Energy Department official visits TSU to review its mining engineering minor
The program began with an $800,000 federal grant that ends next year, the university says
NASHVILLE - A U.S. Department of Energy official visited Tennessee State University on Oct. 14 to review its mining engineering program, which was started with an $800,000 federal grant, according to an Oct. 15 university release.
Curt Coccodrilli, assistant secretary of energy for hydrocarbons and geothermal energy, met with university leaders, College of Engineering faculty, industry partners and students and toured engineering labs, TSU said.
The program is a minor that began coursework in fall 2025. The minor has about 16 students and one faculty member, according to TSU, and the university said it is the only mining engineering program at a historically Black college or university in the country.
The grant paid for curriculum development, student scholarships, an industry advisory board and $200,000 in lab equipment, said Dr. Lin Li, dean of the College of Engineering. Li said the current grant ends next year and the university hopes the visit leads to more funding. Officials also discussed turning the minor into a full major, the release said.
“TSU is off to a remarkable start,” Coccodrilli said.
Source: Tennessee State University Newsroom, “U.S. Department of Energy Official Visits TSU to Assess Historic Mining Engineering Program,” Oct. 15, 2026.