National Summer Transportation Institute Program

Civil Rights

Careers in Transportation

A World of Opportunity...

Notice

This document is disseminated under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Transportation in the interest of information exchange. The U.S. Government assumes no liability for use of the information contained in this document. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.

Quality Assurance Statement

The Federal Highway Administration provides high-quality information to serve Government, industry, and the public in a manner that promotes public understanding. Standards and policies are used to ensure and maximize the quality, objectivity, utility, and integrity of its information. FHWA periodically reviews quality issues and adjusts its programs and processes to ensure continuous quality improvement.

About the National Summer Transportation Institute Program

In 1991, the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and other Minority Institutions of Higher Education Task Force recommended that partnerships be established to increase the participation of HBCUs, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Hispanic Serving Institutions in the Agency’s programs. The partnerships were required to have, at a minimum, the active participation of an FHWA Division Office, a State transportation agency (STA), and a college or university.

In response to the recommendation, the FHWA South Carolina Division Office, the South Carolina Department of Transportation, and the South Carolina State University developed a transportation-focused career awareness initiative known as the “Summer Transportation Institute” (STI). This USDOT/FHWA educational initiative addressed a critical workforce development objective for the transportation industry. The STI program was designed to introduce secondary school students to all modes of transportation careers and encourage them to pursue transportation-related courses of study at the college and/or university level. After a 6-year pilot program, Congress, in the Transportation Equity Act for the 21st Century, authorized funding for the first transportation career education program for secondary school youth known as the “National Summer Transportation Institute” (NSTI).

To date, the NSTI Program has expanded from one university to more than 65 colleges and universities, with more than 8,000 students having participated in the program. Participating colleges and universities throughout the United States, District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico serve as host sites. From fiscal years 2008 - 2009, ten host sites had students with various disabilities participate in their program.

Vision

Provide a diverse, well-qualified workforce for the transportation industry in the 21st century.

Objective

To create awareness and stimulate interest in secondary school students to take advantage of the opportunities that exist in the transportation industry, and encourage them to pursue transportation-related courses of study at the college/university level.

STI Counsel and students participating in a rocket testing contest.

STI Counselor and students participating in a rocket
testing contest.

STI instructor and students engaged in a bridge building exercise.

Program Administration

FHWA Headquarters' Office of Civil Rights (HCR) administers the NSTI Program, develops guidelines/data collection instruments, and provides technical assistance to its Division Offices. In addition, HCR analyzes and approves host sites' budgets and prepares an annual report.

FHWA Division Offices monitor the NSTI Program, conduct site visits, and provide technical assistance/guidance to its STA, and host sites. In addition, the Division Offices notify STAs regarding funding status, and the reimbursement of funds. The STAs enter into cooperative agreements with host sites, and determine the level of oversight and requirements that host sites must follow based on their State procurement rules and regulations. The STI host sites, under the leadership of a Project Director, develop, implement, and direct all phases of the STI according to established guidelines.

Organizational Structure

The NSTI Program consists of:

Host Sites (institutions of higher education).
2-4 week residential or non-residential programs with a minimum of 15 participants.
Middle school (grades 7-9) or high school (grades 9-12) students.
Curriculums that introduce students to all modes of transportation.

Program Components

All host sites conduct academic programs that introduce students to all modes of transportation, transportation careers, and provide enhancement activities. In addition, a sports and recreation program is recommended for residential programs only.

The academic program includes exposure to all modes of transportation, professional presentations, field trips, and hands-on activities. The enhancement program exposes students to methods and activities that improve study habits and increase academic achievement. Enhancement activities may include sessions on time management, SAT prep, library use, vocabulary development, and computer skills. The sports/recreation program instills a healthy team and competitive spirit in participants. Activities such as bowling, swimming, movies, and basketball may be included.

Types of STIs

Host Sites conduct residential or nonresidential programs for either middle school or high school students. Residential programs provide students with college dormitory housing, meals, and a weekend program, in addition to academic and enhancement programs. Non-residential programs provide academic activities and may include some enhancement programs. High school programs include courses and activities that are designed to assist in preparing students for post-secondary school. Middle school programs focus more on career exploration.

Who can participate in this program?
Whom do you contact?

Any institution of higher education (college/university) may apply to serve as a host site for this program. Interested parties should contact their local FHWA Federal-Aid Division Office. Specific contact information for the Division Offices, as well as STI host sites, can be found on FHWA's HCR Web site (www.fhwa.dot.gov/civilrights) under the NSTI Program. In addition, you may contact Ann Wicks, the NSTI Program Manager, at (202) 366-2213.

FHWA Division Offices Directory

Alabama
E-Mail: alabama.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 334-274-6350
Fax: 334-274-6452

Alaska
E-Mail: alaska.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 907-586-7418
Fax: 907-586-7420

American Samoa
(For information contact
the Hawaii Division at 808-541-2700)

Arizona
E-Mail: arizona.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 602-379-3646
Fax: 602-382-8998

Arkansas
E-Mail: arkansas.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 501-324-5625
Fax: 501-324-6423

California
E-Mail: california.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 916-498-5001
Fax: 916-498-5008

Colorado
E-Mail: colorado.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 720-963-3000
Fax: 720-963-3001

Connecticut
E-Mail: connecticut.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 860-659-6703
Fax: 860-659-6724

Delaware
E-Mail: delaware.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 302-734-5323
Fax: 302-734-3066

District of Columbia
E-Mail: dc.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 202-219-3536
Fax: 202-219-3545

Florida
E-Mail: florida.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 850-942-9650 Ext: 3001
Fax: 850-942-9691

Georgia
E-Mail: georgia.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 404-562-3630
Fax: 404-562-3703

Guam
(For information contact the
Hawaii Division at 808-541-2700)

Hawaii
E-Mail: hawaii.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 808-541-2700
Fax: 808-541-2704

Idaho
E-Mail: idaho.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 208-334-1843
Fax: 208-334-1691

Illinois
E-Mail: illinois.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 217-492-4640
Fax: 217-492-4621

Indiana
E-Mail: indiana.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 317-226-7475
Fax: 317-226-7341

Iowa
E-Mail: iowa.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 515-233-7300
Fax: 515-233-7499

Kansas
E-Mail: kansas.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 785-228-2544
Fax: 785-271-1797

Kentucky
E-Mail: kentucky.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 502-223-6720
Fax: 502-223-6735

Louisiana
E-Mail: louisiana.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 225-757-7600
Fax: 225-757-7601

Maine
E-Mail: maine.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 207-622-8350
Fax: 207-626-9133

Maryland
E-Mail: maryland.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 410-962-4440
Fax: 410-962-4054

Massachusetts
E-Mail: massachusetts.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 617-494-3657
Fax: 617-494-3355

Michigan
E-Mail: michigan.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 517-377-1880
Fax: 517-377-1804

Minnesota
E-Mail: minnesota.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 651-291-6100
Fax: 651-291-6000

Mississippi
E-Mail: mississippi.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 601-965-4215
Fax: 601-965-4231

Missouri
E-Mail: missouri.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 573-636-7104
Fax: 573-636-9283

Montana
E-Mail: montana.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 406-441-3900
Fax: 406-449-5314

Nebraska
E-Mail: nebraska.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 402-742-8460
Fax: 402-742-8480

Nevada
E-Mail: nevada.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 775-687-1204
Fax: 775-687-3803

New Hampshire
E-Mail: newhampshire.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 603-228-0417
Fax: 603-228-2829

New Jersey
E-Mail: newjersey.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 609-637-4200
Fax: 609-538-4919

New Mexico
E-Mail: newmexico.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 505-820-2021
Fax: 505-820-2040

New York
E-Mail: newyork.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 518-431-4127
Fax: 518-431-4121

North Carolina
E-Mail: northcarolina.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 919-856-4346
Fax: 919-747-7030

North Dakota
E-Mail: northdakota.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 701-250-4204
Fax: 701-250-4395

Ohio
E-Mail: ohio.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 614-280-6896
Fax: 614-280-6898

Oklahoma
E-Mail: oklahoma.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 405-254-3300
Fax: 405-254-3302

Oregon
E-Mail: oregon.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 503-399-5749
Fax: 503-399-5838

Pennsylvania
E-Mail: pennsylvania.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 717-221-3461
Fax: 717-221-3494

Puerto Rico
E-Mail: puertorico.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 787-766-5600
Fax: 787-766-5924

Rhode Island
E-Mail: rhodeisland.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 401-528-4541
Fax: 401-528-4542

South Carolina
E-Mail: southcarolina.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 803-765-5411
Fax: 803-253-3989

Tennessee
E-Mail: tennessee.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 615-781-5770
Fax: 615-781-5773

Texas
E-Mail: texas.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 512-536-5900
Fax: 512-536-5990

Utah
E-Mail: utah.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 801-963-0182
Fax: 801-963-0093

Vermont
E-Mail: vermont.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 802-828-4423
Fax: 802-828-4424

Virgin Islands
(For information, contact
the Puerto Rico Division at
787-766-5600)

Washington
E-Mail: washington.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 360-753-9480
Fax: 360-753-9889

West Virginia
E-Mail: westvirginia.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 304-347-5928
Fax: 304-347-5103

Wisconsin
E-Mail: wisconsin.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 608-829-7500
Fax: 608-829-7526

Wyoming
E-Mail: wyoming.fhwa@dot.gov
Phone: 307-772-2101
Fax: 307-772-2011

For More Information, Contact:

Ann D. Wicks
NSTI Program Manager
Phone: 202-366-2213
E-mail: ann.wicks@dot.gov

Candace J. Groudine
Director, External Civil Rights Programs
Phone: 202-366-4634
E-mail: candace.groudine@dot.gov

Federal Highway Administration
Office of Civil Rights
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Mail Stop – E81-119
Washington, DC 20590
Phone: 202-366-0693
Fax: 202-366-1599
E-mail: civilrights.fhwa@fhwa.dot.gov

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Page last modified on May 18, 2012.