ASTRO America Forges Landmark On-Island Engineering Partnership Together with Colorado School of Mines and the University of Guam
Under GAMMA Initiative, Groundbreaking Program Brings Mechanical Engineering Degrees to the Indo-Pacific
Dededo, Guam – December 2, 2025 – The Applied Science & Technology Research Organization of America (ASTRO America) has announced its groundbreaking partnership with Colorado School of Mines (Mines) and University of Guam (UOG) to establish the first-ever satellite campus of a mainland U.S. university in Guam.
As part of the Guam Additive Materials & Manufacturing Accelerator (GAMMA) initiative, ASTRO is working with the Government of Guam to support development of appropriate infrastructure to set up such a new higher education capability. Enrolled students will have the opportunity to achieve degrees in mechanical engineering, receiving introductory coursework in the first two years from the University of Guam and mechanical engineering education from Colorado School of Mines in the final two years, focused on additive manufacturing and advanced production methods, with Mines faculty teaching students on-island.
This new academic pathway will allow students in Guam and across the Pacific to complete a four-year mechanical engineering degree without leaving the island, a first in Guam’s history.
“This collaboration between a top-tier mainland university and a leading Guam institution brings a premier engineering program to the island while supporting a strategic workforce need for the U.S. Navy’s maritime industrial base and beyond,” said Neal Orringer, President of ASTRO America. “Colorado School of Mines is a recognized leader in mechanical and manufacturing engineering, and together with a crucial foundational component offered by the University of Guam, these colleges’ dual presence will provide the next generation with world-class instruction in technologies that are reshaping defense and industrial production worldwide.”
Colorado School of Mines, a R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering ranked in the top 40 public schools by U.S. News & World Report, will deliver specialized mechanical engineering education with a focus on additive manufacturing to students on-island.
“We’re excited for this new partnership because of what it offers students, the universities, and the U.S. Navy,” said Paul C. Johnson, President of Colorado School of Mines. “The students receive the opportunity to earn a Mines degree in Guam, the University of Guam and Colorado School of Mines benefit from the investment in state-of-the-art advanced manufacturing facilities and closer ties to the Navy and supporting industries in the Pacific – both of which will benefit from the graduates, innovation, and capabilities that grow out of this strategic partnership. Mines is a leader in additive manufacturing, and this partnership builds on that and extends the global reach and impact of that program.”
They are partnered with the University of Guam (UOG), a land-grant university considered one of the best regional universities in the West by U.S. News & World Report.
“This partnership marks an important step for our island and the University of Guam. With the addition of mechanical engineering through Colorado School of Mines and our established civil engineering program, students can now earn two key engineering degrees without leaving the island,” said UOG President Dr. Anita Borja Enriquez. “These programs expand local access to quality education and are closely tied to workforce development — preparing our students for careers in advanced manufacturing and additive technology, industries that are growing quickly and will shape the region’s future.”
The educational partnership is a key component of the broader GAMMA initiative, supported by the Navy’s Maritime Industrial Base (MIB) Program to strengthen additive manufacturing capacity in Guam . The program is designed to develop a highly skilled workforce capable of supporting additive manufacturing for both national defense and Guam’s growing civilian economy.
The Navy is evaluating a planned option that would enable ASTRO America to lead a $12 million expansion to support curriculum rollout, laboratory infrastructure, equipment procurement, and student recruitment. This potential investment would build on an existing $5 million effort already underway.
As final arrangements are completed, academic planning is underway for the first cohort of students, with classes expected to begin in Fall 2026. These programs will serve both civilian and military-connected learners and will expand Guam’s role as a regional hub for innovation, manufacturing, and workforce development.
For more information on ASTRO’s GAMMA initiative, click here.
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The Applied Science and Technology Research Organization of America (ASTRO America) is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit, non-partisan Research Institute and Think Tank. It was established in 2018 to advance the public interest through manufacturing technology and policy. Led by manufacturing professionals with broad public and private sector experience, ASTRO America supports collaborations by government agencies and companies to address supply chain challenges in highly regulated industries, including aerospace and defense.
For more information, contact:
Bradley Sinkaus
570-446-7585
bradley@raynoravenue.com