Authors: Anessa Quintanilla 
Press Release: April 2021

On April 7, ARCS successfully hosted its Year Two Liftoff Event, an annual celebration that honors student fellows and faculty while highlighting diversity and inclusion in STEAHM. The event kicked off with welcoming sentiments from CSUN President Erika Beck and CSUN Provost, Dr. Mary Beth Walker, and Director of NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, David D. McBride. Following the guest speakers, a brilliant panel of women were welcomed to discuss their experiences and the importance of diversity and inclusion in STEAHM. 

Over 125 attendees, including student fellows and faculty, were acknowledged for their hard work in numerous multidisciplinary research projects collaborating with NASA, JPL, Medtronic and other partners. The all-women panel also provided inspiring and encouraging advice to the ARCS community as they continue to move forward in their academic and professional journeys in STEAHM. 

“Along with the intellectual part of learning it’s also that emotional part of learning. It’s the passion that you have for STEM and STEAHM,” said Devin Wallace, the Air & Space Exhibit Project Manager for California Science Center. “That is what I hone in on in my moments of doubt. Regardless of what I do and how well I do it, I’m going to try my best and find ways to meet those goals,” she continued. 

The event concluded with engaging discussion and praise from members of the ARCS community as student fellows presented their research projects in several breakout rooms.

The Autonomy Research for STEAHM Center

The Autonomy Research Center for STEAHM (ARCS) is a NASA-sponsored, chartered, Center of Excellence. Their mission is to combine multidisciplinary, university-wide knowledge and talent from faculty, students, and NASA scientists to conduct convergence research and collaboration using increasingly autonomous systems (IA).