Business Category Recipient of 2009 Leadership Award
Rockwell Collins
Cedar Rapids
Nominated by Amy O'Deen
In an industry dominated by men, Rockwell Collins launched a focused effort to support and develop their female employees as well as encourage more women and young girls to enter the engineering, math and science fields. In 2006, Rockwell Collins formed a Women’s Employee Network and began offering flexible scheduling options. The Women’s Employee Network, comprised of nearly 1,000 members, supports professional growth for women through networking events, informal mentoring and career development resources.
Clay Jones, Chairman, President and CEO of Rockwell states, “We believe diversity and inclusion infuses richness, nurtures people's strengths in the workplace, builds morale, and leads to creative business solutions.” In 2009, DiversityInc Magazine reported that Rockwell Collins has unbiased retention, meaning retention is equal across race and gender, in its work force and management.
In 2009, Rockwell Collins opened the largest on-site employer owned child development center in Iowa. The new Rockwell Collins Child Development Center is located in Cedar Rapids. It features 22 classrooms, a science and math based curriculum, an enhanced security system and a capacity for 440 students, up 190 from the previous location.
In an further effort to bolster student interest in science, technology, math and engineering, Rockwell Collins invested over $1.3 million in FIRST (For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology) to dramatically increase FIRST LEGO League and FIRST Tech Challenge teams throughout Iowa and across the nation. Rockwell Collins' investment targeted the creation of 100 FIRST LEGO League teams in Iowa and 60 teams near Rockwell Collins' locations throughout the country. In addition to financial support, Rockwell Collins employees are active volunteers in the program. Brandeis University reported that FIRST participants are twice as likely to attend college, three times as likely to major specifically in engineering, and nine times as likely to have an internship with a company while in college. For women and minorities, the results are equally dramatic. Young women are four times more likely to go on to studies in science and engineering, while minority members of FIRST teams are more than twice as likely to enter these fields.
Rockwell Collins is continuing to demonstrate their commitment to women’s leadership through their lead sponsorship of the 2010 and 2011 Iowa Women’s Leadership Conference.