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62 SMT007 MAGAZINE I FEBRUARY 2026 How many student chapters have you established in the United States? Gunter: We have more than 100 student chap- ters, which has grown immensely over the past year. Student chapters can be formed at high schools, community colleges, and universities. We've recently expanded our reach globally and have students in Canada, Spain, and Mexico, with expressed interest from Europe, New Zealand, Africa, India, and East Asia. How do you make connections with educational institutions and their students? Gunter: Establishing relationships with eligible academic institutions happens in different ways. Sometimes it's spontaneously through a student who's eager to benefit from the chapter programs, or it could be from a professor or instructor who wants to learn about the courses and standards and how students can prepare to enter the workforce. We also connect through referrals and cold emails to a dean of engineering or an instructor at an insti- tution. While it can be a fast and easy process to connect, it can also take time to connect with the right person or find volunteers willing to take on the campus responsibilities. Based on the mix, we have a variety of institutions and a great spread across high schools, community colleges, and universities. What are the Foundation's primary goals in work- ing with students and what do you hope to achieve? Gunter: Right now, students who are part of an Electronics Foundation chapter get access to much more than just a club on campus; they're stepping into the electronics industry early. Through their chapter, students get hands- on exposure, career insight, and direct indus- try connection all in one place. We provide them access to industry-relevant courses, content, and standards, as well as practical learning experi- ences like soldering and electronics build for real-world experience. The student chapter leaders drive many of the industry engagement opportunities, including workshops on technical or career topics, hands-on activities, facility tours, and networking events. On the career side, students gain access to industry-led webinars, career talks and roundtables, and "day in the life" style content that helps them understand the wide range of roles in electronics manufacturing— many of which they didn't know existed. We also provide various professional develop- ment opportunities to students. Some participate in the Emerging Engineer Program, while others pres- ent technical research papers or posters during APEX EXPO and other industry-facing conferences. We recently launched an Honor Society to recog- nize top students, and we recognize our student members, chapter leaders, and incredible educa- tors through our scholarships and awards program. Is it difficult for a student to start a new chapter? Gentry Manning: No, it is not difficult at all. All the information about the chapter program, the student benefits, and how to start a chapter at your local school are available on our website. How many students does the Electronics Foundation reach through your programs? Manning: The Electronics Foundation reached over 222,000 students, educators, and industry stake- holders in 2025 through our digital platforms. Please tell me more about your scholarship program. Gunter: We reward high performing students in a variety of ways, from scholarships and awards to travel grants to APEX EXPO. Manning: We offer an opportunity for students to compete for scholarships at APEX EXPO, as we provide $3,000 to the Best Student Technical Paper Presenter and $2,000 to the Best Student Poster Presenter. It is a big deal for the student or young professional to be recognized in these ways. Gunter: We offer other categories of scholar- ships as well. Each application comes with a range of criteria and requirements, includ- ing a motivational statement, academic verifications, letters of recommenda- tion, projects, and more. A committee comprised of industry experts and staff review the applications through a vigor- ous process that takes about six weeks. Some of our judges have been volun- G e nt r y M a n n i n g