Electrical and computer engineering students William Metayer (left) and Abdulai Kamara pose in the Keysight Lab at FAMU-FSU College of Engineering on October 28, 2026. Metayer and Kamara were named 2026 FAMU Google Endowed Computer Engineering Scholars. (Scott Holstein/FAMU-FSU College of Engineering)
Two Florida A&M University students, each with a different path into engineering, have been named 2026 FAMU Google Endowed Computer Engineering Scholars.
Abdulai Kamara and William Metayer are pursuing bachelor’s degrees in electrical and computer engineering at the joint FAMU-FSU College of Engineering.
The scholarship recognizes academic achievement and leadership beyond the classroom. Each recipient receives more than $10,000 a year for up to two years to support their studies, research and creative pursuits.
(Mark Wallheiser/FAMU-FSU College of Engineering)
“We are incredibly proud of Abdulai and William for their accomplishments both inside and outside the classroom,” said Shonda Bernadin, professor of electrical and computer engineering at the FAMU-FSU College of Engineering. “Scholarships like this empower the next generation of engineers to grow and lead with excellence while inspiring others around them.”
Meet Abdulai Kamara
Kamara grew up in Washington, D.C., and found his passion for robotics and coding as a first-generation college student.
“When I started at FAMU-FSU, I wasn’t aware of many opportunities,” Kamara said. “But diving into research and new skills changed how I saw myself as an engineer.”
He is fascinated by the way software and hardware interact and hopes to explore robotics, embedded systems and intelligent control systems. He likes writing code and seeing it work on real systems.
What does the scholarship mean for him?
“Receiving this scholarship means a lot to me because it gives me more freedom to focus on school, research and preparing for my career,” Kamara said. “Financial stress affects more than just paying bills. When you have less to worry about financially, it becomes easier to focus in class, take advantage of opportunities and put more time into your goals.”
He said the scholarship “gave me the confidence to pursue fellowships like EUREKA and dedicate more time to research.”
Hands-on learning and mentorship
Both Kamara and Metayer credit much of their academic growth to mentorship at the college, especially from Bernadin, whose encouragement and guidance shaped their experiences in and out of the classroom.
“I’ve had opportunities to work with robotics and help with engineering activities for younger students,” Kamara said. “I also participated in the DexKit workshop, where we worked hands-on with robotic hardware, electronics, programming and assembly. Those experiences gave me the space to learn, make mistakes, solve problems and become more confident as an engineer.”
He said the college’s joint structure brings together students from different backgrounds and creates an environment where collaboration pushes everyone to succeed.
Meet William Metayer
Metayer, from St. John in the U.S. Virgin Islands, is as comfortable behind a computer as he is on stage performing with the Marching 100. He also explores graphic design and coding. He is a third-year computer engineering scholar, an IEEE member and a learning assistant at the college.
“FAMU has a strong legacy of excellence in STEM and engineering,” Metayer said. “Coming from the Virgin Islands, it’s been exciting to experience a new environment and be part of a community that values both achievement and culture.”
Driven by curiosity
As a child, he was fascinated by technology and spent hours behind a screen, tinkering and exploring the internet.
“That curiosity turned into action,” Metayer said. “I joined robotics clubs, built my own computers and dove into coding tutorials just because I wanted to understand how things worked.”
How does the scholarship help an out-of-state student?
“This scholarship has given me the chance to focus more fully on becoming the engineer I want to be. It’s a tremendous gift,” Metayer said. “As an out-of-state student, one of the hardest things about attending university is managing and balancing tuition, living and other school expenses. It relieves financial burden so I can focus on getting the tools I need to develop my skills.”
“Knowing that Google saw potential in me and chose to invest in my education means a great deal,” he said. “It motivates me to make the most of the opportunity and use what I learn to create, contribute and eventually give back to the world what I was so graciously fortunate to receive.”
Mentorship and growth at FAMU
Metayer said he most values the people who encouraged him to believe in his potential. “Professor Bernadin’s mentorship has been more than academic—she encouraged me to pursue opportunities and build confidence in my abilities.”
“Coming from St. John in the Virgin Islands, attending FAMU was a major step outside of the environment I had always known,” Metayer said. “Having mentors has made that transition much more meaningful. I am grateful that my time here has taught me how to become an engineer and introduced me to people who have helped shape the person I am becoming.”
Both students say they hope to inspire the next generation of engineers, just as their mentors inspired them.
Editor’s Note: This article was edited with a custom prompt for Claude Opus 5.5 an AI assistant created by Anthropic. The AI optimized the article for SEO discoverability, improved clarity, structure and readability while preserving the original reporting and factual content. 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: 11-10-2026.
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