"The Only Two Things In The World Perfectly Correlated Are Energy And Prosperity" With Dr. Paul Johnson & Jeff Miller
Mar 26, 2025
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Dr. Paul Johnson, President of the Colorado School of Mines, and Jeff Miller, CEO of Halliburton, discuss the evolving landscape of energy education and workforce development. They emphasize the importance of industry-academia collaboration in shaping a sustainable future. Key topics include CSM’s experimental mine, the resurgence of mining for energy security, and initiatives to attract top talent. The conversation highlights how practical experiences in engineering are crucial for nurturing innovation, particularly in a climate of growing energy demands and technological advancements.
The Colorado School of Mines plays a pivotal role in energy education, preparing students for impactful careers in a changing energy landscape.
Halliburton Labs acts as an accelerator supporting startups in the energy sector, fostering new technologies through collaboration and mentorship.
The convergence of mining and energy education is increasingly crucial, as it enhances national security and promotes innovative solutions for energy challenges.
Deep dives
The Importance of Energy Education
Energy education is a cornerstone of the curriculum at the Colorado School of Mines, reflecting the institution's historical ties to energy and engineering. As a predominantly engineering school, Mines emphasizes the development of talent and innovations essential for the energy sector, preparing students for impactful careers. Dr. Paul Johnson highlights that students are increasingly engaged in energy-related programs, particularly in mining, as public interest in sustainable energy options rises. The comprehensive expertise offered at Mines equips students with the knowledge to address critical energy challenges, positioning graduates as valuable contributors to the evolving energy landscape.
Integration of Mining and Energy Sectors
The relationship between mining and energy has gained renewed interest as mining becomes essential for the energy transition, including renewable energy and energy storage technologies. Dr. Johnson discusses how mining programs at Mines are attracting more students, as the national security implications related to energy and mineral resources are increasingly recognized. The school's unique resources, such as its experimental mine, provide opportunities for hands-on learning and innovative research, positioning Mines at the forefront of mining and energy integration. This convergence of fields not only supports economic growth but also enhances the national dialogue on energy security.
Halliburton Labs: A Hub for Innovation
Halliburton Labs serves as an innovative accelerator, bridging the gap between theory and applied science by supporting startups in the energy sector. Jeff Miller explains that the goal of Halliburton Labs is to foster new technologies by guiding emerging companies through the scaling process while leveraging Halliburton's extensive resources. This collaborative approach encourages direct engagement between entrepreneurs and Halliburton's experienced professionals, creating a dynamic ecosystem for developing cleaner and more affordable energy solutions. Through partnerships and mentorship, Halliburton Labs aims to enhance the commercialization of ideas, ultimately benefiting the broader energy industry.
The Evolving Landscape of Energy and Technology
Both Dr. Johnson and Jeff Miller acknowledge the rapid changes in the energy landscape over the past decade and anticipate further transformation in the coming years. With a growing emphasis on technological advancements, the ability to innovate in energy extraction and management will be crucial for future success. There's a consensus that oil and gas will remain central to the energy mix, particularly as new technologies improve efficiency and sustainability. As universities and industry collaborate, the focus will shift towards developing multifaceted energy solutions that address national and global demands.
Preparing for the Future: Education and Innovation
Looking ahead, both Mines and Halliburton recognize the importance of preparing students and employees for an increasingly complex energy environment. The educational philosophy at Mines promotes entrepreneurial thinking, equipping students with necessary skills to navigate future challenges. By integrating hands-on experiences and industry collaboration, students are encouraged to innovate and solve real-world problems effectively. As energy technologies evolve, continuous adaptation will be essential, emphasizing the need for a workforce that is not only technically skilled but also capable of innovative thinking within a broad energy context.
Today we had the very exciting opportunity to take COBT “On The Road” to the Colorado School of Mines (CSM) in Golden, CO, where we recorded a special live audience show featuring Dr. Paul Johnson, President of CSM, and Jeff Miller, Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer of Halliburton. Paul has led CSM for nearly ten years and brings extensive experience in academia, previously serving as Dean of the School of Engineering at Arizona State University. Jeff has served as CEO of Halliburton since 2017 and has held multiple senior leadership roles across the company since joining in 1997. Before our discussion, we had the pleasure of touring the CSM campus, visiting with faculty, staff and students, and hearing from select administrators. We were thrilled to visit with Paul and Jeff for a broad discussion on the evolving landscape of energy education, workforce development, and the critical role of industry-academia collaboration in shaping the future of energy.
In our conversation, we explore CSM’s history, its longstanding focus on engineering, and its deep ties to the energy industry. We discuss the collaboration of Halliburton Labs with universities and research institutions as well as the resurgence of interest in mining, driven by its critical role in energy security and renewables. Paul shares insights into CSM’s experimental mine and its applications across energy, defense, and technology sectors, how Mines contributes to U.S. competitiveness in the global energy landscape, and the university’s balance between academic research and real-world industry applications. We examine the shift in student interests and industry focus over the past decade, Halliburton’s approach to hiring and retaining skilled workers, and the benefits of CSM’s emphasis on real-world problem solving. Paul shares his perspective on the increasing importance of hands-on experience in engineering education and the diversity of industries hiring CSM graduates from aerospace, oil and gas, infrastructure, computer science and more. Jeff discusses how Halliburton Labs supports early-stage companies, the role of accelerators in bridging the gap between R&D and commercialization, and differences between “Founders” and “CEOs.” We touch on technological advancements at CSM including its ambitious expansion into space resource utilization and development of a cutting-edge quantum engineering program, AI’s growing impact on industry and education, and much more. We ended by asking Paul and Jeff for their vision of CSM and Halliburton in the next decade. Their outlook reflects continued growth and a can-do attitude toward solving some of the world’s most pressing challenges. Today was a fascinating exploration of the current state of industry-academic collaboration, the new energy pragmatism we all keep talking about, and the incredible innovation that can happen on a great campus like CSM.
As you’ll hear, we discuss the exciting Halliburton Labs Pitch Day event taking place in Denver Wednesday. For more information and to register for Pitch Day, click here. If you are in Denver, it’s not too late to come in person. Otherwise, you can register to attend virtually from anywhere!
We want to thank the teams at Colorado School of Mines and Halliburton Labs for their partnership and hospitality in making today’s episode possible. A huge thanks to Paul and Jeff for sharing their time and expertise with us all.
And as always, thanks to you all for your friendship and support!
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