Hampton University, a historically Black educational institution in Virginia, has recently established a new partnership with the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) within the United States Department of Defense (DoD) to provide Hampton students with a pathway to federal employment at the agency upon graduation.
The joint agreement is the latest addition to the DoD’s “Taking the Pentagon to the People” program, overseen by the department’s Office for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. The initiative aims to partner with higher education institutions to cultivate a pipeline of talented and diverse young professionals to pursue careers at the DoD upon graduation. The program introduces students to various employment opportunities, internships, scholarships, and information regarding emerging roles within STEM, business, education, and the arts. Additionally, the initiative aims to facilitate research, fellowship, and grant collaboration between the DoD and university faculty .
“This new partnership with the DLA will significantly enhance the career prospects of our students by providing them with access to career opportunities within a critical national defense agency,” said Hampton University President Darrell Williams, who previously served as director of the DLA. “Our students will gain invaluable experience and be well-prepared to contribute to the defense of our nation.”