Boeing Aerospace Company Partners with HBCU Southern University and A&M College for NASA Program
Students in the Mentor Program at Southern University. (Picture provided by Southern University and A&M College)
Southern University and A&M College signed an 18-month Mentor-Protégé agreement with NASA’s Space Launch System (SLS) program. Boeing, an aerospace and manufacturing company, will work alongside the HBCU to provide tactical business and technical support. The company is the prime contractor for the design, development, test and production of the SLS core stage and the flight avionics suite’s development.
This marks the first time an HBCU has a mentor-protégé agreement with Boeing.
Boeing and Southern University have worked previously together as the university supplies alumni engineering skills to SLS NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans. Boeing SLS Vice President and Program Manager John Shannon are thrilled to continue the university and the company’s friendship.
“Boeing has enjoyed a productive relationship with Southern University that will only be enhanced by this NASA Mentor-Protégé agreement,” said Shannon. “The program allows Boeing to promote the growth of small suppliers and strengthen the NASA industrial base.”
The mentor-protégé program pairs large companies with eligible small businesses and minority-serving institutions to enhance the protégés’ capabilities. In the program, proteges get the chance to compete for extensive contracts that will help improve Southern University’s ability to win NASA contracts and subcontracts.
With this agreement, Southern University students will be working on the SLS, the world’s most powerful rocket. President of the Southern University System and Chancellor of Southern University and A&M College, Ray L. Belton is excited for his students to be a part of something so meaningful.
The NASA Michoud Assembly Facility in New Orleans where Southern University students will work. (Picture provided by Space News)
“We are also excited about supporting the Artemis program and its goal of landing the first woman and the next man on the moon in 2024,” said Belton. “We look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship with Boeing and NASA.”
The program isn’t just an excellent opportunity for the students at Southern University, but the city of New Orleans and the state of Louisiana as well. U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond, who represents Louisiana’s Second Congressional District, is a New Orleans native. For him, the opportunity is an excellent representation of HBCUs.
“This collaboration is a great example of NASA and Boeing working hand-in-hand with institutions like Southern University to advance the mission of HBCUs. It’ll also create sustainable opportunities for those in our district to showcase their engineering skills on the world’s most powerful rocket,” Richmond said.
Representing the Sixth District of Louisiana in Baton Rouge, Rep. Garret Graves sees the importance of this partnership in Louisiana.
“This mutually beneficial relationship will build upon Southern and Boeing’s success, provide key opportunities for Southern students, and solidify Louisiana’s role in future lunar and Mars missions.”
Listen to an interview with the Southern University’s Office of Governmental Contracting Services for more information here.