Workforce Ready
The University of Wyoming (UW) launched a process control minor and lab in 2020, funded by industry partners like Genesis Alkali and HF Sinclair, to bridge the skills gap in process engineering for sectors like energy and manufacturing. Senior student Nicholas Gindulis secured a full-time job at HF Sinclair after his internship, where he applied hands-on lab experience to solve a flow meter issue during his internship in Rawlins, Wyoming.
The University of Wyoming (UW) introduced a process control minor in 2020 to address industry demands for engineers skilled in optimizing industrial operations. Genesis Alkali, now WE Soda, identified a training gap in recent graduates and partnered with UW’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences to develop the program. Initial funding came from Genesis Alkali and the Tier-1 Engineering Initiative, with additional support from HF Sinclair in 2025. The minor was designed in collaboration with industry experts to ensure relevance in fields like energy, minerals, and manufacturing. The Advanced Process Control Lab, located in UW’s Engineering Education and Research Building, provides students with real-world training using cutting-edge technology. Students like Nicholas Gindulis, a senior chemical engineering student from Casper, Wyoming, gained hands-on experience manipulating equipment and software to improve process efficiency. Gindulis credited the minor for his ability to diagnose and fix a flow meter issue during his internship at HF Sinclair’s Casper refinery last summer. HF Sinclair’s investment in the program reflects its commitment to workforce development and innovation. Sam Cooper, vice president and refinery manager at HF Sinclair, stated the partnership strengthens the pipeline of skilled professionals for refining and industrial processing. The company’s support also enhances UW’s core chemical engineering curriculum, according to associate professor Randy Pfeiffer. Gindulis’s internship experience led to a full-time job offer from HF Sinclair upon his May 2026 graduation. He noted that his process control background was a key factor in securing the position. The program’s industry-aligned curriculum ensures students graduate with practical skills, directly addressing workforce needs in Wyoming’s energy sector.
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