NSF Energy Storage Engine Welcomes Julia Hobika to Support Energy Storage Scholars Initiative

Hobika will help coordinate Engine Scholars programs across four Upstate New York universities as the region’s energy storage talent pipeline grows

The NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York welcomes Julia Hobika, Program Manager at Griffiss Institute, to the NSF Engine Energy Storage Scholars Initiative. With the Engine Scholars Initiative now spanning four universities, Hobika adds dedicated capacity to support Chief Workforce Officer Tim Thomas in growing the regional talent pipeline.

The Engine Scholars Initiative connects students at Binghamton University, Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), Syracuse University and the University at Buffalo with educational and experiential learning opportunities that prepare them for careers in energy storage. Working alongside Thomas, Hobika will support day-to-day operations and serve as a point of contact for university and coalition partners.

“The Energy Storage Engine Scholars Initiative puts students to work on problems the industry is facing, gets them excited about the field and gives them a reason to stay in Upstate New York after graduation. Now that it’s on four campuses, success depends on strong partnerships between colleges and employers, and Julia has proven she can build them. She’ll give each campus the attention it needs, and our partners, students, employers and the region will all be better for it,” said Tim Thomas, Chief Workforce Development Officer of the NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York.

Hobika will work directly with each partner university to help coordinate its Engine Scholars program and make sure every campus has the support it needs from the broader Engine team. She will also work with industry and community partners to connect Engine Scholars with those opportunities. Hobika is based at Griffiss Institute, where she supports the Engine Scholars Initiative as part of the Engine’s Workforce and Education efforts.

“Upstate New York has remarkable students and an industry that needs them. My job is to make sure every partner campus has what it needs so Engine Scholars can move from the classroom into careers that drive regional economic growth,” said Julia Hobika.

Before joining Griffiss Institute, Hobika served as Coordinator of Workforce Development at Mohawk Valley Community College, where she managed workforce training, leadership development and professional education programs. She holds a bachelor’s degree from the University at Albany and is pursuing her MBA at SUNY Empire State University.

Hobika’s addition marks the next step in the Engine’s work to grow workforce development and drive regional economic growth across Upstate New York. To learn more about the Engine Scholars Initiative.

About the NSF Energy Storage Engine in Upstate New York

Powering America’s Battery Future. The NSF Energy Storage Engine is transforming Upstate New York into America’s Battery Tech Capital by connecting companies, manufacturers, educators, and community partners to develop, test, scale, and deploy next-generation energy storage technologies.