Feb 17

Feb 17 Empowering Black Excellence in Aerospace

Bowie Native Liam Johnson Earns Fellowship, Gateway into Space Industry

Exemplifying Black excellence in aerospace, county resident Liam Johnson was one of four Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University students who won 2022 Patti Grace Smith Fellowships, selections that set each of them up with paid summer internships at respected space firms, marking their first steps into the industry and on their career paths.

Johnson is a native of Bowie, MD and graduated from Bishop McNamara High School in Forestville, MD.

An Aerospace Engineering sophomore, Johnson will intern at Hawkeye 360, a Radio Frequency (RF) data analytics company located in Herndon, VA. His fellowship will consist of learning about furthering the capacity and efficacy of Hawkeye 360’s dedicated satellite mesh that provides novel geospatial intelligence from radio frequency detection on earth. At the end of his program, he will be asked to join a symposium for all 2022 PGSF Fellows to discuss the work they fulfilled at their host companies. Approximately 40 students are chosen nationally each year for the Patti Grace Smith Fellowship, who was an aerospace trailblazer.

“My motivation is my mother,” Johnson said, adding that he admires how his mother battled adversity her entire life to, first, emigrate to the United States, and then graduate in the top of her classes at both Harvard and the Mayo Clinic before becoming a dentist. He also cited his Aunt Margaret, Uncle Frank and girlfriend as motivation, referencing each of their various accomplishments, degrees and skills. “My family reminds me that I can do better and that I need to work hard to bring the life I want to live, and the change I want to accomplish to fruition.”

Johnson remembers having a tough time in high school, which taught him to “always stay true to my professionalism and to maintain composer.” After graduation, he plans to become his own boss, lead an outreach mission and continue to invent and innovate systems for use in aerospace and beyond.

“The Patti Grace Smith Fellowship focuses on addressing matters of racial and ethnic equity and inclusion in the aerospace industry,” said Dr. Brittany Davis, director of Embry-Riddle’s Office of Prestigious Awards and Fellowships. “In addition to providing Black undergraduates with their first hands-on work experience at one of the nation’s premiere aerospace firms, recipients are given two personal mentors to help them navigate their future career.”