SPAWAR Systems Center Atlantic partners with The Citadel

Space and Naval Warfare (SPAWAR) Systems Center (SSC) Atlantic has entered into an Education Partnership Agreement (EPA) with The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. The leaders of the two organizations, SSC Atlantic Commanding Officer Capt. Bruce Urbon and Citadel President Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa, USAF (Ret.) met Dec. 11 at SSC Atlantic to discuss ways to strengthen relationships and increase connections at the two organizations.

“This is an important interface for our organizations. It strengthens the education of our young people. I’m excited about it and I thank everyone who made it happen,” Rosa said.

The partnership enhances the educational experience of cadets at The Citadel by providing access to the staff, expertise, facilities and equipment related to naval warfare systems technology available at SSC Atlantic. It will also promote cadets’ interest in science, mathematics and engineering, particularly related to space and naval warfare systems technology. Cadets can see first-hand a working Department of Defense (DoD) laboratory.

Also on hand were representatives from The Citadel, including the dean of the School of Engineering, the dean of Math and Computer Science, along with professors from their respective departments . SSC Atlantic engineers and department heads were also in attendance. Led by Capt. Urbon and Lt. Gen. Rosa, the group discussed ways to expand existing SSC Atlantic initiatives for engineering students, such as co-op student and summer intern programs, as well as adding potential new mentoring programs. Attendees agreed on the importance of generating interest and enthusiasm about math and technology-related education and career paths among students from elementary school on up, explained programs under way at each organization to accomplish the goal, and discussed ways to collaborate in the future.

The EPA provides many opportunities to support the war fighter and create learning experiences for students. Since Reserve Officers Training Corps (ROTC) departments at The Citadel represent all branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, and SSC Atlantic is a Navy command with customers across all services, the relationship will be especially beneficial. ROTC instructors can help educate civilian SSC Atlantic engineers and employees in “Navy 101” classes, providing a better understanding of the Navy and general military operations. Cadets can work jointly with scientists, engineers and mathematicians to fulfill their highest academic potential. Instructors and laboratory personnel can now co-develop programs for which students may be given academic credit. The partnership provides academia and DoD personnel the opportunity to share ideas and create synergies.

No monetary funding will be exchanged between SSC Atlantic and The Citadel under the partnership. The agreement allows SSC Atlantic to transfer surplus computer or scientific equipment to the college, loan laboratory equipment to the college, provide academic and career advice to students, and provide laboratory personnel who may teach science courses or assist in developing courses or related educational material, if needed.

Education partnerships are in accordance with public law which authorizes defense laboratories to enter into EPAs with U.S. educational institutions in order to improve science, mathematics and engineering education.

Cutline: Citadel President Lt. Gen. John W. Rosa, USAF (Ret.) and SSC Atlantic Commanding Officer Capt. Bruce Urbon cut a cake to celebrate their partnership during a recent meeting at SSC Atlantic.

SPAWARSYSCEN Atlantic develops, acquires, and provides life cycle support for Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (C4ISR) systems, Information Technology (IT), and Space Capabilities. SPAWARSYSCEN Atlantic is a leading edge Navy engineering center that designs, builds, tests, fields and supports many of the finest frontline C4ISR systems in use today, and those being planned for the future. It has more than 3,100 civil service and military employees, and significant industry partners. The center is located in Charleston, S.C., with additional major locations in New Orleans, La., and Tidewater, Va. Other stateside offices are located in Washington, D.C., and in Pensacola and Tampa, Fla.; and overseas locations are in Europe, the Middle East and Antarctica. Total obligation authority is more than $5 billion. Visit http://enterprise.spawar.navy.mil for more information about SPAWARSYSCEN Atlantic.