Academic Affiliates Program
The Hume Center Academic Affiliates Program (AAP) provides an opportunity for partners to develop relationships with the most promising future leaders in national security technologies. Through an annual gift made payable to the Virginia Tech Foundation, members directly support the education and outreach missions of the Hume Center, and engage in shaping and recruiting the brightest talent for the defense, intelligence, and national security communities.
Based on the level of membership, affiliates not only gain access to students engaged in Hume Center programs, but also have an opportunity to engage with faculty and researchers to shape curriculum, drive investments in student research, and engage in workforce development. AAP members have an opportunity to interact with and recruit cleared and clearable students from a wide variety of majors, including electrical and computer engineering, aerospace and ocean engineering, computer science, cybersecurity, mechanical engineering, political science, national security and international studies, and geography.
Graduating More-Prepared Students
Virginia Tech is an Intelligence Community Center for Academic Excellence (IC CAE) program school and AAP funds support the execution of the National Security Education Program. Activities undertaken educate students and ensure its graduates have a strong awareness of the technical and mission challenges of the national security community. Many will have obtained security clearances through internships or graduate research assistantships.
For more information please contact Ehren Hill, Associate Director for Education & Outreach.
Core Benefits
Tailored Engagement Options Rather than a one-size-fits-all model, we invite companies to select from a flexible menu of benefits. While all options are available to members, we will survey each company at the start of the academic year to identify the benefits they are most interested in, allowing us to focus our delivery on what matters most to them
- Exclusive Meet & Greet: AAP members receive early access to top students through a private recruiting event held just before the ADI Career Fair.
- Recruitment at Colloquium: We plan to incorporate a dedicated recruitment component into the annual Colloquium. AAP members may host roundtables or information sessions for interested students
- Internship & Job Promotion: We will advertise full-time and internship opportunities exclusively for AAP members. We also plan to collect student contact info at seminars for companies to follow up directly with job postings.
- A monthly social media spotlight campaign will feature individual AAP sponsors.
- Public recognition through our website, newsletters, and events (e.g., "sponsored by" signage at Colloquium events).
- Host company-sponsored hackathons, CTFs, and case competitions—virtual or in-person.
- AAP partners may be invited to speak in student seminars and classes (e.g., ENGE 2634 - Introduction to Restricted Research).
- Work directly with NSI research divisions to explore collaboration and partnership opportunities related to IRAD and government funding opportunities.
- Begin building out Master Service Agreements and prepare for future RFP partnerships.
- Partner on team-based student research projects or sponsor a VT engineering capstone topic.
- Mentorship during the academic year can lead into company-hosted internships the following summer.
- Opportunities to co-sponsor public-facing projects, publications, and events.
- Collaboration on research outputs (e.g., white papers) to highlight innovation and visibility in your field.
Return on Investment (ROI) Highlights
We recognize the importance of measurable value for our partners. The revamped AAP will deliver ROI in the following ways:
- Talent Pipeline: Direct access to top students, reducing hiring timelines and recruitment costs.
- Innovation Access: Exposure to novel research and fresh perspectives from interdisciplinary student teams.
- Brand Exposure: Increased visibility on campus and in national forums through sponsored events and co-branded content.
Current Distinguished Members
Current Principal Members
Current Graduate Fellowship Members
Membership Details
Annual Gift: $20,000
Benefits:
- Mentor annual Hume Center student research project or sponsor a senior design/capstone project
- Opportunity to give “Tech Talks” to VT students
- Annual resume book of undergraduate and graduate students
- Subscription to the National Security Institute quarterly newsletter
- Cross-promotion on social media platforms
- Assistance with internships and job recruiting, and the ability to post jobs to internal websites and student mailing lists
- Invitation to annual National Security Education Program Colloquium
- Free admission to the Aerospace, Defense, and Intelligence Career Fair each fall
- Ability to interact with NSI Leadership and other industry members
Current principal members:
- Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.
- RTX
- Zeta Associates
- L3HARRIS
- Massachusetts Institute of Technolgy Lincoln Laboratory
Annual Gift: $60,000
Benefits:
- All benefits of Principal Membership, plus:
- Mentor larger team of undergraduate students
- Tailored recruiting events, including the opportunity to host individual recruiting events on the VT campus
Current distinguished members:
- CACI
- Northrop Grumman
- M.C. Dean
Annual Gift: $10,000
Benefits:
- Opportunity to give “Tech Talks” to Virginia Tech students
- Annual resume book of undergraduate and graduate students
- Subscription to the National Security Institute quarterly newsletter
- Cross-promotion on social media platforms
- Assistance with internships and job recruiting, and the ability to post jobs to internal websites and student mailing lists
- Invitation to annual National Security Education Program Colloquium
- Free admission to the Aerospace, Defense, and Intelligence Career Fair each fall
- Ability to interact with National Security Institute Leadership and other industry members
Annual Gift: $60,000
Benefits:
- All benefits of Small Business Membership, plus:
- Sponsorship of a 1-year Graduate Research Fellowship
- Internship/practicum with graduate student over the summer
Current graduate fellowship members:
- Leidos
Annual Gift: Varies
Benefits:
All benefits of Small Business Membership, plus:
- Development of a tailored workforce development program to support recruitment of cleared and clearable students