UA Cooperative Education Director Honored with National Award

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Roy Gregg, director of The University of Alabama Cooperative Education and Professional Practice Program, will receive national recognition for his contributions to the field.

Gregg will be honored by the American Society for Engineering Education’s Cooperative Education and Experiential Education Division with its annual Alvah K. Borman award, given to members who made exceptional contributions to the advancement of engineering cooperative education.

Co-op allows students to alternate periods of full-time study with periods of full-time employment. This program offers work related to the academic major or career interests of each student. The experience enhances the students’ employment prospects after graduation.

While in school, students carry regular course schedules. While on co-op, they work with professionals in their fields who supervise their training and work. At work, co-op students earn competitive salaries and may receive benefit packages in addition to valuable on-the-job experience.

Gregg has worked with UA Co-Op since 1978 and, under his leadership, the program expanded from hosting about 100 students per year to now more than 1,600 students per year. In addition, he expanded UA Co-op to include the Professional Practice program, allowing engineering students to work full-time for an entire semester while still receiving full-time student status.

During his 36 years in the field of cooperative education, he has held numerous positions with state, regional and national professional organizations. In addition, Gregg has been instrumental in serving as a consultant to colleges, employers, the U.S. Department of Education and the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.

From 1982-1995 Gregg was the project director for the Southeast Training Center for Cooperative Education. Funded by the U.S. Department of Education and one of four training centers for cooperative education, he trained college and employer representatives from across the country.

Throughout his career, he has placed thousands of UA co-op students in positions nationwide, expanded the co-op office to include the professional practice option and mentored numerous professionals to pursue careers in cooperative education. He has contributed significantly to growth of cooperative education in engineering and technology.

Gregg will receive the award in February at the ASEE Conference for Industry and Education Collaboration in Savannah, Ga. The award, which began in 1979, honors Alvah K. Borman, former dean of graduate placement services at Northeastern University, for his contributions to engineering cooperative education.

In 1837, The University of Alabama became one of the first five universities in the nation to offer engineering classes. Today, UA’s fully accredited College of Engineering has nearly 4,500 students and about 120 faculty. Students in the College have been named USA Today All-USA College Academic Team members, Goldwater, Hollings, Portz and Truman scholars.