South Carolina State University has officially opened a NuScale Energy Exploration (E2) Center — a simulated control room that mirrors the operation of a real advanced nuclear power plant — giving students the opportunity for immersive, hands-on training in nuclear systems and plant operations.
SC State is now home to one of only 10 such centers in the world — and the only one in South Carolina. The simulator is now fully installed and operational, allowing students in the university’s Nuclear Engineering Program to gain first-hand experience with technology used in the energy industry.
“This is an exciting moment for SC State,” President Alexander Conyers said. “The NuScale Energy Exploration Center gives our students a front-row seat to the future of clean energy. It’s not
every day you get to bring a virtual nuclear reactor into the classroom. That kind of access can spark curiosity, open career paths, and change lives.
“This partnership brings world-class tools to our campus, supports our growing research mission as an R2 institution, and underscores the vital role HBCUs play in driving innovation across the country,” Conyers said. “It
also strengthens our pipeline for workforce development with partners like the Battelle Savannah River Alliance, preparing our students to lead in one of the nation’s most critical industries.”
On Wednesday, NuScale Power officially handed off the fully installed E2 Center to SC State following a col-
laborative setup and training process. The centerpiece of the E2 center is NuScale’s Small Modular Reactor (SMR) simulator, which replicates realworld advanced nuclear plant operations in a dynamic and interactive environment.
“We are excited to partner with SC State on our 10th E2 Center, helping to build a strong workforce of nuclear energy innovators,” said John Hopkins, NuScale president and chief executive officer. “As clean, reliable power demand grows, so does the need for skilled professionals. This facility will offer students practical experience, problemsolving skills, and the expertise to advance clean energy solutions.”
SC State is the only institution in South Carolina — and the only historically Black college or university in the nation — that offers a four-year degree in nuclear engineering. Dr. Stanley Ihekweazu, dean of the College of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Transportation, said the E2 Center raises the bar for how students are trained.
“It transforms how we prepare future engineers — moving beyond textbooks to immersive, industry-standard training,” Ihekweazu said. “This kind of access not only
strengthens our nuclear engineering program but also empowers our students to lead in a field that is vital to our nation’s energy future.”
Aniya Zielgler, an SC State nuclear engineering student, considers the E2 Center’s addition to the program’s experiential learning capabilities a boost for her career prospects.
“This is more than just a milestone for SC State — it’s a personal game-changer for me,” Ziegler said. “Coming from the only HBCU in the nation with a nuclear engineering program, I’m gaining access to cutting-edge technology and hands-on experiences that will directly prepare me for a future in the nuclear energy industry.
“The E2 Center opens doors I once only dreamed of, giving me the tools, exposure, and confidence to compete and a lead in the field upon my graduation. It’s an inspiring step forward for my education, my career, and for students like me across the country,” she said.
What is an E2 Center?
Using state-of-the-art computer modeling within a 12-module NuScale SMR control room simulator, the E2 Center allows users to assume
