On Tuesday, Aug. 26 the College of Southern Maryland and The Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division, NAVAIR at Patuxent River Naval Air Station signed an historic agreement creating a partnership to educate future engineers.
The effort behind the creation of the Education Partnership Agreement was a direct result of the continuing need for Southern Maryland’s largest employer to recruit and maintain an ever-increasing number of qualified engineers, scientists, and mathematicians in order to sustain expanding operations.
According to Rear Admiral Steve Eastburg, “We believe the best way to retain qualified engineers is to grow our own.” The Admiral stated in remarks to the signing ceremony that recruiting and retaining qualified personnel from across the country was expensive and temporary at best.
“Those educated at community colleges tend to stay and work in the neighborhoods where they go to school. That is not the case with graduates from universities around the country,” said Eastburg.
In remarks made by CSM President, Dr. Bradley Gottfried it was stated that EPA would allow CSM professors and students access to labs and tools not normally available. “Engineering students will be able to work with the very best equipment and tools in a real-world environment.”
The program will begin within a year. When it is up and running, first and second year CSM engineering students will be taking classes on the base toward their associate degree. Once they have achieved that, students will then be eligible to enroll on the University of Maryland’s engineering programs.
“With this EPA, along with a similar agreement with the University of Maryland, students can complete their education right here in St. Mary’s County,” said Gottfried. As part of the agreement, the St. Mary’s Center for Higher Education will be host the University of Maryland’s four-year undergraduate degree and graduate degree programs so students do not have to enroll at the College Park Campus.
“The Navy is also offering co-op, providing tuition, books, fees and more for enrolled students. When they are successful, there will also be jobs waiting students that complete the four-year program,” said Gottfried.
Capt. Matthew Scassero, Vice Commander of NAWCAD/NAVAIR stated that this is a great benefit for both engineering students and NAWCAD/NAVAIR. ”As the area’s largest employer, this is a great opportunity for us to acquire some of the best engineers and help them receive their education while learning about the base and how we operate.”
The newest program is a logical extension to the current efforts underway to bolster primary education efforts in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. According to Education Coordinator, Kathy Glockner, the Navy has been working with St. Mary’s County Public Schools in the STEM effort for some time and that is now being extended into Charles and Calvert Counties as well.