For
the second consecutive year, the Joint Warfare Analysis Center
received the Navy's top Equal Employment Opportunity award for
its fair hiring practices and cultural and heritage programs.
JWAC has aggressively recruited minorities at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, such as Spelman College in Atlanta, GA, as well as women and the disabled. For the first time in 2006, JWAC recruiters visited Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C., and the Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. As a result of these efforts, JWAC improved its overall workforce diversity 1.5% last year.
Additionally, part of JWAC's 2006 recruiting efforts involved designing and producing recruiting posters and other information using its own employees who had graduated from the schools recruiters planned to visit. Also, continuing its strong emphasis of African-American History, Women's History, and other heritage months, JWAC held many cultural events with speakers, food, music, and other activities.
"This proves last year wasn't a fluke," Ott said, addressing the audience at the awards ceremony March 19 at the Virginia Beach, VA, Hilton. "We take it (EEO) seriously. It's our strength."
Officially known as the Department of the Navy's Nathaniel Stinson EEO Program Achievement Award for Small Command/Activity, the award is presented each year to a Navy or Marine Corps command or agency that is committed to fair hiring, EEO programming and equality.
JWAC's selection for the Nathaniel Stinson Award covered two separate categories, one for a midsize component in 2005 and the other for the small component last year.
"JWAC's selection for this prestigious award two years in a row is testament that the contributions of JWAC employees foster a nurturing environment while giving back to our surrounding communities," Ott said in announcing the award to employees. "It is your dedication to duty that has made our EEO program one of the best in the Department of the Navy."