The AeroAstro HBCU Partnership Program was thrilled to host a fall visit weekend on October 25-28. Now in its second year, the MIT AeroAstro HBCU Partnership aims to bring prospective graduate students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) to visit the department during the academic year. By preparing students from various institutions to apply to our graduate program and fostering relationships with HBCUs, the program aims to advance AeroAstro’s commitment to increased diversity and inclusion of underrepresented groups in our community.
Led by AeroAstro’s Prof. Wesley Harris, Howard University’s Prof. Sonya T. Smith, DEI Officer Denise Philips, and supported by AeroAstro’s DEI team, the program comprises two key experiences: a fall visit (open to both juniors and seniors) and a nine-week summer research program (open to juniors) within the same academic year.
During the three-day fall visit, seven visiting scholars from Howard University, Morgan State University, and North Carolina A&T had a chance to learn about the graduate program in AeroAstro, research opportunities in the department, and the 13 fields of graduate study by engaging with faculty, staff, and current students. As importantly, the scholars also had the opportunity to learn about graduate life through lab tours of AeroAstro’s facilities, social events, and tours and activities across the MIT campus.
