MxV Rail, CSU Pueblo Team on Education, Training, Research

Written by David C. Lester, Engineering Editor and Editor-in-Chief, Railway Track & Structures
Dr. MD Islam, Colorado State University (left) and Kari Gonzales, MxV Rail (MxV Rail Photograph)

Dr. MD Islam, Colorado State University (left) and Kari Gonzales, MxV Rail (MxV Rail Photograph)

MxV Rail and Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to establish a framework to work together on future education, training and research related to the safety, security and innovation of rail transportation in the state of Colorado. The partnership provides a pathway for both organizations to collaborate and utilize each other’s expertise and facilities for research, analysis, education and training programs, and to meet their respective mission and goals, they reported.

Specifically, CSU Pueblo’s Southern Colorado Institute of Transportation Technology (SCITT), under the direction of Dr. MD Islam, will partner with MxV Rail staff to identify key research questions and issues that could benefit the rail industry. The organizations said they have also agreed to actively participate in identifying and acquiring potential grants or other funding sources to advance future research or collaborative projects. 

“MxV Rail has a long history of supporting CSU Pueblo engineering programs and students,” reported Kari Gonzales, President and CEO of MxV Rail, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Association of American Railroads. “We are excited to formalize our partnership with CSU Pueblo and provide a pathway to explore future joint projects through SCITT.” 

CSU Pueblo has an enrollment of nearly 4,000 students, 34% of whom are Hispanic. It is a designated Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) and a military friendly university. 

CSU Pueblo is home to SCITT, a partnership established in May 2022 between CSU Pueblo and the state of Colorado. SCITT conducts and facilitates education, training, and research on issues related to the safety, security, and innovation of railroad, ground, and intermodal transportation and general issues related to surface transportation problems in the state. 

SCITT publicly disseminates the results of its research. In addition, SCITT promotes surface transportation education and research activities among Colorado and national universities to enhance the universities’ ability to attract federal and private sector funding for transportation education, training, and related research, according to CSU Pueblo. Gonzales will serve as an inaugural member of the SCITT Governing Board. 

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