REDSTONE ARESENAL Ala. (Jan. 9, 2015) -- An employee of the U.S. Army's Aviation and Missile Research, Development, and Engineering Center, will be recognized for her commitment to enhancing opportunities for minorities in technology careers.
Gayla T. McMichael, AMRDEC's Outreach and Diversity program manager, will receive the Corporate Promotion of Education Award at the 29th BEYA, Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, STEM Conference in Washington Feb 7.
The BEYA Corporate Promotion of Education award recognizes managers of education programs who demonstrate an exemplary commitment to enhancing the opportunities for minorities in technology careers through promotion of scientific and technical education programs.
McMichael designs, leads and supports a vast array of high quality educational Outreach programs and services across a diverse K-20 continuum, with students, educators, and administrators through STEM camps, career exploration experiences, mentoring, K-16 tours, teacher training workshops, and collaborative Outreach projects through educational partnership agreements.
"AMRDEC places a high emphasis on recruiting the best and the brightest talent in math, science and engineering," said James Lackey, AMRDEC director. "Within the past year, Ms. McMichael has lead outreach events and activities that have engaged over 13,000 students. Her leadership efforts in outreach and diversity have opened the way for better access to higher education for thousands of students to include minorities."
McMichael establishes strategic Army relationships through EPAs with higher education institutions and Memorandums of Agreement/Understanding with other Government agencies. Among McMichael's STEM promoting efforts during the last two fiscal years, are EPAs with Alabama A&M University, Tuskegee University, Prairie View A&M University, North Carolina A&T State University, Alabama State University, University of Alabama, University of Alabama- Birmingham, Clark Atlanta University, University of South Alabama, Drake Technical College, Sci-Quest, and the Alabama Department of Education, among others. McMichael is also developing a collaborative agreement with the Defense Acquisition University in the area of STEM educator professional development.
"AMRDEC is a very technical organization and it is essential that we not only retain our 3,000 talented scientists and engineers, but it is imperative that we continually attract and recruit the best and the brightest our nation has to offer," said William A. Colson, Systems Simulation, Software and Integration Director. "Ms. McMichael provides leadership and oversight to all AMRDEC educational and diversity programs which are critical components of our workforce development strategy."
"I am honored to be nominated and selected for this prestigious nationally recognized award," McMichael said. "AMRDEC has a vested interest in actively supporting the development of STEM talent and I am proud to lead our concerted charge for STEM proficiency and innovation.
"I love working with our nation's youth," she said. "They are our future leaders, and STEM professionals. I take seriously my efforts toward inspiring the minds of tomorrow. Outreach and Diversity is not just a job for me, it is my passion. I truly have the best job in the world and God has been good to me."
McMichael began her federal government career in 1982 as a second lieutenant, electrical engineer, in the U.S. Army Signal Corp. In 1987 at the rank of captain, she transitioned from military service to civilian service, where she continues commendable accomplishments that span over 30 years.
Over the years, she has been presented with numerous special act awards for exceptional technical performance, as well as recognitions for STEM Outreach. In 2010, after serving as Technical Support Director for a distinctive AMRDEC research initiative, McMichael was appointed AMRDEC's Outreach Program Manager. From 2010 to 2013 McMichael also served as the DOD National Defense Education Program lead program director for the Department of Army.
McMichael is an Electronics Engineer with the Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center, within the U.S. Army Research Development and Engineering Command. Her management responsibilities include educational outreach programs, strategic diversity initiatives, special emphasis programs, cross-cultural awareness programs, and succession planning support.
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The Aviation and Missile Research, Development and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to develop technology and engineering solutions for America's Soldiers.
RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness -- technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment -- to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it.
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