INDIAN HEAD, Md. – Capt. Scott Kraft, commanding officer and Ashley Johnson, technical director of Naval Surface Warfare Center Indian Head Explosive Ordnance Disposal Technology Division signed an Educational Partnership Agreement with St. Mary’s College of Maryland and The Patuxent Partnership, Friday.
“This partnership is just another example of how we can leverage the knowledge around us in Southern Maryland to enhance energetic materials and systems to better support the Navy,” Johnson said.
The five-year partnership enables the command to provide SMCM students and faculty the benefit of the NSWC IHEODTD staff expertise, unique facilities and equipment; assist students with academic and career advice; and provide research projects relevant to U.S. Navy technical applications.
“Often, success is determined by the connections we make and the partnerships we establish,” Tuajuanda C. Jordan, St. Mary’s College president said. “This agreement will enable our students and faculty to collaborate with industry experts and gain practical, hands-on skills that will give them a competitive edge in the marketplace.”
Some of the EPA goals include:
· Facilitate the identification of mutually beneficial partnership opportunities to advance scientific research and foster academic growth in science, technology, engineering and mathematics;
· Provide NSWC IHEODTD personnel access to new state-of-the-art, innovative technological methods relating to solving existing technical problems;
· Provide a unique opportunity for students and faculty to learn and collaborate in the many disciplines associated with aspects of energetic and other ordnance-related hazards, which are not otherwise available in a college environment;
· Encourage and facilitate student interest and expertise in science, mathematics, and engineering, particularly as these fields relate to the U. S. Navy;
· Facilitate the training and recruitment of potential future NSWC IHEODTD employees through internship opportunities.
“We are excited about this partnership and look forward to sharing our knowledge and expertise while attracting top-notch potential employees,” Kraft said. “We will also benefit from our partners’ expertise allowing us to boost our capabilities, products and services to the warfighter.”
This partnership is also part of the command’s continuing effort to build relationships to ensure the future strength of the Navy’s workforce by facilitating the training and recruitment of potential future NSWC IHEODTD employees.
"By providing opportunities at Indian Head for their research scientists and engineers to work with SMCM students and faculty, this agreement will strengthen and support the recruitment process and strengthen STEM workforce development,” Bonnie Green, The Patuxent Partnership executive director said. “There will be additional opportunities for SMCM students to conduct research, work as interns, and pursue potential career opportunities. The Patuxent Partnership will foster these connections, identifying opportunities for students and faculty, and providing visibility and support."
NSWC IHEODTD – a field activity of the Naval Sea Systems Command and part of the Navy's Science and Engineering Enterprise – is the leader in ordnance, energetics and EOD solutions. The division focuses on energetics research, development, testing, evaluation, in-service support and disposal; and provides warfighters solutions to detect, locate, access, identify, render safe, recover, exploit and dispose of explosive ordnance threats.
– NAVSEA–