Intern for Emerging Technology Institute (ETI) Carlos Carranza is gearing up for a successful future. 

Carranza is a recent graduate of PSRC Early College High School at RCC in Lumberton where he was part of the robotics team. He has been an intern with ETI since May 2025 and has been putting those skills to use. 

“I am part of a sub program here at ETI. And since I've been here we've been developing a curriculum for JCLCs, for smart training, for JS robotics, drones, programming and 3D printing. And last month we were travelling the east coast, we went to Columbia, South Carolina and Maryland to do these summer training programs,” shared Carranza. “Being here at ETI as an intern, it's provided me with a lot of opportunities to learn and engage with members of the community. There’s a lot of networking and it's just a great learning environment, because you get to work with people who are  very proud of the work that they do.” 

Now, with an associate degree from Robeson Community College and his internship experience, Carranza is preparing to go to UNC Chapel Hill in the fall where he will be pursuing a degree in environmental science.

Carranza will be off to a great start, as he is a 2025 recipient of a Gates scholarship, a highly selective, last-dollar scholarship for outstanding high school seniors. Scholars will receive funding for the full cost of attendance that is not already covered by other financial aid. Carranza was one of only two students in his school district to receive one.