March 24, 2025
The Civil-Military Innovation Institute (CMI2) is proudly committed to engaging students in our communities by creating opportunities in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), business, communications, marketing, and policy subject areas focusing on multi-disciplinary problem-solving.
CMI2’s involvement in STEM education and opportunities in Clay County is a crucial foundation for its commitment to providing access to state-of-the-art technology and expert mentorship.
Through the CMI2 ILLUME (I—Innovating. L—Learning. L—Leading. U—Uniting. M—Making. E—Experimenting.) program, launched in 2023, we offer a platform for experimentation, development, and learning, empowering students with self-led projects, group workshops, and access to high-end professional equipment, design programs, and expendable materials.
From equipment support to project mentorship, one of our favorite tasks is our engagement with the Clay County chapter of the Technology Student Association.
CMI2 staff from the Adaptive Experimentation Facility at Fort Andrew, including Adam Landers (Site Manager), Travis Tatalovich (Makerspace Manager), Josh Walker (Makerspace Specialist), and Walter Hatfield (Vice President of Experimentation & Training), attended the 2025 West Virginia TSA Conference at Cedar Lakes in Ripley, WV.
Since we first established a location in Clay County just three years ago, our team has been fortunate to have the opportunity to engage with TSA students by providing equipment and mentoring members on projects. Since then, we have been delighted to share in the celebrations and continued successes of the Clay County chapter at both the state and national levels.
Last weekend at the 2025 West Virginia State TSA Conference, the Clay County club, including middle and high school students, enjoyed another outstanding showing. The club received numerous accolades and honors, including a 2nd place Chapter Team award.
Our team happily supported the state conference by sending teammates Adam Landers, Travis Tatalovich, Josh Walker, and Walter Hatfield, who represented CMI2, demonstrating our Boston Dynamic Robotic Dog and serving as judges for the state competition.
We want to give a special shout-out to our current Makerspace Specialist In Training intern, Morgan Payton, and 2024 summer intern, Jaxon Brown, plus their teammate, Alivia Gilliland, for their first-place Geospatial project. And, a special congratulations to Morgan for wrapping up an outstanding year as State President. We are so proud of you!
We are also incredibly excited that Clay County will continue its leadership role in the West Virginia Chapter as State President, Ariel Dobbins, and State Sargent At Arms, Juliann Gallaher.
Looking ahead, CMi2 will continue to support Ms. Jessica Ramsey and the club in June by helping them prepare to go to TSA Nationals in Nashville, TN.
We are proud of every student committing their time to the Clay County TSA chapter and grateful for the opportunity to develop this next generation of innovators.
