Virginia Digital Maritime Center

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Virginia Digital Maritime Center Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Virginia Digital Maritime Center, 1030 University Boulevard, Suffolk, VA.

The Virginia Digital Maritime Center (VDMC) works at the local, state, & federal level to support the goal of strengthening the Hampton Roads' economy by optimizing its maritime industrial base.

It's been a great day connecting with Chesapeake Public Schools and Chesapeake Virtual Academy eighth-grade students at ...
10/21/2026

It's been a great day connecting with Chesapeake Public Schools and Chesapeake Virtual Academy eighth-grade students at the Worlds of Work Expo!

Students have been getting hands-on experience with two interactive activities: Fit to Flow: Pipefitting Assembly and Weld Like a Shipbuilder, where they use 3D pens to join two 3D-printed parts together to create a ship!

It's been exciting to introduce students to the skills and technologies used in the maritime industry while giving them an opportunity to explore potential career paths right here in Hampton Roads.


Hampton Roads Workforce Council

We’re at the Chesapeake Convention Center today for the Worlds of Work Career Expo! Excited to see all the students and ...
10/21/2026

We’re at the Chesapeake Convention Center today for the Worlds of Work Career Expo! Excited to see all the students and show them the exciting world of maritime! Hampton Roads Workforce Council

A huge congratulations to our Curriculum Coordinator, Jennifer Renne, on being recognized as a 2026 Clifton Styles, Jr. ...
10/16/2026

A huge congratulations to our Curriculum Coordinator, Jennifer Renne, on being recognized as a 2026 Clifton Styles, Jr. Beacon Award recipient at the Virginia Maritime Association's 106th Annual Maritime Banquet! 👏⚓

Jennifer is doing more than introducing students to maritime careers. She’s helping them see their place in the industry and connecting them to opportunities that can shape their futures. Her work in expanding maritime career awareness and building meaningful connections between students and industry is making an impact, and this recognition speaks to just that!

Named in memory of Clifton “Cliff” Styles Jr., the award celebrates individuals whose dedication, teamwork, and commitment to excellence make a difference in their workplaces and across the maritime community.

Jennifer, congratulations on this well-deserved recognition! We’re proud of the work you’re doing and excited to see your contributions to maritime education celebrated!

Read more here: https://www.ajot.com/news/virginia-maritime-association-celebrates-106th-annual-maritime-banquet

What happens when you bring smart manufacturing, simulation, and workforce development into the same conversation? You g...
10/13/2026

What happens when you bring smart manufacturing, simulation, and workforce development into the same conversation? You get an opportunity to explore how technology is changing the way industries operate and how we prepare the next generation to enter the workforce.

We were pleased to host the Virginia Smart Manufacturing Accelerator (VSMA) Smart Manufacturing Roadshow: “Digitizing Legacy Machines: Making Your Manufacturing Data Work for You” at our Suffolk facility.

Led by GENEDGE, the event brought together industry and research partners to explore how simulation and connected systems can support manufacturing operations and better decision-making.

Our own Jessica M. Johnson, Ph.D. presented her neuroergonomics and simulation research for maritime and manufacturing, highlighting how understanding the way people process information, make decisions, and interact with technology can inform training and work design.

Jason Dudley shared the team’s work through the VSMA project to introduce regional high school students to digital twins, smart manufacturing, and the digital thread which is helping students connect these concepts to industry applications and future career opportunities.

A big thank-you to the industry partners who joined us today! Your questions, practical insights, and perspectives on workforce and operational needs made the conversation valuable.

AT ODU National Security Institute's Virginia Digital Maritime Center (VDMC), we're connecting research, technology, and education to the needs of today's industries while helping prepare the workforce of tomorrow.

Old Dominion University, FANUC America Corporation, Levil Technology, Amtek Company, Inc.

We've got exciting things happening around here! A huge shoutout and thank you to QED Systems Inc. for becoming a Platin...
10/07/2026

We've got exciting things happening around here! A huge shoutout and thank you to QED Systems Inc. for becoming a Platinum Sponsor of the 2027 Digital Ship Challenge!

Support from industry partners like QED Systems helps make this hands-on competition possible, giving students the opportunity to put their skills to the test, tackle real-world maritime challenges, and connect with professionals across the industry.

We’re grateful for QED Systems’ commitment to supporting the next generation of maritime innovators and are excited to have them on board for this year’s challenge!

Thank you, QED Systems, for your partnership and generous support!

If you would like to volunteer as a mentor for the Digital Ship Challenge or become a sponsor, please visit https://digitalmaritime.org/digital-ship-challenge/ and sign up today!

Last night, VDMC’s K-12 Workforce Team brought a little maritime engineering to Yorktown Elementary School's STEM Night!...
10/02/2026

Last night, VDMC’s K-12 Workforce Team brought a little maritime engineering to Yorktown Elementary School's STEM Night!

Students took on the Hydro Haulers Challenge, designing and building their own vessels using everyday materials like paper and tape. Then came the real test: Could their creations carry cargo through the AquaTrak and stay afloat?

There was plenty of designing, testing, adjusting and some impressive problem-solving along the way!

Experiences like this give students a chance to see STEM in action while making early connections to the skills and creativity behind maritime careers.

We’re excited to continue our partnership with York County School Division and create more opportunities for students to build, test, discover and explore.

Last week, VDMC Curriculum Coordinator and Digital Ship Challenge Creator Jennifer Renne hosted several teachers from ar...
09/29/2026

Last week, VDMC Curriculum Coordinator and Digital Ship Challenge Creator Jennifer Renne hosted several teachers from around Hampton Roads to meet and discuss the 2027 Digital Ship Challenge and all the changes this year. Teachers got a chance to ask questions and get any clarifications on rules for this year's challenge.

It was a successful meeting with great discussions!

The next big event for the Digital Ship Challenge – the Maritime Connect - will take place in December. More information to come on that! This is a great opportunity for local maritime industries and organizations to meet with the high school students who are participating in the division challenges. These students will make up tomorrow’s workforce!

We are also still looking for mentors for the over 50 teams that have registered!

If you are interested in having a table at the Maritime Connect or being a Mentor, please visit https://digitalmaritime.org/digital-ship-challenge/ or email Jennifer Renne at [email protected].

VDMC members had a great time last week at the American Society of Naval Engineers - ASNE FMMS 2026 at the Virginia Beac...
09/28/2026

VDMC members had a great time last week at the American Society of Naval Engineers - ASNE FMMS 2026 at the Virginia Beach Convention Center, where they got the chance to connect with industry leaders from across the maritime and defense communities.

Senior Program Manager for Technology Insertion Jessica Galassie moderated a panel discussion on additive manufacturing, with Learning Engineer Jason Dudley joining as a panelist. The panel members, which included folks from GENEDGE and Naval Sea Systems Command, shared their expertise and perspectives on this rapidly evolving technology and its potential applications across the maritime industry.

VDMC was also excited to share an exhibit booth with the ODU School of Supply Chain, Logistics, & Maritime Operations where Old Dominion University students had the opportunity to connect with industry leaders and learn firsthand about the latest advances in ship maintenance and modernization shaping the maritime industry.

Director of Operations, Joseph Kosteczko, M.S., PMP, served as this year's FMMS Chairman, and has been helping coordinate this event over the last year.

FMMS continues to be an important opportunity for our team to connect with maritime and defense partners, share expertise and stay engaged in the conversations shaping the industry.

Let’s keep ‘em coming, Hampton Roads maritime community! A huge thank you to Robert Bodvake with Disruptor Maritime for ...
09/24/2026

Let’s keep ‘em coming, Hampton Roads maritime community! A huge thank you to Robert Bodvake with Disruptor Maritime for signing up to be a Silver Level Sponsor for the 2027 Digital Ship Challenge!

Located in Norfolk, VA, Disruptor Maritime is a specialized boat/vessel manufacturer that builds high-performance vessels for government, commercial, and maritime operations.

Thank you, Disruptor Maritime, for investing in our students and help strengthen the future of the maritime workforce!

And we're not done yet! With more than 50 teams already signed up for this year's Challenge, we are still looking for mentors and sponsors from across the maritime community to get involved.

Want to make an impact? Volunteer as a mentor or sponsor a team today!

Sign up here: https://digitalmaritime.org/digital-ship-challenge/

VDMC was excited to host the Virginia Ship Repair Association Foundation’s Board of Directors Meeting last week at the O...
09/18/2026

VDMC was excited to host the Virginia Ship Repair Association Foundation’s Board of Directors Meeting last week at the ODU Virginia Modeling, Analysis, & Simulation Center - VMASC building.

Following the VSRF Board of Directors meeting, VDMC Interim Director Russell Czack provided members with an overview of VDMC and its work. Curriculum Coordinator Jennifer Renne then shared details about the upcoming 2027 Digital Ship Challenge, including an opportunity for maritime industry professionals to get involved as mentors.

VDMC is currently seeking mentors to work directly with student teams and share their industry knowledge and experience. Mentors play an important role in helping students better understand maritime concepts, strengthen their solutions, and connect what they are learning in the classroom to real-world careers and challenges in the maritime industry.

VSRF members also had the opportunity to tour the SEALab and learn more about VDMC’s outreach activities designed to engage K–12 students in maritime education and career pathways.

If you are a maritime industry expert and would like to volunteer a couple hours a month to help these bright young students, contact Jennifer Renne at [email protected] today!

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1030 University Boulevard
Suffolk, VA
23435

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