Rowan University enters education partnership with U.S. Army ERDC

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) and Rowan University have formally established an education partnership, significantly expanding the University’s yearslong collaboration with the center’s engineers and scientists. 

Established in 1998 as the research organization of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, ERDC and its seven research laboratories in Illinois, Mississippi, New Hampshire and Virginia, solves the nation’s toughest engineering and environmental challenges by developing innovative solutions for the Army, the Department of Defense, civilian agencies and the nation. ERDC researchers work closely with universities around the country, guiding studies, providing expertise and helping to develop the next generation of engineers and scientists.

Administration of the education agreement will be led by partnership program managers Danielle Kennedy, a research civil engineer for ERDC, and Dr. Yusuf Mehta, director of the Center for Research & Education in Advanced Transportation Engineering Systems (CREATES) and professor of civil and environmental engineering in the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering.

In 2023, Rowan University entered a $30 million, five-year contract with ERDC to develop innovative construction technologies and materials to withstand fluctuating temperatures and surface conditions in cold regions impacted by climate change.

The new, wide-ranging education agreement allows the partners to work closely together in numerous ways over the next five years by increasing access to equipment, personnel and training opportunities. 

“This partnership is a landmark achievement for Rowan University and our ongoing work with ERDC,” said Rowan University Provost Tony Lowman. “This educational partnership agreement will broaden our connection with ERDC, allowing for advanced educational and research programs along with continued development and dissemination of knowledge jointly.”

“I’m excited that ERDC and Rowan University now have a formal agreement in place to continue building on our robust collaboration and partnership,” said Dr. Ivan Beckman, acting director of ERDC’s Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory in Hanover, New Hampshire. “I believe this agreement further bolsters significant mutual benefit to our teams of scientists and engineers from both Rowan and ERDC.”