University of Mississippi students revived its American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) chapter, a professional organization aimed at expanding aerospace opportunities for students on campus.
The organization was reestablished by Rhett Cutcliff, a freshman mechanical engineering major from Pearl, Miss., after the initial chapter became inactive following its one-year operations from 2019-2020 due to a lack of student involvement. The new chapter now has around 15 members.
“The biggest thing I would want students to know is that AIAA is not just for engineering majors,” Cutcliff said. “Aerospace is incredibly interdisciplinary.”
Logo courtesy American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
While engineering students make up a large portion of the chapter, the organization is open to all majors. Aerospace companies also employ people in fields such as business, accountancy, law, computer science and medicine.
Cutcliff said he helped recharter the organization after realizing the university’s previous student branch was no longer active. Cutliff currently serves as AIAA president.
“I saw it as an opportunity not only to get more involved myself, but also to help build an aerospace community on campus for other students who have similar interests,” Cutcliff said.
AIAA aims to provide opportunities that go beyond the technical skills that students learn in the classroom. Cutcliff detailed the various benefits that the chapter provides for its members.
“One of the biggest things I’m hoping to gain is exposure outside of the classroom,” Cutcliff said. “AIAA provides students the opportunity to meet engineers and industry professionals, attend conferences, learn more about difficult career paths and get experience working alongside other students who share similar interests.”
Pete Ansert, a junior mechanical engineering major from Louisville, Ky., is another founder of AAIA. He highlighted that the University of Mississippi is currently AIAA’s only university corporate partner. Other corporate partners include companies such as Boeing and Raytheon. AIAA branches are connected with industry professionals and companies that recruit students.
“Ultimately, if you want to work in aerospace, AIAA is the best place to be,” Ansert said.
AIAA co-founder Pete Ansert. Photo courtesy Pete Ansert
Cutcliff said AIAA can also serve as a central community for students interested in aerospace who may otherwise have difficulty finding others who share their interests.
“I personally believe there are more students interested in aerospace at Ole Miss than people would initially realize,” Cutcliff said. “Without an organization to bring them together, it can be difficult for students to find each other or even be aware of the opportunities available.”
The chapter plans to attend the AIAA Region II Student Conference at Mississippi State this year. Members are also working to bring Mississippi-born astronaut Fred Haise to campus to speak with students next semester.
Members hope AIAA can help expand the university’s aerospace programs by supporting additional student teams and projects. The organization is interested in establishing a drone team, with possibilities for satellite and aircraft teams in the future.
“I’m most excited to see (AIAA) become an established organization and cornerstone engineering organization at Ole Miss,” Cutcliff said. “I’m excited to see it continuing to make an impact … long after we’ve graduated.”
The chapter hopes to provide a place where students can turn an interest in aerospace into professional, academic and technical experiences.
“If you are interested in rockets, spacecraft, aviation, satellites, drones, systems, space medicine or just want to learn more about the industry, there is a place for you,” Cutcliff said.
