Leidos named a Top Supporter of historically Black colleges and universities

Leidos has made a large effort to engage with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) to increase its talent and diversify –  and the effort is paying off. The company was recently named to the 2021 Top Supporters of HBCU Engineering list published by Career Communications Group, Inc. (CCG). This is Leidos’ first year making the top 20 list.

“We are beyond excited and honored for this recognition as a top supporter of HBCU engineering programs,” said Tashi Carper, director of inclusion and diversity at Leidos.  “Inclusion is a core value, and collaborating with these prestigious institutions are a key component of our workforce strategy. The talent we’ve hired from HBCUs are not only highly-trained students and professionals, but also strong business leaders integral to our success. We regard HBCUs as a valued partner for STEM talent, research, and innovation.”

To generate its annual list, CCG surveyed deans from 15 accredited HBCU engineering schools as well as the corporate-academic alliance known as Advancing Minorities’ Interest in Engineering (AMIE). The survey yields a list of the top 20 government and non-profit supporters along with the top 20 industry supporters.

The Leidos Inclusion & Diversity Office has increased its focus on improving representation, retention and expanding Leidos’ reputation through the Strategic Diversity Outreach program. Led by Desira Stearns, the program builds a pipeline of STEM talent and future Leidos innovators through engaged executives and colleagues across the company.

“Working with HBCUs is an amazing journey, not a one-time occurrence,” said Stearns. “As the company continues to grow, we’ll need new and innovative solutions to advance our vision. I am proud of the intentional relationships we’re building with the HBCUs – it’s a win-win collaboration.”