Contact: Thonnia Lee, Office of Strategic Communications
United States Air Force Second Lt. Harper Lee ’24 had plenty to tell a room of high school students who just spent a week on campus for the MITAS (Mentoring Introduction to Aviation Science) program.
The former Architecture and Construction Science major outlined many options for students interested in aviation, and how Tuskegee University and the Air Force ROTC program helped him get his degree, flight training hours and licenses before graduation.
The 19 high school students from across the country worked as teams to solve engineering problems while learning more about options for aviation and engineering careers at Tuskegee.
“You are on the right path,” said Lt. Lee. “Make sure from here, you make your plan. Then be ready to pivot.”
He told the students he graduated from high school knowing he wanted to go into the military because both of his parents retired from the Army.
“That’s one of the good things about Tuskegee” he said. “The Air Force ROTC Program gives you a taste for military procedures and learning the ins and outs of the Air Force before you have to sign the contract. I graduated two years ago and the Air Force has allowed me the opportunity for stability and to see the world. On top of that, you can’t fly fighter jets on the civilian side.”
Sponsored by the United States Air Force, the MITAS program is a one-week program offered by the College of Engineering in collaboration with the Tuskegee Airmen Museum at Moton Field, Industry and professional organizations and is designed to introduce high school rising juniors and seniors to the various aspects of aviation science.
The program allowed the students to work as teams to solve problems, while learning more about options for aviation and different aspects of engineering.
The three teams presented their problem and solutions. The egg drop presentation. The rocket presentation and the energy car presentation. Jymon Johnson, from Eufaula, Alabama, won the first place prize or the WWE – the Wonderful World of Engineering. Tuskegee University students served as counselors during the week and worked closely with Ret. Col. Johnny Baker, Program Manager for the Department of War Aerospace Education, Research and Innovation Center (DOW-AERIC) at Tuskegee.
“Historically marginalized students remain underrepresented across aviation and STEM,” said Dr. Thierno Thiam, Senior Vice President and Provost. “Without targeted mentorship, exposure and pathways into higher education and industry, potential aviators and engineers never realize their flight paths. This is where Tuskegee University comes in as it has always done. We stand committed to ensuring that this institution not only celebrates talent, but removes the barriers that prevent talent from thriving.”
Dr. Heshmat Aglan, Dean of the College of Engineering, told students and parents of all of the options the students have by choosing to study at Tuskegee.
“We have almost all of the engineering programs in addition to aviation science, aerospace, the only HBCU with that accreditation, chemical engineering, computer engineering, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering and this fall we start a minor in nuclear engineering.”
“If you are a junior, you can come back next year,” he said. “If you are a rising senior, we have the FASTREC program for you to get a headstart. Apply early to take advantage of scholarships.”
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