Four employees receive DOD awards for supporting Workforce Recruitment Program

FORT BELVOIR, Va. -

The Defense Logistics Agency's commitment to hiring people with disabilities was evident July 25 as four employees were honored during the Defense Department's 2024 Workforce Recruitment Program Awards Ceremony at the Pentagon.

Davina Calloway from the DLA Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity Office was named WRP Participant of the Year. DLA also had three recruiters of the year: Dwight Collins from DLA Troop Support; Mislin Hampton, DLA Land and Maritime; and Richard Trick, DLA Distribution.

The annual awards recognize organizations and individuals who participate in or support WRP, a recruitment and referral program that places prescreened college students and recent graduates with disabilities in 14-week internships at federal agencies.

Calloway is a program analyst who manages scheduling and administrative support for sign language interpreters throughout DLA Headquarters.

"The WRP program has been a game changer for me because it has given me a chance to prove myself and demonstrate the value I bring to the workforce," she said, adding that she enjoys connecting with employers who understand the importance of diversity and inclusion.

Program success proves that individuals with disabilities have unique perspectives, skills and capabilities that can enhance and enrich DLA's workforce, Calloway continued.

WRP recruiters are volunteers who exchange feedback and guidance with students through informational interviews, according to the WRP website. Their goal is to help candidates strengthen their applications for potential internships and employment.

As an EEO counselor, Collins recruited five WRP students to work in various supply chains at DLA Troop Support. He encourages interns to join programs such as DLA Pathways to Career Excellence, which helps entry-level employees contribute to the agency's mission as permanent employees after two years of training.

"I enjoy the work, and I did not expect to receive an award," he said. "My paycheck is all I expect, as I am paid for the job I voluntarily chose to do."

Hampton is an EEO complaints manager who volunteered to interview six students from three universities in Puerto Rico. She advocates for Latinos and Hispanics to have the same opportunities as other underrepresented groups.

"It was wonderful to discuss the importance of becoming a public servant and how federal employees play an important role in our society," she added.

Trick, also an EEO specialist, volunteered to interview 11 candidates and said it was an opportunity to reflect on his own path from former WRP intern to permanent employment.

"I am rewarded knowing that I am a conduit between bringing much-needed talent to our workforce and opening a new door for many promising careers," he said.

DLA EEO and Diversity Director Janice Samuel called the awards significant achievements for the recipients and DLA.

"Their efforts have best epitomized the qualities and core values in alignment with DLA's strategic plan for people and culture," she said, adding that employees' support of WRP has helped the agency exceed the federal benchmark of having a workforce that includes 12% of people with disabilities and 2% with targeted disabilities.

Of the 1,198 WRP interns DLA has temporarily hired since 1995, 175 have been hired through noncompetitive Schedule A authority or the agency's two-year PaCE program.

Since 2016, DLA has had seven participants of the year, 11 recruiters of the year and two coordinators of the year. It was also named WRP Employer of the Year in 2016 and 2019.

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