St. Mary’s College of Maryland has renewed its long-standing Education Partnership Agreement with the Naval Air Warfare Center Aircraft Division at Patuxent River and The Patuxent Partnership, building on a collaboration that began in 2011.
The updated agreement, announced this week, expands opportunities for SMCM students, faculty and staff in advanced research, applied learning and career development in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, business and related fields. It creates a formal framework for joint work in research, academic programming and workforce initiatives near Naval Air Station Patuxent River in St. Mary’s County.
Under the agreement, participants gain access to specialized naval aviation facilities, technical expertise and real-world applications typically unavailable in standard academic settings. The partnership aims to strengthen the regional pipeline of scientists, engineers and business professionals while supporting national priorities in innovation and defense.
It also opens expanded pathways for internships, mentoring and career exploration with one of Southern Maryland’s largest federal employers.
“This partnership reflects what higher education must do at its best: connect learning with real-world impact,” said SMCM President Rhonda Phillips. “By bringing together the distinct strengths of each partner, we are creating meaningful pathways for our students while advancing the role of public higher education in addressing national and regional workforce needs.”
RMDL Todd Evans, NAWCAD commander, emphasized the strategic value. “This partnership is a critical investment in our future,” he said. “By providing students with direct access to real-world naval aviation challenges and our expert workforce, we are not just building a pipeline of skilled business and STEM professionals; we are cultivating the innovative and mission-ready talent that NAWCAD needs to solve the nation’s most complex defense challenges. This collaboration will ensure that we continue to have the best and brightest minds ready to support our warfighters.”
Bonnie Green, executive director of The Patuxent Partnership, highlighted regional benefits. “This partnership exemplifies our unwavering commitment to fostering a vibrant and collaborative ecosystem in Southern Maryland,” she said. “By connecting our world-class academic institutions with the cutting-edge work at NAWCAD, we are building a powerful engine for innovation and economic growth. This agreement is a critical step in cultivating the next generation of leaders and ensuring that our region has the skilled workforce needed to support our nation’s defense and drive our economy forward for years to come.”
The renewal supports faculty collaboration, curriculum enrichment and joint exploration of emerging technologies and research priorities. Implementation will include structured internship pathways, faculty engagement programs and targeted initiatives to boost student success and workforce readiness.
SMCM’s location in St. Mary’s City places it in close proximity to NAS Patuxent River, enabling the college to serve as a bridge between academic inquiry and applied innovation in naval systems. The partnership builds on this geographic advantage to demonstrate how a public honors college can contribute to national defense needs while delivering high-impact educational experiences.
The agreement continues more than a decade of coordinated efforts among the three organizations to align higher education with regional economic and security priorities in Southern Maryland.
