WALTHAM, Mass., April 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Raytheon
Technologies (NYSE: RTX), a leading aerospace and defense company,
and SMASH, one of America's first science, technology, engineering
and math (STEM) education programs dedicated to students of color,
today announced a five-year strategic partnership to provide
educational opportunities, scholarships and internships to high
school and college students interested in pursuing engineering and
technology careers.
"While many nonprofits focus on introducing students to STEM,
students of color continue to face bias and systemic barriers to
advanced STEM education and career opportunities," said
Pam Erickson, Raytheon Technologies'
chief communications officer and head of corporate social
responsibility. "By partnering with SMASH, we hope to help break
down those barriers."
Raytheon Technologies will sponsor more than 600 high school and
early college students over five years across two flagship
programs:
- SMASH Academy is a three-year, intensive
residential college prep program that empowers high school freshman
to deepen their talents and pursue STEM careers. Raytheon
Technologies will provide funding for students to spend three
summers at top tier colleges, including Morehouse College, Northeastern University, and the University of Michigan, where they will build core
technical skills, as well as develop critical soft skills and
community building skills. The company will also provide mentoring
and school-year programming to build on their summer
experience.
- SMASH Rising is designed for college freshmen and
sophomores. The program provides SMASH Academy graduates with
pre-internship opportunities at leading technology companies.
Participants learn problem-solving skills and gain real-world work
experience, while building personal networks that will benefit them
throughout their careers. Raytheon Technologies will provide paid
opportunities to SMASH scholars. The students will spend five
weeks working alongside company engineers as they build solutions
to address some of the world's biggest challenges.
Through the partnership, Raytheon Technologies has also
committed to support SMASH alumni as they enter college, awarding
engineering and computer science scholarships to 10 new students
each year.
The partnership will help further close the gap between college
and career by giving Raytheon SMASH scholars priority placement
when applying for any of Raytheon Technologies' established
internship programs.
"We are excited to partner with companies like Raytheon
Technologies who are moving beyond 'check the box' performative
pledges to form equitable, actionable initiatives that have an
immediate impact on communities facing systemic disparities and
lack of access," said Danielle Rose,
president of SMASH. "Through this partnership, we will continue to
not only identify and develop the next-generation of STEM talent,
but also enable more scholars inside the underrepresented
communities we serve to put their skills and lived experience to
direct use while generating change for a more equitable world
through tech-driven solutions. It is our hope at SMASH that this
partnership serves as a model for other companies who want to
invest in quality programming that amplifies diversity in a direct
and measurable way."
SMASH produces more than twice the national average of college
graduates who receive bachelor's degrees in STEM fields and who
work full time in a STEM profession. Raytheon Technologies will
work to source high-potential students from partner organizations
to participate in the SMASH program, while also encouraging
students to apply directly through SMASH.org/apply.
This non-profit partnership is part of Raytheon Technologies'
recently announced Connect Up initiative, a $500 million, 10-year commitment to drive
transformative, generational impact on critical societal
challenges. This focused philanthropy expands upon and elevates the
company's legacy of community investment through lifelong learning,
veteran and military family support, and localized community
engagement.
About Raytheon Technologies
Raytheon Technologies
Corporation is an aerospace and defense company that provides
advanced systems and services for commercial, military and
government customers worldwide. With four industry-leading
businesses ― Collins Aerospace Systems, Pratt & Whitney,
Raytheon Intelligence & Space and Raytheon Missiles &
Defense ― the company delivers solutions that push the boundaries
in avionics, cybersecurity, directed energy, electric propulsion,
hypersonics, and quantum physics. The company, formed in 2020
through the combination of Raytheon Company and the United
Technologies Corporation aerospace businesses, is headquartered in
Waltham, Massachusetts.
About SMASH
SMASH Academy and supporting SMASH
programs weave together STEM education, mentorship, social justice
curriculum and workforce opportunities, helping scholars hone their
knowledge while building the networks and life skills necessary for
a career in technology and entrepreneurship. All of this work aims
to equip brilliant students who aspire to create the future.
Media Contact
Chris Johnson
C: 202.384.2474
Chris.johnson@rtx.com
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SOURCE Raytheon Technologies