Ya'Narris Fletcher poses at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering in Tallahassee, Florida on April 15, 2026. Fletcher was selected as a 2025-2026 IEEE PES Scholarship Plus Scholar Recipient. (Scott Holstein/FAMU-FSU College of Engineering)
Key points:
- Ya’Narris Fletcher, a recent electrical engineering graduate from the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, received the 2025 IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) Scholarship Plus Initiative.
- Fletcher is a senior researcher at the Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS) at Florida State University, where his work focuses on energy storage for electric ships.
- He will join the City of Tallahassee Power Delivery department full-time after graduation.
- The recognition highlights the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering’s growing strength in power and energy research and its students’ readiness for industry careers.
Ya’Narris Fletcher is making a mark in power and energy engineering.
The recent Florida State University graduate, majoring in electrical engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, recently received the 2025 IEEE Power and Energy Society (PES) Scholarship Plus Initiative, a nationally competitive award honoring emerging leaders in the field.
A research student at FSU’s Center for Advanced Power Systems (CAPS), Fletcher combines academic rigor with a genuine curiosity about how power systems work. We caught up with him to hear about his journey and plans for the future as he was graduating from FSU in April, 2026.
His Path to Engineering
Originally from Fort Myers, Florida, Fletcher says his interest in power engineering came naturally.
“I’ve always been fascinated by the world of power engineering,” he said. “Most of my hands-on experience revolves around utility power systems and I’m eager to keep learning and growing in this field.”
Outside the lab, Fletcher supports the Women’s Student Union at FSU’s main campus.
Research at CAPS: Energy Storage for Electric Ships
At CAPS, Fletcher’s research has centered on Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage (SMES) and its potential applications for electric ships. Working under Professor Omar Faruque, he used Simulink, a simulation and model-based design environment, to model how SMES technology could be integrated into a ship’s electrical architecture.
“The most exciting part for me was diving deep into the system’s components and expanding my understanding of power systems as a whole,” Fletcher said.
What is the significance of this award for electrical engineering students?
The IEEE PES Scholarship Plus Initiative is one of the field’s most recognized early-career honors, awarded to students who demonstrate both academic excellence and a commitment to power and energy engineering. For students in the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering, earning this recognition signals readiness to compete and contribute at the national level.
A Community That Drives Excellence
Fletcher credits the environment at CAPS and the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering for keeping him motivated.
“What I enjoy most is the incredible support I receive from both my peers and the faculty,” he said. “There’s a real sense of community here that inspires motivation and dedication. Being surrounded by ambitious, like-minded people makes it easy to stay driven and feel proud of what I achieve.”
How does participating in research benefit engineering students at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering?
Research experiences like those at CAPS give students direct exposure to real-world engineering challenges before they graduate. For Fletcher, that hands-on work helped bridge classroom theory and professional practice and opened the door to his first full-time role.
What’s Next: From Intern to Full-Time Engineer
Fletcher walked the commencement stage at Florida State University in April, 2026 with his bachelor’s degree. Fletcher plans to work in industry before eventually pursuing graduate school. He has already secured a full-time position with the City of Tallahassee Power Delivery department, a role that began as an internship, then became part-time, and ultimately led to a full-time offer.
“I really enjoy the work environment and the support of my team. They help me learn and continue to grow as an engineer,” Fletcher said.
Editor’s Note: This article was edited with a custom prompt for Claude Sonnet 4.6, an AI assistant created by Anthropic. The AI improved clarity, structure and readability while preserving the original reporting and factual content. It also enhanced the article for search and generative engine optimization and discoverability. All information and viewpoints remain those of the author and publication. This article was edited and fact-checked by college staff before being published. This disclosure is part of our commitment to transparency in our editorial process. Last edited: 05/22/2026.
RELATED ARTICLES
Engineering Doctoral Candidate Receives the American Public Transportation Foundation Scholarship
Engineering Student Earns Gilman Scholarship and Interns in France
Electrical engineering student earns Department of Defense SMART Scholarship