GZA GeoEnvironmental partners with NJIT to celebrate its 50th anniversary

GZA GeoEnvironmental, an environmental and geotechnical consulting firm marked its 50th anniversary by announcing a new collaboration with the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) that will provide students with scholarships and job opportunities. The partnership was announced at a celebration on the NJIT campus that included GZA engineers and scientists, the firm’s clients, NJIT professors and students, New Jersey Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, and former Gov. Brendan Byrne. The partnership is being cited as a model of public-private sector cooperation that will advance the country’s need to produce more STEM professionals.

The agreement between NJIT and GZA’s Fairfield, New Jersey office includes an endowed scholarship for students from Essex County who major in engineering or environmental sciences, summer internships, and job opportunities for graduates. Engineers and environmental scientists from GZA will give guest lectures on campus. “This kind of partnership fills the skills gap, matching 21^st century jobs with young adults coming out of high school and college,” says Guadagno, who added that it was vital to New Jersey’s future “that the economy grows in partnership with higher education.”

GZA principals said the partnership would create a greater connection between GZA and one of the top universities in the state as well as help students better understand the opportunities that lie ahead for them in consulting or other technical fields. “Our business depends on our ability to encourage and attract people interested in engineering and science.  NJIT has one of the best programs around,” says David Winslow, a Principal at GZA. “We see this partnership as an opportunity to help expose students to life after school, as well as to help them financially with the cost of their education.  It allows us to give back to the community while also helping our firm and help our profession."

“There is a lot of aging infrastructure that needs to be replaced, from bridges and tunnels to dams and roadways,” says Robert Palermo, a Senior Vice President for GZA and the lead geotechnical engineer for design for the proposed Second Avenue subway in New York City.

“This partnership is an important way for GZA to contribute to the community and provide leadership for a new generation of engineers and scientists,” says William Hadge, CEO and President of GZA. “We are proud to celebrate our 50 years of growth and are pleased to have the opportunity to partner with NJIT.”

Founded in 1964, GZA GeoEnvironmental is a multi-disciplinary firm providing environmental, geotechnical, ecological, water, and construction management services.  GZA has corporate offices in Norwood, MA and over 540 employees in 27 offices in New England and the Mid-Atlantic, Great Lakes, and Appalachian Regions. For additional information, visit www.gza.com.