NASA funds diversity initiatives at University of Houston with $1.2 million

NASA has allocated $1.2 million to the University of Houston (UH) to enhance diversity in STEM and aerospace engineering fields. This funding aims to tackle obstacles faced by historically underserved and underrepresented students.

The grant supports a project named Partnership for Inclusivity in Engineering Education and Research for Space, or PIE 2RS. This initiative involves collaboration between UH, UH-Clear Lake, NASA’s Johnson Space Center, Boeing Company, and the Greater Houston Partnership.

Jerrod A. Henderson, assistant professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at UH and principal investigator of the project, stated: “Our research, as well as the research of leading scholars, has highlighted the challenges underrepresented students face, including isolation, marginalization, racial bias and hostile educational environments.”

Henderson elaborated on PIE 2RS's objectives: “Our goal with PIE 2RS is to improve the recruitment and retention of students in aerospace-related STEM disciplines, increase their sense of belonging and broaden their participation through hands-on research and experiential learning opportunities.”

The project will support students through customized experiential learning opportunities like capstone projects, internships, paid research experiences for 18 students annually over ten weeks each year; fostering a supportive community; monthly professional development workshops; and layered mentoring.

Joining Henderson are co-PI Karolos Grigoriadis from UH’s Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Department, collaborator Rick Greer, and professors Olga Bannova, Mariam Manuel, and Tian Chen.

“This award is a testament to the amazing work that is happening on our vibrant campus,” Henderson said. He emphasized that this initiative would position UH as a leader in Engineering Education Research.

Grigoriadis added: “The award also underscores our dedication to advancing aerospace engineering at UH. It reflects our ongoing commitment to expand research and education in aerospace while broadening opportunities for students to engage in this critical field.”

Henderson’s team will employ Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory involving stages such as concrete experience (feeling), reflective observation (watching), abstract conceptualization (thinking), and active experimentation (doing). Henderson noted: “Learning as an integrated process occurs effectively when a learner engages in all four stages of the cycle.”

UH is among six institutions receiving awards from NASA totaling $7.2 million. Other recipients include Alabama A&M University, Morgan State University, North Carolina A&T University, University of Central Florida, and the University of Colorado – Denver.

“NASA is excited to award funding to six minority-serving institutions," said Shahra Lambert from NASA Headquarters. "NASA is committed to fostering diversity and providing essential academic resources to empower the next generation of innovators.”

Keya Briscoe from MUREP added: “With these awards we are continuing to create pathways that increase access and opportunities in STEM for underrepresented groups."