New Mexico State University (NMSU) has announced a partnership with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness. The collaboration aims to facilitate an initiative titled 'Taking the Pentagon to the People', designed to inform faculty members about various opportunities including research, fellowships, sabbaticals, personnel exchanges, and small business ventures.
The event is scheduled for March 27-28 and will provide a platform for students to connect with representatives from the Department of Defense (DoD). Faculty and staff will also have the opportunity to explore how the DoD can support recruitment, teaching, and research. According to a press release by NMSU, the sessions include an opening plenary, roundtable discussions, lunch and learn sessions, and an emerging leaders summit featuring informational sessions, mock interviews, and recruitment tables.
"Enhancing the Department of Defense’s workforce is crucial for national security. The ‘Taking the Pentagon to the People’ event will provide valuable pathways for our institution to address and meet the growing demand," said Luis Cifuentes, NMSU Vice President for Research. He added that this event extends beyond NMSU; it is an invitation for regional institutions and communities to participate.
Eric Sanchez, NMSU Physical Science Laboratory director and retired brigadier general, emphasized on diversity within DoD's career opportunities. "With over 950,000 non-uniformed civilians who serve in 650 occupations in 94 different countries around the globe, there is an opportunity within DoD for all majors," Sanchez said. He noted that DoD's interest in hosting 'Taking the Pentagon to the People' at NMSU reflects both on the high caliber of students and faculty in their region as well as DoD's commitment towards ensuring that top talents are working on addressing global challenges under a common mission - 'to deter war and protect the security of our nation.'
As per information provided by NMSU, the university is a research-focused land-grant institution that emphasizes teaching, research, and public service. It holds the distinction of being a NASA Space-Grant College and is home to New Mexico's first Honors College.
