image: Rear Adm. Nevin Carr, Chief of Naval Research, addresses a gathering of presidents of historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs) in September in Washington, D.C. The Office of Naval Research, headed by Carr, was honored in June as a top supporter of HBCUs and recognized for its workforce diversity efforts. view more
Credit: US Navy photo
ARLINGTON, Va. -- The Office of Naval Research (ONR) was saluted in June with two awards: as a 2010 Best Diversity Company and a 2010 Top Supporter of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Chief of Naval Research Rear Adm. Nevin Carr, who leads ONR, said the awards acknowledge the Department of the Navy's efforts toward building a more diverse future force, while fueling the science, technology, engineering and mathematics pipeline.
"A diverse workforce encourages creativity and innovation," Carr said. "ONR has supported HBCUs for more than 20 years because we need to attract every bright young mind we can to a career in science and technology."
Readers of Diversity/Careers in Engineering & Information Technology magazine hailed ONR for its commitment to workforce diversity, while U.S. Black Engineer and Information Technology (USBE&IT) magazine honored the organization for the second year in a row for its investment in HBCUs.
In its 2010 annual reader survey, readers and Web visitors of Diversity/Careers identified about 100 U.S. corporations, government agencies and other organizations that promote diversity among their workforces. ONR was ranked as a leader in the government agencies category for its support of minorities and women; its attention to work-life balance; and commitment to supplier diversity.
Affirming ONR's commitment to building future generations of naval engineers and scientists, Career Communications Group, the publishers of USBE&IT magazine, praised the organization for its support of HBCUs. The award will be presented at a recognition luncheon on July 2 in Baltimore.
The publishers surveyed the engineering school deans of ABET-accredited HBCU and Minority Institutions to list the companies they feel contribute most to their schools' missions. The deans weighed the following factors: support for infrastructure modernization and enhancement; research, participation on advisory councils; faculty development opportunities; scholarships; student projects; and stipends, co-ops and career opportunities.
ONR began funding HBCUs in 1985. In 1989, a dedicated program was established, supporting undergraduate and graduate students at five HBCUs. In 1992, investment increased to $6 million annually, then rose to $10 million in 1994. Through the mid-90s to 2002, ONR supported programs at 22 schools, among them HBCUs, and provided educational support for hundreds of deserving students.
ONR is also consistently rated among the Most Admired Companies for Minority Professionals by Black Engineer, Hispanic Engineer and Women of Color magazines. ONR was awarded the inaugural Global Congress of Diversity Executives Award at the Black Engineer of the Year Award conference in February 2009.
ONR was also recognized by the Office of Personnel Management as a "2008 Best Place to Work in the Federal Government" after tabulating responses from more than 221,000 civil servants who participated in its Federal Human Capital Survey. The survey, considered to be the most comprehensive and authoritative rating of employee engagement in the federal government, evaluated 283 federal organizations.
About the Office of Naval Research
The Office of Naval Research provides the science and technology necessary to maintain the Navy and Marine Corps' technological advantage. Through its affiliates, ONR is a leader in science and technology with engagement in 50 states, 70 countries, 1,035 institutions of higher learning and 914 industry partners. ONR employs approximately 1,400 people, comprising uniformed, civilian and contract personnel with additional employees at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C.