SMART scholars visit D.C. to learn about their new jobs
Posted 6/21/2011
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by Debbie Gildea
Air Force Personnel, Services and Manpower Public Affairs
6/21/2011 - RANDOLPH AIR FORCE BASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Students ranging from undergraduates to PhD candidates will visit Joint Base Andrews, Md., in June, to learn more about their future with the Department of Defense.
The students, as Science, Mathematics and Research for Transformation program scholars, represent a $50 million investment in the DOD science and engineering workforce, according to SMART Air Force liaison Ed Bujan, of the Air Force Personnel Center.
The program is funded under the National Defense Education Program, with scholarships offered to the nation's best and brightest students in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics disciplines.
SMART scholars will attend a four-day orientation July 11 to 14, during which they plan to visit a DOD static aircraft display featuring Air Force, Army and Navy aircraft. They also plan to attend seminars and participate in service-specific breakout sessions, and meet with service security managers to initiate the security clearance process.
The scholars also are scheduled to meet some of DOD's most senior science and engineering experts, including DOD's assistant secretary for research and engineering, Zachary Lemnios. Air Force featured speakers include Dr. Steven Walker, the deputy assistant secretary for acquisition; Dr. Jacqueline Henningsen, the director for studies and analyses, assessments and lessons learned; and Russell Howard, the engineering and technical management director for Air Force Materiel Command.
According to Mr. Bujan, more than 3,000 students applied for the SMART program in 2010, and the science and engineering board accepted the top 50 percent for interviews.
Of those 1,500 applicants, 300 made the final cut, he said. Of the 240 who attend this year's orientation, 98 will matriculate to three Air Force major commands: AFMC, Air Force Space Command, and Air Combat Command.
The SMART scholarship program is a workforce development program created to address the need to bridge the science, technology, engineering and research gap.
"SMART scholars receive full tuition, an annual living allowance and summer internship, health insurance, book allowances, mentorship by senior DOD representatives, and post-graduate employment," Mr. Bujan said. "They pay that back by working for their DOD agency on a one-to-one ratio, so if we pay for four years of education, they agree to work for four years."
Ultimately, the purpose of the program is to increase the number of civilian scientists and engineers working in DOD laboratories and research facilities, Mr. Bujan said.
"So far, we have had 24 students complete their initial commitment, and 19 of those stayed with us," he said. "Four of the five who left are pursuing higher education, and one left for a corporate America position.
"But that's going to happen and it's not a bad thing," he said. "The fact is, nearly 80 percent chose to stay, and that tells us we have a good program and it's working."
High school and college students interested in STEM disciplines can get more information about the SMART scholarship program, and apply for the 2012 program, at http://smart.asee.org.
For information about Air Force civilian career opportunities, go to www.afciviliancareers.com.
For information about other personnel issues, visit the Air Force personnel services website at https://gum-crm.csd.disa.mil. |
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