Two Earn TPP Engineering Scholarships
Photo Courtesy of College of Southern Maryland
Dr. Tracy Harris, center, CSM vice president and dean of the Leonardtown campus, joins Allan Li, a graduate of Great Mills High School, left, and James Grizzle, a graduate of Chopticon High School, as they were named recipients of the 2016 Pathways to Engineering Scholarships from The Patuxent Partnership.
The Patuxent Partnership has awarded its 2016 TPP Pathways to Engineering scholarships to James Grizzle of Chopticon High School and Allan Li of Great Mills High School. Both young men have demonstrated extraordinary academic achievement while attending high school and have chosen to pursue careers in engineering.
In 2012, The Patuxent Partnership initiated the Pathways to Engineering Scholarship program in support of the University of Maryland mechanical engineering program at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center. The program was the result of an education partnership agreement with the College of Southern Maryland, University of Maryland, and the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division. This partnership encourages local students to pursue an education and career in engineering.
The Pathways to Engineering program is designed so that students may complete a four-year degree right here in Southern Maryland.
Students complete their first two years of college at CSM and then transfer to the UMD James A. Clark School of Engineering to complete their final two years of studies. The majority of the UMD course load is offered at the Southern Maryland Higher Education Center, and students accepted in the program participate in a rigorous curriculum tailored to engineering requirements at Patuxent River Naval Air Station.
During their studies TPP assists the students in securing internships, giving them real world experiences within government and industry. Students also may apply for the NAWCAD Pathways program through USA Jobs, a highly competitive internship program with opportunity for advancement after graduation.
The program is expanding to include electrical and computer engineering. TPP has successfully supported a total of five students as they make their way through the Pathways to Engineering program. This year, TPP has awarded two more student scholarships bringing the total to seven engineering students living, learning and eventually working in Southern Maryland.
“During the Pathways to Engineering program we build lasting relationships with these students,” said Bonnie Green, executive director of TPP. “We assist them through-out their academic career with internships and other resources, something that could not be done if these students were not part of our local community.”
About The Patuxent Partnership
The Patuxent Partnership works with government, industry, and academia on initiatives in science and technology, hosts programs of interest to NAVAIR and the broader DoD community, and supports workforce development including education initiatives and professional development.
To learn more about The Patuxent Partnership and its programs, visit its Leader member page.
