Utilizing the SMART Program to Recruit and Retain

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SMART
Science, Mathematics, And Research for
Transformation
Scholarship for Service Program
Utilizing the SMART Program to Recruit and
Retain Federal Scientists and Engineers Presented
to the Professional Council of Federal
Scientists and Engineers Stephanie Brunkow
(skbrunko_at_nps.edu) SMART Scholarship Program
Office www.asee.org/SMART
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SMART Scholarship Introduction

• Science and Technology workforce is
  aging/retiring
• There is extensive competition for talent
• DoD facilities have a recruiting disadvantage
• Waiting on security clearances is problematic

What if Someone Could

• provide top researchers from leading
  universities,
• allow DoD facilities to hand-pick individuals,
• tailor their education, and
• groom them through an aggressive internship
  program?

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Program History

• SMART is a DoD Civilian Scholarship for Service
  Program
• Purpose to combat the growing deficiency of
  Science and Technology employees in the DoD
• Recruit and Retain Science and Technology
  employees
• SMART is part of the National Defense Education
  Program
• Funded through the Office of the Secretary of
  Defense
• Managed by the Naval Postgraduate School

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Program Award History

• 2005 Pilot Program
• 2006 Permanent Program
• 32 awards
• 2007 First Full Year
• 106 awards
• 2008 Second Year
• 213 awards
• 2009 Projected
• 225 awards

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Program Funding History

• 2006 13.8 Million
• 2007 26.6 Million
• 2008 34 Million

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Program Management

• Managed by the Naval Postgraduate School
• Executive Agent Dr. Knox Millsaps
  (millsaps_at_nps.edu)
• Program Manager Ms. Deborah Shifflett
  (dsshiffl_at_nps.edu)
• Supported by program liaisons in services and
  agencies
• Air Force Mr. Ed Bujan (edwin.bujan.ctr_at_randolph.
  af.mil)
• Mr. Ronald Garcia, Chief, Science and Engineering
  Career Field
• Army Dr. Martha Newman (martha.newman1_at_us.army.mi
  l)
• Navy Mr. Joe Neal (josephneal_adelphia1_at_comcast.n
  et)
• Dr. Bob McGahern, Director, National Defense
  Education Program

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Applicant Requirements

• United States Citizen
• 18 years of age as of August 1st of funding year
• Ability to obtain and maintain a security
  clearance
• Minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
• Approved field of study
• Interest in research
• Participation in summer internships
• Undergraduates must be currently enrolled
• Graduate Students must have taken GRE within
  five years

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Fields of Study

• Aeronautical/Astronautical Engineering
• Biosciences
• Chemical Engineering
• Chemistry
• Civil Engineering
• Cognitive, Neural, and Behavioral Science
• Electrical Engineering
• Geosciences
• Information Sciences

• Materials Science and Engineering
• Mathematics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Naval Architecture
• Nuclear Engineering
• Ocean Engineering
• Oceanography
• Operations Research
• Physics
• Systems Engineering

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Funding Options

• SMART funds
• AA, BS, MS, PhD
• Single and dual degree programs
• As little as one academic term up to 5 years

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Talent Pool

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology
• Georgia Institute of Technology
• University of Texas
• University of Washington
• Pennsylvania State University
• Johns Hopkins University
• University of California
• Carnegie Mellon University
• University of Virginia
• Stanford University
• University of Michigan
• University of Southern California

• University of Wisconsin
• University of Illinois
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Texas AM
  University
• University of Florida
• The Ohio State University
• Purdue University
• University of Minnesota Virginia Polytechnic
  Institute
• Michigan State University
• University of Colorado
• University of Arizona
• Arizona State University
• University of Delaware

SMART has Participants in over 129 Universities
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Where are Students Placed

• Space and Naval Surface Warfare Systems Center
• Naval Surface Warfare Center
• Naval Air Warfare Center
• Air Force Materiel Command
• Ogden Air Logistics Center
• Warner Robins Air Logistics Center
• Army Engineer Research and Development Center
• Army Training and Doctrine Command
• Army Armament Research Development and
  Engineering Center

Army, Air Force, Navy, NSA, DTRA, NGA, DIA
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Program Benefits - Participants

• Participants in SMART receive
• Full tuition costs no cap
• Annual stipend of 25,000 - 41,000
• Paid summer internships at DoD facilities
• Health insurance
• Book allowance
• All major travel expenses to internship and
  orientation
• Professional development through mentoring
• Guaranteed post-graduation employment
• Ability to work with technology available only in
  the DoD
• Unique opportunity to serve their country

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Participant Requirements

• One year of employment in the sponsoring DoD
  facility for every academic year funded by the
  program
• Geographic mobility
• However
• Before they accept the scholarship they should
  know where they will be interning and working
• They are guaranteed a position upon graduation
• They will have full federal benefits
• With the help of DoD facilities, they will be
  perfectly positioned for moving forward in their
  careers.in or out of government service

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Program Benefits DoD Facilities

• Participating DoD facilities receive
• A thoroughly prepared employee
• Tailored education
• Groomed in the facility over time
• Focused research
• Security clearance in place for multi-year
  participants (SECRET)
• An effective method of retaining valuable current
  employees
• No cost to facilities all recruiting, tuition,
  stipends, and travel are paid by SMART

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Funding Existing Employees

• Retention participants
• Target employees facilities really need/want to
  retain
• Push for advanced degrees
• SMART MIPRs the stipend plus 30 to agency
• Facilities can provide the difference between
  stipends and current salaries to truly provide an
  incentive to the best and brightest
• Participants can work for facilities over the
  summer or continue to attend classes

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Additional Facility Benefits

• Relationships
• Gain a closer working relationship with
  local/national universities and their talent pool
• SMART provides a marketing tool
• Mentors are a true liaison between the facility,
  students, universities, and the SMART Program
• Quality mentors greatly increase the development
  of future employees
• SMART provides mentors with access to additional
  recruiting efforts

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Facility Requirements

• Student selection.match needs with research
• Structured internship with meaningful work
• Mentors
• Guide students through education/internships
• Provide liaison between student and facility
• Administrative requirements
• CAC
• Advance security clearance requirements
• Feedback on participant performance
• Provide a permanent position for SMART graduates

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Facility Long Term Goals

• Promote the program within the facility
• Develop long range planning forecasts on research
  and hiring needs that can help shape the SMART
  program
• Provide panel members for application screening
• Work with service liaison to get on selection
  board
• Every January in the DC area travel at no cost
  to facility
• Accurate hiring/salary levels for students
  selected help establish realistic expectations

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How Facilities Can Participate

• Notify service liaison and SMART Program Office
• Assign a POC
• Identify workforce requirements
• Develop long-term workforce requirements
• Allow SMART to serve as an integral part of
  workforce development plans
• Establish written internal policy for using SMART
  we can provide a template

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Additional Information

• For SMART program information
• www.asee.org/smart
• Email smart_at_nps.edu
• Phone [phone]
• For SMART implementation ideas and strategies
• Contact service liaisons
• Maintain a close working relationship with
  liaison in order to meet long-term goals and
  requirements