Wanda Austin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Wanda Austin
Born	1954 (age 70–71) New York City, New York, U.S.
Education	Franklin and Marshall College (BS) University of Pittsburgh (MS) University of Southern California (PhD)
Occupation	Engineer
Engineering career
Discipline	Aerospace
Institutions	American Academy of Arts and Sciences National Academy of Engineering American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics NASA Advisory Council Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans Committee Defense Science Board

Wanda M. Austin (born 1954) is a brilliant American aerospace engineer. She used to be the president and CEO of The Aerospace Corporation. She was the first woman and the first African-American to hold this important job. Dr. Austin also served as the temporary president for the University of Southern California. She was the first woman and the first African-American to hold that position too.

Dr. Austin has worked on many special committees for the White House. She has received awards for her amazing work in engineering, space science, and STEM education. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Early Life and Education

Wanda Austin was born in The Bronx in New York City. Her parents, especially her mother, really wanted her to get a good education. Her mother made sure she went to better schools in different neighborhoods. This helped Wanda get a great start.

She graduated from the Bronx High School of Science. Then, she earned a bachelor's degree in mathematics from Franklin & Marshall College. She was one of only twenty African American students there. Later, she studied abroad at the University of Lancaster in England. This experience opened her eyes to many new academic ideas.

Dr. Austin then went to the University of Pittsburgh. There, she earned two master's degrees in 1977. One was in Systems Engineering, which is about designing and managing complex projects. The other was in Applied Mathematics, which uses math to solve real-world problems.

After working for a few years, Dr. Austin went back to school in 1988. She earned her doctorate (PhD) from the University of Southern California (USC). This program allowed her to keep working while she studied. Her special research was about how systems change over time and how computers can understand human language.

Amazing Career Journey

After finishing her master's degree in 1977, Dr. Austin started working at Rockwell International in California. She worked with missile systems, which are rockets used for defense. In 1979, she joined The Aerospace Corporation. This company helps the government with space and satellite programs.

At Aerospace, she held many important leadership roles. She became the Senior Vice President of the Engineering and Technology Group. She also worked on the MILSAC (Military Satellite Communications) Program. From 2004 to 2007, she was Senior Vice President of the National Systems Group. Then, on January 1, 2008, she became the CEO of The Aerospace Corporation. She led the company for almost nine years before retiring on October 1, 2016.

In 2009, Dr. Austin was part of the U.S. Human Space Flight Plans Committee. This group helped plan future space missions for humans. The next year, she joined the US Defense Science Board. In 2014, she became a member of the NASA Advisory Council. Both of these groups advised the White House. In 2015, President Barack Obama chose her to be on the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST). This group of top scientists and engineers advises the President directly.

In December 2017, Dr. Austin started her own company called MakingSpace, Inc. It helps leaders and students learn about STEM. She is still the CEO of this company.

On August 7, 2018, Dr. Austin was named the temporary president of the University of Southern California. She stepped in after the previous president resigned. She helped lead the university during a challenging time. The university later created a special scholarship in her name to thank her. Today, she is a Trustee and a professor at USC’s Viterbi School of Engineering.

Dr. Austin is a member of many important groups. These include the National Academy of Engineering and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She also advises leaders from some of the world's biggest companies. She has served on the boards of the Space Foundation and the National Geographic Society.

She continues to serve on the board of directors for companies like Chevron Corporation and Amgen Inc.. As of May 2022, she is the Lead Director of the Chevron Corporation. In January 2024, she was nominated to join the board of directors of Apple Inc..

Personal Life

Wanda Austin is married and has two children.

Book

In 2016, Dr. Austin wrote a book called Making Space: Strategic Leadership for a Complex World. It shares her ideas on how to be a good leader in a complicated world.

Awards and Honors

Dr. Austin has received many special awards for her contributions. These include the National Intelligence Medallion for Meritorious Service and the Air Force Scroll of Achievement. She also received the National Reconnaissance Office Gold Distinguished Service Medal.

She was named Woman of the Year by The Aerospace Group. In 2007, she was inducted into the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame. She received the Black Engineer of the Year Award in 2009. The next year, she received the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' von Braun Award for Excellence in Space Program Management. She also joined the University of Southern California Board of Trustees that same year.

In 2012, she received the Horatio Alger Award. This award honors people who have achieved success despite challenges. She also received the USC Presidential Medallion in 2018. In 2019, USC gave her an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree.

See also

In Spanish: Wanda Austin para niños