Sandia National Labs Academic Alliance Collaboration Report 2020-2021

NUCLEAR ENGINEERING AND PROJECT MANAGEMENT PROGRAMS RESULT FROM UNM-SANDIA PARTNERSHIP

Nuclear Security Program Talent pipeline development is always in focus for UNM and Sandia, who partner together to educate students so they are equipped to contribute effectively and quickly to Sandia’s national security mission work. It started with the signing of a strategic MOU in 2018 to advance project management and create a pipeline of project management professionals from UNM who would be qualified to work at the Labs. In September 2020, the Nuclear Security Program, embedded within the UNM Nuclear Engineering Department, was established through an MOU to provide students with the theoretical foundations, advanced methodologies, and practical skills required to secure and protect nuclear materials and facilities. Subject matter experts from Sandia, Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL), and UNM developed an accredited Nuclear Security Program launching in summer 2021, which is supported by the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Office of International National Security. This effort, led by Sandia PI Alan Evans,

who is also a UNM graduate, will prepare the next generation of experts to apply advanced engineering capabilities to the challenges faced in protecting the nuclear industry of the future. It will also enable Nuclear Security Program students to have access to renowned international nuclear security experts and the unique, real-world training facilities at both Sandia and LANL. Hyoung K. Lee, professor and chair of the UNM Department of Nuclear Engineering, said he hopes the new agreement creates more robust opportunities for current and future UNM nuclear engineering students.

“UNM has such a phenomenal resource right in its backyard

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Sandia Academic Alliance Program