A Quarter Century of Resounding Success for a University/Federal Laboratory Partnership

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to evaluate, assess and document initiation and evolution of a vibrant enduring University (Minority Serving Institution, MSI) and federal laboratory partnership originated by the US Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) to increase the number of highly underrepresented Hispanic engineers in the workforce of about 500 engineers. This unique partnership is viewed by many as the most successful diversity oriented federal laboratory and university relationship in existence. The partnership was initiated in spring 1986 with a career day recruiting trip to the University of Puerto Rico, Mayaguez (UPRM) that has continued for three decades. Experiential learning summer research internships bloomed in 1991 and continue today. The partnership was formalized and institutionalized in 1999 as the Laboratory Director and University Chancellor signed an Education and Research Partnership Agreement authorized by Public Law. A framework was devised to help evaluate and assess the partnership three decades after initiation.To date there have been 485 experiential learning summer internships, sixty one permanent hires by the ERDC (with 62% retention over 30 years) and twelve professors performed summer research at the ERDC. Laboratory researchers served on graduate committees of ten MS recipients. Researchers currently serve on three graduate committees. Four ERDC researchers have voluntarily received temporary assignments to the UPRM. Other voluntary service to the university is enumerated including service on the Department Advisory Committee. The authors hope the assessment, lessons learned and conclusions provide a way ahead for those federal laboratories and/or corporations who might find it beneficial to establish a diversity oriented enduring partnership with a MSI University. The partnership has eliminated a gross underrepresentation of Hispanic engineers and scientists (under 0.5%) at ERDC over the past three decades, now 5% and rising.

Action on Diversity: A Content Analysis of ASEE Conference Papers, 2015–2016

“…Some examples of the questions asked in this category are "What effect does NSBE membership have on graduation rates at the university?" (Whalin, Pagán-Trinidad, Villanueva, & Pittman, 2016) and the role of co-curricular science and engineering centric activities and whether participation in such affects the course enrollment choices of its participants (Gonzalez & Millunchick, 2016).…”