Top Science, Technology Official Highlights Importance of DOD Outreach to Minority Academic STEM Programs

Assistant Secretary of Defense for Science and Technology Aprille Ericsson today spoke about the importance of the Defense Department reaching out to minority academic science, technology, engineering and mathematics, or STEM, programs and their students during keynote remarks at a DOD-sponsored event just outside of Washington.

Ericsson's speech kicked-off the Historically Black Colleges and Universities and Minority-Serving Institutions, or HBCU/MI, Opportunities Workshop and Intern Seminar - a two-day event with a stated goal of raising awareness of DOD opportunities, facilitating collaboration, promoting greater engagement in DOD initiatives that support national security functions and encouraging students to explore DOD HBCU/MI STEM opportunities.

"[HBCU/MI] outreach is incredibly important for the [Defense Department], and we continue to seek out the best and brightest minds across the nation," Ericsson told the crowd.

"Diversity of backgrounds is important for long-term success [of science and technology] programs impacting our military service members."

Ericsson then listed several ways DOD is working to connect with such best and brightest minds.

"Opening doors for the future and current students attending HBCU or MI programs is an area I'm proud to say we're making great strides with scholarship opportunities," she said.

Examples of such opportunities Ericsson mentioned included a new grant program offered by DOD's Science, Mathematics, and Research for Transformation Office; a scholarship for high school seniors (of which 12 awardees for 2024 will be attending an HBCU or MI in the fall); and a military scholarship pilot program for HBCUs and the Naval Postgraduate School.

Ericsson also spoke about the 15 HBCU Centers of Excellence that DOD has established over the years.

"These centers conduct collaborative research that helps to attract early career researchers and new opportunities for students to participate," Ericsson explained.

"Our greatest asset at DOD is the people," she continued, "and we need more dedicated professionals like you all to continue and hopefully realign and reshape our programs for the future mission."

Having recently been confirmed by the Senate as the inaugural assistant secretary of defense for science and technology in early March, Ericsson - who holds a doctorate in mechanical engineering - oversees a comprehensive science and technology workforce of over 60,000 employees within DOD alone, in addition to 63 research laboratories and engineering centers across 200 locations worldwide.

"Our warfighters depend on talent and expertise within our science and technology workforce to maintain a competitive advantage, and I consider recruitment and retention one of my top priorities," Ericsson told attendees.

"The skill sets within all the students here today are all vital for the [Defense Department], [and] we hope you consider government service."