Photo Release: Coast Guard, Elizabeth City State University sign memorandum of agreement

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 02/14/2019 02:19 PM EST

united states coast guard 

Photo Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 5th District Mid-Atlantic
Contact: 5th District Public Affairs
Office: (757) 398-6272
After Hours: (757) 434-7712
5th District online newsroom

Coast Guard, Elizabeth City State University sign memorandum of agreement

Rear Adm. Keith Smith, commander of the Coast Guard 5th District, and Dr. Karrie Dixon, Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University, present a signed Memorandum of Agreement Feb. 14, 2019, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. The primary objectives highlighted by the memorandum are to optimize outreach and engagement efforts with ECSU, synergize the Coast Guard’s civilian and military officer recruitment efforts and assist the university by providing additional tuition-saving choices, academic options and research opportunities. (U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Canup)

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high resolution version.

ELIZABETH CITY, N.C. — The Coast Guard and Elizabeth City State University signed a memorandum of agreement at ECSU Thursday.

The primary objectives highlighted by the memorandum are to optimize outreach and engagement efforts with ECSU, synergize the Coast Guard's civilian and military officer recruitment efforts and assist the university by providing additional tuition-saving choices, academic options and research opportunities.

Capt. Joseph Deer, commanding officer of Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, Cmdr. Randy Meador, commanding officer of Coast Guard Base Elizabeth City, and the leaders of the initiative, will continue the following three actions: To be active members of the military affairs committee at the school, to display a Coast Guard presence at ECSU ceremonies, and to create more Coast Guard College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative scholarships for ECSU students.

Rear Adm. Keith Smith, commander of the Coast Guard 5th District, is the executive champion of the initiative. Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City and Base Elizabeth City will serve as the lead Coast Guard command for the partnership with ECSU.

"Our goal in partnering with educational institutions, like ECSU, is to ensure that the Coast Guard can continue to recruit and retain a diverse, highly skilled workforce," said Smith. "This diversity will stimulate innovation, new approaches, and fresh perspectives to solve complex organizational challenges now and in the future."

Eighteen Coast Guard CSPI students have graduated from ECSU, including Cmdr. Warren Judge, now the executive officer of Base Elizabeth City, and Lt. Philip Dodson, now a helicopter pilot at Air Station Elizabeth City. Three CSPI students are currently enrolled at the school.

Dr. Karrie Dixon, Chancellor of Elizabeth City State University and Rear Adm. Keith Smith, commander of the Coast Guard 5th District, examine a drone with professor Kuldeep Rawat, director of the ECSU aviation science program, during a campus tour Feb. 14, 2019, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. A Memorandum of Agreement was signed shortly after. The primary objectives highlighted by the memorandum are to optimize outreach and engagement efforts with ECSU, synergize the Coast Guard’s civilian and military officer recruitment efforts and assist the university by providing additional tuition-saving choices, academic options and research opportunities. (U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Canup)

Rear Adm. Keith Smith, commander of the Coast Guard 5th District, and professor Kuldeep Rawat, director of the ECSU aviation science program, examine a flight simulator during a campus tour Feb. 14, 2019, in Elizabeth City, North Carolina. A Memorandum of Agreement was signed shortly after. The primary objectives highlighted by the memorandum are to optimize outreach and engagement efforts with ECSU, synergize the Coast Guard’s civilian and military officer recruitment efforts and assist the university by providing additional tuition-saving choices, academic options and research opportunities. (U.S. Coast Guard photograph by Petty Officer 3rd Class Joshua Canup)

-USCG-