Bobcat Partners with UNC Charlotte on STEM Scholarships

Bobcat Company has launched a major new partnership with The University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s William States Lee College of Engineering, supporting the next generation of innovators with a $200,000 donation for student scholarships and an expanded Student Development Program on campus.
The investment will benefit students across the College of Engineering, Belk College of Business and the College of Computing and Informatics—strengthening academic pathways in engineering, supply chain and STEM disciplines.

A Shared Commitment to Developing Future Talent

“Bobcat is honored to support the next generation of groundbreaking innovators and engineers,” said Mike Ballweber, president of Doosan Bobcat North America, Inc. “This collaboration is a gamechanger for both UNC Charlotte and Bobcat, creating new opportunities for STEM leaders of tomorrow and reinforcing our mission of empowering people to accomplish more.”

For more than 10 years, Bobcat’s Student Development Program has provided high-potential engineering students across the country with part-time employment and real-world, hands-on experience. The program has helped cultivate a strong pipeline of skilled talent, with many students ultimately joining the company after graduation.

Expanding the Student Development Program in Charlotte

As part of the new partnership, Bobcat will establish a dedicated on-campus workspace at UNC Charlotte designed specifically for Student Development Program participants.
The space will include professional workstations, collaboration areas and access to Bobcat mentors, engineers and corporate leaders.

Students will gain:

• Hands-on project experience

• Exposure to real-world engineering challenges

• Networking opportunities with industry professionals

• A direct pathway into internships and future employment

“Bobcat is showcasing how industry and academia can work together to cultivate talent in technology-related fields,” said Rob Keynton, Dean of the W.S. Lee College of Engineering. “North Carolina has become a hub for industries that depend on skilled engineers, and this partnership creates a powerful opportunity for our students to grow and collaborate.”

$200,000 Scholarship Donation Supports Multiple Colleges

Bobcat’s donation will provide scholarship funding over the next three years for students in:

• Engineering

• Business (supply chain, logistics and related fields)

• Computing and informatics

This scholarship support aims to reduce financial barriers, encourage academic excellence and attract high-performing students into high-demand STEM and technical programs.

A Long-Term Collaboration for Innovation and Workforce Growth

Beyond scholarships and student development, Bobcat employees will engage with UNC Charlotte through:

• Joint research projects

• Senior design experiences

• Classroom participation

• Faculty collaboration

• Growing partnerships in emerging fields such as supply chain management

This partnership reinforces a shared commitment to shaping the future workforce, driving innovation and building long-term relationships within the Charlotte region.

Supporting North Carolina’s Engineering and Manufacturing Future

UNC Charlotte sits close to Bobcat’s large manufacturing campus in Statesville, North Carolina. In 2022, Bobcat completed a 600,000-square-foot expansion of the Statesville facility, doubling its footprint and significantly increasing production capacity. The facility remains the company’s largest manufacturing campus worldwide.

The ongoing partnership with UNC Charlotte will help develop the skilled workforce needed to support future growth at the Statesville facility and across North Carolina.

A Decade of Student Development Success

Bobcat’s Student Development Program originated in North Dakota through partnerships with North Dakota State University and the University of Mary. More than 135 students have taken part since its creation—many of whom have continued their careers with the company.