A group of Laredo middle school students visiting Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) Friday, Feb. 26 will met National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) astronaut and engineer Stephanie D. Wilson, the second African-American woman to go on a space mission.

Wilson was the keynote speaker during the 2016 TAMIU STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Alliance luncheon on Friday, Feb. 26, from 12:30 -1:30 p.m. in the Student Center Ballroom.

Congressman Henry Cuellar (D-TX-28) and TAMIU hosted the four-day STEM Alliance. The event, which took place at TAMIU from Wednesday – Sunday, Feb. 24-28, is designed to encourage local Hispanic female students to consider careers in STEM fields as they are currently underrepresented in those areas.

The STEM Alliance also included a career fair and presentations from companies, universities and government agencies. Area students, especially Hispanic females, attended and learned about diverse career options available.

Congressman Cuellar also spoke to high school freshman from around Webb County on the importance of this annual event during the Mission Mars: Unmanned Vehicle Rescue Robotics Competition on Sunday, Feb. 28 at TAMIU.

“STEM fields are at the cornerstone of a great and functioning society. These careers will continue to be in high demand in the near future, which is why I want to expose our local middle school girls these wonderful organizations and role models because our nation’s STEM fields are looking for greater diversity from women and minorities. I thank Dr. Keck, Dr. Arenaz and TAMIU for their help and support with our annual STEM Alliance,” said Congressman Henry Cuellar.

“We applaud the  vision Congressman Cuellar shares of a world made better, stronger, and  bolder through dedicated STEM education and support. The University is most proud to partner with him in this vision, and we annually look forward to the opportunity to charge the minds of these young students and empower them to become their most powerful, purposeful selves.” – Dr. Ray Keck, President.

TAMIU provost and vice president for Academic Affairs, Dr. Pablo Arenaz said that the STEM Alliance provides students an opportunity to explore future career possibilities available through STEM studies.

“We are fortunate to be able to host this event with Congressman Henry Cuellar for the past six years and expose students to the many career paths available through STEM areas,” Dr. Arenaz said, “From exploring space as an astronaut and curing diseases as a physician to building roads as an engineer and helping solve crimes at a crime lab as a chemist, STEM graduates can look forward to bright futures ahead.”

About NASA Astronaut Stephanie D. Wilson

A native of Boston, Mass., Wilson was selected as a NASA astronaut in 1996. She was a crewmember on Discovery missions STS-120, STS-121 and STS-131 to the International Space Station. She holds a master’s degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas. Her bachelor of science in Engineering Science was earned at Harvard University.

Her many honors and achievements include the Johnson Space Center Director Commendation Award (2013), the Johnson Space Center Director’s Innovation Group Achievement Award (2013), NASA Distinguished Service Medal (2009, 2011), NASA Space Flight Medal (2006, 2007, 2010), an honorary

Doctorate of Science from Williams College (2011), Harvard College Women’s Professional Achievement Award (2008), Harvard Foundation Scientist of the Year Award (2008) and the Young Outstanding Texas Exes Award (2005).

Organizations who participated in the STEM alliance include: TAMIU, Laredo Community College, The University of Texas at San Antonio Health Science Center-Regional, UTSA Department of Biology, USDA, Area Health Education Center, UTSA Dental School, FBI, National Weather Service, USDA, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, NASA, U.S. Marines, NASA Community College Aerospace Scholars, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Area Health Education Center, Frank Architecture, Lackland Air Force Base, PETA, AEP, Wells Fargo, Federal Protective Services, Texas Academy of International and STEM Studies, Texas Department of Public Safety Crime Laboratory, Space X, Robotics Engineering Machine Shop, IBC Bank and others.