Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command (SPAWAR) was recently recognized by Winds of Change magazine as one of the Top 50 Best Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) workplaces for Native American professionals.
SPAWAR is a strong proponent of diversity in the workplace and is focused on providing an inclusive environment for its employees, including American Indian and Alaskan Native personnel. The command hosts the Culturally Yours event on an annual basis, celebrating the importance of diversity in the workplace and in everyday lives. The premise behind this event is that by sharing knowledge about heritage, culture, and ethnicity, others will begin to understand and appreciate the positive aspects of being part of a multicultural workplace.
In addition to hosting diversity events, SPAWAR has provided an opportunity for its Senior Executive Service members and flag officers to champion an organization that supports the growth and success of a particular diverse population. These individuals have become Affinity Champions.
Rear Adm. James Rodman, chief engineer of SPAWAR, and Capt. Joe Beel, commanding officer of Space and Naval Warfare Systems Center Pacific (SSC Pacific), are Affinity Champions for the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES).
SPAWAR has participated in several American Indian and Alaskan Native diversity events, often collaborating with AISES. Since 2011, the command has participated in AISES science fairs, career fairs, national conferences, Government Relations Council meetings, and provided topical presentations to the organization’s members.
“Diversity allows SSC Pacific to benefit from talents, abilities, ideas, and viewpoints of a workforce drawn from our diverse society,” said Beel. “Diversity sparks innovation by incorporating new approaches and fresh perspectives to problem solving. We must strive to ensure that we recruit, retain and sustain a diverse, talented and highly skilled workforce.”
To promote inclusiveness within the workforce, Beel established a Diversity Advisory Team to focus on promoting and retaining diversity and inclusiveness at the research laboratory.
“I am committed to diversity strategies which leverage and embrace a diverse workforce and the sustainment of an organizational climate in which people of diverse backgrounds, experiences, cultures, races, religions, ethnicities, ages, sexes and/or abilities are fully included, valued and respected,” said Beel. “This commitment is the foundation for building and maintaining a high-quality workforce in support of the warfighter.”
Winds of Change, a quarterly magazine published by AISES, notes that organizations selected as one of the Top 50 Best STEM Workplaces meet certain criteria established solely by Winds of Change editorial staff. Selected companies were required to demonstrate their overall diversity recruitment efforts and/ or were included in at least one published list from two different sources that recognize top firms dedicated to diversity recruiting within the past year. In addition, selected companies must also be recruiting for occupations within STEM fields and have specifically recruited within Native American and Alaska Native audiences within the past two years.
Other notable organizations recognized for this achievement by Winds of Change magazine include Boeing, Chevron, Chrysler, IBM, Intel and Microsoft.