One of the most fulfilling aspects of my role on the Autodesk education team is the chance to support the next generation of designers and engineers as they prepare for the evolving future of work. I have built strong relationships with educators who are equipping students with the essential skills needed for tomorrow's careers.
Over the past five years, I've had the privilege of working closely with the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Howard University. I've led Fusion 360 workshops for students, collaborated with faculty on curriculum development, and ensured that students make full use of their free access to Autodesk’s professional design software.
To strengthen this partnership, today I’m proud to highlight Autodesk’s generous gift of $1 million to Howard University. This is the largest donation ever received by the university’s mechanical engineering department and is intended to expand its manufacturing and making facilities, as well as enhance services for students. As an unrestricted gift, the funds can be allocated where they're most needed, allowing the university to invest in areas that will have the greatest impact on student success.
"Howard University is deeply grateful for this donation from Autodesk, which supports our Department of Mechanical Engineering," said Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick, president of Howard University. "Our College of Engineering and Architecture has been producing world-class engineers for over 115 years, and this gift will help us continue to strengthen and expand our support for our talented students."
According to research from Zippia, only 3.1% of mechanical engineers in the U.S. are Black. It’s vital that the workforce reflects the diversity of our society, and by supporting Howard University’s Mechanical Engineering Department, we aim to help grow the incredible engineering and manufacturing programs already in place.
Autodesk CEO Andrew Anagnost is a strong advocate for the work happening at Howard University. “Autodesk is committed to helping the next generation prepare for the future of work,†he said. “To keep up with innovation, the industry needs a workforce with the right skills. The students at Howard are future innovators, and we’re honored to support them with the resources and technology they need.â€
John M. M. Anderson, dean of the College of Engineering and Architecture, shared his enthusiasm: “Mechanical engineering is evolving with increased demand for skilled professionals. HBCUs like Howard are meeting this need with highly trained and prepared engineers. We thank Autodesk for its renewed commitment to our students’ success.â€
Throughout our collaboration, the faculty at Howard has embraced opportunities to work with Autodesk. Nadir Yilmaz, chair of the Department of Mechanical Engineering, has been a key partner. He was one of the first to integrate Fusion 360 into the curriculum, even publishing a paper on his findings. He also adopted generative design technology early on, showing his forward-thinking approach and dedication to bringing the latest tools to students.
“We are committed to training the next generation of engineers at Howard University,†said Yilmaz. “The value Autodesk places on our high-quality education speaks to the quality of our program and the success of our graduates.â€
Autodesk has also worked with other departments at Howard, including Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. Through the HBCU Tech Program, Howard students in computer science and electrical engineering received paid externships at Autodesk, working on real-world projects such as robotics security and manufacturing workflows.
This initiative is part of Autodesk’s broader commitment to the HBCU Partnership Challenge, a Congressional effort to increase engagement between companies and HBCUs, and aligns with support for the IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act, which would provide funding for infrastructure upgrades at HBCUs.
Partnering with the students and faculty at Howard has been an incredible experience and a powerful example of how industry and academia can collaborate. Seeing these young minds in action gives me great hope for the future.
Through this gift and our continued relationship, we hope to support more opportunities for the next generation of talented Black engineers.
Learn more about Autodesk’s efforts to support education and the future of work.
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