Author: Julie Ross

Applications for both the 2026 Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships and the 2026-27 Undergraduate Research Internship Program open!

Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURF) (https://www.mtu.edu/honors/research/surf/)
SURF applications are due by 5 p.m. on Feb. 6, 2026. Selected students will spend the summer conducting an individual research project under the guidance of a Michigan Tech faculty mentor. SURFs are open to all Tech undergraduates who have at least one semester remaining after summer, with awards up to $5,000.

Undergraduate Research Internship Program (URIP) (https://www.mtu.edu/honors/research/urip/)
Applications for the 2026-27 URIP cycle close on March 20, 2026. URIP supports undergraduate researchers by providing awards of up to $2,340 to conduct a research project under the guidance of a Michigan Tech faculty mentor during the regular academic year. URIP is open to all Tech undergraduates interested in a research experience in a faculty member’s laboratory.

More information and application instructions are available on the SURF and URIP websites or by contacting honors@mtu.edu.

REU Site: InSPiRES: Integrated Circuits and Semiconductor Processes to Promote Responsible Engineering and Sustainability

The program brings together faculty from the Departments of Biomedical Engineering (BME), Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering (CEGE), Chemical Engineering (ChemEng), and Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) at MTU and the Natural Resources Department (NRD) at Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC).

Through this REU site, MTU, with help from KBIC, will establish a community capacity-building program in Integrated Circuits, Semiconductor Manufacturing and Sustainability to inspire the next generation of educators, engineers, and scientists through practical experiences and technical activities closely related to the community interests, providing relatable research and cultural experiences.

More information can be found here: https://www.mtu.edu/reu-inspires/

Internship: Great Lakes Commission Invasive Species Internship Opportunity

The Great Lakes Commission (GLC) is looking to hire a 2026 Michigan Sea Grant summer intern! This position will fund an undergraduate to work on aquatic invasive species (AIS) projects relevant to the Great Lakes.

Project description: This intern will have the opportunity to work on two GLC projects. One project will focus on engagement with the bait fish retailers to inform the development of a regional bait identification guide. The second project will support the Great Lakes Aquatic Invasive Species Landing Blitz (www.glc.org/work/blitz ), an annual event where boaters and other recreators learn about the risks of spreading AIS at public and private boating access sites across the Great Lakes region. A full description of the projects is available in the attached document.

Location: Ann Arbor, MI

Application deadline: January 31, 2026

Internship timeline: May through August, 2026. 

Required qualifications: Applicants should be enrolled undergraduate students at any level of study at a Michigan academic institution. Preference will be given to students who plan to pursue a career in environmental science.

Salary range: Michigan Sea Grant provides interns with a stipend of $9,000. Applicants can also request travel funding (up to $1,000) in the project narrative page to directly support project work for situations where support is not provided by the host.

For more details about the internship and how to apply, visithttps://www.michiganseagrant.org/student-opportunities/michigan-sea-grant-environmental-internship/ 

For any questions: Email Sam Tank at sam@glc.org

Job Posting – Kent County Road Commission

Assistant Project Engineer – Traffic

This position is focused on traffic engineering including modeling, safety and operational studies, and technical report writing under direct supervision of the Traffic Engineer, with involvement in all aspects of Engineering Department tasks.

Job information/application can be found here: https://kentcountyroads.workbrightats.com/jobs/1273872

GLS 2026 Opportunities for Undergraduate Students

This offer is not limited to OHS degrees, we encourage you to share this with all Construction, Fire, Environmental, Industrial Hygiene (and many more) degree programs.

Thanks to the generous support of Grainger, a limited number of complimentary registrations are available for undergraduate students in your to attend the 2026 Global Learning Summit (GLS).

GLS offers students the chance to:

  • Expand their knowledge beyond the classroom
  • Engage with industry professionals and thought leaders
  • Gain insight into emerging trends and career pathways in safety

Please note:
This opportunity is exclusively for undergraduate students currently enrolled in a degree program. Faculty members, graduate students, and group submissions are not eligible. Availability is limited, and spots are being filled on a first-come, first-served basis once eligibility is confirmed.

How it works:

  • Students must complete the form individually (one submission per student)
  • Our team will verify undergraduate enrollment
  • Approved students will receive a unique, non-transferable discount code

With spots becoming limited, we encourage you to share this opportunity with eligible students in your department as soon as possible.

MSES Legacy Scholarship Opportunity

Since 1953, the MSES Legacy Scholarship has awarded over $1.6 million to more than 1,100 deserving college students who demonstrate strong academic performance, financial need, and an interest in pursuing a career within the Minnesota transportation infrastructure industry. Last year alone, we awarded 20 scholarships to deserving students, totaling $39,000!


Criteria:

  • Any undergraduate student who is a Minnesota resident OR any undergraduate student attending specific schools outlined on the website and enrolled in Civil or Structural Engineering.
  • College junior or senior undergraduate class standing during the entire 2026-2027 academic year.
  • Maintain an academic load of at least 12 credits per semester during the entire 2026-2027 academic year.
  • Pursuit of a career in the Minnesota transportation infrastructure industry, including:
    • Government (DOT, County, City)
    • Private Engineering Firms/Consultants
    • Transportation Materials Suppliers
    • Contractors with Transportation Focus
    • Geotechnical Engineering
    • Structural Engineering
    • Roadway Design
    • Materials Testing
    • Water Resources/Hydraulics
    • Environmental Engineering
    • ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems)
    • Traffic Engineering
    • Transportation Planning
    • Pavement Design
    • Land Surveying

Application and full criteria can be found here:

Thank you for your support of the MSES Legacy Scholarship. Please reach out with any questions.

Katie Ellis 
Senior Registered Engineer
Professional Engineer: MN, WI

P 612.523.2046 | C 612.523.2046

katie.ellis@tkda.com
3311 E Old Shakopee Rd, Suite 300, Bloomington, MN 55425

Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being Upcoming Events – Spring 2026

The Spring 2026 Events & Programming Flyer for the Center for Student Mental Health and Well-being can be found here: https://www.mtu.edu/well-being/resources/promotion/spring-2026-events-programming.pdf.

For additional information on what services the Center provides, please visit our website: https://www.mtu.edu/well-being/ If you have any questions or need further clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

LEED Training Workshops – 2026 Webinars

We’ve added new sustainability workshops in 2026 to help students pass the LEED Green Associate credential and boost their professional profiles before the exam updates. Students can also use the discount code ‘green’ to receive $100 off the course price.

LEED Green Associate Certification: 2026 Workshops

Start your year off strongly by becoming a LEED Green Associate professional and show employers your certified knowledge in sustainability before May 2026, when the LEED exam is set to become more challenging. While LEED itself is a scorecard to rate Green Buildings, students and professionals can also become LEED accredited demonstrating their expertise in sustainability.– LEED: Is the #1 Sustainability Certification and is recognized globally
– Valuable Credential: Adds an industry-recognized certification that boosts employability.
– Open to All: Available for students of all years, with no prior experience required as our workshop has helped over 15,000 pass their exam.
– Time Sensitive: Those who pass before May 2026 will not be required to take the updated and more challenging new exam.
– Affordable: Limited time student discounts are available for you!
– High Pass Rate: Our workshops focus not just on passing the test, but on providing a deep understanding of the material which significantly improves your chances of success, especially considering the exam’s historically low pass rate.

LEED Green Associate (GA) Training – Webinar and Online self-paced options:

I will be offering live webinars that can be streamed on any of the following dates:
1. January 17 2026 – 1:00PM – 5:30PM EST
2. February 14 2026 – 1:00PM – 5:30PM EST
3. March 14 2026 – 1:00PM – 5:30PM EDT
4. April 11 2026 – 1:00PM – 5:30PM EDT – OR –
5. On-demand recordings completed at your own pace
The above options (1-5) are all identical.

Register for a live online seminar or start today with our on-demand recorded workshop completed anytime at your own pace here – https://leadinggreen.com/online

Both options offer comprehensive training, practice exams, valuable tips, and required textbooks – all led by a USGBC Faculty member. It’s the most efficient and affordable way to master the material without breaking the bank!

Cost: $200 with the coupon code ‘green’ for $100 off! (Non-students $300)

Please contact the instructor Lorne directly with any questions at info@leadinggreen.com

Have a great rest of your year,

Lorne Mlotek BASc., LEED AP BD+C, O+M
Head LEED Trainer at LeadingGreen
USGBC Faculty
+1-416-824-2677

Scholarship Opportunities for Engineering Students – March 13 Deadline

The ACEC Research Institute is the leading source of knowledge and thought leadership dedicated to advancing a more sustainable, safe, and technically advanced built environment. Through research, trend analysis, and academic scholarships, the Institute works to strengthen and elevate the engineering profession.

Through the ACEC Research Institute’s online scholarship portal, qualified students can access more than 100 scholarships totaling nearly $1 million in awards, including the NCEES Professional Licensure Scholarship which will award a $5,000 scholarship to a student in Michigan. Students complete a single application, which automatically matches them with all scholarships for which they qualify.

The deadline for all national scholarships is March 13, 2026. Scholarships provided by ACEC State Member Organizations may have varying deadlines.

Students can access the scholarship portal here:
https://acecinstitute.awardspring.com/ 

Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions or would like additional information.

Mira Schueler

Manager, Engagement

ACEC Research Institute

Office: 202-347-7474

Mobile: 202-682-4304

1400 L Street NW, Suite 400

Washington, DC 20005-3529

Email: mschueler@acec.org

Job Posting – Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Roads and Trails

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore Roads and Trails are looking to hire several student positions for the summer of 2026. The positions they are hiring for are detailed below, along with the dates the jobs are expected to be posted by.

LiDAR Internship – December 29th

Our projects will specialize in accessibility to trailheads, beaches, and historic buildings around the park. Additionally, full trail walkthroughs may be possible. During this internship, the intern will be using a Mosaic Xplor LiDAR backpack to gather video and point cloud data and then use a variety of software to process the data into video presentations, visualizations, and accessibility assessments.

Pathways Trails – December 29th

This student position will work alongside our trail crews on various projects including parking lot and road restoration, trail tread and erosion control repairs, and trail overlook maintenance. The work will be with both hand tools and heavy equipment depending on the project. This position may also work on clearing trail trees in wilderness and non-wilderness locations.

Pathways Laborer – December 29th

This student position will work alongside our trail crews on various projects including parking lot and road restoration, trail tread and erosion control repairs, and trail overlook maintenance. The work will be with both hand tools and heavy equipment depending on the project. 

If you have any students in mind, or simply wish to share with your classes, please feel free to do so. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Hailey Pampreen-Lohman  hailey_pampreen-lohman@nps.gov