(New Orleans, LA) – The Department of Defense’s (DoD) Office of Diversity Management and Equal Opportunity will host its “Pentagon to the People Technical Assistance Program” in the Professionals Schools and Sciences Building on Dillard’s campus April 15-16.  The program is a wonderful opportunity for people to connect and network with DoD representatives and colleagues from other universities.  The event is free and open to the public and individuals from all disciplines are invited to attend.

“Taking the Pentagon to the People” is part of the DoD’s 2015 initiative to discuss critical White House initiatives as well as its continued support of a Presidential Executive Order that advances the development of the Nation’s full potential and to advance equal opportunity in higher education.”

The primary focus is on the participation by historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and minority-serving institutions (MSIs) in federally sponsored programs.  Particular emphasis is being placed on enhancing institutional infrastructure and facilitating planning, development, and the use of new technologies to ensure the goal of long-term viability of these institutions as major resources for the DoD. The intent is to develop a comprehensive assessment of the areas of greatest opportunity in pipeline development, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and technical assistance needs for these institutions.

DoD officials and representatives along with prime and small business contractors will make information available to administrators from HBCUs and MSIs regarding research, development, STEM, human capital and workforce development activities within the DoD. Subsequently, the DoD will develop a comprehensive suite of recommendations to enhance existing partnerships including infrastructure enhancement, sustainability, grants and contracting, STEM education, human capital and workforce development, and civilian career opportunities.

Conference times and locations are as follows.  Wednesday, April 15, the conference will be held 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. and Thursday, April 16, in the Professional Schools Building (PSB) Atrium, rooms 131-135 and 151 at 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public. Register at the following link: http://2015takingthepentagontothepeople.com