Student Spotlight: Noel Stewart / Marshall Space Flight Center / AIHEC

My name is Noel White Running Water Stewart and here is an overview about me, my educational hardships and how OSSI and AIHEC helped me to be where I am.

I was born in Spokane, Washington. Being 23 years old now and growing up on the Blackfoot Reservation in Browning, MT has made me a bit wiser. When I graduated from Browning High School in 2007, I went to the University of Montana to become an accountant. My initial experience on the University of Montana campus was a culture shock, as this was very different than growing up in a town of 8,000 people and on a reservation. So, I moved back home and graduated with three Associate Degrees from Blackfeet Community College (BCC): Business Management, Applied Math and Science, and General Science.

There is a difference when you have communication, a portal or should I say a network, to help you along your educational path. My boss, Mr. Estes here at the Marshall Space Flight Center, asked "What do you want to be when you grow up?" I replied, "If and when I grow up, I will tell you." We laughed. While I attended BCC, my Math professor asked if I'd like to participate in a NASA internship. I agreed to do so and chose to investigate the plant regeneration after the Red Eagle Fire of 2006 near Browning. I traveled to many conferences to present my work. I loved it so much I wanted to participate again this summer. Thanks to OSSI, students now have a portal and networks to apply to opportunities instead of just waiting for them to come around by word-of-mouth. The OSSI Application System allows for students to take advantage of amazing internships, fellowships and scholarships.

This past summer I participated in a 10 week internship at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. I could not have moved on to a Center or furthered my career without the help of AIHEC and OSSI. I was also selected as a MUST Scholar a few weeks ago through the OSSI Application System. This grants me another internship next year and helps me pay for college. When I go home, I will move on to Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, Montana to earn my Bachelors in Hydrology. My project this year with NASA is studying Storm and Climate driven salinity impacts on Seagrass Habitat Suitability in the Mobile Bay and adjacent estuaries. I plan to earn my Bachelors Degree and go on for a Masters in 2013. Hopefully, I will work on Climate Change impacts from an eco-hydrological perspective.