Ms. Sarah EchoHawk (front left), American Indian Science and Engineering Society chief executive officer , signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Lt. Gen. Scott Spellmon (front right), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commanding general. The MOU provides Native American students with formal access to Army Science, Technology, Engineering and Math job and educational opportunities. (U.S. Army photo)

WASHINGTON --

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the American Indian Science and Engineering Society signed a partnership agreement today that provides Native American students with formal access to Army Science, Technology, Engineering and Math job and educational opportunities.

The agreement, a memorandum of understanding, was signed by Lt. Gen. Scott A. Spellmon, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers commanding general; and Ms. Sarah EchoHawk, American Indian Science and Engineering Society chief executive officer.

“By signing this memorandum of understanding, we are literally opening the doors to the USACE,” said Spellmon.

The MOU provides USACE opportunities to better engage with Native Americans through job fairs, career days, engagement with the USACE workforce, and access to projects, labs and research.  It also provides employment opportunities for Indigenous peoples to contribute their passion, talent and ingenuity toward enhancing the USACE workforce.

According to Spellmon, many believe there will be about 3.5 million STEM jobs in America that need to be filled by 2025.