WIAA
Women in Aeronautics and Astronautics is a student-run organization with the goal of empowering women with opportunities for leadership, technical and professional development, networking, outreach, and advocacy on behalf of female students.
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 welcome to students of any level from any academic department. Membership is also not limited to just females; students of any gender identity are welcome to join and attend events!
WIAA operates on four main pillars:
- Community and Retention - Create an inclusive, interactive community designed to facilitate students through their degree.
- Academic and Technical Skills Development - Develop technical skills through a variety of workshops, and provide a community of academic collaboration for members.
- Professional Development - Foster professional development through networking events, speakers, and interactions with professionals within the aerospace community.
- 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 Sponsors
2022-2023 SILVER SPONSORS
- Lockheed Martin
- Northrop Grumman Corporation
2022-2023 BRONZE SPONSORS
- Microsoft
- Maryland Robotics Center
Current WIAA Leadership 2023-2024
CO-CHAIR
Lilly Spych
Lilly is a senior aerospace engineering major from Newark, Delaware. She first discovered her love for space and astronautics during a trip to the Kennedy Space Center when she was young, and has worked towards a career in aerospace ever since. Lilly has worked on projects for UMD’s Space Systems Lab and SEDS@UMD, and interned at Primus Aerospace this past summer. She is also involved in the Society of Women Engineers and the professional sorority Alpha Omega Epsilon. In her free time, she enjoys drawing, painting, hiking, and climbing.
CO-CHAIR
Elizabeth “Ellie” Quinn
Ellie is a senior aerospace engineering major on the space track from Kensington, Maryland. She has been part of WIAA for the past two years, serving first as Community Development Chair, and now in her role as Internal Co-Chair. Ellie first discovered her interest in aerospace when she got a private group tour of NASA Goddard Space Flight Center in the eighth grade with her science competition team. In the past, Ellie has worked for aerospace companies such as Middle River Aerostructure Systems, a manufacturer of composite airplane parts. On campus, she is also involved in the QUEST Honors Program, Maryland Irish Dance, and Maryland Images, in which she acts as a campus tour guide to prospective students. Outside of aerospace, Ellie is also passionate about her cats, nail design, and her wonderful friends.
AJ Rahr, Undergraduate Liaison
AJ is a fourth year aerospace engineering major following the space track. She is also pursuing her University Honors citation and a minor in robotics and autonomous systems. AJ has been a member of WIAA since her freshman year and was attending events as early as fourteen years old - she credits the organization with her interest in aerospace after signing up for WIAA Day 2017. This is her third year sitting on the executive board. Beyond WIAA, AJ is also active on campus as part of the Balloon Payload Program, and in the past, she’s been involved with the Flexus LLC and SEDS’ SatFab team, as well as the Space Systems Lab via volunteer work. When she gets the chance, she can be found reading, watching a Buffalo Bills game, kickboxing, or stargazing.
Madelyne Rossmann, Graduate Liaison
Madelyne Rossmann is a first-year graduate student at the University of Maryland pursuing her Master's in Aerospace Engineering. She is advised by Dr. Paley and her research centers around drones. Additionally, Madelyne is an academic part-time intern with the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and is currently a spacecraft controls analyst working on the Psyche mission. Madelyne completed her undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Maryland, and has been involved on the board of WIAA since her enrollment at the University. The work WIAA does is very important to her, and was the driving force in her choosing to attend the University of Maryland. She is excited to remain a part of the organization that has given her so much as she begins her graduate education. Outside of school and work, Madelyne has a dog, Ollie, that she loves to spend time with. She is also an avid runner, hiker, and camper, and has recently picked up photography as a hobby.
Sarah Pfau, Advertising Officer
Sarah Pfau is a senior at the University of Maryland, pursuing a major in Aerospace Engineering. Sarah has spent this past summer in El Segundo, California interning for Boeing in their Defense, Space and Security division. Here, she has furthered her experience and interest in satellite development by interning on the RF Product Design Team. Upon graduation in spring 2024, Sarah will be returning to the team as a full time employee. At UMD, Sarah has completed volunteer research about habitat sizing at the Space Systems Lab here on campus during her sophomore year. She also interned at the lab over the following summer, creating a cis lunar space vehicle for Quantum Space. Besides her involvement with WIAA, Sarah is affiliated with Greek Life on campus and enjoys spending time with her friends and being a fan of the Terps.
Amelia “Mia” Skeers, Communications Officer
Mia is a sophomore aerospace engineering major from Southern California. She spent the past summer working in a bio-physics and optics lab in Claremont, CA and is interested in space debris mitigation research. Outside of WIAA, Mia is involved with UMD’s Women in Engineering Program through the FLEXUS Living and Learning Community. In her free time, Mia enjoys reading, spending time with her family and friends (and cats), and watching football.
Marissa Potts, Financial Officer
Marissa Potts is a current sophomore aerospace engineering major at the University of Maryland, she is also pursuing a minor in sustainability studies. Marissa strives to bring inclusivity in the aerospace engineering field, and is concurrently involved in many other campus organizations. She is the Vice President of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics, a peer mentor for Women in Engineering, member of the Sorority of Women Engineers, and in the professional sorority Alpha Omega Epsilon. Some of her other interests include hanging out with friends, hiking, reading science fiction books, dancing, and UMD’s marching band.
Trinity Aguilar, Outreach Events Officer
Trinity is an aerospace engineering major in her junior year. She is pursuing the space track due to her passion for space exploration and astronomy. This is her first year on the WIAA executive board and is excited to be here! In her free time she enjoys taking photos of the night sky, planets, and the moon.
Joynob Kaoshar, Mentorship Officer
Joynob is a senior/4th year aerospace engineering student in the space track in the University of Maryland. She is one of the first group to pursue a hypersonic capstone project due to her passion for the growing field of hypersonics. Besides WIAA, Joynob is affiliated with Terps Rocket where She is the first Diversity, Equity and Inclusion officer , Sigma Gamma Tau (SGT) where she is the secretary, Sister to Sister program and Women in Engineering on campus. She is also doing undergraduate research on a neutral buoyancy robot. Outside of academics, she enjoys hiking, traveling, reading fantasy novels and being a voice for women and underrepresented communities through mentorship.
Rachel Boschen, Yearbook Officer
Rachel is a junior Aerospace Engineering major on the space track at the University of Maryland. She is also pursuing a minor in statistics. This is her first year on the WIAA executive board. She is a member of the Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band and Social Media Chair for the service sorority Tau Beta Sigma. In her free time, she can be found reading a good romance book, attending puppy classes, or traveling somewhere new.
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