ACCESS S-STEM Scholarship

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Aligning Career & Campus Experiences for Student Success

Enjoy unique learning experiences while you gain the knowledge and skills you need for a rewarding career as a STEM professional.

Tuition benefits and so much more.

As an awardee of the ACCESS S-STEM scholarship, you will have access to unique learning experiences both in and out of the classroom. They will give you the content knowledge and workplace skills you need to succeed in a wide variety of engineering technology fields. As part of a cohort of six specially supported students, you will receive many benefits, including:

Up to $10,000 per year for four years

Scholarship will be applied to tuition, room and board and other program expenses to cover any unmet financial need. It will continue for four years provided you stay enrolled in one of three engineering technology programs and maintain a GPA of 2.75 or higher.

Summer stipend

You will be eligible to participate in a directed summer internship, which includes a monetary stipend. This additional aid will enable you to focus on the internship and eliminate or reduce your need to work during the summer months.

Specially trained faculty advisors

Faculty advisors utilize a student-centered approach. They will become your mentors and guides and may supervise peer-led supplemental instruction sessions if and when you need additional assistance.

Development of cross-disciplinary skills

Coursework will help to develop critical thinking skills, communication and teamwork – all qualities that employers look for in new hires.

Pre-professional and career development opportunities

Workforce seminars, tours during your freshman year to introduce career possibilities, and directed internships are just a few of the ways we connect you to future employers.

PennWest California’s Engineering Technology Club (ETC)

Conduct experiments, go on industrial tours, participate in technology competitions and more through this student-run club. ETC is registered with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and connects you and your peers to future professional colleagues.

There’s an engineering technology program just right for you.

Students enrolled in PennWest California’s Computer Engineering Technology (CET), Electrical Engineering Technology (EET) and Mechatronics Engineering Technology (MTR) programs are being prepared for a high-demand, well-paying job in fields necessary for the national security, manufacturing and technological advancement of the region, state and country.

As a graduate of one of these programs, you will have the agility to shift as the workforce shifts, with skills applicable across a wide range of civilian and military platforms.

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Choose From One of Three Bachelor Degree Programs.

Computer Engineering Technology (CET)

As the economy becomes increasingly high-tech, the demand for computer engineering technology graduates is on the rise. PennWest California’s CET bachelor’s degree program equips you with the latest knowledge and skills in applying current technologies to practical problems and situations, which will qualify you for well-paying engineering technologist positions in a range of industries from aerospace to communications and beyond.

PennWest students working on technology
What can you do with this degree?
You will work with computers, assisting with software development and software engineering, hardware systems design, microcomputer/microcontroller system designs, or product sales and marketing.
What is the job outlook?
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a 15% growth in computer and information technology jobs between now and 2031. The median annual salary for these workers was $97,430 in 2021, significantly higher than the median annual wage for all occupations.

Electrical Engineering Technology (EET)

PennWest California’s bachelor’s degree EET program blends theory with practical applications to develop the broad knowledge and in-depth skills you need to design, develop, calibrate and repair electrical and electronic systems. Four on-campus electrical engineering technology labs will provide you with state-of-the-art experience. Seniors and graduates of this accredited program are also eligible to sit for a pre-licensing Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.

What can you do with this degree?
You may work as part of a team to help electrical engineers design and develop equipment that is powered by electricity or electric current. Your job title may be field service engineer, applications engineer, software developer or programmer, engineering technician, instrumentation designer, or you may provide field or sales support.
What is the job outlook?
Job opportunities for graduates are diverse and plentiful. There are approximately 11,100 openings for electrical and electronic engineering technologists and technicians in the U.S. every year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
PennWest student working on technology

Mechatronics Engineering Technology (MTR)

PennWest California’s MTR program is the first and only program of its kind in Pennsylvania’s State System of Higher Education and the only bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering Technology in the state. Through strong partnerships with international businesses, it combines mechanical, electrical and computing technology with automated control and information systems and prepares students for rewarding careers in the engineering, design and manufacturing industries.

PennWest student working with electronic equipment
What can you do with this degree?
You will work with “smart” devices that incorporate mechanical, electrical, computer and software components such as robots, automated guided systems and computer-integrated manufacturing equipment.
What is the job outlook?
The Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry calls mechatronics a “high priority career and employment opportunity.” The job-posting dashboard for Emsi, a labor and employment analytics firm, shows postings for MTR graduates were up 24% nationwide and up 30% in Pennsylvania over the past 12-month cycle.

Are you eligible?

Applications must be submitted by February 1st. Awardees will be notified by April 1st. You must accept the scholarship by May 15th.

To apply, you must:

Helpful Tips to apply:

  • Students must be admitted to Pennsylvania Western University at California under Mechatronics Engineering Technology, Computer Engineering Technology or Computer Engineering Technology
  • You will log into the Student link by using your PWID (PennWest ID) and your PennWest email account.
  • Simply search, ACCESS, STEM or NSF for the application to apply.

For more information, contact:

Brenton K. Wilburn, Ph.D. (he/him/his)
Assistant Professor, Mechatronics Engineering Technology Program Coordinator
Department of Applied Engineering, Technology, and Physics
PennWest University
Coover Hall, Suite 105 | 250 University Ave. | California, PA 15419
Office: 724-938-6047
wilburn_b@pennwest.edu
Dr. Brenda Fredette
Dean
College of Natural Sciences & Engineering Technology
PennWest University
Eberly Hall | 250 University Ave | California, PA 15419-1394
Office: 724-938-5286
fredette@pennwest.edu