Pre-Engineering student wins national Aerospace Fellowship
Cincinnati State Pre-Engineering major Tyler Fullilove is a 2026 winner of a Patti Grace Smith Fellowship, awarded to students interested in entering the aerospace industry who have demonstrated “the highest degree of individual merit, aptitude, work ethic, and determination.”
Only 23 fellowships were awarded for 2026, and Tyler is the only community college student who received a fellowship.
Patti Grace Smith Fellowship recipients receive a paid summer internship at one of the nation’s leading aerospace companies, where their work is guided by career mentors.
Tyler will be working this summer at Rendezvous Robotics, located in Golden, Colorado. The company pioneered a technology called “tesserae,” flat-packed modular tiles that can be magnetically latched to form structures in orbit, such as antennas and other devices needed during space missions. The company’s products have been tested during several missions on the International Space Station.
Tyler said, “I’m excited for the opportunity to contribute to such groundbreaking work, and to gain hands-on experience developing technology that completely expands what’s possible in space. I look forward to learning from talented engineers and leaders while continuing to grow technically and professionally.”
She added, “I’m also deeply honored and incredibly grateful to be selected as a Class of 2026 Fellow and to carry forward the legacy of Patti Grace Smith, a trailblazer who dedicated her life to expanding access and opportunity within the aerospace industry. It’s truly a privilege to join a community committed to excellence, innovation, and representation in space!”
The Fellowship is named for the late Patti Grace Smith, who headed the Federal Aviation Administration’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation at the dawn of the commercial space era.
Tyler also is a two-time recipient of an Ohio Space Grant Consortium Scholarship.
Faculty members Abbey Yee and Dr. Jeremy Huber facilitate the scholarship application process and assist with activities required for Cincinnati State students who win these scholarships.
Tyler thanked Huber and Yee for their “mentorship, encouragement, and consistent support,” and said, “Their guidance was instrumental in helping me pursue opportunities that once felt out of reach.”