UACCB aviation students receive NASA scholarship
Batesville - Two students in the Doyle "Rog" Rogers, Jr., Aviation Maintenance program at the University of Arkansas Community College at Batesville have been awarded NASA scholarships.
Nicholas Jackson and Jason Waits were recently awarded the $2,000 scholarships. Jackson will complete the associate degree program in May 2010 and Waits will graduate in December 2010.
Jackson said he learned about the aviation program at UACCB from his uncle who was enrolled in the program. "I knew I wanted to go to college but I was not sure where," he said. "My uncle brought home brochures and I started looking through the information." After graduating from Cedar Ridge High School he decided to enroll in the program at UACCB.
After graduation in May, he said he's not sure what he wants to do yet but will enter the job market, continue his education or both. "I really have no idea what I want to do right now," he said. He said he is grateful for the program because it has allowed him to learn more about airplanes and opened doors for him.
"Job opportunity wise, there are a lot of options available," he said. "I may have to leave the area but I want to go where the money is; however, right now, I'm just concentrating on getting through the program."
Waits said he began his first college experience at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville after graduating from Batesville High School in 1998.
"I studied mechanical engineering but didn't finish and started working in automotive shops in the Fayetteville area. After a handful of years, I decided I needed to get things together. So three years ago, I moved back in with my parents here in Batesville. I worked for the hospital as a laboratory courier for two years, paid off all my debts and saved up some money."
He said he found out about the aviation program at UACCB and felt this was perfect for him because it would allow him to enter a technology field. He said he attended the aviation graduation ceremony last spring at the hanger and met with the faculty to learn more about the program.
"I was at a time in my life when I didn't think that going back to school was attainable, that it would be too difficult and too time consuming. I decided to set some goals, and now at age 29, I've found a renewed interest in furthering my education," he said. "I believe this really speaks to the value of adult education opportunities like the ones offered at community colleges like UACCB. And I am very grateful to have found this very advanced program right here in my hometown."
After graduating, his ultimate goal is to be involved in the aircraft design process. "That was my goal when I originally pursued mechanical engineering in 1998. When I complete my associate's degree, I plan to find a job that allows me to gain real-world experience in the aviation field while also allowing me to also pursue a bachelor's degree in engineering, either in mechanical engineering by finishing at Fayetteville or an Aviation Systems Engineering degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock," he said. "I hope to move on to development of technologies and prototypes through either the public or private sectors."
"I have found that if you want to get into the aviation field, becoming a maintenance technician is a great way to either work in the field with opportunities for good pay and advancement or also a great way to pursue further careers by getting your foot in the door," he said. "Through my own personal experience, it seems to me that when you want to lead others in the future, doing the work on the ground helps you become a more grounded leader in the future. Plus, getting to take apart jet engines is pretty cool too."
NASA initiated the National Space Grant College and Fellowship Program, also known as Space Grant, in 1989. Space Grant is a national network of colleges and universities. These institutions are working to expand opportunities for Americans to understand and participate in NASA's aeronautics and space projects by supporting and enhancing science and engineering education, research and public outreach efforts. The Space Grant national network includes over 850 affiliates from universities, colleges, industry, museums, science centers and state and local agencies. These affiliates belong to one of 52 consortia in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.
The 52 consortia fund fellowships and scholarships for students pursuing careers in science, mathematics, engineering and technology or STEM, as well as curriculum enhancement and faculty development. Member colleges and universities pre-college and public service education projects in their states.
The Arkansas Space Grant Consortium is headed by Dr. Keith Hudson, director of the University of Arkansas at Little Rock graduate school of technology. In 2009, NASA, recognizing the value of the aviation maintenance technician, started the Community College Aviation Maintenance Technician Scholarship Program. These scholarships are funded through the Space Grant Consortia.
UACCB was invited to represent the aviation related programs of the Arkansas Association of Two Year Colleges on the Space Grant Consortium. These $2,000 scholarships represent the first scholarships given to Arkansas Community College ATM students.
