Leidos has pledged $1.75 million to Drake State Community & Technical College in Huntsville, Alabama.

This landmark donation will enhance educational opportunities, providing students with hands-on experience in advanced technical and manufacturing fields.

In honor of the gift, Drake State’s upcoming advanced manufacturing facility will be named the Leidos Advanced Training Complex.

“At Leidos, we believe in the transformative power of education and are committed to advancing opportunities for underrepresented communities,” said Tom Bell, CEO of Leidos. “This collaboration with Drake State not only invests in future industry leaders but also supports an institution with a legacy of fostering talent, innovation, and excellence in Black communities.”

Dr. Patricia Sims, President of Drake State, emphasized the significance of the donation.

“This generous gift from Leidos represents a powerful investment in the future of Drake State’s students, faculty, and the broader community,” she said. “The Leidos Advanced Training Complex will provide students with hands-on engineering, manufacturing, and technology experiences, equipping them for promising careers in aerospace, technology, and advanced manufacturing.”

The funding will support several key initiatives, including advanced manufacturing and IT programs, student apprenticeships, campus infrastructure enhancements, a new scholarship endowment, and professional development for faculty.

This donation follows a recent partnership announcement naming Drake State a Leidos subcontractor for NASA’s Advanced Enterprise Global IT Solutions (AEGIS) contract, which delivers critical IT solutions and end-user services.