TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- The Air Force Sustainment Center needs a talent pool as large as possible to fill both current and future workforce requirements, and students at Langston University are in high-demand for career opportunities upon graduation.
A ground-breaking agreement was brokered on Sept. 25 when the interim president of Langston University and the commander of Air Force Sustainment Center signed official documents establishing an educational partnership agreement between the two entities.
Agreements like this one have been in existence within AFSC since 2019, but focused on students studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Math, or STEM, fields. This agreement and its accompanying memorandum of understanding broadens the focus area into non-STEM related areas of study as well as STEM related fields.
“This is the first-of-its-kind hybrid partnership where we’re expanding that,” Lt. Gen. Stacey Hawkins, AFSC commander, said.
The Langston agreement includes majors in business, supply chain management, installation management such as environmental science and project management.
“This allows us to cast a net to attract prospective employees to Tinker Air Force Base as an option to start their careers,” he said.
Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson, Langston University interim president, said the agreement will help the university achieve their goal of creating more opportunities for students.
“We’re excited,” she said. “We know the potential is boundless and we know that today is only the beginning of a very mutually beneficial and strong relationship.”
Several Langston alumni who are employees of Tinker Air Force Base attended the signing, many of whom began their careers at Tinker as interns under previous programs.
“We are here today to allow people to follow in your footsteps,” Jackson told the crowd. “And to have the option to see Langston as a pathway to remain in Oklahoma, have fulfilling careers and gainful employment – things that will help them not only as individuals but change the trajectory of their families.”
The program will allow Langston students to participate in internships within AFSC and eventually, Hawkins said, collaborate with the university to help shape curricula focused on the functions and expertise needed at Tinker Air Force Base.
“This has been a years-long effort started mostly by Langston university alumni who work here at Tinker,” Hawkins said. “But today is not the end of a journey to sign this agreement. It’s the beginning of a journey that will last for years to come.”
U.S. Air Force Lt. Gen. Stacey T. Hawkins, Air Force Sustainment Center commander, and Dr. Ruth Ray Jackson, Langston University interim president sign official documents establishing an educational partnership agreement between the two entities Sept. 25. (U.S. Air Force photo by Grady Epperly)