Drexel University's College of Engineering is tapping its strength in
electric power, energy systems, and industry partnerships to develop talent
at Baltimore Gas & Electric (BGE), a subsidiary of Exelon Corporation,
through a new Power Systems Graduate Certificate program.
The rigorous curriculum was designed by Drexel engineering faculty, led by
Karen Miu, PhD, professor of electrical and computer engineering, in
partnership with representatives from BGE, to meet the specific needs of the
company. It includes advanced coursework in power system analysis,
protective relaying, distribution systems, automation and control, and
integrating renewables and distributed energy resources onto the grid.
Students who successfully complete the 8-course, 24-credit program will be
eligible to transfer all credits toward a Master of Science in Electrical
Engineering at Drexel.
"Partnerships like this allow us to translate Drexel's research excellence
into curricula that meets real-world industry workforce development needs,"
said Kapil Dandekar, PhD, E. Warren Colehower Chair Professor and Associate
Dean at Drexel Engineering. "Combining Drexel's cutting-edge faculty with
BGE's practical knowledge will shape professionals ready to lead the
industry forward."
The curriculum provides an accessible pathway for BGE professionals to
advance their expertise in power systems engineering. By learning online,
they can remain on the job while earning a valuable credential from a top
engineering school. At least 25 BGE employees are expected to enroll in the
initial cohort, scheduled to start this fall.
“BGE has partnered with Drexel to enhance our employee development,
providing relevant skills and tools to stay competitive,” said Rex
Gallamoza, BGE’s senior manager of transmission and substation engineering
projects. “Transforming our workforce and investing in people will give us
an edge in this growing industry including electrification, grid
advancements, distributed energy resources, large-scale modernization of
aging infrastructure, and technologies to improve grid operations and
resilience.”
With leading research and faculty expertise across engineering disciplines,
Drexel is well equipped to develop customized programs for other companies
seeking to upskill their technical workforce.
"We are eager and well-positioned to develop similar tailored programs for
additional industry partners," said Dandekar. "These programs ensure that
we are delivering the cutting-edge curricula needed to build a skilled
workforce to address the engineering challenges of the future."