Aerospace Engineer Dr. Aprille Ericsson to Present at DCCC

March 14, 2018 – Dr. Aprille Ericsson will present at Davidson County Community College on March 20, from 11:00 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. as part of the college’s Distinguished Speaker Series. This presentation is in conjunction with DCCC’s Females in Stem Week. The event is free and open to the public.

Ericson’s studies and diligent efforts enabled her to pursue a career in rocket science with NASA, and to be honored with numerous awards.

She was the first person of color to receive the prestigious “2016 Washington Award” from the Western Society of Engineers. Dr. Ericsson is the first female to receive a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Howard University, and the first African-American civil servant female to receive a doctorate in Engineering at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center.

Aprille Ericsson was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, where she developed an interest in science and mathematics at an early age. Ericsson was accepted into the undergraduate program at Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study and obtain her degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering. She continued her education at the prestigious Howard University where she would receive both a Masters of Engineering and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering with an emphasis in aerospace.

Dr. Ericsson says she feels obligated to help spur interest in STEM subjects for minority and female students.

“Without diversity in all fields the United States will not remain technically competitive,” Ericson said.

Dr. Aprille Ericsson will discuss these topics and more in-depth at the Mary E. Rittling Conference Center on March 20.

Founded in 1963, Davidson County Community College is a fully accredited, multi-campus college where students of all ages and backgrounds pursue academic and career-focused education in order to build successful futures. As one of 58 institutions within the North Carolina Community College System, DCCC offers more than 40 degree and professional certificate programs to students in Davidson and Davie counties, as well as affordable college-credit coursework to students who plan to transfer to 4-year universities. With a mission to serve the changing needs of students competing in a global environment, DCCC is committed to quality education, innovative and equitable learning experiences, training, and support across a wide range of 21st-century career fields. Visit Davidson County Community College at DavidsonCCC.edu.