Boeing Inc. the nation’s major aircraft manufacturer, has announced a $6 million partnership with the Thurgood Marshall College Fund, an organization that supports 47 historically Black colleges and universities. Boeing, based in Chicago, seeks to diversity the nation’s technical workforce.
Under the agreement, students at eight historically Black colleges and universities will be able to take advantage of scholarships, internships, on-campus activities with Boeing officials, and immersive “boot camp” programs that will introduce college students to Boeing’s culture and career paths. The eight participating HBCUs are: Alabama A&M University, Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College, Spelman College, Howard University, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T State University, and Tuskegee University.
Michael Ford, vice president of global diversity and inclusion at Boeing, stated that “this investment is another example of how we are building a diverse pipeline of future talent. We hope to inspire and enable HBCU students to pursue careers in the aerospace industry.”
I would hope that SCSU in Orangeburg, SC will be one of the HBCUs considered, given its proximity to the Boeing operations in Charleston, SC.