We are grateful for the strong commitment of support from our partners in enhancing the naval workforce pipeline. SERVE is empowered through a university partnership between UT and UNC Charlotte with support by the Office of Naval Research to engage UT student veterans in impactful research. The impact of the research is augmented by collaborations with Naval Research Laboratory, other federal laboratories, and industry partners.
Naval Research Laboratory
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) in Washington, DC provides the advanced scientific capabilities required to bolster our country’s position of global naval leadership. Serve is working closely with NRL through the leadership of Margo Staruch, a Research Physicist in the Materials Science and Technology Division. NRL will provide guidance to ensure research conducted under the program is aligned with naval research needs and NRL researchers will provide co-advising for students in partnership with university faculty. For instance, Materials Science students will have an opportunity to work Margo on the development of functional materials for future naval systems.
► Learn more about research at the Naval Research Laboratory.
U.S. Naval Air Station Patuxent River
U.S. Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River is the Center of Excellence for Naval Aviation. UNC Charlotte is currently working with research personnel at Pax River to develop thesis topics for a STEM workforce program titled “Retooling Veterans with Service- and Combat-Connected Disabilities in Advanced Virtual Engineering.” This collaboration, in its first year, promises to promote graduate education through partnerships with naval research facilities.
► Learn more about Naval Air Station Patuxent River.
Y-12 National Security Complex
Y-12 is one of six production facilities in the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Nuclear Security Enterprise. Y-12 has three primary national security missions that protect our country and our allies around the world: nuclear deterrence, global security, and Naval reactors.
UT is designated as a “key university” for Y-12, which allows for a maximum dedicated level of resources to promote R&D initiatives, faculty relationships, and opportunities for graduate students and graduates. Y-12 has a long, proud history of supporting the U.S. Nuclear Navy as a part of its national security mission, providing opportunities for university students to collaborate with its researchers on unique R&D projects and supporting veterans in their pursuit of full-time employment after completion of their military service.
► Learn more about the Y-12 National Security Complex.
Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation—The Composites Institute
IACMI is one of fourteen Manufacturing USA, National Network for Manufacturing Innovation Institutes that coordinates public/private investment in emerging advanced manufacturing technologies. As the lead institute for composite materials, IACMI focuses on lightweight, high-strength, economic material solutions, which is in line with Navy S&T needs. With over 123 industrial members, IACMI will provide a large base of potential companies aligned with Naval interests for our veteran graduates to consider for employment after graduation.
Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the ORNL Manufacturing Demonstration Facility
ORNL is the largest US Department of Energy science and energy laboratory and conducts basic and applied research related to energy and security. ORNL’s diverse capabilities span a broad range of scientific and engineering disciplines, enabled by its expertise and unique facilities related to neutrons, computing, materials, and nuclear power.
Research at ORNL’s MDF focuses on manufacturing analysis and simulation, composites and polymer systems, metal powder systems, metrology and characterization, machine tooling, large-scale metal systems, and robotics and automation. MDF is comprised of a 110,000-square-foot facility housing integrated capabilities to drive the development of new materials, software, and systems for advanced manufacturing. MDF is home to 170 industry partners and will provide opportunities for workforce placement to program graduates.
Modern Technology Solutions Incorporated (MTSI)
MTSI’s core capabilities are Systems Engineering and Integration, Modeling and Simulation, Test and Evaluation, Acquisition and Program Support, and Mission Assurance services. Their expertise includes ballistic missile defense, air defense, air vehicle survivability, unmanned aircraft, flight test operations, intelligence support, and cyber/space/homeland defense.
In addition to providing outplacement opportunities for our veteran students, MTSI has a robust internship program that include areas directly related to Navy S&T priorities including Mechanical engineering, Systems engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Laser Device Modeling and Simulation, Cyber security, and Electronic warfare, to name a few.
US Navy Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point
Cherry Point Naval Air station provides world-class maintenance, engineering and logistics support for Navy and Marine Corps aviation, as well as other armed services, federal agencies and foreign governments. SERVE will expand on the multi-year collaboration between Cherry Point Naval Air station and UNC Charlotte, which has seen Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) sponsor between two and four senior capstone design projects each year and provide engineers as guest lectures during an annually offered military technology mechanical engineering class. Additionally, UT students will have opportunities to meet representatives from NAVAIR Cherry Point at career networking events which, in the past 5 years, has resulted in over 30 job offerings to UNC Charlotte students.
► Learn more about the Cherry Point Naval Air Station.
UT’s Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship & Innovation
For those students with an entrepreneurial spirit, we will provide opportunities to take part in programming offered by the center’s NSF I-Corps program. Students will have opportunities for entrepreneurial skill development, research, experiential learning, mentoring, and resources to help grow new business
► Learn more about the Anderson Center.
Offset Strategic Services
Offset Strategic Services (OSS) is developing systems to provide offset capabilities for US forces. OSS’s technology priorities are: Hypersonics, Robotics & Autonomy, Advanced Materials, AI/Big Data Analytics/Quantum computing, AR/VR/Blended reality, Cyber-attack, Directed Energy, Additive Manufacturing.
OSS is looking to work with students majoring in aerospace engineering, microelectronics, software programming (embedded and web), mechanical engineering, and electrical engineering. Other majors will be considered based on merit.