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George Mason University’s College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) has a successful history working with CACI International, a national security company with 27,000 employees delivering differentiated technology and distinctive expertise.
CACI takes a targeted approach to building its future workforce, and with CEC that effort is taking shape through the CACI Scholars Program.
Designed to connect students directly with high-demand technical fields, the program focuses on digital signal processing (DSP), a specialized area of electrical engineering that underpins modern communications, sensing, and defense systems. For CACI, the investment reflects a growing need for talent that is not always widely developed at the undergraduate level.
“DSP is critical to a lot of the work we do, but it’s not something every student gets deep exposure to,” said CACI University Programs Manager Meredith Jewett. “It’s becoming challenging to identify talent with these specialized, mission-critical skills, so we’re increasingly looking to partner with universities to help develop and grow that pipeline.”
The CACI Scholars Program is structured to address this talent gap early. Rather than engaging students primarily at the point of graduation, the company is building relationships earlier in their academic careers. This is especially important in fields like DSP, where demand continues to outpace supply. Many engineering students encounter the subject only briefly, if at all, depending on their course selections. By introducing the discipline in a more intentional way and pairing it with hands-on experience, the program aims to create a clearer pathway into the field.
George Mason has launched a small initial cohort set to expand over time, with selected students receiving financial support during the academic year as well as integration into CACI’s paid summer internship program. The model is designed to provide both foundational knowledge and practical experience, linking coursework with real-world applications.
Internships are a central component of that pathway. As a partner to some of our nation’s most critical government agencies, CACI welcomes interns and new hires into an environment with boundless opportunities to grow, develop, and pursue their limitless potential. The company views internships not only as a recruitment tool, but as a practical step in preparing students for full-time roles. Many positions require candidates to meet specific technical qualifications and, in some cases, obtain security clearances. Bringing students into the organization early allows time to build experience and begin that process before they graduate.
While CACI has long recruited from the college, this program represents a more formalized and sustained partnership. With a significant portion of its workforce based in the Washington, D.C. region, the company is well-positioned to maintain consistent engagement with students through recruiting, internships, and collaborative initiatives.
“Partnering with George Mason allows us to build relationships with top future talent right in our backyard. It’s more than proximity—it’s about embedding our mission and technology roadmap into students’ academic experience,” said Jason Bales, CACI chief technology officer and CEC alum. “By giving students early exposure to the kinds of challenges we tackle every day, we can help cultivate a mission-driven workforce that’s prepared to contribute from day one.”
For students, the benefits extend beyond financial support and work experience. The program provides exposure to a specialized area of engineering, and a clearer sense of how those skills translate into career opportunities.
As the CACI Scholars Program grows, it is expected to serve as a model for how the company partners with universities in other key areas. CACI aims to establish a durable connection, one that links classroom learning with industry demand and positions both the university and the company to respond to emerging challenges in technology and security.
Requirements include: Must be electrical and computer engineering student eligible to begin ECE 492 Senior Design in fall 2027; have a strong academic performance and motivation to pursue research and industry collaboration; be a U.S. citizen. Interested students should contact Pelin Kurtay, Professor and Associate Chair, Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, at paksoy@gmu.edu.