Dr. Wanda Austin, president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation, received a presidential medal from the Worcester Polytechnic Institute in Worcester, Mass. Austin was presented with the presidential medal during the installation ceremony that inaugurated Laurie Leshin as the 16th president of the university.
During her speech, Austin reflected on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and how it was very important in her life. “As a young person, STEM education gave me an opportunity and an outlet for expression and exploration. As an adult, it has provided me with a career that has been immensely rewarding and a life I could have never imagined,” said Austin. WPI’s presidential medal was established in 2001 to recognize individuals who represent the ideal of the technological humanist, WPI’s approach to education. The award was established to recognize outstanding individuals from all walks of life who represent that ideal through their professional or personal accomplishments.
Also while at WPI, Austin participated on a panel. The panel moderated by Leshin titled “Inspired to Innovate: A Future-Focused Conversation,” discussed the impact of STEM higher education, technological innovation and entrepreneurship and disruptive innovation in higher education.
The Aerospace Corporation is a California nonprofit corporation that operates a federally funded research and development center and has almost 3,500 employees. It provides technical guidance and advice on all aspects of space missions to military, civil, and commercial customers to assure space mission success. The Aerospace Corporation is headquartered in El Segundo, Calif., with multiple locations across the United States.
