REDSTONE ARESENAL, Ala. -- The Army initiated its Historically Black Colleges and Universities/Minority Institutions program in 1987, and through the U.S. Army Materiel Command, there have been ongoing efforts to strengthen relationships between the Army laboratories, research centers and the HBCU/MI community.
Paula Taylor, director for Academia and Industry Outreach and alumna of Jacksonville State University, has been leading the charge since August 30, 2014. Taylor's goal is to continue to raise the HBCUs/MIs awareness of internships, partnerships and mentoring opportunities with AMC.
"There are many ways to partner with AMC such as: mentorship opportunities, educational partnership agreements, cooperative agreements and research alliances," said Taylor. "Since last year, we've gained command level buy in at each of the Major Subordinate Commands to begin focusing our efforts in partnering regionally at each MSC."
With a 94 percent civilian workforce, Taylor stressed that there are a plethora of job opportunities with AMC. "We are not just going not going to war or putting on uniform. We have so many different jobs and there are so many good things you can do at AMC," Taylor said.
Several AMC MSCs provide support and deliver readiness to today's and tomorrow's joint warfighter in equally important areas including munitions, aviation and missile systems, computers and electronics, and ground combat systems.
"All this affords a unique opportunity to inspire students at HBCUs/MIs to focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics; as well as the fields of manufacturing, logistics, business, security assistance and contracting," Taylor said. "As a result, students see an exciting pathway to Army employment after graduating with interesting challenging jobs requiring our best and brightest minds."
Tangible examples under RDECOM include:
- 49 HBCU/MI institutions have received grants, research and development contracts and cooperative agreements
- 16 Education and partnership agreements
- 132 HBCU/MI engaged in basic research in fiscal year 2014
- $43.5 million in research and development contracts, grants and cooperative agreements
- $ 306,000 in funded scholarships
- $ 614,000 in internships
- $ 50,000 under the Army Education Outreach Program for activities such as summer camps, internships and competitions
The bottom line, "We want to excite and inspire more African Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, Native Pacific Islanders, Native Alaskans, and Asian Americans … to work for AMC because there is a critical need," Taylor said. "We are getting out to let people know what we are doing and what we have to offer. In doing so, the reception has been tremendous as people realize that our HBCUs/MIs talent pools are critical to our meeting this national requirement."
For more information on how to partner with AMC, please contact Paula Taylor, (256) 450-6964, or paula.y.taylor2.civ@mail.mil.
Social Sharing