N.C. A&T Defense Civilian Training Corps Scholars Take Next Steps

EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (May 9, 2025) – North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University’s inaugural cohort (Cohort ’25) of the Defense Civilian Training Corps (DCTC) will graduate Saturday, May 10, across two ceremonies at First Horizon Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. One of four universities selected to pilot the DCTC Scholars Program along with Purdue University, the University of Arizona and Virginia Tech University, N.C. A&T tapped 19 students representing diverse academic backgrounds — both STEM and non-STEM focused — for the program’s initial class.

Rosalind Dale, Ed.D., vice provost for Engagement and Outreach at A&T, is the principal investigator on the DCTC project. DCTC, established under Title 10, U.S.C. §§ 2200g–j and authorized by the Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act, is funded by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)). Most recently, a $1.37 million contract was awarded through the Acquisition Innovation Research Center (AIRC) to administer the program and support student scholarships, stipends, and travel for academic and experiential enrichment opportunities.

“Because of A&T’s academic excellence across multiple disciplines, we were selected as one of four pilot institutions for this incredible program that enables talented, dedicated scholars to pursue their academic goals and prepare for dynamic careers in civilian government service,” Dale said. “As our first students graduate, we congratulate them on their exceptional accomplishments thus far and look forward to the impact they will make on people’s lives locally, regionally, nationally and globally.”

Launched in August 2023, DCTC integrates scholarships, a tailored curriculum and hands-on experience to help undergraduate students combine their passion for business, law, policy and STEM with real-world experiences that lead to impactful careers within the Department of Defense (DoD) acquisition mission. The two-year multidisciplinary program includes full tuition, stipends, a project-based summer internship, mentorship, help obtaining security clearances, and employment with the DoD.

Jalen Weathers is receiving his degree in computer science and will pursue a master’s degree in computer science/cybersecurity. He said one of his favorite things about the program was his amazing classmates. “They chose a great cast of scholars to represent the program and A&T,” he said. “My favorite memory was reuniting in Washington, D.C., after spending time at our various internships and listening to everyone’s summer experience and projects.”

Janese Reid, a management major, is pursuing employment in human resources. “I am passionate about people operations and organizational development, and I look forward to applying the skills I’ve developed in a professional setting,” she said. “The DCTC experience has been transformative —especially within the context of an HBCU — and has deepened my understanding and appreciation of government and public service. I truly enjoyed learning from dedicated faculty and peers, and I believe this program will continue to shape future leaders in powerful ways.”

Justin Reid, who will earn a degree in supply chain management, found the DCTC program invaluable. “My experience in the DCTC program gave me critical leadership skills, professional growth, and a deeper understanding of effective teamwork. The program equipped me with the tools and confidence necessary to lead with clarity and purpose, preparing me exceptionally well for my future career."

For Miles Durant, a marketing major, the program helped solidify his interest in contributing to national security, innovation and operational excellence within the federal defense ecosystem. He will be joining Northrop Grumman’s Global Supply Chain division, where he will contribute to defense and aerospace operations through strategic sourcing and supplier management. He has also been accepted into Columbia University's Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) program.

“The DCTC program was a transformational experience. It not only provided hands-on exposure to the inner workings of federal science and technology operations, but also challenged me to think critically about how civilians can lead and innovate in defense contexts,” Durant said. “My time at DEVCOM (Army Combat Capabilities Development Command) strengthened my confidence, sharpened my technical thinking, and instilled a strong sense of purpose in supporting missions that protect and advance our nation’s interests. I’m grateful for the mentorship, structure, and vision DCTC offered — and I look forward to applying those lessons in both the public and private sectors.”

In all, 100 scholars have been assigned to 48 projects with DoD organizations across the country for summer 2025.

N.C. A&T junior Miles Johnson, a computer science major, had always been fascinated by the role cybersecurity plays in national defense and was eager to pursue a career in the government sector, but the steps to achieve that goal weren’t clear. Thanks to information he received about the DCTC program, he applied and was accepted as a member of A&T’s second cohort (Cohort ’26) of 13 scholars.

“As I learned more about working for DoD and what the DCTC scholarship entails, I knew the opportunity aligned perfectly with my aspirations,” Johnson said in an Acquisition Innovation Research Center article. “My goal is to work at the intersection of cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. Being a DCTC scholar provides me with the opportunity to collaborate with countless subject-matter experts, access cutting-edge facilities and contribute to projects that impact the lives of everyday citizens.”

Johnson will be working on a project at the Pentagon’s Air Force Contracting and Acquisition Division (SAF/AQCX) with a dedicated team of interns to develop and pilot a Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) training curriculum. The interns will create practical exercises focused on crafting effective prompts, integrating human judgment, and ensuring critical oversight in contracting decisions. Through hands-on activities, this curriculum will equip Department of Air Force (DAF) contracting professionals to interact confidently with GenAI, evaluate outputs critically, and fine-tune AI systems for specific contracting applications. This pilot program will ultimately strengthen human-machine collaboration within contracting workflows, enhancing both the workforce’s capability as users and their expertise as informed buyers of AI technologies.

Johnson’s fellow DCTC Scholars will also bring their varied skills in industrial and systems engineering, bioengineering, psychology, pre-law, business analytics, supply chain management and more to summer internships in DoD organizations including the Space Launch Delta 45 Forge, Defense Logistics Agency Energy, Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Army Research Laboratory, Army Contracting Command, among others.

A&T’s third cohort (Cohort ’27) has been selected and students will join their classmates on campus in the Fall.