York College of Pennsylvania has received a $10,000 grant from the FirstEnergy Foundation to enhance its Electrical Engineering program. The funding will be used to provide students in the Kinsley School of Engineering, Sciences and Technology with advanced power engineering tools and lab simulations. These resources are intended to give students practical experience with technology similar to what is used in the energy sector.
According to John Hawkins, President of FirstEnergy Pennsylvania, “This is a great opportunity for us to support York College and the students who will power our communities for years to come. The investment is a win-win because it helps create a steady pipeline of talented graduates with electrical engineering skills – which are in high demand – to meet the workforce needs of local businesses, including FirstEnergy.”
The college’s electrical engineering program enrolls nearly 60 students and prepares them for careers such as designing and managing power grids or developing renewable energy solutions. Demand for these skills is rising; data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that jobs in electrical engineering are expected to grow by 7% between 2024 and 2034.
Kala Meah, Professor and Chair of Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering and Computer Science at York College, said, “I would like to personally thank the FirstEnergy Foundation for its generous gift to support and enhance power engineering education at York College of Pennsylvania. This contribution will strengthen hands-on, real-world problem-solving opportunities in our classrooms. With this support, our future power engineers will gain the experience they need to help build a better world.”
FirstEnergy has previously supported York College through other initiatives. In 2024, its foundation provided $15,000 for the Summer JumpStart program aimed at helping underprivileged high school students explore STEM careers. Employees from both FirstEnergy and Met-Ed have also volunteered their time mentoring students at the college.
The FirstEnergy Foundation provides financial support primarily to nonprofit organizations serving areas where FirstEnergy operates. So far in 2025, more than $5.5 million has been distributed across its service area.
The foundation does not accept unsolicited applications but offers information about grant opportunities on its website or through direct email inquiries.
FirstEnergy Corp., listed on NYSE as FE, serves over six million customers across several states including Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, West Virginia, Maryland and New York. Its transmission subsidiaries manage about 24,000 miles of lines connecting Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions.
For further information on grants or sponsorships from FirstEnergy Foundation visit their official webpage or contact their Community Involvement team by email.
