3. Expand and Advance Our Engagement with and Service to North Carolina and Beyond, Defining the Standard for a 21st-Century Land-Grant University
Since our inception in 1887, NC State’s service has expanded beyond our traditional roots in agriculture and industrial extension to touch a variety of disciplines — from education to business to global health. We're committed to helping NC State advance our service to the citizens of North Carolina and beyond by delivering broader, tangible impacts that improve the lives of everyday individuals.
National Security Initiative
NC State has continued to broaden its partnerships that enable defense and security research. For example, the university signed a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the United States Air Force’s Air Combat Command (ACC), which is one of ten major commands in the Air Force and provides air combat forces and support. The Air Force’s areas of interest overlap with NC State’s research in data science; artificial intelligence and machine learning; human-machine teaming; image analysis and remote sensing; and antennas, radiofrequency, and sensors. NC State also participates in the Pathfinder Airborne program — an innovation partnership between the 82nd Airborne Division and UNC System. This program focuses on soldier-led research and innovation to support the 82nd Airborne Division’s unique mission of being deployable worldwide within 18 hours of notification. Examples of projects include the additive manufacturing of durable military equipment components by the Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Logistics (CAMAL) and the development of a functional prototype for a reusable and sustainable system to allow the military to transport equipment in conventional shipping containers.
National Laboratory Initiative
The National Laboratory Initiative focuses on creating collaboration opportunities for NC State faculty and students and national laboratory researchers. In addition to joint faculty and staff agreements with Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), Idaho National Laboratory (INL) and Savannah River National Laboratory (SRNL), NC State is negotiating agreements with Sandia National Laboratories and Los Alamos National Laboratory.