Lockheed Martin Awards Grant to EFSC

Lockheed Martin has awarded a grant to Eastern Florida State College to help its students as part of the company’s commitment to support communities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We are pleased to support our local EFSC students and college and greatly appreciate their partnership,” said Dr. Sara Hiza, Vice President, Fleet Ballistic Missile Program, Lockheed Martin.

The grant to the EFSC Foundation will be used in two important areas to make it easier for students to study and learn remotely with most EFSC classes currently online and key student services offered primarily in virtual formats.

First, the donation will allow EFSC to update the system used to manage and create the college's academic catalog, the official record of all academic programs, policies and student rights and responsibilities.

Students rely on the catalog for accurate information about the courses required to reach their educational goals and earn a degree or certificate from EFSC.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and an increase in virtual advising sessions, it's more critical than ever that the catalog be easy to navigate and use, including on a mobile device such as a smart phone.

Second, the grant will allow the college to purchase more laptop computers for staff who are working remotely in about 20 key Student Service areas such as Advising, Financial Aid and Tutoring.

“We’re very grateful to Lockheed Martin for their generous support of our students during this difficult time, allowing them to continue their education with the resources they need to succeed,” said EFSC President Dr. Jim Richey.

“It’s another example of our strong relationship that is benefiting the college and entire Space Coast community.”

The EFSC and Lockheed Martin partnership centers on the college training highly skilled technicians through its Aerospace Technology program to help launch the next generation of spaceflights now underway.

Many of the students serve apprenticeships with Lockheed Martin at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center where the company is building the agency’s Orion spaceship that will return astronauts to the moon and carry them on journeys to Mars.

Upon graduation, the company hires many of the student apprentices to continue working on Orion, creating a talent pipeline for many years to come.

For more information on EFSC’s technology programs, visit easternflorida.edu.