AMC shines as a top three supporter of HBCUs

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala . -- The U.S. Army Materiel Command was named the 3rd highest supporter of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) according to a 2011 survey conducted by U.S. Black Engineer & Information Technology magazine.

The U.S. Black Engineer and Information Technology magazine will recognize AMC in a ceremony at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Orlando, Fla. and spotlighted in an upcoming issue.

Partnerships exist with Morgan State University and Tuskegee University, and AMC is in the initial stages of establishing agreements with Tennessee State University and Alabama A&M;University.

"AMC takes great pride in being recognized as a 2011 Top Supporter of HBCUs. We could not obtain this level of recognition without the teamwork and efforts of the entire AMC family to include our major subordinate commands," Jean James, AMC’s Equal Employment Opportunity Director said.

Several of AMC's assets support HBCUs. The U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center, which is a major subordinate command of U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, placed seventh in the survey.

"The RDECOM has an active Minority College Relations Program that targets HBCU institutions sharing information with the institution's faculty, staff and students on internships, exchange programs and employment opportunities," said Neslie Etheridge, Affirmative Employment Program Manager for RDECOM.

In fiscal year 2010 RDECOM awarded more than 37 contracts and grants to HBCUs totaling nearly 8 million dollars, Etheridge continued.

ASC and JMC’s Minority College Relations Program provided 52 students with internship opportunities at the ASC, JMC and ACC-RIA Headquarters and depots, plants, and Army Field Support Brigades in fiscal year 2010, said Jerry De La Cruz, MCRP Champion.

"Building formal relationships with HBCUs and other minority serving institutions ensure the continued cultivation of talent for future applicant pools," Gayla Pacheco, Chief of EEO of ASC, said.