During the summers of 1995 and 1996, I had a most remarkable opportunity. I assisted with Jerry Soffen's Academy program at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). Unquestionably, those summers represented the best teaching (and learning) experience I have ever had. Top flight students, out of this world facilities, sky is not the limit projects and NO PAPERS to grade. I thought I had achieved Nirvana! This opportunity did come with certain costs. As a recipient of the opportunity and a participant in the National Space Grant program, I am duty bound to report back to the Space Grant Directors. After all, you are key investors and stakeholders of the Academy projects. Most of my comments below are directed to Academy at Goddard. With suitable modifications, they could apply to all four of the Academies. I hope my reflections on viewing this activity as a strategic SpaceGrant investment are helpful to you.
NASA centers have a history of offering internships and research opportunities to the academic population. These opportunities usually involve placing a student in a laboratory or project setting and allowing that exposure to enhance a studentŐs science or engineering acumen. While this model is a part of the Academy regimen at Goddard, it is not the central theme. The central theme for Academy is enhancing leadership potential. Academy at Goddard strives to foster the growth of the next generation of people to lead this nation's aerospace effort.
Do not misunderstand. Technical proficiency is a prerequisite. However, the ideal Academy candidate should also have the mental adroitness and broad spectrum personality to appreciate management philosophies, political environments, economic concerns and the many ancillary issues encountered in NASA, the US government and aerospace industries. Timing in an academy member's life is also crucial. Potential candidates should have completed their undergraduate junior year but be before their second year in a graduate program. This allows an optimal blend of experience and maturity while preserving the opportunity to make crucial graduate study adjustments.
I feel that an additional aspect of sponsorship of a Goddard Academy student is one of making a strategic investment for the Space Grant Consortium. Sponsorship does require a state or territory to invest approximately $3000. If that money is to be viewed as an investment, what is the return to the consortium? Answers include prestige, recognition, and publicity.
Prestige for a state's consortium is a growing reality. Academy is quickly obtaining a recognition for quality that is being noticed both at Goddard and beyond. The collection of talent that has been the hallmark of Academy has not gone unnoticed by center researchers, top aerospace industry executives and NASA HQ.
Recognition of a state's participation is not given a short shrift in Academy. During the multitude of introductions, territory or state affiliation is always announced. This information is also the key indexing guide in the widely distributed Profile Book on each year's class. Academy always highlights the affiliation with the Space Grant program.
Publicity for your state's effort is another key return. An important example of how this can come about is tied to geography. GSFC is located about 20 minutes by subway from Capitol Hill. NASA and its employees are strictly prohibited from lobbying efforts. However, I wasn't!
I strongly encouraged our students to contact their senators and representatives and arrange courtesy visits. Prior to any visit, Academy students were prepared. Academy staffers with experience offered neophytes tips on protocol and effective "spin." Please know that Dr. Julius Dasch and I both delivered briefings to Academy students on the significance of Space Grant Consortia early in the summer. I believed it most important that every sponsoring consortium was represented by a properly prepared standardbearer.
It is important that all consortia's executives are aware of the value that the Academy staff places on your investment and partnership with this strategic leadership project. I hope that my comments are helpful as you consider participation in Academy. Thank you for your consideration.