Researchers Secure NSF Grant to Boost Diversity in Semiconductor Workforce
The National Science Foundation has awarded Alabama A&M Researchers $300,000 as part of a $1 million initiative to support Advancing Semiconductor Education through Expansion and Diversification (ASEED). The ASEED initiative is a collaborative project among three Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs): Alabama A&M University, Central State University, and lead institution Prairie View A&M University.
The partnership is designed to address a pressing need in the semiconductor workforce by equipping graduates from minority-serving institutions with advanced skills in semiconductor technology. ASEED aims to enhance education in semiconductor fields, spanning chip manufacturing, materials science, integrated circuit design, and fabrication and characterization. Each institution focuses on a unique research area, collectively contributing to ASEED’s mission of creating a more inclusive and diverse talent pipeline in the semiconductor industry.
A team of distinguished faculty members leads this initiative, including Principal Investigator (PI) Zhigang Xiao, Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; and Co-Principal Investigators (Co-PIs) Satilmis Budak, Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Shujun Yang, Assistant Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science; Qunying Yuan, Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, and Xiang Zhao, Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science.
Through curriculum enhancements, hands-on lab experiences, and collaborative projects, ASEED will develop new certificate programs and specialized tracks at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. In addition, partnerships with industry leaders provide students with valuable exposure to real-world applications and career pathways in STEM, particularly in semiconductor technology. A culturally responsive framework will guide ASEED’s activities, ensuring that diversity and inclusion remain central to its goals.
Xiao expressed the significance of the ASEED initiative.
“This collaboration aims to identify solutions and increase nationwide awareness of the challenges most minority-serving institutions face in semiconductor research and education, including access to proper training, maintaining state-of-the-art costly facilities, and assessing community impacts.”
