion trip.