VCU and Dominion Energy Forge Pathways in Engineering Education

January 26, 2026 by engrmktcomm

In a landscape where innovation meets industry demand, Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) and Dominion Energy have cultivated a partnership that not only enriches educational opportunities but also fuels the future of engineering talent in Virginia.

Since the early days of the college, Dominion Energy has served as a trusted industry advisor, helping identify emerging workforce needs and shaping educational pathways to meet them. Over time, the VCU College of Engineering has become a critical talent pipeline for high-demand, hard-to-fill engineering specialties in Virginia and beyond.

Azim Eskandarian, D.Sc., Alice T. and William H. Goodwin Jr. Dean of the College of Engineering emphasizes the strategic value of the collaboration. “Our collaboration with Dominion Energy exemplifies the synergy between academia and industry. Together, we’ve developed programs that not only address current engineering challenges but also anticipate future industry needs, ensuring our graduates are well-equipped to lead in their fields,” said Eskandarian.

One of the most significant outcomes of their collaboration is the M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering offered by the VCU College of Engineering.

A Shared Vision: A Commitment to Education and Community

More than twenty years ago, Dominion Energy approached VCU to address the regional shortage of nuclear engineers. At the time, no Virginia university offered nuclear engineering programs, forcing companies to recruit out of state. Dominion Energy assisted the College of Engineering faculty in developing a curriculum to upskill their employees and retain talented engineers in the Commonwealth.

Virginia Commonwealth University initially introduced a nuclear track in 2007 as part of its M.S. in Engineering degree. In 2008, the university received State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) approval to offer an M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering, including an online modality.

Dominion Energy provided financial support and employees to serve as adjunct instructors for the initial nuclear engineering courses, bolstering the new academic program. Twenty years later, their partnership remains robust, with Dominion Energy hiring VCU students and interns, offering scholarships, and providing tuition reimbursement for employees who pursue the university’s master’s in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering.

Cultivating Innovation and Building Educational Bridges

Leveraging Dominion Energy’s expertise and resources, VCU welcomes Dominion Energy employees to share their knowledge, skills and leadership with engineering students and faculty.

R. Matthew “Matt” Gardner, Ph.D., P.E., vice president of electric transmission at Dominion Energy, is passionate about developing the future generation of technical talent. That made him the perfect choice as the inaugural Executive Engineer in Residence at VCU in 2023.

John Harrell, director of the Nuclear Engineering and Fuel Department at Dominion Energy, serves on the VCU Nuclear Engineering Program’s Industrial Advisory Board, which advises on departmental health, strategic planning, research directions and curriculum innovation.

At Dominion Energy, Harrell promotes the M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering to potential hires and current employees.

“I routinely discuss the quality of education, relevance to our business, proximity, and flexibility in completing the program when recruiting new hires or when discussing development with existing staff,” Harrell said.

He says the College of Engineering faculty in both the undergraduate and graduate MNE programs highlight the value and importance of the nuclear power industry to the student body and VCU community. They advance Dominion Energy employees’ professional development, communicate the broad applicability of the skills derived from the program, and enhance performance within and beyond the nuclear power sector.

Nurturing Talent: Dominion Energy’s Role in Academic Development

Alumni of the master’s program praise its academic rigor and appreciate the convenient class schedule that allows engineers to advance their education while working full time.

Cynthia Werneke, Manager of Nuclear Construction at Dominion Energy’s North Anna Power Station, graduated with VCU’s inaugural M.S. in Mechanical and Nuclear Engineering class in 2010.

Werneke started working as an engineer at Dominion Energy’s Surry Power Station following graduation with her bachelor’s degree. Her interest in pursuing a master’s degree in nuclear engineering aligned with Dominion Energy piloting the program.

The remote option made it easy for her to work full time and attend MNE classes at night with the full support of Dominion Energy leadership.

She also found that the coursework at VCU directly supported her job at Dominion Energy and set her up for further education.

After earning her master’s degree, Werneke pursued a Senior Reactor Operator License.

“The groundwork laid by the nuclear theory courses helped my base knowledge when I started studying mitigating core damage events and design basis accidents,” Werneke said.

For instance, her Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) class gave her a behind-the-scenes understanding of Dominion Energy’s PRA models and how the feed into maintenance strategies.

“Many decisions made in nuclear power plants depend on the risk determined by PRA models and the VCU coursework required students to build basic PRA models,” Werneke explained.

Her experience underscores Dominion Energy’s commitment to talent development.

“One of Dominion Energy’s core missions is people and development of talent. This program is a direct contribution to that effort and the community. With growing interest in nuclear energy, this program is pivotal for the nuclear industry,” Werneke said. “Dominion Energy’s tuition reimbursement program is a great opportunity for employees who want to improve their knowledge with advanced coursework in nuclear engineering.”

For Will Hegge, a Corporate Nuclear Engineering and Fuel Mechanical Design Supervisor who completed his MNE degree in 2023, the VCU experience was transformative. He oversees a team of mechanical and nuclear engineers responsible for thermal-hydraulic analysis of nuclear power plant fluid systems, HVAC systems and the evaluation of various components such as valves, pumps, seals and heat exchangers.

Hegge found the coursework directly applicable to his role at Dominion Energy.

“These courses provided me with an advanced understanding of the engineering theories and principles needed to excel in mechanical engineering,” Hegge said. “My first leadership role was a six-month assignment as a civil engineering supervisor. One of the areas of responsibility for this group included assessing the vulnerability of systems, structures, and components to tornado-generated missiles. Courses like Probabilistic Risk Assessment and Monte Carlo Simulations helped me understand the industry’s methods and models for these evaluations.”

Hegge described the coursework as challenging and rigorous.

“It not only pushed me to achieve an advanced understanding of complex engineering concepts but also boosted my confidence to take on more challenging tasks. This preparation has been invaluable in meeting the challenges and responsibilities of my position,” he said.

For instance, he found himself applying the concepts of compressible flow fluid dynamics from an aerospace engineering course to analyze piping systems at Dominion Energy.

VCU’s interdisciplinary approach prepared him for the complexities of his role and also fostered a supportive community of peers and mentors.

“My peers brought diverse perspectives and experiences. The professors were not only knowledgeable and passionate in their fields but were also approachable and supportive. These aspects facilitated a particularly rewarding experience,” he said.

Expanding Horizons: New Initiatives for Future Engineers

Beyond individual success stories, VCU-Dominion Energy partnerships represent a strategic investment in Virginia’s workforce. By supporting education in critical fields, the College of Engineering not only helps local companies meet hiring needs, but also anticipates future industry demands.

The introduction of a new Power Systems Engineering track to address the rapidly growing demand for skilled engineers in the field exemplifies the university-industry ongoing collaboration.

“The introduction of the Power Systems Engineering track, developed in collaboration with Dominion Energy, reflects our commitment to evolving our programs in line with industry advancements,” said Robert Klenke, Ph.D., chair of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering. “This initiative offers our students hands-on experience and direct engagement with current energy sector challenges.”

Virginia Commonwealth University students pursuing a Bachelor of Science in either electrical or computer engineering can now select this specialized track. The program began this spring with Introduction to Power Systems, taught by two Dominion Energy engineers.

Given the growing demand for electric power, particularly driven by data centers and electric vehicles, the track will prepare students for careers in power systems, smart grids and renewable energy integration.

Students taking the Power Systems Engineering track are already working on internships and senior design projects with Dominion Energy, with plans to involve Dominion Energy engineers as adjunct faculty and guest lecturers.

Through collaborations like this, both entities reaffirm their commitment to preparing the next generation of engineering leaders in Virginia.

The VCU College of Engineering offers innovative undergraduate and graduate degree programs tailored to meet the demands of the rapidly evolving engineering field. As part of a premier research university, students are given the opportunity to perform real-world research in our state-of-the-art facilities as soon as they enroll. Browse videos and recent news to discover how the College of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University prepares the next generation of scientists and engineers for the challenges of the future.