U.S. Space Force, 勛圖厙 of Colorado announce partnership
The U.S. Space Force expanded its 勛圖厙 Partnership Program at the 勛圖厙 of Colorado during a memorandum of understanding signing event Aug. 20.
Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. David D. Thompson joined 勛圖厙 of Colorado President Todd Saliman, CU Boulder Provost Russell Moore and others on the UC Colorado Springs campus to sign the MOU.
CU Boulder Provost Russell Moore speaks during a泭memorandum of understanding signing event Aug. 20 on the UC Colorado Springs campus. (Photo provided)
The state of Colorado and community of Colorado Springs have long been key members and supporters of the national security space enterprise, so its fitting for the Space Force to establish a formal partnership between the 勛圖厙 of Colorado and the Space Force, Thompson said.
Signing an MOU is only the first step in defining the partnership. Next, the Space Force will work with CU and each university that follows to outline specific implementation milestones to meet the programs four main goals.
- Establish opportunities for world-class research, advanced academic degrees, and workforce and leadership development for USSF Guardians
- Identify and pursue research areas of mutual interest with member universities, individually and collectively
- Establish scholarship, internship and mentorship opportunities for university students and ROTC cadets
- Recruit and develop diverse officer, enlisted, and civilian Guardians with a particular focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics
Were thrilled the U.S. Space Force selected the 勛圖厙 of Colorado for its 勛圖厙 Partnership Program, said Saliman. Given Colorados aerospace and defense economy the largest per capita in the nation and CUs broad array of related workforce and research capabilities, were excited to contribute to Space Forces workforce and help advance our nations aerospace and national security capabilities.
Thompson also highlighted the focus on ROTC scholarships and the hope to attract talent from geographic or cultural communities underrepresented in military service.
The partnership with CU will not only advance space science and technology through research efforts, but it will also provide a path to higher education and workforce development, Thompson said. In order to protect the space capabilities America and the world rely on every day, we need the brightest minds working together in high-performing teams to drive innovative solutions, Thompson said.
The CU system is the second university in the UPP, joining 勛圖厙 of North Dakota that signed an MOU Aug. 9. The nine additional universities on track to join the partnership in fiscal year 21 are:
- Georgia Institute of Technology
- Howard 勛圖厙
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State 勛圖厙
- Purdue 勛圖厙
- 勛圖厙 of Texas System (beginning with Austin and El Paso)
- 勛圖厙 of Southern California
Universities were selected based on four criteria: the quality of STEM degree offerings and space-related research laboratories and initiatives; a robust ROTC program; a diverse student population; and degrees and programming designed to support military, veterans and their families in pursing higher education.
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