Chicago State University, U.S. Coast Guard Establishes Partnership

CHICAGO –  Chicago State University (CSU) and the U.S. Coast Guard signed a Memorandum of Agreement  to establish a formal partnership focusing on increasing diversity of the agency’s military officers and preparing students for the workforce, Friday, November 30, 2018.  

President Zaldwaynaka Scott and Rear Admiral Joanna Nunan, Commander of the Ninth Coast Guard District, signed the agreement during a formal ceremony in the Gwendolyn Brooks Library, attended by members of the Coast Guard from Chicago, Milwaukee and Cleveland, as well as University staff and students. 

"The U.S. Coast Guard partnership is a great addition to the University's scholarship initiative and mission to assist students with a debt-free education.", said Zaldwaynaka Scott, Esq., President of Chicago State University.  "We are proud to be a premier partner in the Midwest and look forward to the opportunities and exposure that will be provided to our students". 

Chicago State University is the first four-year institution within the Midwest to partner with the Coast Guard. Students and faculty will gain hands-on experiences with Coast Guard operations due to the University’s close proximity to field units including Station Calumet River and Marine Safety Unit Chicago. As part of the agreement, CSU faculty will also have opportunities to work with the Coast Guard on projects that could be applied to larger governmental issues such as cybersecurity, marine biology, environmental science and aviation science and technology. 

“The Coast Guard is strong because of our vibrant, diverse and inclusive workforce and we are laser focused on recruiting the best, most diverse candidates Chicago State University has to offer.” said Rear Adm. Nunan. “I am committed to ensuring this very important initiative is not only successful, but serves as the benchmark for future engagements with other Minority Serving Institutions across the nation.” 

The initiative is part of the Coast Guard’s Minority Serving Institution Partnership Program, which was designed to increase diversity in their officer corps. Central to the Agreement, the Coast Guard offers scholarship and loan forgiveness programs such as the College Student Pre-Commissioning Initiative  (CSPI) which provides selected students with full tuition for up to two academic years and Coast Guard active-duty benefits and pay (up to $3,600 monthly) during their junior and senior years of college. It also provides students with valuable leadership, management, law enforcement, navigation and marine science skills and training. Seniors who enlist in the Coast Guard could also have up to $60,000 in student loan debt forgiven through the CSPI Student Loan Repayment Program.