CREW | New Mexico State University | BE BOLD. Shape the Future.

Classified Ready Employee Workforce Program

The mission of the CREW program is to develop a pool of classified-ready professionals with the necessary technical, professional, and interpersonal skills required to pursue successful careers in support of national security.

Students selected for the program, participate in a series of national security and classification seminars, and are employed through cooperative education experiences in national security research and emerging technology innovation and application.

Program Highlights

We are proud to have 121 graduates from the CREW & DCTCx programs between 2020 and 2025

Most requested majors by employer sponsors: Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Information Technology, Computer Science, Cybersecurity; Electrical Technician
Other majors participating: Math, Human Resources, Criminal Justice, Education
Clearance initiated at onset of program. Interim clearance within 2-4 weeks and fully cleared by end of first semester. Today, nearly 100% of students have DoD Secret clearance. 4 were initiated at Top Secret level by their employer sponsor.

Employers of Program Graduates

Employers of CREW Program Graduates: Northrop Grumman, Virgin Galactic, General Dynamics, LANAL, Sandia, SpaceX, Lockheed Martin, Peraton,Google, Ratheon, AIG, Navy, WHSMR, Honeywell, PSL, Hill Air Force base, Samson, and Best Buy

CREW Student Feedback

PSL is invested in the experience of our students and has included internal assessment throughout the program. Below is a sampling of the feedback we have received:

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"As an Air Quality Engineer in Golden, CO, transitioning into a field outside of my major has been challenging. However, I want to express my gratitude for the opportunities provided by PSL. Without them, I wouldn't have the confidence I do now in navigating this new work environment or the courage to ask questions when needed. The experience I gained through CREW has given me a strong foundation, preparing me to step up to new challenges with discipline and confidence."

Ruben Teasyatho, CREW Cohort 4

“My experience with CREW was really fun! I learned how IT differs between government and private industry (it's not too big of a difference really) and got to really brush up on my knowledge of networks, switches, routers, and learned a bit more about automation. CREW really helped broaden my view of the IT world which I'm sure will help me in my new role with Google!”

Gabriella Garcia, Fall 2020 NMSU Graduate in Computer Science (January 2021)

“I think the thing I have liked most about CREW so far is that it has given me a new perspective on national security in the U.S. Before CREW, I had a very simple understanding of what national security meant, but now I see that it is a much more complicated issue. It opened my eyes to the importance of national security and my clearance. Having a work experience that cares about your future and that wants to give you the best advantages they can get, is very much appreciated.”

CREW student response to survey (What have you liked most about CREW?)

“I feel like CREW is different because it has a large focus on discussion with other students, which allows for the sharing of multiple opinions and we can get more viewpoints on the topics we discuss. Unlike a boss at a job, I feel as though Jayme understands and wants us to succeed while ensuring she is keeping our interest. It’s much more focused around educating us. CREW is a flexible program that works with your school schedule and still delivers a great program. The level of mentorship is incredible.”

CREW student response to survey (How is CREW different than other internships or co-ops you have participated in?)

CREW Instructor

Joshua L. Moon, Ph.D. — Colonel, U.S. Army (Retired)

Joshua L. Moon is a seasoned educator and a retired U.S. Army veteran with over 15 years of experience in higher education. He currently shares his expertise as an adjunct instructor in history and political science at both Hawaii Pacific University and Southern New Hampshire University. Dr. Moon's distinguished 30-year military career provides a wealth of practical leadership experience to his teaching, including a previous role as an Assistant Professor of History at West Point. He also served as the Director of Air and Missile Defense Testing at Fort Bliss, Texas, and as the Defense Coordinating Officer for FEMA Region IX, where he led multi-governmental disaster response operations across the Pacific. His operational assignments included deployments for both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Dr. Moon holds a Ph.D. in History from Florida State University and a master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the US Naval War College. An accomplished author, he wrote “Wellington’s Two-Front War: The Peninsular Campaigns, at Home and Abroad 1808-1814,” which received the International Napoleonic Society Literary Award in 2011.

How the CREW Co-Op Program Works

Work Schedule:

Fall & Spring Semesters: Students can work up to 20 hours per week.
Academic Breaks & Summer Sessions: Students can work up to 40 hours per week.

Hiring Options:

Employers can hire students directly or through a negotiated contract with PSL.
PSL utilizes Handshake to recruit and hire qualified NMSU students with the skills and experience needed by sponsors.

Additional Program Components:

National Security Seminar Series: During the Fall and Spring semesters, students participate in a 90-minute national security seminar every other week.
Security Clearance: PSL initiates the national security clearance process upon a student’s hiring by the employer sponsor. Most students receive clearance by the end of the Fall semester, though timelines can vary.

Become a CREW Co-Op Sponsor

Strengthen your cleared workforce pipeline by partnering with New Mexico State University. As a CREW Co-Op sponsor, you’ll collaborate with our team to match qualified students with your co-op position at the NMSU campus, located in Anderson Hall at the Physical Science Laboratory, a cleared contractor facility.

Employer Flyer

Program Cost

Cost-Share Opportunity

DoD and DoE Sponsors: PSL covers 100% of the costs.
Defense Industry Sponsors: PSL covers 50% of labor costs through a cost-share agreement.

Note: A contract with PSL includes fringe and other indirect rates that are reviewed and approved by NMSU’s cognizant federal agency annually

For more information, please contact Marcella Shelby:
Email: mshelby@psl.nmsu.edu | Phone: (575) 646-9201

Supporting the National Security Workforce of the Future

The CREW Program was developed by PSL with the guidance of an Advisory Council composed of former PSL student employees and NMSU Alumni that are leaders in the national security, defense and research fields. Our notable Advisory Council members see first-hand the looming workforce pipeline crisis ahead, and know that the CREW Program and graduating NMSU students represent a solution that can serve as a national workforce development model.

CREW Advisory Council

Christopher Long, General Dynamics

Manny Mora, General Dynamics (retired)

Steve Omick, Riverside Research

Linnea Sands, Sandia National Laboratories

Mike Steinzig, Los Alamos National Laboratory

Allyson Yarbrough, Aerospace Corporation

CREW Program Fund

The CREW Program Fund was founded by the generous support of former PSL student employee and distinguished NMSU Alumni, Manny Mora, who previously held the position of Vice President and General Manager of Space and Intelligence Systems for General Dynamics Mission Systems before retiring

INVEST in the CREW Program and CREW Students by contacting Marcella Shelby, Strategic Initiatives Officer at PSL at mshelby@psl.nmsu.edu or 575-646-9201

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New Mexico State University
Physical Science Laboratory