2025-26 AEM Undergraduate Scholarships

AEM Alumni Scholarship Fund

Michael Robles

"I am currently in my junior year of the Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics program, and I am very grateful for the opportunity to be able to study this major and to receive the AEM alumni scholarship. This not only helps me financially but also helps me focus more on my studies rather than have to worry about tuition. I am very excited to continue my studies at the University of Minnesota, and progress as a graduate student after graduation. Thank you so much to the aerospace alumni who have contributed to the fund! I hope to be able to join this fund once I graduate and help others like me."

CSE Oswald Award

Elias McCool

"I'm a junior in the aerospace engineering and mechanics program. I'm thankful for the Albert George Oswald scholarship as it will allow me to pursue my studies, and other opportunities to learn with more focus. This upcoming year I'm excited to continue learning as I've gotten into the juicy upper-level courses. I'm most excited about gaining practical engineering experience in these next couple years. With the opportunities, professors, and mentors within the AEM department I'm confident in my skill set that I will take into the aerospace industry after graduation."

The Eric W. Harslem Scholarship for Aerospace Engineering

Spenser Chinn

"I am a junior in the Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics program. I am extremely grateful to have been awarded the Eric W. Harslem scholarship. This award allows me to focus more on my studies and extracurriculars. I am a part of the U of MN’s CanSat team, Minnesat, where I design mechanical components. My future plans are landing an internship with a company that works with general aviation aircraft such as Cirrus."

Daniel Tereshko

"I am a senior studying Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics. As a first-generation American with a family from Belarus, I am deeply grateful to receive the Glenn E. Bowie Educational Fund Scholarship. This scholarship is not only reducing financial pressure, but also allowing me to concentrate fully on my academics. Over the summer, I interned as a mechanical test engineer, where I gained a lot of knowledge about testing and validating products. This experience strengthened my interest in this career path, and I am excited to pursue a career as a test engineer in the aerospace industry."

James M. Urnes Senior AEM Scholarship

Keenan Raby

"I'm currently an undergraduate senior at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities, majoring in Aerospace Engineering. Receiving this scholarship has been a huge motivator for me to continue pursuing my degree while staying deeply involved in extracurriculars like the Stratospheric Ballooning Team and the Midwest High-Powered Rocketry Competition, both led by Professor James Flaten, to whom I owe much of my ambition. These experiences have shaped my academic path and strengthened my commitment to graduate school, where I plan to pursue a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering. Ultimately, this scholarship supports my dream of entering the aerospace industry to work on advancing air and spacecraft systems."

Monica Robles

"I am a fourth year undergraduate at the University of Minnesota pursuing a major in Aerospace Engineering and a minor in Astrophysics. It is a great honor to have been selected as a recipient of the James M. Urnes Sr. AEM Scholarship. As a student coming from a poor socioeconomic background, I cannot express how thankful I am to have the worry of financial challenges lifted off my shoulders, especially for this final year of my undergraduate degree. Due to this opportunity I am able to focus on my studies and to not only excel in the classroom, but also continue to explore ways I can apply what I’ve learned to real-life experiences that can help me in the future. I hope to one day pursue a higher degree of education that will connect me with larger organizations in a space-related field to make contributions to the discoveries of the world beyond Earth–a dream that is made closer to reality with the help of this scholarship. And with that higher degree, I aspire to travel back to my parent’s home country of El Salvador, a country where there is great potential to establish programs from the ground up. I’m aiming to take all the knowledge and experience I acquire from my time at the University of Minnesota and help uplift a new space program, while also looking at ways to teach the young generation that will further help El Salvador’s transition from a third world country to one that’s flourishing."

Isaac Hoyt

"I’m Isaac Hoyt, a senior undergrad in the Aerospace department. I am very grateful for this scholarship as it will allow me to focus on my classes and extracurriculars instead of worrying about earning money for next semester. I take my academics very seriously since I’ve always found it rewarding to put in the time and effort to earn good marks in a course. I’m proud to have my efforts recognized by the James M. Urnes Sr. scholarship. I hope to keep learning and developing my skills in the future."

John and Robert McCollom Memorial Scholarship

Franklin Woolley

"My name is Franklin Woolley, I am a 4th year student at the University of Minnesota. I am currently in my final year of my Undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics. I am very grateful to receive this scholarship as it is an incredible honor and it will help me finish up my final year of undergraduate college. In the future I hope to get a Master's degree and after that I hope to work in the space industry, pushing spaceflight forward any way I can."

Benjamin Stiyer

"My name is Benjamin Stiyer, I am a senior in the Aerospace Engineering program, and receiving this scholarship means a great deal to me. It will allow me to work fewer hours at my part-time job and devote more time to my studies. I am also a member of the Small Satellite Research Lab on the Attitude Determination and Control Systems (ADCS) subteam, and this support will help me get more involved in the lab and continue building valuable hands-on experience for my future career. One of my long-term goals is to be part of a team that develops a space telescope. I have been deeply inspired by the James Webb Space Telescope, and I would love the opportunity to help design another telescope that expands our understanding of the universe. This award will help provide me with the skills and experiences needed to further my career and move closer to achieving my dreams and goals."

Madhurima Das

"Receiving this scholarship is not only financially helpful but also a meaningful recognition of my involvement in research and professional organizations. I loved working on my UROP project as well as the summer research mentorship program by the AEM department. I plan on going to graduate school for a PhD, and these research experiences helped me to decide it. These research experiences gave me valuable opportunities to connect with faculty, graduate students, and peers while strengthening my academic interests. As a senior, I now believe that my time in college has been worthwhile. The aerospace courses constantly pushed us to think creatively, solve problems, and look for resources, which has equipped me to take on challenges and come up with solutions that might not seem conceivable at first."

Luke Sosalla

"Hi, my name is Luke Sosalla, and I am currently in my second year of the Aerospace Engineering program. I am truly honored to be receiving the John and Robert McCollom Memorial Scholarship. This support will allow me to focus more on my studies and academic goals without the financial stress. After graduation, I plan to pursue a Master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering and eventually contribute to aircraft-related projects in industry. Thank you again for your generosity and support."

Lawrence E. Goodman Scholarship/Fellowship

Devin Schutt

"My name is Devin Schutt and I am currently a junior studying Aerospace Engineering at the U. Receiving the Lawrence E. Goodman scholarship was a bit of a surprise to me but a welcome one to say the least. This scholarship will allow me to focus on my course load this semester rather than the high costs that come with being a college student nowadays. In the future, I plan on either pursuing a career as an Army Aviation Officer or continuing on to Graduate School, or perhaps both if fortune allows. Thank you to the AEM department for their generosity."

Louis R. and Dona S. Wagner Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics Scholarship

Maya Nalezny

"I am a senior in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics at the University of Minnesota. The Louis R. and Dona S. Wagner Scholarship has made it possible for me to complete my final year of studies, and I am truly grateful for this support. I currently work at MTS Systems as a Mechanical Engineering Intern, where I’ve developed a strong interest in testing equipment and system validation. After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in the automotive or flight controls industry."

Brooke Menne

“I am a junior majoring in aerospace engineering, The scholarship will give me the ability to focus on my studies instead of working. It also provides me with great motivation to continue to excel in my studies. I was born and raised in Minnesota and have always loved it here! I am a transfer student from Iowa State and Century College and chose the University of Minnesota because I realized how much Minnesota was my home. I am currently studying aerospace engineering and aspire to create innovative and unique solutions for people of disability within aviation. I was also granted the opportunity over the summer to travel to NASA’s Langley Research Center to advocate and solve problems for people with disabilities in the field of aviation. After I complete my studies, I want to use my knowledge to inspire and create change within the aerospace field.”

Robert H & Marjorie F Jewett Fund

Lahari Hosur

"My name is Lahari Hosur, and I am a junior studying Aerospace Engineering. Aerospace has been a passion of mine since I was a child. I was captivated by the Apollo program and amazed by the creativity and dedication of the engineers who made such groundbreaking discoveries possible. I am truly grateful to be a recipient of the Robert H. & Marjorie F. Jewett Fund Scholarship because it allows me to continue my education, further my career, and fulfill my lifelong goal of becoming an aerospace engineer. Outside of my studies, I serve as the Vice President of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and am involved in several other campus organizations. After graduation, I plan to work in the space industry and contribute to the advancement of space exploration."

Richard D. and Wyona R. Bartsch AEM Scholarship

Daniel Dimitrov

"I am incredibly grateful to have received this award going into my junior year in AEM. This scholarship will allow me to continue focusing on my studies and engaging in extracurricular activities and research on campus. This summer, I hope to secure an aerospace internship out of state that will allow me to pursue my lifelong dream of working in the astronautics industry and make new discoveries about our universe."

Isa Shaikh

"I am currently in my Junior year of the BAEM program, working for a co-op at Daikin Applied until December 2026. I am growing everyday with the challenges I face and enjoying working on an Ansys Fluent CFD project for comparing different approaches of modeling and simulating fans. I am incredibly honored to receive the Richard D. and Wyona R. Bartsch AEM Scholarship. The pleasant surprise of receiving it will keep my enthusiasm flying high, encouraging me to put my best effort into my academic and extracurricular pursuits. My long-term career goals revolve around enhancing sustainability in the Aerospace industry by leveraging simulation software to improve aircraft structures and aerodynamics."

Tyler Zenz

"My name is Tyler Zenz, and I am a senior majoring in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics at UMN, with minors in Astrophysics and Computer Science. Currently, I am working an internship with Gulfstream Aerospace in Savannah, GA, and I also completed an internship in Albuquerque this summer. To me, this scholarship means recognition for my hard work, and the chance to continue pursuing opportunities that are important and impactful. I plan to take a full semester of classes spring 2026, then do another internship summer 2026, and finish my undergraduate degree in fall 2026. After graduation, I hope to work in either the autonomous systems space or the rocket space."

Joseph Shin

"I am currently a junior majoring in aerospace engineering with a minor in computer science, originally from Saint Paul, Minnesota. I am very grateful to receive this scholarship, as it supports my studies by allowing me to focus more on coursework, extracurriculars, and professional growth. I am excited to build on my past engineering internship and experiences to further pursue my interests in graduate school as well as in a career in the aerospace industry."

Shashwat Anand

"I am a Junior pursuing an honors undergraduate degree in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics. I am honored and grateful to receive the Richard D. and Wyona R. Bartsch scholarship! This scholarship will motivate me to focus more deeply on my academic and professional development, pursue research opportunities within the university, and continue contributing to projects that strengthen my skills as an engineer and person. Currently, along with my academics I am a lead designer for the rear wing as a part of the Aerodynamics subteam in Gopher Motorsports FSAE. I am also teaching CSE 1001 as a TA, and in my spare time, I give online tutoring in Science and Mathematics to high school students. My hobbies include travelling around the world, playing the guitar, and bouldering. In the future, I plan on pursuing a graduate degree in Aerospace Engineering and to apply my knowledge and passion to real-world engineering challenges."

Jack Gagamov

"I’m Jack Gagamov, a third-year Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics student from Mundelein, Illinois. I’m grateful for the Richard D. and Wyona R. Bartsch AEM Scholarship, which allows me to focus more fully on my studies and hands-on experiences, including working with the MnSGC Stratospheric Ballooning Team and the UMN Rocket Team. I hope to pursue a career in aerospace, with a particular interest in commercial aviation, while continuing to build my technical skills and gain research experience at UMN."

Richard G. Brasket AEM Scholarship

Lars Erickson

"I’m really honored to receive the Brasket AEM Scholarship! As a senior in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, I’m excited to keep pushing forward in this field and plan to pursue a PhD in aerospace engineering. This scholarship comes at a pivotal point in my academic journey and it means a lot, not just for the financial support, but also as encouragement to keep contributing to the aerospace community through research, innovation, and mentorship. I’m truly grateful for this recognition and for the opportunities it opens up as I work toward my long-term goals in aerospace engineering."

Nicholas Lawrynk

"I'm in my fifth year and look forward to continuing my career after graduation this Spring. This generous support reminds me that others believe in my potential and dreams. It is also an affirmation of my hard work and dedication to my major and education. I hope to one day work for any aerospace company that allows me to advance in my career while also being there for my family. I'm hoping to work for a company that deals with space missions, but I've come to realize that airplanes would create an interesting career too."

Richard and Shirley DeLeo Scholarship and Engineering Fund

Nazdana Ahmadi

"My name is Nazdana Ahmadi. I am a junior in Aerospace Engineering. I transferred from Saint Paul College, and this is my first semester at the University of Minnesota. Receiving this scholarship has been a turning point in my academic journey. As a student, the most important thing to me is time and a stress-free mind to focus on my academics. This scholarship allows me to grow and glow in the best way that I can. One of my goals is to be so successful that one day I will be the one who is helping people with their journey."

Radhakrishna Vojjala

"My name is Radhakrishna Vojjala, and I am a senior majoring in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics at the University of Minnesota. I am honored to be awarded the Richard & Shirley DeLeo Scholarship. This support has not only eased the financial challenges of completing my degree but has also encouraged me to stay focused on my long-term goal of pursuing a PhD in engineering. Receiving this scholarship has reaffirmed my commitment to my studies and motivates me to keep striving for excellence as I prepare for graduate school and my future career. I am deeply grateful for your generosity and the belief you place in students like me. One day, I hope to give back and support future students in the same way that you have supported me."

Kevin Smith

"I’m Kevin Smith, a senior in the AEM department. Receiving the DeLeo scholarship was a very welcome surprise, as it alleviated some of my stress about continuing to pay for my college education. It also felt very rewarding that my hard work in academics was noticed and celebrated! After graduating, I hope to make my way into the solid rocket motor field, particularly for making hobby motors, as that is similar to the work I have done as a part of the rocket team."

Munkhnaran Munkhsukh

"As a junior in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, I am an avid rocketeer focused on propulsion system design and energetics. The Richard & Shirley DeLeo Scholarship provides crucial support that enables me to pursue advanced coursework and dedicate countless hours to applied research and development outside the classroom. My primary outlet for this work is as the Propulsion Lead for the UMN Rocket Team, where I lead development and making of our team's proprietary solid rocket motors. I am also passionate about the manufacturing side of aerospace, spending much of my free time honing my skills in metal machining and fabrication. Looking ahead, I am driven to work in the space industry, specifically in propulsion R&D or structural design, to contribute to sustainable space exploration and technological advancement."

Andrew Schmit

"As a sophomore in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanics, receiving the Richard & Shirley DeLeo Scholarship means so much to me. This support not only helps fund my education but also motivates me to continue striving toward my academic goals, knowing that there are people who believe in my success. Aerospace has always inspired me because of the challenge of pushing the limits of what is possible in flight, and this scholarship allows me to focus more fully on that pursuit. In the future, I hope to work on flight navigation and control systems for hypersonic vehicles and military aircraft. I am deeply grateful for their generosity, which not only eases the financial aspect of school but also encourages me as I move closer to achieving my goals."

Thomas S. Lundgren Scholarship

Samuel Seguin

"I am a 3rd year student in Aerospace Engineering. I am currently involved in Gopher Motorsports and the University of Minnesota Marching Band. I have really enjoyed applying the knowledge from my degree in student groups this year. This scholarship means a lot to me, as it will lessen the financial burden on my family, allowing me to focus more on my studies. Once I graduate, I plan to enter the workforce, hopefully starting a full-time career in aerospace engineering, but I don't have any specific plans for where I will end up working yet."