HUNTSVILLE – As a commitment to “setting the tone” on advancing equality, Jacobs Engineering presented the Drake State Foundation $200,000 to support the college’s Frontiers Research Program.
“Advancing justice and equality requires strong leadership and a relentless drive to deliver on that vision,” said Jacobs Chair and CEO Steve Demetriou. “As a global leader, we know we must contribute to structural change not only at Jacobs, but in society as a whole. We believe in setting the tone and actively doing our part to create a future where everyone can thrive.”
Joining the ceremony were Jacobs Critical Mission Solutions President Dr. Steve Arnette, Marshall Space Flight Center Director Jody Singer, Huntsville City Council President John Meredith, and Jacobs Space Exploration Group Team Lead and Harambee Ambassador Ayana Reese.
The $200,000 donation is part of Jacobs’ 2020 corporate commitment to donate $10 million over five years with a priority on Black educational and professional development and scholarship opportunities under its global diversity Action Plan for Advancing Justice and Equality.
“We’re creating change within our community by providing solutions to diversify the workforce,” said Drake State President Dr. Patricia Sims. “The Jacobs TogetherBeyond and Harambee Scholars Fund will support our additive manufacturing curriculum and help students develop the necessary skills to complete their associate degrees that could lead to potential internship and full-time job opportunities with Jacobs.”
As NASA’s largest service provider, Jacobs has been the prime contractor on the engineering, science, and technology contract at Marshall Space Flight Center since 1989.
The Frontiers Research Program is a NASA-sponsored Cooperative Agreement with Drake
State and is the first of its kind to be awarded to a two-year institution and Historically Black College and University. The program’s interns have been working on additive manufacturing projects that contribute to current NASA needs in lunar habitat design and manufacturing.
