Monday, April 27, 2009
UMES, Navy Partnership Brings Career Opportunities to Shore
PRINCESS ANNE, MD-Closing the gap in the Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) pipeline and addressing the brain drain on the Eastern Shore are the overarching goals of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) recently signed by Dr. Thelma B. Thompson, President, University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) and Commander John J. Keegan of the Department of Navy Surface Combat Systems Center (SCSC) at Wallops Island.
“A strategic partnership between SCSC and UMES to provide internships, career development and employment in the field of engineering and aviation sciences is truly a blessing,” said Thompson.
“The nation has awakened to the need for excellence in STEM areas and UMES is answering the call. Progress and advances are being made at the university, especially with the establishment of one of our newest children the Engineering Program and the exposure to the global workforce that this partnership will provide.”
“This is truly an historic day on the part of the Navy and UMES,” said Keegan. “We look forward to the impact that the talent and inspiration the STEM interns and graduates will have not only at Wallops, but on the greater Naval Sea Systems Command organization, an organization representing a national and global workforce of some 53,000 people. The SCSC desires to help these future engineers reach their full potential in today’s workforce.”
The MOU also aims to enhance faculty professional development opportunities in engineering and aviation sciences and develop educational and engagement activities that are mutually beneficial to both partners. The SCSC through the Intergovernmental Personnel Act will work with UMES faculty in developing programs in teaching and research in STEM areas. The partners will also collaborate to provide staff development workshops, seminars and training for both agencies. UMES and SCSC will also act as outlets for community outreach program activities under the MOU.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore is a comprehensive teaching and research institution offering degrees at the bachelors, masters and doctoral levels. The engineering program at UMES offers a Bachelor of Science degree in engineering with specializations in electrical, computer, mechanical or aerospace. According to Dr. Ali Eydgahi, chair and professor of the Department of Engineering and Aviation Sciences at UMES, the program is designed to support the growing technological demands of the Eastern Shore.
Surface Combat Systems Center is a Shore installation, which provides critical mission support to the Program Executive Office for Integrated Warfare Systems, PEO ships, Naval Sea Systems Command and the U.S. Surface Navy. SCSC is located on Wallops Island, Va., along with NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, the Marine Sciences Consortium and the U.S. Coast Guard.
For more information, contact the Department of Engineering and Aviation Sciences at UMES at 410-651-6365.
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Gail Stephens, assistant director, UMES Office of Public Relations, 410-651-7580, gcstephens@umes.edu.
Photo Caption: Signing the Memorandum of Understanding between UMES and the Department of the Navy Surface Combat Systems Center (SCSC) from left to right are Commander John J. Keegan, SCSC, and UMES President Thelma B. Thompson. Standing from left to right are Mike Jump, executive director, SCSC, and Dr. Charles Williams, vice president of academic affairs at UMES.
