USC Aiken, SRNS Agreement Supports Military Veterans

by DT Townsend

Aiken, SC (02/28/2020) — Officials from Savannah River Nuclear Solutions (SRNS) and the University of South Carolina Aiken (USC Aiken) recently agreed to a memorandum of understanding (MOU) in support of military veterans and active military personnel attending USC Aiken.

The MOU identifies a $20,000 donation from SRNS to USC Aiken's Veterans Enhanced Training (VET) Program within its Office of Veteran and Military Student Success.

The VMSS seeks to expose veteran and military students to employment opportunities throughout the region.

"We champion the experience and maturity these students bring to USC Aiken," said Robert Murphy, director of the USC Aiken Office of Veteran and Military Student Success.

"This, coupled with the university's nationally recognized education and holistic transition support, enables us to deliver a generation of military veterans who are critical thinkers and leaders."

In addition, the SRNS management team has agreed to annually offer several paid internships to USC Aiken students, especially military veterans, with the hope that in-depth exposure to the culture and work at the Savannah River Site (SRS) will inspire these students to pursue careers with SRNS.

"We are thrilled to partner again with Savannah River Nuclear Solutions on the brand new Veterans Enhanced Training Program," said Dr. Sandra Jordan, USC Aiken chancellor.

"SRNS has been a steadfast partner of USC Aiken and has worked alongside the university to ensure the success of our students."

Jordan added that this new program will help veteran and military students with their professional growth and future careers while greatly enhancing their classroom experience with dynamic, engaging and very relevant learning, guided by the experts at SRNS.

SRNS President and CEO Stuart MacVean believes this MOU is just the beginning of long-term support for VMSS students.

"We're going to stay connected with this important organization and ensure they are up to date regarding job opportunities available at SRS as they are identified. We have a significant number of veterans working with us now."

According to MacVean, SRNS hired more than 80 veterans last year, many of which had previously experienced life at SRS through internships and job shadow programs.

"We exceeded our annual goal each of the last six years with 9.2 percent of our new hires, on average, being vets," he said.

Studies have determined that 14 percent of USC Aiken's total student population consists of military veterans.

"I have come to realize what the Savannah River Site has to offer, not just a career, but amazing mentors who are truly passionate about what they do," said Clay Beam, an industrial process engineering student at USC Aiken.

"SRNS is an employer that hires the people you hope to become one day, and it shows in our industrial process engineering program.

"I'm just starting out, but it feels like they really try to create a program that will prepare us for internships and a job at the site, which really shows how much they care.

"Thank you SRNS for this amazing opportunity to help me get my dream job," he said.

SRNS and USC Aiken have worked closely together for decades, striving to ensure the highest level of education opportunities for students. In the past, SRNS has provided support for USC Aiken to include donated equipment, executive counseling and monetary funding for scholarships and an endowed professorship.

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