Black Engineering Magazine Recognizes Johns Hopkins APL for Technical Achievement and Diversity

U.S. Black Engineer and Information Technology magazine is highlighting The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory’s (APL) Chris Thompson for his technology expertise and the Laurel, Maryland-based Laboratory for its diversity efforts. Career Communications Group, one of Baltimore’s largest minority-owned companies, publishes the magazine.

Engineer Featured for Technical Achievement Chris Thompson, a mechanical engineer at APL, will be featured in the March/April Black Engineer Awards Conference issue of USBE & IT featuring “Modern Day Technology Leaders,” which profiles African-Americans under age 30 who are shaping the future of engineering, science and technology.

Among his engineering responsibilities, Thompson has contributed to nuclear-powered submarine projects and Tomahawk cruise missile tests.

Laboratory Recognized for Diversity Efforts

Aili Kujawa, who heads APL’s Human Resources and Services Department, was interviewed for an article on outstanding employers in the magazine’s January/February diversity issue. Her comments highlighted the Lab’s diversity efforts in today’s challenging economic climate.

Kujawa is chair of the Lab’s Diversity Working Group, which is working to implement changes in APL practices and policies and establish new programs to facilitate recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups, foster advancement and professional development of all APL staff, and promote APL as an employer of choice.

The Laboratory’s commitment to diversity is reflected in this statement developed by the Diversity Working Group and echoed by APL Director Rich Roca, “The success of APL’s mission demands quality and versatility in its staff. To ensure that success, we must attract and retain a highly talented staff. Fundamental to the success of APL’s envisioned future is an environment that encourages creativity, is rich in diversity of thought, and promotes the inclusion of new ideas. This kind of environment can only exist if APL is a place where race, gender, religion, or other such characteristics do not define talent, and where our staff is distinguished by its diversity.”