UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. -- Penn State has received a significant grant from ArcelorMittal USA to support student development, recruitment, and diversity in engineering and materials. The grant was awarded through the company’s Campus Partnership Program (CPP), which provides funding to key U.S. colleges and universities to support special programs and projects particularly in the areas of engineering and technology. This is the third consecutive year that the University and ArcelorMittal have partnered to educate and train the next generation of the workforce.
"As the world's largest steel manufacturer and an industry leader, ArcelorMittal USA recognizes that education is essential to the well-being of both individuals and communities," said Daniel Mull, executive vice president of sales & marketing, ArcelorMittal USA, and a 1973 graduate of Penn State. "The identification and selection of new talent -- the individuals that will lead us into the future and guide the evolution of the steel industry -- is of significant strategic importance to ArcelorMittal. Therefore, the CPP initiative is designed to encourage collaboration and create a bridge between the steel industry and universities where future leaders are developed.”
These holistic partnerships include opportunities to integrate University programs with ArcelorMittal’s internal business teams: research and development, corporate responsibility, human resources/recruiting, and leadership teams. In general, the goals of the program are to:
-- Equip students with the technical knowledge, leadership skills, and work experience to succeed in the global marketplace;
-- Increase the pool of women and minority students in technical and business fields;
-- Produce measurable outcomes that relate to Penn State’s strategic goals and ArcelorMittal's CPP business objectives; and
-- Collaborate on those initiatives connecting University students with ArcelorMittal and its people, increasing the company's brand and visibility on campus.
This year’s grant will support students not only at University Park, but also at Penn State Erie, The Behrend College, and Penn State Harrisburg. Funding will support several initiatives across the University including student design projects, diversity programming, and career resources in the College of Engineering; curriculum development, student organizations, and industrial exposure in Materials Science and Engineering; and travel support to professional conferences and competitions for students at Penn State Behrend and Harrisburg.
“Partnerships with companies like ArcelorMittal allow Penn State to greatly enhance our capacity to train the next generation of engineers and professionals equipped to solve the critical business challenges facing corporations today," said Rodney P. Kirsch, senior vice president for development and alumni relations. "We are grateful to ArcelorMittal and believe that this year’s grant will provide the company with an excellent return on investment and expanded recruiting opportunities not only at University Park, but also at Penn State Harrisburg and Penn State Behrend.”
"The Campus Partnership Program is intended to address one of the most important long-term challenges our communities and business face jointly -- providing a top quality education to students," said John Gerrard, division manager of talent acquisition, ArcelorMittal USA. "Graduating seniors need to be equipped with the leadership and critical thinking skills that will prepare them for interesting and rewarding opportunities in manufacturing."