Middle Georgia is taking the action needed to lead growth in our region. Powered by a strong network of partners, our region is unlocking opportunity, inspiring young minds, and proving what’s possible when a community works together. At the heart of these efforts is Project Synergy, a collaboration that brings together the Warner Robins Air Logistics Complex’s 402nd Software Engineering Group (SWEG), local schools, higher education, and other community partners.
Bob Herrmann, former Director of the 402nd Software Engineering Group and now Executive Director of the Middle Georgia STEM Alliance at the 21st Century Partnership, played a key role in launching Project Synergy in 2021. He shares what drove that collaboration:
“We set out to solve a real workforce need, hiring hundreds of highly skilled engineers and computer scientists each year, and the best solution was to grow that talent right here in Middle Georgia. The dual enrollment and internship programs are delivering results: we’re seeing more local students enter STEM fields, complete their degrees, and come back to work at the 402nd SWEG. That’s the power of strategic collaboration. It’s not just a pipeline, it’s a proven track record of building the workforce this region needs to compete and win.”
What sets Middle Georgia apart? It’s our collaborative spirit, quality education, and the drive to connect students to real opportunity. Two standout initiatives at Project Synergy – dual enrollment and Project Synergy internships – are preparing us for the region’s future.
Early Access to Big Opportunities with High School Dual Enrollment
Through a unique partnership between Houston County Schools and Middle Georgia State University, high school juniors and seniors can now get a jumpstart on their future. Launched in Fall 2021 and now entering its fifth year, the dual enrollment program offers four college-level computer science courses over two years. Students who complete the full sequence of courses earn a certificate in Information Technology.
The value goes beyond the coursework. These dual-enrolled students from different high schools come together and build community with like-minded peers while experiencing the rigor of college-level learning. In its fifth academic year, students who were in middle school when this program started are now able to explore this option at Project Synergy. Creative solutions like this are growing the talent pipeline and reinforcing Middle Georgia’s reputation as a region where industry and education work together.
Unlocking Potential Through College Internships
Project Synergy’s summer internship program is a paid experience that recruits students from the region pursuing degrees in electrical engineering, software engineering, and computer science/engineering. Students pursuing these majors are being regionally and nationally recruited earlier in their college studies, and it is critical the region keep this talent here. Starting the summer after high school graduation, Project Synergy internships can provide local students with an opportunity to develop skills, connect with mentors, and become part of a supportive professional network.
With mentors like Ben Hawkins from the 402nd SWEG, Project Synergy internships help students grow both personally and professionally. In summer 2025, interns learned programming basics and essential soft skills for college and work, such as understanding security clearance and working with different teams. The internship program is designed to be hands-on and supportive, encouraging curiosity and teamwork.
Beyond technical training, the summer internship offered leadership development that empowers students to thrive in every aspect of life. Dr. Joe Richardson, Executive Director of the Middle Georgia Innovation Corridor, led a four-session workshop inspired by John Maxwell’s “The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth.” Interns learned what it means to lead, build teams, and contribute to their communities.
Because of Project Synergy’s summer internship program, many interns who are now graduating from college are choosing to build their careers at the 402nd SWEG – evidence that investing in local talent creates an innovative workforce invested in Middle Georgia’s future.
Community Partners Step Up for Students
When a federal hiring freeze in 2025 threatened to pause opportunities for the new summer interns, our community stepped up. The 21st Century Partnership and the Middle Georgia Innovation Corridor worked together to provide funding through Georgia AIM, with added financial support from the Development Authority of Houston County. Their quick action made sure that every new intern could participate in a summer internship at Project Synergy and find community with the returning interns. Jayden, a graduating senior from Howard High School, captured the appreciation felt by all the new interns, “I’m truly grateful our partners found a way to keep this program going. Being included gave us the chance to learn, connect, and gain real experience we might have missed otherwise.”
Efforts like this show what is possible when we connect and collaborate.
First-Year Interns Share Their Experience
Meet Daniel, Jayden, Sean, and Crystal – the next generation of innovators. As Project Synergy summer interns, they gained hands-on coding skills, leadership training, and a supportive peer community. Together, they’re proof that Middle Georgia’s collaborative spirit is building a workforce ready to compete and win.
This summer’s interns came from Bibb, Bleckley, Houston, Jones, and Peach counties, and their reflections capture the heart of what makes these types of programs transformative. Here’s what a few had to say about the experience:
Daniel, Perry High School Class of 2025, attending Mercer University:
“It didn’t matter how long the program was, it was the impact you can make in that time. I got to meet a lot of awesome people. It was great getting to work with everyone, especially in an environment that felt more interactive than a classroom. I was grateful to learn coding skills and soft skills. All my colleagues are truly incredible individuals. They are all talented and the best of their high schools. I loved every moment with them. It made learning so much more fun getting to experience this with them and to collaborate in ways that we’ve never really had to before.”
Jayden, Howard High School Class of 2025, attending Georgia Tech:
“Exposure would be the biggest thing. It gave me a lot of insight into the workplace. Our instructor, Ben, was the best of the best. He taught us Python, but he also taught us about professionalism. The biggest part was learning what you need to know before you get into a situation where you need to know it. I loved the environment – an opportunity to be with my peers who just graduated and you could just bond with.”
Sean, Northside High School Class of 2025, attending the University of Georgia:
“I went in not knowing any Python, but I feel like I can do anything with Python now. My speaking skills improved a lot too, thanks to Dr. Richardson’s leadership workshops. I was not a confident speaker at all. We were given prompts that we knew nothing about, and we had to talk about them on the spot. That definitely pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me a lot.”
Crystal, Academy for Classical Education Class of 2025, attending Georgia Tech:
“The high point was all the collaboration and learning. We were able to push ourselves out of our comfort zone, especially with public speaking. I feel like this will help me in college when I’m in front of more people. The programming was also a high point. I had done a little bit of Python in one of my clubs, but we didn’t have a class for Python in my school. So this was just a new experience. I was excited to go home and continue working on our projects. I wanted to go home, build on it, and figure out how I could make the project better. “
Middle Georgia’s strategic location, quality of life, and educational partnerships make it the ideal place for innovation, careers, and families to grow. Project Synergy demonstrates that we’re not just preparing students for the future, we’re inspiring them to lead it.
