MISO stands at the forefront of driving real change in the energy industry with Accessing Careers in Energy Summit (ACES), its early career talent recruitment program. ACES offers education, exposure and collaboration opportunities for 24 HBCU students in the energy utilities industry.

ACES launched in 2022 thanks to a partnership between MISO, SPP and Entergy, and now includes ERCOT and PJM. Rising juniors and seniors from Jackson State University, Howard University, Tennessee State University, Tuskegee University, Prairie View A&M University, and Southern University and A&M College are invited to attend.

To date, 37 students have participated in ACES and 15 have been placed in full-time roles with one of the partnering RTOs. Eleven of those have joined MISO.

ACES student finds her way to MISO

Amariah Stanard joined MISO after attending the 2023 ACES Summit. Amariah’s journey began 28 years ago when her mother graduated from Howard University with an electrical engineering degree.  Following in her mother’s footsteps, Amariah graduated from Tuskegee University this May with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering,

After graduation, Amariah relocated from Atlanta, Georgia to join MISO in our Eagan, MN office. Thanks to ACES, she saw first-hand the exciting work taking place in the industry and the impact she could have at MISO.

Amariah’s journey is a continuation of a family legacy and an exciting start to a career in energy.

This year’s ACES event will take place in Little Rock on September 25 – 28. Learn more and apply to attend online.