Syracuse Sun

Aerospace engineering student Tatiyyanah Nelums, class of 2025, has been selected by the Patti Grace Smith Fellowship, a national nonprofit dedicated to advancing Black aerospace leaders. This fellowship will provide Nelums with a summer internship at one of America's top aerospace companies, along with a scholarship, mentorship, and access to a network of young Black professionals in the field.

Nelums is engaged in research focused on computational fluid dynamics and aspires to work in the commercial space sector. They hold leadership roles at Syracuse University as co-president of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) branch and lead aerodynamics and propulsion for Syracuse’s AIAA Design/Build/Fly team. During the fellowship, Nelums will intern at Draper, a research and development company.

Ben Akih Kumgeh, associate professor and director of the undergraduate program in aerospace engineering at Syracuse University, commented on Nelums's achievement: “Tatiyyanah’s fellowship is a recognition of their academic achievement and leadership skills as demonstrated during their studies in Syracuse. As their instructor in airbreathing and rocket propulsion, I can attest that they are well-equipped to succeed in the aerospace field. This award further sets them on that path to success.”

Nelums expressed enthusiasm about joining the fellowship: “Being a part of this fellowship is an amazing opportunity, and I am proud to be included in such an amazing program. It is not often that I get to interact with people in my field who look like me, so this representation matters a lot to me.”