New formal agreement establishes partnership between NASA and Salisbury University

SALISBURY, Md.- Salisbury University and the Nasa Wallops Flight Facility have been in partnership for years, but the new Space Act agreement signed on Thursday will allow students to soar to new heights. “It formalizes the work that we were doing informally where we would have one or two interns a year to now having a full cohort of students that are reinforcing what they’re learning in the classroom with the work we’re doing at Wallops,” NASA Wallops Flight Facility Director David Pierce said.

That work involves cutting-edge research and students getting real-world experience with learning from industry professionals. Michael Scott with Salisbury University said its setting those learners up for success. “Because then they have an inside track on getting those really well-paying jobs,” Scott said.

Nasa Wallops Director David Pierce told us getting the best and brightest SU students will in turn help grow their future pipeline. “I can employ interns from California, but chances are if Mom and Dad are still there, they will go back. So, it’s very strategic for us to attract a local workforce,” Pierce said.

As NASA has many more rockets to build and missions to fulfill, Pierce added that students don’t have to have dreams of being a Rocket Scientist to work for them. “We’re going back to the moon. We’re going on to Mars, so we need a future workforce. We’re looking for a highly skilled, diverse workforce,” he said. “We’re looking for students with all kinds of backgrounds from English, Science, and even the Arts. Across the spectrum of what you learn at SU, you can make a contribution at Wallops.”

Salisbury University said they hope the move can help attract high school students to consider going into careers in STEM.

SU and NASA officials are excited about what they say is the beginning of the future workforce.