Omar Shaheed III has officially made history as the first student to graduate from the mechatronics engineering program at South Carolina State University (SC State). The 23-year-old earned his degree on Dec. 11, 2025, marking a milestone for both the university and the state. This achievement highlights the growth of high-tech programs at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
The mechatronics discipline is a specialized field that combines mechanical and electrical engineering. By finishing this rigorous curriculum, Shaheed has paved the way for future students in South Carolina. His success proves that HBCU students are ready to lead in advanced technical industries.
A Historic Milestone for SC State Mechatronics Engineering
Shaheed began his journey at SC State after graduating from Berkeley High School in 2020. He was personally recruited into the new program by Dr. Hasanul Basher, the chairman of the Department of Engineering Technology. At the time, the program was still in its early stages of development.
Choosing an unknown path required a leap of faith for the young student. Shaheed admitted he was not familiar with mechatronics when he first applied. However, he trusted the vision of the faculty and became the inaugural student of the program.
“I’m very excited because it’s been a long time coming, but more so because it means a lot to Dr. Basher and the program that someone finished,” Shaheed expressed.
Career Success with Boeing and the 787 Dreamliner
The versatility of a mechatronics degree allowed Shaheed to land four prestigious internships during his college years. His first experience was with Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, where he designed HVAC systems. Afterward, he completed three consecutive internships with Boeing, focusing on manufacturing and product engineering.
These roles gave him hands-on experience with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner in Charleston, South Carolina. He worked on improving manufacturing processes and communicating directly with customers to make plane adjustments. Consequently, his hard work resulted in a full-time job offer from the aerospace giant.
Starting in January 2026, Shaheed will join Boeing South Carolina in a rotational engineering role. He will rotate through different departments every six months to gain a wide range of expertise. This position allows him to apply his skills in robotics and smart systems to real-world aviation.
Promoting Diversity in HBCU STEM Programs
South Carolina State University is a leader in producing Black engineers. It currently hosts the only nuclear engineering program in the state. By adding mechatronics to its College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Transportation, the school is expanding its reach into robotics and automation.
Students in this program learn to design and manufacture unmanned systems and assistive technology. These skills are in high demand at companies like BMW, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon. Therefore, Shaheed’s graduation is a win for the university’s mission to prepare students for the modern workforce.
The success of this first graduate serves as a beacon for the next generation of engineers. It shows that with patience and dedication, students can conquer new fields in technology. Shaheed’s story is a powerful reminder of the impact of HBCUs on global innovation.
