College of Engineering Launches Vision 2035 to Grow STEM Workforce in Arkansas

The U of A's College of Engineering today launched Vision 2035, a 10-year plan to substantially increase the number of engineers it graduates and to expand research, facilities and industry partnerships to meet Arkansas' growing demand for technical talent. By producing more homegrown engineers, attracting more research funding and building industry partnerships, Vision 2035 aims to keep high-wage careers, and the talent that fills them, in the state. 

Arkansas faces a growing STEM workforce shortage. An independent Heartland Forward study projects nearly 58,000 open engineering jobs in the state by 2038. That study found that by doubling the college's graduates, research spending and patents would generate $3.9 billion in additional annual economic impact for Arkansas and support 19,000 new jobs, growth that stays in the state as investment, innovation and skilled talent. 

"Our state has a great need for engineers and STEM professionals right now, and that will only increase in the future," said Arkansas Secretary of Commerce Hugh McDonald. "Companies in defense technology, advanced manufacturing and energy innovation are expanding here, and they need local engineering talent to keep that momentum going. Developing more home-grown engineers and giving them reasons to stay in Arkansas will promote economic growth that benefits the entire state." 

"Every employer we talked to told us the same thing: they'll grow in Arkansas if they can hire in Arkansas," said Kim Needy, dean of the College of Engineering. "Vision 2035 is our answer. It is not just a college initiative. It's an economic strategy for the state, and we built it with the people who will hire our graduates." 

Vision 2035 was shaped by more than 100 interviews with employers, researchers, higher-education partners, state and local government officials across Arkansas, and it is built on three pillars: 

Lifelong Student Success - Producing more workforce-ready, AI-literate graduates through an expanded K-6 STEM pipeline, hands-on learning and internships, and more than $60 million in undergraduate scholarships and graduate fellowships. 

Transformational Research - Growing faculty and facilities to advance groundbreaking research, including 50 new tenure-track positions and 20 endowed chairs. 

Destination of Choice - Recruiting and retaining top engineering talent through high-quality educational opportunities, competitive pay, world-class facilities and deep industry ties. 

To mark the launch, more than 100 leaders from academia, government, business and philanthropy gathered at the Capital Hotel in Little Rock for a discussion of the State of STEM in Arkansas. 

Several industry leaders in the state served on a panel moderated by Roby Brock, editor-in-chief and host of Talk Business. These leaders spoke about the critical need for more homegrown engineers and the importance of creating educational pathways to engineer Arkansas forward.  

"The lithium opportunity in south Arkansas depends on engineers who are curious and motivated to solve the next generation of technical challenges," said Matthew McCowan, U.S. lithium manager for ExxonMobil. "We're already investing in STEM education through programs like LiTHIUMLEARNS, championed by Southern Arkansas University, because we believe that growing talent from the community where we operate is critical to the success of this business. Vision 2035 strengthens the same pipeline at the state level." 

"Graduating from the College of Engineering at the University of Arkansas is more than just a degree; it is proof that one can solve complex issues. In today's world of artificial intelligence, labor shortages, unrealistic timelines and a demanding global economy, companies need engineers who can think critically and solve issues quickly to run their businesses," said Lexicon CEO Patrick Schueck. "Vision 2035 will allow the University of Arkansas to provide our industry with the next generation of engineers needed to run businesses in this complex world." 

Dan Brown, executive vice president of advanced technology steelmaking for U.S. Steel and chief operating officer of Big River Steel Works, agreed. "We need more engineers in Arkansas. The College of Engineering's Vision 2035 provides a road map to get us there, from investment in STEM education in elementary school through expanded college opportunities." 

Needy said the college is positioned to turn that road map into results. "We sit at the intersection of federal research dollars, industry partnerships and technology commercialization. Every new engineering faculty member hired, every lab built and every new engineering graduate is a chance to keep that innovation, talent and economic value rooted in Arkansas." 

Each Vision 2035 pillar maps directly to the activation of 150 Forward Reaching Higher, the U of A's comprehensive campaign to strengthen the institution and its impact across the state. Together, the two efforts position the university and the College of Engineering as engines of economic growth and innovation for Arkansas and the nation. 

"The University of Arkansas has built tremendous momentum in student success, research and economic impact, and Vision 2035 is about putting that momentum to work for Arkansas," Chancellor Charles Robinson said. "By educating more engineers, expanding research and strengthening industry partnerships, we can help meet critical workforce needs while creating more opportunities for Arkansans and supporting economic growth across the state."