Supporting diversity in all forms is key to ensuring that the brightest minds of tomorrow have the opportunity to shape the space industry. This year, Aerospace has selected two outstanding high school student leaders from the Los Angeles area for the 2024 Dr. Wanda M. Austin Scholarship and five exceptional high school students nationwide for the Future STEM Leaders Scholarship.

The Wanda M. Austin STEM Scholarship continues to provide diverse students with pathways to and support through higher education. By providing students with a renewable four-year scholarship, as well as mentorship and a paid internship at Aerospace, the program helps support recipients and guide them on their paths through college, the aerospace industry and beyond.

The Dr. Wanda M. Austin Scholarship program was created in 2016 to offer funding and internships to support high achieving student leaders from underrepresented areas. This year, Haley Duncan from El Segundo, Ca., and Angel Santana from Inglewood, Ca., are Aerospace’s first co-recipients of the Dr. Wanda M. Austin Scholarship. Duncan and Santana will receive mentoring, an Aerospace internship and an annual $5,000 scholarship for up to four years.

Duncan, a recent graduate from Da Vinci Science (DVS) High School, will begin her studies in engineering at Harvey Mudd College this fall. Since 2020, Duncan has been a student leader for Team 4201: The Vitruvian Bots and in DVS’s National Society of Black Engineers. During her internship at Aerospace, Duncan will work in the Systems Engineering Division.

Santana, 2024 Valedictorian of Lennox Academy, will attend Stanford University this fall to study mechanical engineering. At Lennox, Santana was Associated Student Body Vice President, cofounder of STEM Fair and the Robotics Club, and the captain of the academy’s varsity soccer team. Santana will intern in the Vehicle Systems Division at Aerospace this summer.

“At this exciting time in space, there is immense opportunity for the next generation of engineers and scientists to lead the way forward as we shape the future and develop innovative ways to use space to benefit our society,” said Steve Isakowitz, Aerospace President and CEO. “We are delighted to recognize Haley and Angel’s impressive academic success through the Dr. Wanda M. Austin Scholarship. Haley, Angel and our Future of STEM Leaders recipients all have bright futures ahead of them, and Aerospace is proud to support them as they continue their academic journeys.”

The Future of STEM

This year, five rising high school seniors from Aerospace locations nationwide were awarded the 2024 Aerospace Future STEM Leaders Scholarship and will receive mentorship from Aerospace employees throughout the school year, as well as a one-time $5,000 scholarship for each recipient to use in college or university. The aim of the Future STEM Leaders Scholarship program is to provide support for incoming first-generation college students who are chosen based on their leadership, community participation, and pursuit of an undergraduate STEM degree.

Zadie Boyd is a rising senior at New Century Technology High School in Huntsville, Al. She plans to pursue a degree in biomedical engineering with a focus on additive manufacturing and a minor in marketing.

Genesis DeHann is a rising senior at Mitchell High School in Colorado Springs, Co. She enjoys math, choir, and theater and hopes to one day become a teacher.

Tanya Sanchez-Dominguez is a rising senior at DaVinci Academy in Ogden, Utah. She plans to pursue a chemistry degree in fall 2025.

Zachary Roberts is a rising senior at Alexandria City High School in Alexandria, Va. He volunteers at his local animal shelter and regularly participates in robotics competitions and Model UN simulations. He plans to pursue a mechanical engineering degree, with a concentration in aerospace engineering.

Graciela Rodriguez is a graduating senior from VISU Cleveland High School in Albuquerque, N.M. She is a member of the Storming STEM team, Science Olympiad, Key Club, speech and debate, and her school orchestra. She will study physics at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, starting this fall.