S&T students are tackling cybersecurity threats and modernizing banking systems this semester, thanks to Kummer College’s new Team Innovation Projects (TIP) program.

“This program is giving students the opportunity to work on real industry problems while they’re still in the classroom,” says Dr. Shou Wong, director of corporate partnerships. “They’re not just learning concepts, they’re actually applying them to make an impact for a real company.”

A different kind of classroom

Unlike traditional lecture-based courses, TIP operates as a project-driven experience. Students enroll in a two-semester course, earning up to six credit hours while working with faculty members and industry employees.

Dr. Peggy Lindner, associate professor in engineering management and systems engineering, leads the academic component of the program, teaching course material and overseeing grading. 

Evaluation is based less on exams and more on progress: weekly updates, project milestones and team tasks.

“Students communicate regularly with company representatives, and even travel to provide updates with presentations,” Wong says. “This is good for accountability and networking at the same time.”

Solving industry problems

Each TIP project begins with a company-identified challenge: one that is important, but not so urgent that it requires immediate full-time professional solutions. The program launched its first two projects in fall 2025 with seven students.

A project with Aiceberg focuses on threat intelligence in the era of generative AI. Students are analyzing adversarial intelligence exchanges to anticipate and detect signals that could strengthen digital defense systems. Dr. Jian Liu, assistant research professor of electrical and computer engineering, advises the team.

A project with Energy Arbitrage focuses on energy economics and business case development, exploring the feasibility of a new energy-focused startup. Dr. Peggy Lidner advises the team.

Expanding with new partnerships

The TIP program is expanding, with five projects expected for the spring 2026 semester, including three new industry collaborations:

• Students will make critical engineering calculations to support long-term fuel disposition strategies in a partnership with Deep Fission. Dr. Tayfun Akyurek, assistant professor of nuclear engineering and radiation science will serve as faculty advisor. 
• Students will explore AI-enabled modernization of COBOL-based mainframe systems in a project with Apex Systems. Dr. Gabriel Nicolosi, assistant professor of engineering management and systems engineering, will serve as faculty advisor. 
• Students working with FarmVates will design and build prototype drones to support demonstrations and fundraising efforts. Dr. Steve Watkins, professor of electrical and computer engineering, will serve as faculty advisor. 

One of the most significant milestones is TIP’s first international collaboration, Wong says. For the Apex Systems project, S&T students will collaborate with students at Insper in São Paulo, Brazil. and Dr. Gabriel Nicolosi, assistant professor of engineering management and systems engineering at  S&T, and Dr. Luciano Soares, associate professor of engineering at Insper, will serve as the team’s faculty advisors.   

“This unique partnership will feature an equal number of students from Missouri S&T and Insper working together. This is a massive step forward for the program’s global footprint,” Wong says.

From classroom to career

For employers, TIP offers a new way to recruit talent.

Instead of relying on career fairs and interviews, company leaders can observe students over months of collaboration. Many partners plan to offer internships or full-time positions  based on student performance.

Students gain insight into company culture, expectations and workflow before committing to an organization.

“It gives them a chance to see if a company is the right fit,” Wong says.

Growing across campus

The TIP program is open to students across disciplines, including those in engineering, computing and business. While integration with all degree requirements is still evolving, the long-term goal is to expand opportunities across colleges.

Wong plans to grow the program to a full slate of projects each semester, giving students the ability to choose from multiple industry-sponsored experiences.

“We want students to see these as real opportunities,” Wong says. “You’re earning credit, gaining experience and building connections, all at the same time.”