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UND, Boeing sign agreement that ensures job interviews for graduating military personnel and veterans

April 17 signing ceremony marks new relationship with Boeing, opportunities for UND military students

UND President Andrew Armacost prepares to sign a memorandum of understanding with Leanne Caret, who served as president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS), and is now a senior advisor to Blackstone and a director on the boards of Deere & Company and Raytheon Technologies. Photo by Adam Kurtz/UND Today

Representatives of the University of North Dakota and Boeing signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Monday, April 17 for a new partnership that ensures job interviews for graduating UND Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) cadets, student veterans and active-duty students with Boeing, a leader in global aerospace.

Convening in the Memorial Union Ballroom, UND was represented at the signing event by President Andrew Armacost, Provost Eric Link, College of Engineering & Mines Dean Brian Tande, Aerospace Associate Dean Elizabeth Bjerke, Director of Special Student Populations Angie Carpenter, Air Force ROTC Col. Jason Mathre, and Air Force ROTC Lt. Col. Aaron McCurdy, as well as military students from across campus. They were joined by Boeing representatives Justin Walker, human resources director, Linwood Ham, director of military and veteran affairs, and Leanne Caret, who served as president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS), and is now a senior advisor to Blackstone and a director on the boards of Deere & Company and Raytheon Technologies.

“It’s an honor to represent UND as we embark on this incredible partnership with Boeing,” Armacost said. “We are two great institutions coming together with an agreement that has clear and exciting benefits for both of us. UND students, specifically our graduating ROTC cadets, student veterans and active-duty students, get a chance to work for a company synonymous worldwide with excellence, and our partner, Boeing, is getting prime access to some of our best leaders on campus — in academics and in life — from an institution that prides itself on molding tomorrow’s leaders.”

Senior UND and Boeing leadership stand on a staircase in the Memorial Union flanked by UND ROTC members, and other military students. Photo by: Adam Kurtz/UND Today

“Boeing is proud of its commitment to hiring veterans and investing in their families and communities. We value veterans as part of our team because they bring leadership, integrity and critical skills that are unique to their military experience,” said Justin Walker, director, Human Resources for Military & Veterans Programs. “Through this partnership with the University of North Dakota, we are ensuring ROTC cadets and veterans enrolled at the University have a more direct line of entry into potential job opportunities and placements at Boeing.”

Under specific terms of the five-year MOU, Boeing will:

  • Provide a job interview for UND ROTC graduates, upon either the fulfillment of their military service commitment or, for those who were unable to join a service, due to a medical drop.
  • Provide a job interview for enrolled UND students who are veterans of, or active duty in, the U.S. armed services.
  • Use its job applicant tracking system to support the job interview process.

Under the same agreement, UND will:

  • Advertise this opportunity to current and former ROTC participants and veteran or active-duty students.
  • Provide avenues to promote the program through classroom visits, emails, signage and outreach events.
  • Gain Boeing’s approval before using its name, trademark, logo, or proprietary mark and to any press release mentioning Boeing.
Leanne Caret, who served as president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS), and is now a senior advisor to Blackstone and a director on the boards of Deere & Company and Raytheon Technologies sits and applauds with UND President Andrew Armacost at the UND/Boeing MOU signing ceremony on April 17. Photo by Adam Kurtz/UND Today

UND is consistently ranked as one of the top schools in the nation for military students, veterans and their family members. The special relationship with Boeing is yet another example of the University’s commitment to our students and families who’ve already dedicated so much to the service of others.

“This agreement between UND and Boeing is a wonderful opportunity for our military students to showcase their skills and experiences,” said Angie Carpenter, director of special student populations at UND. “As a military-friendly institution, we are proud to be able to serve our military students as they transition to the workforce and The Boeing Company as they recruit high-quality personnel.”

Justin Walker, human resources director at Boeing (at podium), answers military students’ questions, while Linwood Ham, director of military and veteran affairs, and Leanne Caret, who served as president and CEO of Boeing Defense, Space and Security (BDS), and is now a senior advisor to Blackstone and a director on the boards of Deere & Company and Raytheon Technologies, look on. Photo by Adam Kurtz/UND Today

About the University of North Dakota:

The University of North Dakota is the chief opportunity engine for its students and the State of North Dakota. Founded in 1883 — six years before North Dakota was granted statehood — UND is among the nation’s premier regional public research universities. With an enrollment of 14,000 students, UND is a leader and innovator in rural and Indigenous health, energy, aerospace, autonomous systems and national defense. Classified as a “Doctoral University: Higher Research Activity” institution by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, UND is characterized by a solid foundation of the liberal arts, high quality students and faculty, a diverse curriculum, a widely recognized program of graduate education and research, law and medical schools praised for quality and innovation, rich cultural resources, and an outstanding record of alumni support. Learn more at und.edu.

About Boeing:

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing’s diverse team is committed to innovating for the future, leading with sustainability, and cultivating a culture based on the company’s core values of safety, quality and integrity. Join our team and find your purpose at boeing.com/careers.

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