HSU Educational Foundation

06/14/2026

Learn more about careers in aviation maintenance! Visit Northwest Florida State College website to learn more about our partnered efforts to prepare this workforce pipeline in NW Florida at the NWFC Aviation Center of Excellence.

Coltin Stidham wanted to be a pilot, but his eyesight didn’t make the grade. Now, the high-school junior is training for another six-figure aviation job even more in demand.

Inside an 8,500-square-foot hangar at Middletown Regional Airport in southern Ohio, the 17-year-old is learning to become an aircraft maintenance technician—a job that doesn’t require a college degree, is AI-proof and, within several years, can earn more than $100,000.

Plus, Stidham adds: “It’s pretty cool watching an airplane that you fixed fly out.”

If only the aviation industry could find more recruits like him. It’s running out of the people who keep planes flying safely and on time—the result of a ticking demographic time-bomb in the field.

🔗 Read more: https://on.wsj.com/4vaHWWo

06/13/2026

Last evening, we were honored to serve as a sponsor for Okaloosa County America 250 Gala and Drone Show! This wonderful community event honoring 250 years since America’s founding included a skit reenactment of 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence learning about their lives and the sacrifices they made. Events like these remind us of the collaboration and innovative spirit of our founding fathers and the generations of American Patriots that have defended those unifying principles. Thank you to the many contributing partners and organizations that made this evening a success. Okaloosa Board of County Commissioners Step One Automotive GroupOCity of Fort Walton Beach Representative Patt ManeyoGet The CoastGS Gelato Eglin Federal Credit Unionedit Union
City of Fort Walton Beach Representative Patt Maney Get The Coast GS Daughters of the American Revolution National Headquartersolution Choctawhatchee Bay and EmeraldSons of the American Revolutionolution

Thank you to our honored guests representing AFSOC, Project 1 - 1st SOW Spark Cell and Eglin AFB- 96 Test Wing

06/13/2026

06/12/2026

Initiatives for continue to advance… as America250 reminds us all of our greatest value found in solving problems together…. when united for a common need, we build !

The list includes Northrop Grumman and several startups competing to supply low-cost payloads compatible with any drone design.

06/11/2026

We have a few remaining seats in the HSU Innovation Institute South Advanced Rocketry camp in Fort Walton Beach. These incredible hands-on learning and fun experiences can also pave the way to exciting STEM careers! Thank you The Boeing Company Project 1 - 1st SOW Spark Cell Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL Florida Power & Light Step One Automotive Group City of Fort Walton Beach Representative Patt Maney for encouraging young people to explore high demand skills with your sponsorship support!

Be sure to register here:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/advanced-rocket-camp-fwb-tickets-1987855468217

06/11/2026

Don’t miss opportunities in Crestview for our Spark Scholars Standard and Advanced Rocketry Camps! We are so grateful for the generous sponsorship and partnership of The Boeing Company Florida Power & Light Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL Step One Automotive Group Patt Maney FDOE as we help prepare and aim the future workforce on success in STEM!

Registration required of families for this no-cost scholared experience!

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rocket-camp-cvw-tickets-1987850324833

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/advanced-rocket-camp-cvw-tickets-1987862445085

06/10/2026

Congratulations to our AI Basics Graduates!

The HSU Educational Foundation is proud to celebrate our latest group of students for successfully completing the AI Basics course! Participants explored the fundamentals of Artificial Intelligence and gained hands-on experience with tools shaping the future.

We are proud of your hard work and excited to see where your new skills take you. Please join us in congratulating these graduates! Thank you to our generous sponsors and partners The Boeing Company Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL Step One Automotive Group City of Fort Walton Beach Representative Patt Maney FDOE, Florida Power & Light Triple R Construction and GSC for making these programs available as scholar experiences to benefit local families and strengthen talent pipelines. Thank you to their Instructor who brings the world of AI alive in this fun and educational short course!

06/10/2026

It is always bittersweet when we must bid farewell to military members who contribute so much to the HSU Educational Foundation’s valued partnerships and service to the FieldWerx innovation community. As Lt. Col Hartman, Project 1st SoW Spark Cell Innovation Director, accepts his next assignment, we know he will take with him our community’s sincere gratitude and best wishes. He has left an indelible mark on our team and enhanced our partnership and aligned mission efforts with AFSOC and the 1SOW. He will certainly be missed! At the same time, we heartily welcome Major Lackey as he leads the Project 1 - 1st SOW Spark Cell team. We know he will do a wonderful job! - Paul Hsu Amanda Negron and the entire HSU Team

06/03/2026

Don’t miss our Standard June 8-12 and Advanced June 15-19 Workshop Programs in Fort Walton Beach and Crestview HSU Innovation Institute locations! Great opportunity for middle and highschool level participants!

This is a no cost, scholared experience led by subject matter experts from the cyber field opening doors to a bright future. Tell your friends Get The Coast Okaloosa/ Walton News Bureau Mid Bay News City of Fort Walton Beach City of Crestview City of Niceville

Must register to attend at these links:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cyberpatriot-standard-fwb-tickets-1987546992558

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/cyberpatriot-standard-cvw-tickets-1987544322572

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/advanced-cyberpatriot-crestview-tickets-1987548479004

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/advanced-cyberpatriot-camp-fort-walton-beach-tickets-1987549185116

We appreciate and value our leading signature industry partners who support these programs : The Boeing Company Project 1 - 1st SOW Spark Cell Florida Power & Light Air Force Research Laboratory - AFRL Step One Automotive Group

05/29/2026

It is truly inspiring to live among such heroes.. Thank you for your service.


Project 1 - 1st SOW Spark Cell