Rowan University Alternative Energy Symposium

Inspiring the Next Generation of Energy Leaders

May 30, 2025

The second annual Alternative Energy Symposium was held on May 30, 2025, at Rowan University, bringing together high school students, educators, and industry professionals to explore the future of clean energy careers. The collaborative event hosted by Green Jobs Academy, School of Earth & Environment, and the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, engaged STEM-focused students across South Jersey to broaden awareness of opportunities in alternative energy and sustainability fields.

Through dynamic presentations, interactive workshops, and hands-on activities, the symposium emphasized that regardless of a student’s chosen path - whether engineering, environmental science, business, or technology - the need for sustainable energy solutions is relevant for almost any career, either directly or indirectly, which creates exciting job opportunities.  Students learned that there is always room for “greening” your degree to differentiate yourself and contribute to a sustainable future.

"I enjoyed all the speakers and their presentations. I found their talks to be very helpful and helped me to understand the workshops." Symposium Attendee

The day began with keynote speakers representing various sectors of the energy industry. Alexa Watkins, Senior Development Manager at Enel North America, highlighted advancements in solar energy, while Jonathan Oliva, Director of Engineering Services at South Jersey Industries, added insights on gas infrastructure, renewable natural gas, and hydrogen. Jason Schuler, grid integration expert representing Attentive Energy, covered offshore wind and the interconnection of electricity into the power grid. Attentive Energy also impressed students with an interactive VR headset experience that simulated working on a wind turbine rig - offering an immersive, first-hand glimpse into a unique future career.

These sessions were followed by a lively Q&A hosted by Green Jobs Academy Assistant Director Marie Casanova, where students asked questions directly to industry experts, reinforcing the event's commitment to real-world learning and professional networking.

The symposium featured engaging, hands-on workshops. Rowan engineering students, supported by Dr. Yashwant Sinha, Assistant Teaching Professor Mechanical Engineering, led sessions on wind and solar hybrid systems, electronics programming for smart devices, and even generating hydrogen fuel through water electrolysis to power model cars. Dr. Zachary Christman, Professor and Chair of Department of Geography, Planning & Sustainability, led a drone mapping workshop introducing students to the power of aerial imagery and GIS technologies in environmental monitoring.

These workshops introduced technical skills and demonstrated how alternative energy technologies intersect with everyday applications.

To add an element of fun and friendly competition, Jen Totora, Program & Events Specialist with the School of Earth & Environment, led a scavenger hunt powered by QR codes, culminating in a prize drawing with individual and school-wide winners receiving solar-powered gear and educational kits.

Funded by a generous grant from TD Bank, the event left a lasting impression not only through its activities and networking, but also through educational resources that will continue to support green education long after the day concluded. As one attendee put it, “I enjoyed all the speakers and their presentations. I found their talks to be very helpful and helped me to understand the workshops.”

With its combination of education, inspiration, and innovation, the Alternative Energy Symposium has laid the groundwork for South Jersey’s next generation of sustainability leaders.