In a new agreement signed In October 2003, the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) partnered to broaden the role of Hispanic-serving institutions in support of DoD's mission and to increase employment opportunities within DoD for students under its National Internship Program.

HACU is a national association representing the accredited colleges and universities in the United States where Hispanic students constitute at least 25 percent of the total student enrollment.  The HACU National Internship Program (HNIP) recruits college students for paid summer, and semester-long internships at federal agencies and private corporations throughout the country. These internship programs give college students direct experience in a diversity of careers in the federal and corporate sectors. Any individual can participate in the internship program, regardless of race, age, sexual orientation or disability.

Through this partnership. Imani Richards of San Pablo. Calif, has been selected to complete an internship in the Distribution Planning and Management System (DPMS) Program Office.

Hispanic Employment Program Manager Betty Durham leads DDC's recruiting efforts for the internship program, and she considers it successful. 'The interns we have received from the HACU program have brought cutting edge ideas and fresh perspectives to DDC."

Richards' primary duties include coordinating data relating to DPMS training and preparing briefings and presentations.  "I'm using my marketing background to help update the DPMS presentations and highlight the benefits of the system," said Richards who has a bachelor's degree in business administration and is currently pursing as master's degree in broadband advertising at California State University, Hayward.

"During this internship, I hope to better my communication skills and learn how this organization functions so that I can apply that knowledge to my career in the future," said Richards whose career goals include owning an advertising firm and becoming a real estate broker.

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