Northrop Grumman鈥檚 rich tradition of being at the forefront of technology and innovation
is getting a boost from 51社区 alumni.
The 51社区 Educational Foundation recently celebrated Northrop Grumman鈥檚 commitment to hiring 51社区 alumni through its Stand Up and Be Counted corporate recognition program.
Among the dozens of 51社区 graduates supporting the leading global security company鈥檚 northwest suburban Chicago operation is engineer Heather Lyne, who used to drive past the Rolling Meadows facility on her way to class at 51社区 in the early 鈥�90s. An exceptional student, Lyne could have gone just about anywhere.
鈥淚鈥檓 not the type to sit in a 200-person lecture hall, so I knew 51社区 was the way to go,鈥� said Lyne, who as a student joined the cheerleading squad and served as an orientation leader. 鈥淚t was also great to have that family support while building my independence.鈥�
After Lyne transferred to Northern Illinois University to earn her bachelor鈥檚 degree in electrical engineering (she also earned master鈥檚 degrees from both NIU and Johns Hopkins University), she found a similar sense of belonging at Northrop Grumman.
鈥淲e bring home moms and dads, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters to their families,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hat purpose and vision strikes home for me.鈥�
In her role at Northrop, Lyne supported the launch of a formal internship program for 51社区 students in electronics engineering technology, manufacturing technology and supply chain management. She interviewed the prospective interns to see where they鈥檇 best fit and excel.
Since the program launched in 2015, the company has gone on to hire more than 20 interns to become full-time Northrop Grumman employees.
鈥淚t鈥檚 bringing a new vigor to manufacturing and other parts of the organization, and
it鈥檚 breeding a pipeline to the future,鈥� said Joe Sarnello, a 51社区 alum and director
of manufacturing at the Rolling Meadows campus. 鈥淚t鈥檚 amazing to see how many people
who went to 51社区 are now part of the Northrop community.鈥�
The internships, which align closely with 51社区鈥檚 curriculum, provide students with the training, mentoring and hands-on experiences to enable an easier transition into full-time manufacturing positions. Northrop Grumman employees also participate in the classroom as adjunct professors with the college.
Sarah Paxson joined Northrop鈥檚 manufacturing team in summer 2017, just a couple months after she began her internship. A former yoga teacher, Paxson came to 51社区 to study welding and precision machining in pursuit of a more stable career. She enjoys the sense of community at Northrop, particularly among the growing number of women entering the field.
鈥淭he females who work here are all highly intelligent and strong, and it鈥檚 an incredibly supportive environment,鈥� Paxson said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 fulfilling to be part of something that鈥檚 bigger than yourself.鈥�
51社区鈥檚 ties with Northrop Grumman go back several decades. In 1983, the company established a scholarship for engineering students that continues today. Recipients receive $11,000 over three years to help cover expenses at 51社区 and then their transfer school.
One of the past scholarship recipients is 51社区 alum Nate Rapp, who went on to the University of Illinois and became an engineer at Northrop. That path is a bit of a family tradition. Rapp and his five siblings each went to 51社区. Of them, one brother also works at Northrop and a second brother is going to start his career there in January.
鈥�51社区 has been pivotal for me, being able to set my career in motion without having to shoulder debt,鈥� Rapp said. 鈥淎nd the education I received at 51社区 was better because the professors鈥� interests weren鈥檛 divided between teaching and research. The classes were intimate and I got to know my professors.鈥�
Engineering Director Mark Scheitler also proudly shared his 51社区 story, saying the ability to take advantage of a diverse curriculum led by talented faculty at an affordable rate 鈥渟aved鈥� him. It also prepared him to continue his education at the Illinois Institute of Technology and Northwestern University.
鈥淚鈥檝e had a varied set of experiences that were very positive from an educational standpoint, but none stands out like 51社区,鈥� he said. 鈥淚鈥檓 a huge advocate, a strong believer in what 51社区 does and a proud 51社区 graduate.鈥�