Matthew Isakowitz Fellowship Program

OUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS FOR 2023 INCLUDE: THE MATTHEW ISAKOWITZ FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM IS A 501(C)(3) NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION HONORING THE MEMORY OF AN ENGINEER, ENTREPRENEUR, AND EXTRAORDINARY INDIVIDUAL WHOSE PASSION FOR COMMERCIAL SPACE EXPLORATION LED TO GREAT STRIDES IN THE INDUSTRY AND INSPIRED ALL THOSE AROUND HIM. THE PROGRAM SEEKS TO INSTILL THAT SAME ENTHUSIASM INTO THE NEXT GENERATION OF COMMERCIAL SPACEFLIGHT LEADERS BY PROVIDING IMPACTFUL CAREER TRAINING TO THOSE WHO EMBODY MATTHEWS DRIVE FOR EXPLORING OUR UNIVERSE TO HELP BETTER HUMANKIND. THE 2023 PROGRAM RECEIVED AN INCREDIBLY ENTHUSIASTIC RESPONSE TO ITS MISSION. MORE THAN 250 STUDENTS FROM OVER 90 COLLEGES APPLIED FOR THE 2023 FELLOWSHIP. AFTER A RIGOROUS SELECTION PROCESS, THE PROGRAM SELECTED 30 EXTRAORDINARY INDIVIDUALS. THESE 30 STUDENTS STOOD OUT FOR THEIR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE, RELEVANT EXPERIENCE, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, A DEMONSTRATED PASSION FOR INNOVATION, ENTREPRENEURSHIP, AND COMMERCIAL SPACE. IN ITS SIXTH YEAR, THE 2023 PROGRAM PAIRED THESE EXCEPTIONAL COLLEGE JUNIORS, SENIORS, AND GRADUATE STUDENTS PURSUING AEROSPACE CAREERS, FOR A PAID THREE-MONTH SUMMER INTERNSHIP WITH ONE OF 19 COMMERCIAL SPACE COMPANIES ACROSS THE NATION. THEY ALSO RECEIVED EXECUTIVE MENTORSHIP FROM 30 AEROSPACE EXECUTIVES FOR A FULL YEAR, AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO NETWORK WITH EACH OTHER VIA AN ONLINE SUMMIT OVER THE SUMMER, LEARN FROM INDUSTRY INNOVATORS FROM COMMERCIAL AEROSPACE START-UPS AND ALUMNI FELLOWS FROM THE PREVIOUS CLASSES. THE 2023 PROGRAM HAD SUCH A POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE 30 STUDENTS AS THEY CONTINUE TO NETWORK WITH EACH OTHER AND THEIR MENTORS, BRINGING BACK THE KNOWLEDGE THEY GAINED FROM THE FELLOWSHIP TO THEIR CURRENT ACADEMIC PROGRAMS. MANY REPORTED STARTING UP ROCKETRY CLUBS ON CAMPUS AND ATTENDING VIRTUAL SPACE CONFERENCES; ALL ENTHUSIASTICALLY OFFERED TO MENTOR THE NEXT CLASS OF FELLOWS OF THE BENEFITS OF THE 2023 MATTHEW ISAKOWITZ FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM. ALSO, MANY HAVE CONTINUED ONTO GRADUATE SCHOOL, OR ARE NOW EMPLOYED FULL-TIME PURSUING THEIR AEROSPACE CAREERS SOME OF WHICH, AT THE COMPANY THEY DID THEIR SUMMER INTERNSHIP WITH THROUGH THE FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM.