1/9/24
HNTB partners with Atlanta University Center Consortium’s Dual Degree Engineering Program
Atlanta – HNTB, a leading infrastructure solutions firm, has joined the Atlanta University Center Consortium, the world’s oldest and largest group of historically black colleges and universities, in their Dual Degree Engineering Program Undergraduate member institutions include Clark Atlanta University, Morehouse College and Spelman College. The AUCC DDEP program has been ongoing for over 50 years, and HNTB is participating as one of the first major infrastructure firms in this program. The partnership formed between HNTB and the AUCC is one of many beneficial partnerships that the institution holds.
The goal of HNTB’s partnership and a $100K investment with the AUCC is to advance the mission and goals of the AUCC DDEP which serves the Consortium’s undergraduate institutions and provides students an avenue to pursue two degrees within an accelerated five-year period. Students who participate in the program will complete three years of general coursework at an AUC institution plus two years of engineering courses in a partnering engineering program, earning two degrees over the duration of the program.
HNTB will facilitate professional development workshops, in-class teaching, and speaking engagements. HNTB will award engineering students with an HNTB-branded scholarship for the engineering program.
Darius Broughton, group director, and vice president, commented on his individual experience having graduated from the DDEP. “I could talk all day about the benefits of the DDEP, I am a product of the program having attended Morehouse College where I received my bachelor of science in applied physics, and North Carolina A and T University where I received my bachelor of science in bio-environmental engineering,” said Broughton.
Broughton also stressed the importance of partnerships with institutions like the AUCC. “African American talent currently only makes up 5% of the engineers in the U.S.,” said Broughton. This partnership allows HNTB to grow the base of diversity in the industry workforce and act as a leader in the A and E space while supporting students through scholarships, mentorship, and ultimately job opportunities.”
Dr. Said Sewell, Director of Academics, Research and Student Success for the Atlanta University Center Consortium agrees. “We are excited one of the most trusted U.S.-based architectural design firms, HNTB, has chosen to invest in the AUC’s Dual Degree Engineering Program. HNTB’s vision, philosophy, and culture align well with our commitment to academic excellence, innovation, diversity, and student success. As more of our students choose architectural, structural, and mechanical engineering, this partnership with HNTB fills a critical gap in our efforts to provide our students with experiential learning opportunities that we have been working diligently to fill. Having a DDEP alumnus, Darius Brougton assist us in this effort, has been nothing but providential.”
Tim Morgan, Georgia / Tennessee office leader and vice president, discussed the benefits of participating in the DDEP as it supports a robust workforce. “Our partnership with the AUCC will be mutually beneficial to both HNTB and students participating in the program,” said Morgan. “The investment of our industry knowledge and the ability to speak to students about what is important in practice and in the engineering industry will directly benefit the new generation of engineers that we are recruiting.”
“This partnership with the AUCC, not only benefits HNTB and our recruiting efforts, but it will also aid in discovery and delivery as we serve our clients and their initiatives,” said Southeast Division president Doug Allen.
According to Sewell, the partnership includes the creation of several annual HNTB academic scholarships, paid summer internships, an engineer-student mentoring program, and possibly the co-teaching one of the program’s pre-engineering courses.
