Why do certain students thrive in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM), while others struggle and quit? Do they have like-minded peers, better textbooks, supportive teachers, or relevant work experience? In Learn To Fly, Dr. Wendy A. Okolo chronicles her journey to an aerospace engineering degree, via an academic memoir interwoven with humor and recommendations for succeeding in STEM. From securing scholarships to networking etiquette, from adept time management to extracurricular involvement, the author covers the gamut of academic success. A guide for anyone pursuing scholarly excellence, Learn To Fly provides actionable tools to equip and inspire you, to triumph through your own unique path to the stars.
James, Donald G.: - Donald Gregory James is an executive leader, a manager, a mentor, and a friend, father, and husband. He began his thirty-five year NASA career as a Presidential Management Intern at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, Maryland, in 1982. In 1984, he transferred to NASA's Ames Research Center in Mountain View, California, serving in roles of increasing responsibility and complexity, including public affairs, government and community relations, and education. After the 1986 Challenger space shuttle tragedy, which affected him deeply, Donald chose to make a career at NASA. Asked to support the postaccident speaking tour of backup Teacher in Space Project astronaut Barbara Morgan, Donald was so inspired by the overwhelming love and support for America's space program-and education-that he realized NASA was a special place where he could make a difference. In 2014, NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden selected Donald to serve as the agency's associate administrator for education, where he led a team of civil servants and contractors organized to strengthen NASA's and the nation's future technical workforce. Donald retired from NASA on March 31, 2017. Donald holds a BA in international relations from the University of Southern California. He was awarded a three-year graduate fellowship from the National Science Foundation to pursue his MA in international economic development from American University. He also studied economics and history at Cambridge University and attended Harvard's Senior Executive Fellows program. He is the recipient of numerous awards and citations for exemplary service.
Okolo, Wendy A.: - Dr. Wendy A. Okolo is an award-winning aerospace research engineer and associate project manager at NASA. Her technical expertise in vehicle flight dynamics, novel control techniques, and autonomous air vehicle safety has been demonstrated by her United States patent in aerospace vehicle flight path control, numerous technical publications, research collaborations, and teaching engagements across the aerospace engineering industry, academia, and the government. At 26, she became the first black woman to obtain a Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington. Among other awards, she is the recipient of a NASA Exceptional Technology Achievement Medal and is the first female recipient of the NASA Ames Early Career Researcher award. She also received a Black Engineer of the Year Award and a Women in Aerospace Award for Initiative, Inspiration, and Impact, demonstrating her commitment to changing the narrative of under representation in STEM. Learn more at www.wendyokolo.com.
