On Mar. 31 at the University of Texas El Paso, White Sands Missile Range leadership and the school's faculty gathered in the main hall of the engineering school for a photo after a full day of discussions for future educational partnerships.

White Sands Missile Range leadership plans for educational partnership with the University of Texas El Paso

WHITE SANDS MISSILE RANGE, N.M. (March 31, 2022) White Sands Missile Range (WSMR) leadership visited the University of Texas El Paso (UTEP) with the purpose of being introduced to the school’s robust engineering department. “We are looking for educational partnerships to exchange technology, ideas and equipment to help meet the challenges of new technology testing,” said Robert Stone, Executive Director and Deputy to the Commander.

The day began with Hugo Soto, masters research student, who welcomed the WSMR leadership, and guided the team through the UTEP facilities to the conference room where Patricia Nava, Interim Dean of the College of Engineering, opened with a presentation of the department’s diverse student body and the talent they offer WSMR. Shortly after, Debra Clark, Head of Leadership and Professional Development, presented UTEP faculty with information on how WSMR’s internship programs and job benefits propose opportunities for students to build a career with the Department of Defense.

As the day progressed the leadership team listened to presentations from associate professors and their students, toured laboratories, inspected 3D printed prototypes, and observed demonstrations of cutting edge technology to be used for training. “We focus on disruptive technology; we create what others say is impossible,” explained Dr. Raymond Rumpf, Associate Professor and Director of EM Lab, during a presentation on his laboratory’s CAD tool for 3D printing.

The day ended with WSMR leadership and UTEP faculty discussing plans for next steps in building a prosperous partnership for the future of students, staffing, research, and testing.