UL Lafayette visits Houston to discuss NASA partnership
University officials met with NASA leadership at Johnson Space Center to explore workforce development and research ties amid local aerospace expansion.
By Jack Weber ·
University of Louisiana at Lafayette President Dr. Ramesh Kolluru traveled to Houston last week to explore a formal partnership with NASA.
The visit included a delegation that met with Edgar Castro, the NASA chief of the Propulsion and Power Division, at the Johnson Space Center. The group discussed specific pathways for student internships, increased faculty engagement, and collaborative research projects. They also reviewed how to develop curriculum that reflects current industry demands.
UL Lafayette has a history of producing engineers for the space sector. Notable alumni include Jay Honeycutt, who worked on the Apollo program and later directed the John F. Kennedy Space Center. Stephen Damico, a mechanical engineering graduate, recently spoke on campus about his role in the Artemis II launch. The university has expanded its academic focus to match regional growth, including the arrival of SpaceX and a major spaceport project in Vermilion Parish.
Last month, the university announced new academic offerings in aerospace and space technology. These include an aerospace engineering concentration for mechanical engineering majors and an aerospace and autonomous systems minor in the College of Engineering. The expansion aims to align academic programs with the shifting needs of the engineering workforce.
Dr. Kolluru stated, “The University of Louisiana at Lafayette has a tremendous opportunity to contribute to the future of aerospace through our students, faculty, research and partnerships.” He added that the conversations at Johnson Space Center were a step toward building a relationship that supports NASA and the aerospace industry.
The university’s CAPE program launched the first student-built satellite in 2007. Students are currently developing a fourth miniature satellite with support from the Nick Pugh Aerospace Electronics Research Laboratory. This work focuses on autonomous systems, satellite technologies, and aerospace electronics.
College of Engineering Dean Dr. Ahmed Khattab said, “We are intentionally aligning our academic offerings with the changing needs of the engineering workforce.” He noted that the new aerospace engineering program begins in fall 2027 and that relationships with organizations like NASA will help prepare students with necessary skills and experiences.
