During the past academic year, six NVCC students were awarded $1,500 Community College Scholarships from the NASA CT Space Grant Consortium: Daniel Gaewski (Electronic Engineering Technology), Ashley Indrisek (General Studies), Derlyn Hernandez (Electronic Engineering Technology), Lindsey Japa (Engineering Science), Ryan Marquis (Engineering Science), and Steison Ruiz (Engineering Science) 

Two NVCC alumnae, Caleigh Dodge (2019 A.A. Biology Studies) and Stephanie Tripodi (2020 A.A. Biology Studies) were awarded $3,000 Community College Transfer Scholarships through Central CT State University: 

Peter Angelastro, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Biology and NVCC Site Director for the NASA CT Space Grant Consortium, noted how “the NASA CT Space Grant Consortium has supported numerous NVCC students and alumni with awards since we joined the consortium in 2014. The sum of the awards this academic year is the most earned by NVCC students and alumni so far - $15,000! The CTSGC calls for applications each semester and I encourage any student with an interest in STEM to apply. While this year the majority of awardees were from engineering fields, this is not always the case. We have had nursing and allied health students win awards as well.” 

Daniel Gaewski (pictured above), Electronic Engineering Technology major at NVCC, commented on the award. “It is a real honor to receive this scholarship from NASA. I would like to thank Professor Kristen Dagan McGee for her dedication to helping students enrolled in the Electronic Engineering Technology program to succeed, both in school and in entering the workforce with the right skills and knowledge. I highly recommend the STEM programs at NVCC.” 

Commenting on his scholarship, Derlyn Hernandez noted. “Winning this scholarship brings a sense of euphoria and pushes the message that my goals matter and are worth striving over. NASA's Space Grant gives a nice reminder of where my personal goals reside.” 

NASA Connecticut Space Grant Consortium (CTSGC) is a federally mandated grant, internship, and scholarship program that is funded as a part of NASA Education. The purpose of the Connecticut Space Grant Consortium is to inspire the pursuit of careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), especially within groups who have traditionally been underrepresented within the STEM disciplines, be the model for STEM-based professional development, contribute to the development of Connecticut’s economy and STEM pipeline, and provide an environment in which all stakeholders understand and contribute to the Consortium’s mission. 

Dr. Peter Angelastro advised students to be on the lookout for the Fall 2021 Call for Applications in September. If you have any questions, please contact him at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  

The Consortium’s mission is to further the efforts started through NASA’s Education Strategic Framework, Lines of Business, and the National Space Grant Program Goals and Objectives. Specifically, NASA CTSGC has three major goals: 

o    To establish and promote NASA-related research opportunities that draw on the collaborative strength of private, academic, and government sectors, 

o    To support education initiatives that will inspire students to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), and 

To promote workforce development that recognizes the current and future needs of the Connecticut economy.