By Karenna Glover
In a bright corner of the STEM building at Virginia Western Community College, an 8-foot-tall hydroponics chamber hums quietly. Designed and built by students, the self-sustaining system monitors light, water quality and plant health using automated sensors and industrial controls. It looks like something from a research lab, but it started as a classroom project.
The hydroponics system was brought to life by Timothy Boyd and Daniel Moran, two students in the College’s Mechatronics program, and sponsored apprentices at Steel Dynamics Roanoke Bar Division (SDI). Their work highlights a growing collaboration between the College and SDI, as well as a larger shift to blend technical training with agriculture innovation, giving students the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly automated workforce.
That shift is taking shape in Virginia Western’s new Associate of Applied Science in Technical Studies, a degree program designed to give students flexibility to create a customized curriculum based on their interest, experience and future aspirations. A $343,000 National Science Foundation grant creates a pathway for students to combine mechanical, electrical and agricultural skills through the Associate of Applied Science in Technical Studies degree program to prepare them for the evolving needs of industries like food systems and controlled-environment agriculture.
“This program is designed for the farms of tomorrow. We’re starting to see them shrink in footprint but increase in efficiency,” said Dr. David Berry, who leads the College’s Mechatronics Program. “Agriculture and forestry are two of the top industries in Virginia, and they’re becoming more technical every year. We want our students to be ready for that shift.”
Boyd and Moran were the third cohort of students sponsored by Steel Dynamics, which fully funded their tuition, books, project material and even paid them an hourly wage while they were in class. In return, the company gained skilled, job-ready employees trained to meet its specific needs.
“This opportunity completely changed my path,” said Boyd, who had been working retail while slowly pursuing a degree, having moved to Virginia from Ohio in 2017. “Getting a competitive wage while in school and having everything covered financially allowed me to focus and really grow. It’s been a game-changer.”
A 2016 Staunton River High School graduate, Moran, who first earned an electrical wiring certificate at Virginia Western before entering the Mechatronics Program, agreed. “The support from SDI and the College was incredible,” he said. “The professors are amazing and a huge help, and getting hands-on learning with others allows you to learn in different ways and feed off each other to gain understanding.”
The idea for the hydroponics project took off when Berry shared news of the ag-tech grant with Boyd. He brought in Moran, and together they began planning a fully industrial-controlled system, something far beyond the scope of a typical class project.
They had the skills, the drive and the design. What they didn’t have — nor did Berry — was the industrial-sized budget. Boyd brought the idea tohis supervisor at Steel Dynamics, Chase Parker, who immediately saw its potential, and secured financial backing from SDI to cover all expenses associated with the project, including software licenses, sensors, lighting, water treatment tools and industrial components.
Boyd and Moran spent countless hours building, coding, wiring and refining the system. “I could’ve taken the easy A and just coasted,” said Boyd. “But I wanted something more challenging that would push me. It became a passion project that we spent hours and hours on.” The finished system now lives in the College’s STEM Building for future students exploring automation and agricultural tech.
For Steel Dynamics, this kind of initiative is exactly why they invest in the program. “If we can’t find the skilled employees we need, we’ll help create them,” said Parker. “This partnership gives us access to high-quality candidates who already understand our systems, and the College helps enhance their knowledge and training which makes it worth the investment.”
As part of the partnership, the College works closely with SDI on enrollment and scheduling so students can meet both academic and on-the-job requirements. Supervisors receive progress updates, and students are guaranteed full-time employment upon graduation. So far, every sponsored student has accepted that offer and remained with the company beyond the two-year commitment.
Both Boyd and Moran graduated from Virginia Western in May 2025, and are full-time maintenance electricians at Steel Dynamics.
“We can see the investments they keep making in us, and that’s why we stay,” said Boyd. “I often wonder how much more I could still grow if I stay here, and who knows what else I’m going to gain by continuing to work here.”
(This story was published in the Winter 2026 edition of Impact magazine, a publication of the Virginia Western Community College Educational Foundation.)
VCCS honors Steel Dynamics with statewide award
The Virginia Community College System (VCCS) awarded Steel Dynamics with the Outstanding Business Partner award, which recognizes a business partnership that has gone above and beyond to support students and the community they reside in. The award was given Nov. 14 at the Hire Ed Awards ceremony during the Hire Education Conference at the Hotel Roanoke & Conference Center. Jerry Adams, General Manager at Steel Dynamics, accepted the award.
The following remarks shared at the awards ceremony highlight recognition of the company’s commitment to Virginia Western students:
“Steel Dynamics, Inc. exemplifies the power of business-education collaboration in advancing Virginia’s workforce goals. Since 2022, SDI has transformed its relationship with Virginia Western Community College’s Mechatronics Program from a traditional training client into a strategic partner that expands access to industry credentials and sustainable careers.
“SDI’s commitment begins with direct financial investment — sponsoring employee tuition and maintaining full salary during class attendance, eliminating financial barriers that often prevent working adults from continuing their education. Over four cohorts, this model has supported ongoing credentialing success while strengthening the region’s skilled manufacturing pipeline.
“Beyond funding, SDI invests in learning through hands-on resources and expertise. The company financed advanced student projects, including an automated hydroponics system that enhances applied learning with real-world technology. SDI professionals engage directly with students through presentations and mentorship, ensuring coursework aligns with current industry practices and expectations.
“This partnership represents a model for employer engagement — one that blends financial support, innovation, and active participation to create meaningful educational outcomes. Steel Dynamics, Inc. has demonstrated sustained commitment to talent development and stands as an exemplary business partner helping to build Virginia’s future workforce.”
