The Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing and Palmetto Nuclear Coalition recently announced an agreement aimed at transforming South Carolina into a national and global leader in nuclear innovation. The initiative brings together academic excellence and private-sector leadership to build technology and a robust workforce pipeline to drive long-term economic growth and competitiveness in nuclear energy.
“This initiative is a game-changer for our state. By combining our academic strength with Palmetto Nuclear Coalition’s industry insight and policy leadership, we’re positioning South Carolina on a national stage for competitive workforce development and nuclear innovation,” said MCEC Dean Hossein Haj-Hariri.
The initiative aligns private-sector demand with academic expertise, attracting investments to establish South Carolina as a national hub for nuclear innovation.
According to Travis Knight, chair of the MCEC Department of Mechanical Engineering and program director for the nuclear engineering graduate program, the collaboration marks a pivotal step forward for South Carolina’s nuclear energy future.
“By uniting the research excellence of our institutions with the strategic vision of the Palmetto Nuclear Coalition, we’re laying groundwork for national leadership in nuclear innovation and building a workforce ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow,” Knight says.
Palmetto Nuclear Coalition founder Ethel Bunch added that South Carolina needs to be at the forefront as the United States undergoes a nuclear energy resurgence.
“With USC’s nationally recognized Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing and South Carolina’s unmatched assets, from the VC Summer site and Savannah River National Laboratory to Westinghouse’s Fuel Fabrication Facility, we are uniquely positioned as a catalyst for America’s energy dominance, national security, and global competitiveness.”
Through the agreement, the Palmetto Nuclear Coalition and MCEC will co-host the second annual Molinaroli College of Engineering and Computing Nuclear Summit on November 17, 2025. The event will bring together business, government and academic leadership at the state and national level. The Palmetto Nuclear Coalition will also support the development of a Nuclear Innovation Center that will be created as a premier hub for research, innovation and workforce development at USC’s planned Engineering District.
“I can’t think of a more exciting opportunity for South Carolina,” says alum Alex Molinaroli, a member of the Palmetto Nuclear Coalition Executive Leadership Council. “The state has the workforce, infrastructure, and resources to lead the nation in nuclear energy. By building on our legacy of innovation, we can ensure reliable, and sustainable power for generations to come while strengthening our economy and securing America’s energy future.”
The latest initiative comes two months after the announcement of a landmark partnership between The Nuclear Company and USC. The partnership aims to position the state as a national hub for advanced nuclear energy innovation, workforce development, and economic growth. The Nuclear Company will invest up to $5 million over five years that USC will match with funds from federal grants, industry partners and other donors.