Patti Grace Smith Fellowship 2025

The Patti Grace Smith Fellowship is a program specifically designed to celebrate and serve Black Excellence in Aerospace. Its core mission is to foster the development of Black and African-American undergraduate students who are aspiring to build careers in the aerospace industry, encompassing fields such as aviation, space, engineering, science, business, policy, and journalism. The fellowship aligns with a broader goal of increasing diversity and representation within a critical and innovative sector, thereby contributing to a more inclusive and equitable future for aerospace. The primary beneficiaries of this fellowship are Black and African-American undergraduate students enrolled in Bachelor's or Associate's degree programs, who are U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents, and who are seeking their first paid summer internship in aerospace. The program's impact goals are centered on providing these students with crucial early career opportunities, mentorship, and support to successfully enter and thrive in the aerospace field. By targeting students at the internship stage, the fellowship aims to bridge the gap between academic pursuit and professional experience, which is often a critical hurdle for underrepresented groups. The fellowship's priorities and focus are clearly on creating a comprehensive program that extends beyond just financial assistance. It emphasizes tailoring opportunities for Black and African-American students, indicating a holistic approach that likely includes mentorship, networking, and professional development alongside the internship placement. The eligibility criteria—specifically requiring applicants to be Black or African-American, undergraduate students, U.S. citizens/permanent residents, and seeking their first paid summer internship—underscore these priorities, ensuring resources are directed to those who meet the specific demographic and career development needs the fellowship aims to address. Expected outcomes and measurable results for the Patti Grace Smith Fellowship would likely include an increased number of Black and African-American students successfully completing aerospace internships, securing full-time positions in the aerospace industry post-graduation, and advancing into leadership roles. The long-term impact would be a more diverse and inclusive aerospace workforce, enriched by the unique perspectives and talents of these individuals. While the document does not explicitly detail the "foundation's strategic priorities and theory of change," the program itself strongly suggests a theory of change rooted in the belief that providing early access, support, and tailored opportunities to underrepresented groups is key to dismantling systemic barriers and fostering enduring professional success in specialized fields like aerospace.