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The Electronics Foundation may be one of the industry’s best-kept secrets, but its impact is anything but small. In this interview, Charlene Gunter and Gentry Manning discuss how the Foundation is building a pipeline of future electronics professionals through student chapters, scholarships, hands-on STEM programs, and global outreach. From high schools to universities, and from soldering kits to career exploration, they share how meaningful industry engagement is opening doors for students while helping manufacturers address workforce needs.
Marcy LaRont: Charlene and Gentry, it is great to speak with you both. When was the Electronics Foundation established, and what is your mission?
Charlene Gunter: Both Gentry and I are proud to have served the industry through the Electronics Foundation since it was established by the Global Electronics Association in 2019. Our focus is on creating awareness of career opportunities in the electronics industry, connecting students with industry leaders, and supporting STEM education through hands-on experiences, scholarships, and educational resources. Our mission has always been to develop a pipeline of new talent to enter the electronics workforce.
LaRont: How many student chapters have you established in the United States?
Gunter: We have more than 100 student chapters, which has grown immensely over the past year. Student chapters can be formed at high schools, community colleges, and universities. We’ve recently expanded our reach globally and have students in Canada, Spain, and Mexico, with expressed interest from Europe, New Zealand, Africa, India, and East Asia.
LaRont: How do you make connections with educational institutions and their students?
Gunter: Establishing relationships with eligible academic institutions happens in different ways. Sometimes it’s spontaneously through a student who’s eager to benefit from the chapter programs, or it could be from a professor or instructor who wants to learn about the courses and standards and how students can prepare to enter the workforce.
To continue reading this interview, which appeared in the March 2026 edition of I-Connect007 Magazine, click here.
