ASU signs partnership deal with Air Force Sustainment Center

Aaron McGuire
·3 min read

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — Angelo State University has entered a partnership with the Air Force Sustainment Center headquartered at Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, in an effort to provide employment and learning opportunities and for ASU students.

The university signed a Memorandum of Understanding and an Education Partnership Agreement with the AFSC, a center that consists of over 41,000 military and civilian personnel across multiple locations who are charged with sustaining weapons system readiness through depot maintenance, supply chain management and installation support. The AFSC provides critical sustainment for the Air Force’s weapons systems, including the latest in fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, tanker, transport and rotary aircraft.

“The Air Force Sustainment Center will be another outstanding partner for Angelo State, providing unique opportunities and new career pathways for our students,” ASU President Ronnie Hawkins Jr. said. “Our students will greatly benefit from these internships as they will have the potential opportunity upon graduation to accept a job at more than 30 different locations nationwide to serve our country in a civilian capacity.”

The partnership also offers ASU students a chance to enter an internship at the AFSC, where they will have students the opportunity to actively apply their academic knowledge through practical experience under the mentorship of seasoned military and civilian professionals. These internships include the following fields:

  • Business management and finance

  • Human resources and personnel programs

  • Procurement

  • Propulsion

  • Supply chain management

  • Workforce development

  • Education and training

Upon completion of their internships and graduating from ASU, the students may be eligible to apply for or be placed in open vacancies within the AFSC where they interned. If no local vacancies are available, the students may be assisted with applying for vacant positions at other Air Force installations.

“This program will have a huge impact on the lives of the participating students, as well as on Angelo State’s national and global reputation,” Hawkins said.

Recruiting for the first round of internships will begin immediately. The MOU agreement for the internship program will run through the 2026-27 academic year and is eligible for extension.

Additionally, the EPA agreement will provide opportunities for AFSC laboratory personnel to participate in science, engineering and mathematics educational outreach on behalf of ASU, including:

  • Teaching courses on campus

  • Developing science, engineering and mathematics course materials

  • Enlisting ASU students and faculty in collaborative defense laboratory research projects

  • Providing networking and professional development opportunities for ASU students

  • Providing academic and career advice to ASU students

  • Arranging tours of AFSC facilities and labs

  • Identifying additional internship opportunities

Additional entities included in the EPA agreement that may provide participating personnel include the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Complex and the Engineering and Technical Management Directorate.

“This agreement will open up many new research opportunities for both our students and faculty, as well as enhance our teaching and research capabilities on campus,” Dr. Don Topliff, ASU’s provost and vice president for academic affairs, said. “Our students will also be exposed to new career options and potential pathways, and our faculty will be able to collaborate with other professionals in their respective fields. This program will also significantly increase Angelo State’s presence outside of our region.”

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