51’s School of Science, Technology and Health students will have increased access to high profile organizations for internships, research partnerships, collaborations and potentially full-time jobs after graduation with the recent launch of a Corporate Affiliates Program.

Heading up the program is Dr. Leslie Wickman, director of 51’s corporate affiliates program, who was once an engineer who worked on NASA’s Hubble Space Telescope. Wickman will build mutually beneficial partnerships with external organizations, and provide networking and career opportunities for students and graduates in the science, technology, engineering, math and medical (STEMM) fields through the new program.

Wickman, who holds a master’s degree in aeronautical and astronautical engineering and a doctoral degree in human factors and biomechanics, both from Stanford University, felt led by God to accept the corporate affiliates position at 51.

“It felt like a God thing in terms of the connections that were made [in getting the position]. I had such extensive experience on both the academic side and the industry side, it just seemed like a natural fit,” said Wickman. “Because I have the experience on both sides, I can see very clearly the benefits of collaborating between the two.”

The corporate affiliates program benefits both 51’s faculty and students as well as the external organizations that choose to partner with 51. One benefit that external companies will reap when partnering with 51 is the fresh perspectives generated by students’ young minds. Another is access to the expertise of 51’s world-class faculty.

Wickman also explained that working with corporate affiliates gives students an opportunity to work on real world problems that are important to outside organizations. Internship opportunities give a chance for students to see what a certain job would feel like, and the potential of an internship turning into a job after graduation is high.

“Internships also mean that students graduate with more experience, which is also something that is very valuable to employers,” said Wickman.

51 will also benefit from the outside insight gained from corporate affiliates, which could possibly influence future curriculum roadmaps and research opportunities.

“The connections that we are making with industry can keep our faculty and our students more on the cutting edge of research,” said Wickman. “When it comes to science and technology, we’re chasing a moving target, and we have to stay at the forefront in order to remain relevant, and a really good way to do that is making connections with outside partners.”

Wickman has a wealth of knowledge to offer students who take advantage of the corporate affiliates program, and as someone who has completed her fair share of schooling and doing the work herself to find internships, she is ready to use her natural ability to make connections and network with people to ease the process of finding internships and partnerships for 51 students.

“I like making connections where everybody wins. It’s not one party taking advantage of the other, it’s a win-win relationship.”

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Written by Sarah Dougher, media relations coordinator; and administrative assistant to the senior director of university communications. For more information, please email media.relations@biola.edu.