VSU Partners With Micron Technology To Promote Diversity In Semiconductor Workforce

The partnership will address the underrepresentation of Blacks/African Americans in the industry and expose VSU students to new opportunities in STEM.

Virginia State University is proud to announce that it recently became a founding partner for Micron Technology, Inc.’s Minority Serving Institution (MSI) Semiconductor Network. The MSI Semiconductor Network consists of 16 Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs), and Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) aiming to increase access to equitable education and develop the next generation of a diverse, semiconductor-ready STEM workforce.

Semiconductors are essential components of electronic devices, driving advances in communications, computing, healthcare, military systems, transportation, clean energy, and many other applications. Micron is one of the largest semiconductor companies in the world and the only U.S.-based manufacturer of memory.

Micron established the MSI Semiconductor Network to grow the STEM talent pipeline and build a more robust and inclusive semiconductor-ready workforce. According to a 2021 study from the Semiconductor Industry Association, less than five percent of the semiconductor workforce is African American.

“We are honored to be a part of Micron's MSI Semiconductor Network, a partnership that represents an essential step toward cultivating a resilient and inclusive semiconductor workforce,” said Dr. Dawit Haile, Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology. “This collaboration marks a significant opportunity for VSU to lead in educating and developing the next generation of diverse semiconductor professionals. Together, we will shape a workforce that not only meets the industry's evolving demands but also enhances access and opportunities for underrepresented communities.”

Thanks to networks like the MSI Semiconductor Network, leading companies and the semiconductor industry are building strong educational partnerships to prepare and train students in STEM disciplines. It also allows for expanded research in the broad field of semiconductors while retaining a more diverse group of students through degree completion.

VSU looks forward to working closely with Micron to enhance its STEM programs and to continue equipping students with the tools and skills to be leaders within the semiconductor industry.