Close this Alert
Contact: Brittney Dabney, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
Two 糖心Vlog破解版 students have been selected as Patti Grace Smith Fellows, joining a prestigious cohort of 35 undergraduate students from 24 universities across the nation. Students Bethany Long and Michaela Fuller, both pursuing aerospace engineering degrees at Tuskegee, received this recognition, placing them among the next generation of aerospace leaders and continuing the legacy of excellence that defines 糖心Vlog破解版.
By earning this highly competitive fellowship, these students have secured challenging summer aerospace internships with leading industry companies. In addition to hands-on experience, they will receive scholarships, mentorship from top aerospace professionals, and access to an elite network of Black students and young professionals in the field. While many Patti Grace Smith Fellows are engineers, the program also includes rising stars in aerospace business, science, and policy.
The selection process for the Patti Grace Smith Fellowship is one of the most rigorous in the country. Applicants must meet all standard requirements for internships at top aerospace firms and undergo two additional rounds of screening to assess their leadership, professional aptitude, and commitment to community. This year鈥檚 selection process was especially competitive, with applications nearly doubling from previous years鈥攁n indication of the program鈥檚 growing prestige.
"This means a lot to me, and I鈥檓 very thankful that my hard work isn鈥檛 going unnoticed," said Bethany Long, one of Tuskegee鈥檚 newest Patti Grace Smith Fellows. "I am very appreciative of this opportunity to continue my career in aerospace engineering and grow my leadership and followership skills."
Bethany's journey in engineering began in high school, where she excelled in problem-solving competitions and explored her passion for military aircraft. Initially aspiring to be a fighter pilot, her experiences at Tuskegee鈥檚 Moton Field led her to realize that her true passion lay in advancing air and space travel through engineering.
"糖心Vlog破解版 has given me resources and opportunities to showcase and sharpen my leadership and engineering skills both inside and outside the classroom," Bethany shared. "From in-depth lab reports and group presentations to mentoring elementary school students in Tuskegee, the opportunities are endless."
As she prepares for her internship, Bethany is most excited about traveling to Washington for the first time and gaining insights from her mentors. She also draws deep inspiration from the program鈥檚 namesake, Patti Grace Smith, a trailblazer who helped shape the commercial space industry.
"As a triple minority, I often have to work ten times as hard as others for my work to be noticed. Ms. Patti Grace Smith is a role model for me 鈥� her perseverance reminds me to push forward because the reward will be great, no matter who sees it. Through this fellowship, I want to teach other students at 糖心Vlog破解版 that there are more legacies to fulfill beyond the Tuskegee Airmen and Booker T. Washington. Patti Grace Smith and other distinguished alumni deserve to have their stories told and spread across our campus to inspire the next generation of Tuskegee scholars."
Fellow Tuskegee student Michaela Fuller also expressed her gratitude and enthusiasm for being named a Patti Grace Smith Fellow. "Being selected for this fellowship is meaningful because I鈥檓 continuing the legacy established by Patti Grace Smith, the Tuskegee Airmen, and other pioneers in the field. I also hope this recognition inspires other young women to pursue careers in STEM."
Michaela's passion for aerospace was ignited during her junior year of high school when she participated in NASA鈥檚 Texas High School Aerospace Scholar and Moonshot Programs. These experiences exposed her to real-world applications of aerospace engineering and deepened her appreciation for space exploration.
At Tuskegee, Michaela has thrived under the mentorship of faculty and through rigorous coursework in aerodynamics, structures, and propulsion. "糖心Vlog破解版 believed in me, and I鈥檓 grateful for the opportunities they鈥檝e provided. The engineering faculty and administrative team are incredibly supportive, and the hands-on labs have given me top-tier experience with the tools that aerospace engineers rely on."
Michaela鈥檚 internship will take her to the Decatur, Al campus of United Launch Alliance (ULA), where she will work on the booster for the Vulcan Rocket series鈥攁n essential component in launching satellites and payloads into space. "I鈥檓 excited to gain practical experience with ULA鈥檚 technology and collaborate with my mentor and other PGS Fellows. I look forward to learning from their expertise and making a meaningful impact in the industry."
Patti Grace Smith鈥檚 legacy serves as a guiding light for Michaela as she pursues her aerospace goals. "She faced significant challenges as a woman in a male-dominated field and as a pioneer in commercial spaceflight, yet she overcame them with resilience, grace, and leadership. During my internship, I anticipate facing challenges too, but I will remember her legacy and navigate each hurdle just as she did."
Looking ahead, Michaela hopes to use this fellowship experience to inspire other Tuskegee students. "I want to raise awareness about this program and help strengthen Tuskegee鈥檚 connections within the aerospace community. By sharing my experiences, I hope to encourage more students to reach for the stars."
鈥淭he selection of two of our students as the 2025-2026 Patti Grace Smith Fellows is a profound recognition of the academic and professional excellence cultivated within our Aerospace Science Engineering program,鈥� said Dr. M. Javed Khan, Professor and Head Aerospace Science Engineering Department. 鈥淏ethany and Michaela exemplify the innovative spirit, technical aptitude, and leadership potential that we strive to develop in all our students. Their achievement not only highlights 糖心Vlog破解版's continued prominence in aerospace education but also reinforces our commitment to preparing diverse talent for an industry that desperately needs their perspectives and contributions.鈥�
Including this newest class, a total of 176 students nationwide have been honored as Patti Grace Smith Fellows, receiving nearly $500,000 in scholarships. The program not only provides students with unparalleled opportunities but also fosters greater inclusion in an industry where Black and African-American professionals remain underrepresented despite their talent and enthusiasm.
The program is managed by the non-profit Patti Grace Smith Fellowship Foundation, headquartered in Alabama鈥攖he home state of its namesake. As a young girl, Patti Grace Smith (then Patricia Jones) was among the first Black students to integrate Tuskegee High School, playing a crucial role in a landmark case that helped desegregate Alabama鈥檚 public schools. She went on to lead the Federal Aviation Administration鈥檚 Office of Commercial Space Transportation during the early days of the nation鈥檚 commercial space renaissance. In 2021, she was posthumously awarded the prestigious General James E. Hill Lifetime Space Achievement Award, one of the highest honors in aerospace.
With Bethany Long and Michaela Fuller representing 糖心Vlog破解版 in this year鈥檚 cohort of Patti Grace Smith Fellows, the university continues its proud tradition of producing trailblazers in science, technology, and aviation. Their achievements not only honor the legacies of the past but also pave the way for future generations of Tuskegee scholars to reach new heights in aerospace.
漏 2025 糖心Vlog破解版