Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics (WIAA) is a group of both undergraduate and graduate students in the A. James Clark School of Engineering at the University of Maryland. WIAA was formed in the spring of 2015, and is open to all students of any level from any academic department.

WIAA operates on four main pillars:

  1. Community and Retention - Create an inclusive, interactive community designed to facilitate students through their degree.
  2. Academic and Technical Skills Development - Develop technical skills through a variety of workshops, and provide a community of academic collaboration for members.
  3. Professional Development - Foster professional development through networking events, speakers, and interactions with professionals within the aerospace community.
  4. Outreach and Community Service - Expand the reach of WIAA to other engineering students (particularly undecided engineering), as well as high school students, with various outreach events and/or information sessions.

Contact the WIAA President at wiaaterps@gmail.com if you are interested in attending our events either as a student or a guest lecturer, or if you would like to sponsor WIAA.


Current WIAA Leadership 2026-2027

 

WIAA 2-26-27 Board Member Dolev Blander

Dolev Blander, Co-President

Dolev is a senior aerospace engineering major from Lexington, Massachusetts, on the air track. She currently works at the Composites Research Laboratory, focusing on magnetorheological elastomers. Dolev is passionate about aerospace materials and controls. She is also a member of Sigma Gamma Tau, the aerospace engineering honor society. In her free time, she enjoys crafting, reading, and spending time with family and friends.

WIAA 2-26-27 Board Member Kirti Rangaraj

Kirti Rangaraj, Co-President

Kirti is a senior at the University of Maryland studying aerospace engineering on the space track. Now in her fourth year with WIAA and her third term on the executive board, she is excited to help create a space where every member feels they belong. Outside of WIAA, she serves as treasurer of the Terrapin Rocket Team and is involved with AIAA and SWE. In her free time, you can find her reading a mystery novel, discovering new R&B, or out on a trail.

WIAA 2-26-27 Board Member Yuval Enciu

Yuval Enciu, Graduate Liaison

Yuval Enciu is a Ph.D. student at the Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Center in the Department of Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland. Her research explores the development and demonstration of certifiable, zero-emission, long-range rotorcraft. Aside from research, she mentors undergraduate students and STEM interns, serves as president of the VFS Student Council, and participates in WIAA as the graduate student liaison.

WIAA 2-26-27 Board Member Isabella Schroeder

Isabella Schroeder, Undergraduate Liaison

Isabella is a senior aerospace engineering major with a minor in robotics from Connecticut. She has been a part of WIAA since her freshman year and enjoys planning events for the community. Outside of WIAA, Isabella is involved in the airbrake subteam on the Terrapin Rocket Team, and she is conducting research on advanced propulsion systems in APRL. In her free time, she enjoys riding horses and taking care of the herd at the campus farm.

WIAA 2-26-27 Board Member Alyssa Rubenstein

Alyssa Rubenstein, Financial Officer

Alyssa is a senior aerospace engineering major with a minor in data science. This is her second year on the WIAA board, and she’s excited to help build a strong community of women in STEM. She also serves as secretary of Sigma Gamma Tau and as communications captain for club swimming. In her free time, Alyssa enjoys spending time with friends, baking, and trying new recipes in the kitchen.

WIAA 2-26-27 Board Member Olivia Struble

Olivia Struble, Advertising Officer

Olivia is from Laurel, Maryland, and is a senior aerospace engineering major on the space track at UMD. Aside from WIAA, she is involved on campus in Greek life, a professional environmental fraternity, and Terrapin Rockets. In her free time, she loves hanging out with her roommates, traveling, going to concerts, doing anything crafty, or spending time outside.

WIAA 2-26-27 Board Member Elaine Shebey

Elaine Shebey, Communications Officer

Elaine is a sophomore aerospace engineering student from New York. She is involved in the Terrapin Rocket Team, IEEE, and the Terrapin Trails Club. In her free time, she enjoys crocheting, hiking, baking, and spending time with her family and friends.

WIAA 2-26-27 Board Member Risha Manthini

Risha Manthini, Corporate Relations Officer

Risha is from Montgomery County, Maryland, and is a sophomore studying aerospace engineering. She is particularly passionate about aviation and aerospace forensics. She is also a student pilot and hopes to earn her private pilot license soon. Apart from WIAA, she is involved with UMD’s Terrapin Rocket Team and Model UN.

WIAA 2-26-27 Board Member Mia Colangelo

Mia Colangelo, Community Development Officer

Mia is a sophomore aerospace engineering major from Massachusetts, and this is her first year on the WIAA executive board. Outside of WIAA, she participates in Terrapin Rocket Club on the aerostructures subteam. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with friends and family, playing guitar, and listening to music.

WIAA 2-26-27 Board Member Isabel Garcia-Musalem

Isabel Garcia-Musalem, Outreach Events Officer

Isabel is a second-year aerospace engineering student at UMD. Aside from WIAA, she works at Terrapin Works and in a lab as an undergraduate researcher. She loves aviation, hopes to earn her private pilot license, and is always up for plane-spotting.

WIAA 2-26-27 Board Member Alex Sepulveda

Alex Sepulveda, Mentorship Officer

Alex is a junior aerospace engineering major on the air track from Northern California. As an executive board member of WIAA, she plans to build lasting connections within the aerospace community. Alex is passionate about everything rotorcraft-related. She is a rotorcraft flight instructor and has worked in private aviation for more than six years. Today, she works as a research assistant at the Alfred Gessow Rotorcraft Research Center, specifically with the Maryland Tilt Rotor Rig. When she's not talking about helicopters, she loves to run, bike, read, and enjoy the outdoors.

WIAA 2026-27 Board Member Gabrielle Evans

Gabrielle Evans, Records Officer

Gabrielle is an aerospace engineering major with a minor in astronomy. She enjoys stargazing, going to the movie theater, trying new coffee shops, and baking. She is also a very social and talkative person who loves making new friends and creating memories, which she hopes will make recording WIAA’s activities and memories this year especially fun.


Top