Leidos and the Inclusive Engineering Consortium (IEC) Team Up to Increase Engagement with HBCU Engineering Institutions

Leidos, a FORTUNE® 500 science and technology leader, has joined the Inclusive Engineering Consortium (IEC) to help advance STEM education for traditionally underrepresented students and foster strategic research partnerships with Minority Serving Institutions (MSI). The membership aims to drive equity in education while also strengthening the company’s future talent pipeline with MSI graduates.

 “By aligning with a respected nonprofit such as the IEC, we’re taking intentional steps to provide hiring and career development opportunities for students while also supporting faculty via research partnerships and capstone projects ,” said Desira Stearns, Strategic Diversity Outreach Director for Leidos. “Inclusion is a core value at Leidos and collaboration with these prestigious institutions is a key component of our workforce strategy."

The partnership builds on the company’s broader inclusion and diversity strategy which focuses on improving representation and talent retention of underrepresented groups, and expanding Leidos’ reputation through external partnerships.These partnerships are meant to be long-term, win-win and strategic, resulting in a talent pipeline with diverse perspectives and skills necessary to meet business needs. An example is in our support of Tuskegee University.  The university is a member of the Leidos Strategic University Alliance program – an initiative that identifies university partners for both research and professional development opportunities.

Leidos is a proud employer of students from MSIs.  Our membership with the IEC will help provide equal access and exposure to STEM for traditionally underserved communities that positions future generations for success.

For more information on Leidos’ Inclusion and Diversity program, please visit www.leidos.com/company/inclusion-and-diversity.