FALLS CHURCH, Va., March 28, 2016 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) received the Gene Washington Champion of Champion's Award; the Chairman's Award; and the Summer Engineering Experience for Kids (SEEK) program award, at the 42nd annual National Society of Black Engineer's (NSBE) conference held this weekend in Boston. Gloria Pualani, Northrop Grumman director of socio-economic business programs/government relations, received the Sustainability Maven award.
In addition to the awards, NSBE announced a three-year, $2 million program funded by the Northrop Grumman Foundation designed to expand the nation's engineering workforce through a partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). The Northrop Grumman Corporation/NSBE Integrated Pipeline Program will provide 72 engineering students with $8,000 scholarship grants, internships with Northrop Grumman and year-round academic and professional development support. The program's three HBCU partners - Florida A&M University, Howard University and North Carolina A&T State University - will receive grants, technical assistance and a package of programs researched and managed by NSBE.
The Gene Washington Champion of Champion's Award recognizes NSBE Board of Corporate Affiliates members that go above and beyond the call of duty as representatives within their organizations on the society's behalf.
The Chairman's Award, which Northrop Grumman received for the third time, recognizes NSBE's most committed partners who continuously show immeasurable dedication to the society's mission "to increase the number of culturally responsible Black Engineers who excel academically, succeed professionally and positively impact the community."
The Northrop Grumman Foundation was recognized for a second time for being a top supporter of the SEEK program, which is led by NSBE engineering students and technical professionals and is designed to be a fun and engaging educational experience. SEEK is a three-week summer program for elementary and middle school students covering math and science principles, problem solving, product development and team activities.
Pualani was honored for promoting diversity and inclusion and having a significant cultural and community impact in her leadership of Northrop Grumman's supplier diversity program. She was cited by NSBE for developing and implementing processes that ensure small business suppliers have the optimum opportunity to participate in the procurement process and for helping Northrop Grumman consistently meet and exceed its small business goals for more than ten consecutive years.
Pualani developed and implemented the HBCU Minority Institutions program for Northrop Grumman and represents the corporation at small business outreach events, federal procurement conferences and symposia. Awards she has received include the DiversityBusiness.com, Champions of Diversity award; the Congressional Black Caucus Executive Leadership award; the 2010 Black Engineer of the Year Supplier Diversity award; and the 2015 Supplier Diversity Executive of the Year award from Minority Enterprise Advocate magazine.
Northrop Grumman is a leading global security company providing innovative systems, products and solutions in autonomous systems, cyber, C4ISR, strike, and logistics and modernization to government and commercial customers worldwide. Please visit www.northropgrumman.com for more information.