{"id":134384,"date":"2021-08-20T18:46:10","date_gmt":"2021-08-21T00:46:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/?p=134384"},"modified":"2022-11-02T10:42:05","modified_gmt":"2022-11-02T16:42:05","slug":"u-s-space-force-university-of-colorado-announce-partnership","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/communique.uccs.edu\/?p=134384","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Space Force, University of Colorado announce partnership"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. David D. Thompson speaks to attendees at an event Aug. 20, 2021, 2021 at the Ent Center for the Arts Garden at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs, Colorado. During the event, Thompson and University of Colorado President Todd Saliman signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the Space Force\u2019s University Partnership Program. (Photo courtesy UCCS)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. Space Force expanded its University Partnership Program <\/a>at the University of Colorado during a Memorandum of Understanding signing event Aug. 20.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. David D. Thompson joined University of Colorado President Todd Saliman on the University of Colorado Colorado Springs campus to sign the MOU.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe state of Colorado and community of Colorado Springs have long been key members and supporters of the national security space enterprise, so it\u2019s fitting for the Space Force to establish a formal partnership between the University of Colorado and the Space Force,\u201d Thompson said. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signing an MOU is only the first step in defining the partnership. Next, the Space Force will work with CU and each university that follows to outline specific implementation milestones to meet the program\u2019s four main goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Establish opportunities for world-class research, advanced academic degrees, and workforce and leadership development for USSF Guardians<\/li>
  2. Identify and pursue research areas of mutual interest with member universities, individually and collectively<\/li>
  3. Establish scholarship, internship and mentorship opportunities for university students and ROTC cadets<\/li>
  4. Recruit and develop diverse officer, enlisted, and civilian Guardians with a particular focus on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cWe\u2019re thrilled the U.S. Space Force selected the University of Colorado for its University Partnership Program,\u201d said Saliman. \u201cGiven Colorado\u2019s aerospace and defense economy \u2014 the largest per capita in the nation \u2014 and CU\u2019s broad array of related workforce and research capabilities, we\u2019re excited to contribute to Space Force\u2019s workforce and help advance our nation\u2019s aerospace and national security capabilities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Thompson also highlighted the focus on ROTC scholarships and the hope to attract talent from geographic or cultural communities underrepresented in military service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \u201cThe partnership with CU will not only advance space science and technology through research efforts, but it will also provide a path to higher education and workforce development,\u201d Thompson said. \u201cIn order to protect the space capabilities America and the world rely on every day, we need the brightest minds working together in high-performing teams to drive innovative solutions.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The CU system is the second university in the UPP, joining University of North Dakota that signed an MOU Aug. 9. The nine additional universities on track to join the partnership in fiscal year \u201921 are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n