Student Earns Scholarship from NASA

By Melyssa Allen
 
Meredith student Megan Yohpe has been named a NASA-MUST Scholar. The scholarship is part of NASA’s Motivating Undergraduates in Science and Technology (MUST) Program.
 
Yohpe, a junior in Meredith’s engineering dual degree program, is one of approximately 100 students selected to receive the scholarship, out of over 600 applicants. 
 
“NASA’s incredible research in space exploration and aeronautics has always interested me. I never thought I would have a chance to work with them,” said Yohpe, who grew up in Florida and visited Kennedy Space Center often to watch shuttle launches.
 
Through the program, Yohpe will receive $10,000 toward tuition, be provided online professional development/leadership training and support, and participate in a paid internship at NASA during the summer of 2010.
 
In August, Yohpe attended a NASA-MUST Scholars symposium, which featured research presentations and workshops on resume writing, technical writing and presentation skills, and tours of the Kennedy Space Center.
 
“The invaluable information and wonderful friendships I gained during the symposium have intensely increased my interest in NASA and all of its opportunities for students,” Yohpe said.
 
Scholars also interviewed for the internships they will complete next summer. Yohpe hopes to be placed at the Kennedy Space Center.
 
Dean of the School of Natural and Mathematical Sciences Elizabeth Wolfinger said, “Megan typifies the strong women scholars who are choosing the dual degree program at Meredith for the advantages it provides by pairing a math or chemistry degree from a primarily undergraduate women’s college with a degree from one of the nation’s top engineering schools.”
 
For more information on Meredith’s engineering dual degree program, visit www.meredith.edu/engineering.