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Morgan State University

As a leading HBCU in Baltimore, Morgan State University prepares students for meaningful careers and long-term economic mobility. Morgan State provides the tools, experiences, and support students need to turn their ambitions into opportunities.

Hands-on education builds the future workforce

Through its partnership with Siemens and the EMPOWER program, Morgan State is strengthening its engineering curriculum through the development of a new mechatronics engineering program.

As a first step, the university launched an advanced course focused on programmable logic controller (PLC) training, giving students early exposure to the technologies that power modern industrial and infrastructure systems. The program also introduces students to both the theory and application of PLC systems, culminating in hands-on project development that mirrors real world engineering challenges.

What we are doing in the classroom will become relevant in a lab experience. It also gives students the opportunity to work with their hands and really get engaged in what engineering is all about.
Oscar Barton Jr., Dean, School of Engineering, Morgan State University

Advancing innovation in higher education

Morgan State’s mechatronics initiative is the first program of its kind among state universities in Maryland and among a select group of HBCUs offering this level of engineering specialization. The program immerses students in technology from the start of their academic journey, progressing from foundational concepts to applied engineering solutions.

  • Hands on experience with industrial control systems
  • Practical understanding of automation and system design
  • Problem solving and technical troubleshooting skills
  • Confidence in applying classroom knowledge to real world scenarios

This positions the university at the forefront of workforce development in a field that is critical to the future of infrastructure, manufacturing, and smart technologies.

The Siemens EMPOWER program will allow us to leverage some of our existing skills for our students who just joined the Mechatronics engineering program, it gives them the platform so they have a little bit more efficacy and confidence to move forward in their academic studies.
Oscar Barton Jr., Dean, School of Engineering, Morgan State University

Creating pathways to a stronger future

The Siemens EMPOWER program enables institutions like Morgan State to invest in initiatives that directly support student success while strengthening the broader workforce pipeline with direction, momentum, and a clear connection between education and career outcomes.

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