This Next-Gen Jammer was manufactured at Raytheon Technologies’ Forest, Mississippi, facility. Photo courtesy of Raytheon Technologies
The University of Mississippi School of Engineering has recognized Raytheon Intelligence & Space (RI&S) with its inaugural Industry Partner Award for its contributions to positive student outcomes and commitment to research sponsorship.
The engineering school created the award to recognize a company playing an important role in supporting the school’s mission and growth. Such partnerships are critical to spurring discoveries and educating future engineering leaders who will power economic development at the state and regional levels.
Dave Puleo, dean of the School of Engineering, underlined the importance of this relationship.
“Raytheon Technologies embodies the kind of company we want to partner with,” he said. “Our students do co-ops with them. They hire our graduates on a regular basis. We collaborate on critical technology research. That’s why Raytheon Technologies was the obvious choice for our first Industry Partner Award.”
Noel Ellis, director of engineering learning and university relations, Raytheon Intelligence & Space. Photo courtesy of Raytheon Technologies
A major business segment of U.S. defense conglomerate Raytheon Technologies, RI&S specializes in developing advanced sensors, training, and cyber and software solutions. The company’s Forest, Mississippi-based facility recently expanded its RADAR and Electronic Warfare (EW) manufacturing capabilities.
As an Ole Miss affiliate in the Broadband Wireless Access and Applications Center, the company has enabled student and faculty research in this area. BWAC provides experiential learning opportunities for students, such as proficiency in specialist tools used at RI&S’ Forest operations.
BWAC faculty research includes the fabrication and testing of additively manufactured radio frequency devices and antennas as well as the development of operational principles of antenna cloaking. While beneficial to Raytheon Technologies and industry overall, these projects deepen faculty expertise and academic presence for Ole Miss engineering.
RI&S employs a strong base of Ole Miss engineering graduates. In the past four years alone, the company has hired nine engineering students. Recognizing this valuable connection, RI&S has been actively increasing engagement at the university level.
It also has been working to establish partnerships with the School of Education and the Center for Math and Science Education to strengthen K-12 STEM activities, as well as with Veteran and Military Services to support military-connected students at Ole Miss.
“Our Forest facility has relied heavily on Ole Miss engineering graduates to fill its technical staffing needs and provide technical leadership on major defense projects for our nation’s warfighters,” said Noel Ellis, director of engineering learning and university relations, Raytheon Intelligence & Space.
“Ole Miss graduates are able to provide critical program support from day one with minimal learning curve. That is a testament to their excellent preparation,” Ellis said. “Not only are they equipped with technical skills, their well-rounded curriculum and experiences provide them with the leadership and teamwork skills needed in today’s challenging work environment.”
During a campus visit back in March of this year, Ellis and leaders from the RI&S Forest management team discussed opportunities for additional collaboration.
Ole Miss Engineering is thankful to have RI&S as a partner.
The Industry Partner Award recognizes the importance and priority of engaging partners in industry. Through this engagement, the School of Engineering and partner find mutually beneficial outcomes, from on-campus awareness and student recruitment to research and innovation and economic empowerment.