From Moncks Corner to Boeing: Omar Shaheed III Becomes SC State’s First Mechatronics Graduate

ORANGEBURG, S.C. — Omar Shaheed III, a 23-year-old native of Moncks Corner, will make history as the inaugural graduate of South Carolina State University’s mechatronics engineering program.

Shaheed originally enrolled at SC State in the electrical engineering technology program after graduating from Berkeley High School in 2020. He was invited by Dr. Hasanul A. Basher, professor and chair of the Department of Engineering Technology, to join the new mechatronics curriculum while it was still under development. Though he had never heard of mechatronics before, Shaheed accepted the challenge and emerged as the program’s first enrolled student and its first graduate.

Internships and Early Career

During his time at SC State, Shaheed completed four internships — three with Boeing and one with Savannah River Nuclear Solutions. One notable placement took him to Oklahoma City to work on manufacturing engineering for Air Force One, an experience he described as especially meaningful.

“It did take a lot of patience with being the first student in the class. Some of the courses weren’t set up yet in the system. It was like having to wait a couple of semesters, but all I can say is it was worth the wait,” Shaheed said.

Following graduation, Shaheed will join Boeing South Carolina in North Charleston as part of the Boeing Engineering Career Foundation Program, a two-year rotational initiative that places early-career engineers in different engineering roles every six months. Boeing South Carolina participates in the assembly and delivery of the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.

About Mechatronics And SC State’s STEM Expansion

Mechatronics is an interdisciplinary field that combines mechanical engineering, electronics, computer control, and systems design to create intelligent machines and smart systems — including robotics, assistive technologies, unmanned platforms, and human-machine interfaces. The discipline draws on areas such as artificial intelligence, telecommunications, aviation, and cybersecurity, offering a broad range of career opportunities.

SC State’s Department of Engineering is expanding its offerings alongside the mechatronics program. The department recently launched programs in industrial engineering, civil engineering, and a fire protection concentration within civil engineering. Beginning in January, the university will add majors in computer engineering, mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering as part of a wider effort to strengthen its STEM pipeline.

“Seeing Omar Shaheed become the first graduate of our mechatronics engineering program is a powerful reminder of what SC State is building for the future,” said SC State President Alexander Conyers. “His success reflects both personal achievement and the university’s commitment to preparing engineers to meet the demands of a rapidly changing world.”