Commercial Spaceflight Federation Joins Hands with Grace Smith Fellowship to Promote Student Internships

The Commercial Spaceflight Federation and Patti Grace Smith Fellowship program announced the expansion of a program to bring three students to Washington, D.C., in order for them to participate in the 24th Commercial Space Transportation Conference. 

The Fellowship bears the name of Smith, a trailblazer for women like her, who passed away in 2016 after a long career in expanding access to aviation. The Fellowship honors her work by "encouraging young women of color to pursue aerospace and STEM careers," by selecting students among those from the Fellowship's fellows and applicants. Lucky recipients will be given valuable industry experience to build a resume in the aerospace industry, gaining internships to network and build skills as they work. While working, interns are given black peers, colleagues, friends, role models, and mentors through the Fellowship's network, allowing all to forge productive relationships that will serve them long into the future. 

Ultimately 3 were given the chance, with an intern at NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center who is working towards her Chemical Engineering degree at Howard. Another hails from Pomona College where she studies Astrophysics and Asian Studies, and the last is a former Draper Laboratory intern studying aerospace engineering at San Diego City College in preparation to transfer to a 4-year university. Each of the recipients will be recognized at the Commercial Space Transportation Conference. 

“This is a great opportunity for Niya, Anaelle, and Shalayah-Naomi to hear what’s in store for the commercial space sector and about the growing opportunities in the industry,” said Karina Drees, Commercial Spaceflight Federation president. “We are honored to expand our partnership with PGSF and sponsor these bright young women at CST.”

FMI: www.pgsfellowship.org