Anthony Sanders, a distinguished systems engineer and recipient of the Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) Science Spectrum Trailblazer honor, embodies the spirit of giving back to the engineering community. With over 16 years at Sandia National Laboratories, Anthony’s journey has been shaped by his unique background and unwavering commitment to fostering the next generation of engineers.
Today, Anthony serves as Sandia’s Campus Partnership Manager for university partnerships, focusing on building connections between Sandia and historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and other minority-serving institutions. His efforts are vital in creating a talent pipeline and enhancing collaborative research opportunities, ensuring that underrepresented groups have the resources needed to thrive in STEM fields.
From Music to Engineering
Anthony’s passion for engineering began in an unexpected place—music. As he learned to record and produce music, he discovered key concepts like dynamic range and quantization. This creative foundation propelled him into a successful engineering career, where he has held various roles, from test engineer to manager of the Advanced Space Systems department. Notably, he developed a predictive performance statistical model that supports critical ground-based and on-orbit analysis.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Recently, Anthony gave an exceptional presentation on preliminary design and the importance of developing strong requirements, which greatly benefited the electrical and computer engineering senior design class. As a member of the Electrical and Computer Engineering Advisory Board, he has collaborated with faculty and research teams for over a decade. His instrumental role in establishing a partnership between the College of Engineering and Sandia has led to four significant projects aligned with Sandia’s mission.
Anthony’s commitment to his local community is equally impressive. He volunteers with a nonprofit associated with his fraternity, Alpha Phi Alpha, and leads a grant committee for the Alpha Mentorship Program. Through mentoring students and early-career engineers at Sandia, he is making a substantial impact on preparing students for successful engineering careers.
The Ripple Effect of Giving Back
We are incredibly grateful for the support of dedicated alumni like Anthony Sanders. His contributions not only enrich the educational experience for current students but also inspire them to pursue their aspirations in engineering. By investing his time and expertise, Anthony is paving the way for a more inclusive and equitable future in the field.
As we celebrate trailblazers like Anthony, we are reminded of the importance of alumni engagement in shaping the next generation of engineers. His story is a powerful example of how giving back can transform lives and communities, encouraging us all to consider how we can contribute to the future of engineering.