JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. - Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division (NAWCAD) Lakehurst and Rowan University recently renewed their Educational Partnership Agreement (EPA) to continue spreading awareness of NAWCAD LKE employment opportunities and inspiring students to enter science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) career fields.
“At NAWCAD Lakehurst we are always on the search for up and coming minds who can bring innovative solutions to our Naval Aviation mission,” said Kathleen Donnelly, NAWCAD Lakehurst executive director. “Renewing the EPA with Rowan continues our education outreach efforts, providing further opportunity to encourage students who are interested in STEM to pursue these fields.”
Rowan, located in Glassboro, New Jersey, hosts multiple events in support of NAWCAD Lakehurst’s education outreach efforts.
One event is the annual NJ Regional SeaPerch Competition, which challenges students to use STEM-based problem solving to build underwater remotely operated vehicles using low-cost and recyclable materials.
Additionally, Rowan hosts Rowan Blastoff, a hands-on learning event that offers students the opportunity to become excited about STEM and launch their very own rockets.
Through these events, NAWCAD Lakehurst is able to further expand education outreach efforts to motivate students to pursue higher education—and ultimately, employment— in STEM fields.
Rowan offers engineering programs that emphasize professional practices and require students to address current issues and their potential solutions.
“These programs are of great value to minority students and they offer a path to employment through the NAWCAD Lakehurst Capstone Initiative,” said Haidy Oliveira, NAWCAD Lakehurst education outreach coordinator.
The NAWCAD Lakehurst Capstone Initiative is designed to create a powerful, ongoing forum where both students and NAWCAD LKE engineers can come together to pursue ideas and conduct engineering research pertaining to current Navy engineering problems.
The capstone also provides academic and career advice, presenting employment opportunities at NAWCAD LKE upon graduation.
Through the EPA, NAWCAD Lakehurst and Rowan University will continue to bring awareness of STEM education and employment opportunities, extending the pipeline of interested, qualified students into the Navy workforce.