The University of Missouri–St. Louis continues to receive strong support from the St. Louis business community as it grows its newly formed School of Engineering.
Ameren has pledged $1 million to support construction of the Ameren Electrical Engineering Lab, now underway in the UMSL Science Complex. The investment also includes funding for scholarships and programming that will expand hands-on learning opportunities for engineering students. The support comes at a critical time as demand for skilled engineers continues to rise across Missouri’s energy, infrastructure and technology sectors.
Photo by Derik Holtmann. Courtesy of UMSL
Ameren leaders will also serve on the School of Engineering’s Founding Corporate Council and Engineering Advisory Council, helping shape curriculum and strengthen alignment with industry needs.
In addition, Ameren will continue its investment in the UMSL Bridge Program’s Saturday and Summer Academies, which provide STEM-focused instruction and college preparation to more than 2,000 middle and high school students and their families across the region each year.
“Ameren’s extraordinary investment will have a profound impact on the future of our School of Engineering and in the students we serve,” Chancellor Kristin Sobolik said. “We are deeply grateful for this support as we expand opportunities for hands-on learning, strengthen connections with industry and help prepare the next generation of engineers and innovators for the St. Louis region and beyond.”
The investment also underscores Ameren’s broader focus on strengthening the region’s talent pipeline and supporting institutions preparing students for high-demand fields.
“We are committed to investing in the future of our communities and the workforce that powers them,” said Gwen Mizell, senior vice president and chief sustainability officer at Ameren. “Our partnership with UMSL will help create hands-on learning opportunities, expand access to engineering education and prepare students for in-demand careers in energy and technology.”
The School of Engineering launched last fall with more than 60 students in its inaugural freshman class. Enrollment will grow again this fall with the addition of new first-year, transfer and upper-level students preparing to meet increasing demand for engineers across the region.
As UMSL continues to build its programs and faculty, experiential learning remains central to the student experience.
The new Ameren Electrical Engineering Lab will serve as a key training ground featuring mobile student workstations, complete 0.2 kW EMS modular systems, dissectible machines, an electric power technology training system, multimeters, soldering stations and more.
Ameren is also supporting an engineering student programming fund that will help launch initiatives such as math boot camps and collegiate engineering competitions — including robotics, concrete canoe, steel bridge and Formula SAE — as well as industry site visits and student organization activities. These experiences will help cultivate innovation, teamwork and problem-solving skills in environments that mirror expectations across the engineering field.
The Ameren Scholarship Fund will support annual scholarships in perpetuity for UMSL engineering students, easing financial barriers as they prepare for their careers.
Through participation on the School of Engineering’s Founding Corporate Council and Engineering Advisory Council, Ameren leaders will help ensure UMSL’s programs align with ABET accreditation standards and evolving industry needs. The partnership also creates a direct talent pipeline, giving Ameren early access to emerging engineering graduates through internships, capstone projects and career engagement.
The impact extends across the region. More than 90% of UMSL students are Missouri residents, and 75% remain in the region after graduation, strengthening the local workforce and economy for years to come.
Dr. George Nnanna is the founding director of UMSL’s new School of Engineering. He began his tenure last year. A professor of mechanical engineering, he brings more than a decade of administrative experience, including serving as the founding dean of engineering at the University of Texas Permian Basin from 2018–2023. Nnanna is committed to growing UMSL’s engineering school to serve student needs and regional economic development, emphasizing experiential learning and industry collaboration.
“We aim to significantly advance UMSL’s strategic initiatives in recruitment, retention, interdisciplinary research, innovation, entrepreneurship and philanthropy while actively engaging our students in meaningful experiential learning opportunities,” Nnanna said.